#i just love iko's loyalty so much

[jmmoreaux]

okay but Iko and Cinder fríendship??? I love them so much :((

[forcedtoland]

jacin clay in "cress" (2/2)

hi!!! welcome to part 2/2 of me just talking about jacin clay because i finished rereading cress and i love him a ridiculous amount

remember when i said the second part would be up "in a few days"? yeah me neither.

part 1 can be found here!

this post will cover his moments in cress from chapter 29 and on. enjoy<3

disclaimers:

this post might include spoilers for all of the lunar chronicles series, since i sometimes make links with moments from the other books!

it will also probably end up being long because i have the wonderful tendency to overanalyze everything

for a bit of context, cinder just found dr. erland in farafra and is staying with him with part of the crew. part of crew being iko (still body-less and working full-time as a ship at that point of the book), wolf (unconscious) and jacin (barely trustworthy snarky potential-maybe-hopefully ally). not exactly an ideal situation, socially, for cinder.

jacin is painting over the naked lady on the rampion ship to cover it — HE DOESN'T GET PAID ENOUGH FOR THIS

he actually isn't getting paid at all he seemingly dislikes working with them and at that point he shows no clear motive to why he's helping them. i can't imagine how confusing that must be for cinder.

and yet he still cooperates. sure he throws in a lot of snarky remarks here and there (read: every 4.7 minutes) but he's still cooperating. and yet he's very much expressionless and keeps his mind blank all the time, shows no effort to seem trustworthy to the others... very much giving "oh i like to keep people guessing"

"Hey, mongrels, try to stay in the lines!" — i had to look up what mongrel means and even after searching i'm a bit confused but all i can say is that please do not let jacin babysit kids alone ever he'd terrorize them

wait but no he wants to be a doctor i like to think that he secretly is good with kids or maybe he only realizes that post-winter (when did this post turn into a hc)

"I’ve taken enough orders in my life.” YOU GO JACIN

no but he's kinda right even if he was harsh with cinder? the kids' painting was adorable but it wouldn't exactly be discreet when the entire world is on the look out for the rampion...

when cinder says “You have a funny way of showing loyalty.” and he just chuckles in response — and let the ambiguous loyalty misunderstanding continue

he chuckled

also stop being cryptic jacin this is why no one likes you /j

i really need to share this entire interaction because i was laughing so hard

Jacin’s concern turned fast to annoyance. “Your ship has some messed-up priorities, you know that?”

“Iko. My name is Iko. If you don’t stop calling me the ‘ship,’ I am going to make sure you never have hot water during your showers again, do you understand me?”

“Yeah, hold that thought while I go disable the speaker system.”,

jacin: ship, can you stop talking

iko: but i'm iko, the literal reason you have warm water and functioning lights i could literally cut off your internet access right now and make sure you always get locked inside the bathroom i will—

jacin: ok iko, can you stop talking

like he's just so annoying but i can't even be mad because it's so funny. my guy is stuck with people who don't trust him, outnumber him and could easily take him down if needed and he insists on antagonizing them at any chance he gets just because he can.

i love that the others never hesitate to put him in his place though like yess rampion crew humble him make him develop those social skills

i promise he's my comfort character

Cinder punched him.

Jacin stumbled against the wall, already chuckling as his hand came up to his cheekbone. “Did I hit a nerve, or was it a wire that time? You have plenty of both, right?”

what can i say.. if he gets punched again after this that's on him

thing is, jacin's so hostile when cinder is talking about her plan because he thinks she's just insane like ?? what is this 16 year old outlaw doing trying to overthrow a tyrant

you have to remember he has NO idea she is princess selene and he definitely did not sign up for this

at least kai believes cinder is doing it because she found princess selene. jacin never even considered the possibility of selene being implicated he literally just can't figure out what's wrong with these people and why they even think they have a chance against levana

long-ish quotes because jacinter<33

"I’m here because I saw an opportunity to get away from that thaumaturge without getting killed, and—” He cut himself off.

“And what?”

His jaw flexed.

“And what?”

“And it’s what Her Highness would have wanted me to do, although now she’s probably going to die for it.”

!^*#*%*@*×&#&#,,HERE WE GO

first let's appreciate the fact that he flexes his jaw and stops himself from mentioning winter

it's just. the fact that every time he thinks or mentions her his entire demeanor changes and it's so painfully visible. he's trained his whole life to hide everything from his face but he can never control his reactions when it comes to winter.

the way he abruptly cut himself off isn't something he can just shrug off. everyone noticed it. everyone knows he was about to say something important or he wouldn't have reacted that way. he probably knows that avoiding the question again (which is about the reason he joined them) would just make him more suspicious so he continues what he was saying and mentions the princess, basically confirming that he's not working for levana in any way.

also in the last sentence, and in a later quote too, he implies that something might happen to winter... and we all know what jacin does at the end of cress right

and then the big reveal, the moment we've all been waiting for: “Princess Winter. Who do you think?”

like sorry but he has NO clue why everyone would ever question who "the princess" is or why they're surprised and it’s just so funny to me? just thinking how in his perspective the rampion crew probably seem like a bunch of weirdos (like, on top of it all, you don't seem like you know who THEEE princess winter is? do better.)

“I thought maybe the princess would be proud if she heard about me turning against Sybil. That she would approve of my decision. But who am I kidding? She’ll never even know.”

HE WNATED HER TO BE PROUD OF HIM SHUT UP??????

i'm sorry but i just. they . i always talk about how jacin kept being a lunar guard no matter how hard it was for him so he can protect winter & his family but can we also talk about how one of the main things winter has always wanted was for him to be able to escape this life? even if it meant she would have to stay alone?

jacin and winter depend on each other's presence to endure the lives they've been forced into. they give each other a reason to tolerate it no matter how bad things get. and yet, all they want is for the other to be able to improve their situation.

jacin would do anything for winter, that we know. and since she's in no position to ever leave her situation (unlike jacin who technically can try, but would risk too much) the best thing he can do to help her is stay by her side, even if it means sacrificing a lot.

meanwhile, the fact that winter encourages him to leave means that she is willing to let go of him if it means him living a better life. considering her situation, her condition & the fact that jacin is literally her only friend, it takes so much selflessness to put him first like that.

they just want the best for the other. they love each other so much.

and obviously, jacin never planned on leaving her for good here, but for once he's taking initiative. he doesn't want to follow orders anymore. he took a chance. and winter would be proud of him for that.

“Do you … do you love her?”

He glared at her, disgusted. “Don’t try to push your swoony psychodrama on me. I’m sworn to protect her. Can’t very well do that from down here, can I?”

jacin, baby, you're also "sworn to protect" levana, i don't think that excuse really works here...

and there he goes contradicting me right after i said they love each other so much. but he didn't deny it, did he?

“Protect her from what? Levana?”

“Among other things.”

Jacin peered at her like he couldn’t figure out why he was wasting his time with such an idiot.

that last line@^*$ he really has no idea why his loyalty to his "princess" (the only current lunar princess) would ever cause so much confusion.

now, a necessary compilation of jacin clay being an absolute menace

when they're all surrounded by authorities and cinder asks jacin if he can control any of the humans, and he goes "Yeah, right." — he doesn't even TRY ???? also this shows that he doesn't believe in his lunar gift skills at all oh wow

this thorne/jacin interaction:

"In that case, has anyone seen my gun?”

“I’ve got it,” said Jacin.

“Can I have it back?”

“Nope.”

a MENACE i tell u

but also good on u for not giving a blind man a gun, jacin

"When he did talk, he tended to say something rude or prickly." that's my boy

take a shot every time someone describes him as looking extremely bored

“Let’s say you manage to pull this off, not that I really think you will.” — WHAT HAPPENED TO BOOSTING TEAM MORALE

cinder giving him instructions and him repearing "I know." after each sentence (until thorne cuts her off and goes "Cinder, he knows." — he might have saved some lives here)

also i need more thorne/jacin interactions i can't wait to reread winter & stars above

AND...... jacin betrays them

i'm going to be honest there i haven't read the 4th book in so long so i forgot some things related to that — like i know he did it for winter's sake but the exact specific reason is just a vague memory so i can't say much about this part

but we do get this scene with him and levana and i feel like it's so important to point out the fact that the queen herself decides to confront some "lowly guard" and you can even tell through their conversation how much she's just looking for an excuse to have him be considered a traitor... and obviously she'd love that to make winter suffer

jacin claims that he infiltrated the rampion crew as a spy and that he betrayed them after gathering info, etc.

he says that he's the one who gave sybil the location (did he though? i forgot lol)

levana tries to test his mind for rebellion but his mind is blank as always — obviously she's disappointed to not find anything but can we just talk about how ???? like even levana who has an EXTREMELY strong gift and an insane amount of practice can't even get near his thoughts and oh he's able to do that

NO DOUBT YOUR EAGERNESS TO RETURN ENCOMPASSED A DESIRE TO SEE YOUR BELOVED PRINCESS AS WELL

and THERE the "tiniest ripple of emotion" before he goes all blank again

sorry i know i've said this before but even after years and years of practice and mastering that expressionless face it takes the MOST MINIMAL mention of winter for it to break in an instant my heart hurts she's his weakness and he doesn't even try to pretend otherwise

like. he goes on saying he serves the entire royal family — first of all, very careful wording because levana would be the type to find ANYTHING to use against him (like i can totally see her going "oh, so you don't protect my beloved stepdaughter? that's treason" if he hadn't)

but also it prevents him from telling a full lie about it. idk if this makes sense but something i've noticed is that jacin is ok with lying / hiding many things but when it comes to winter, he goes with half-truths.

is it because he knows he can't control his expression anyway and that his emotions would give him away?

is it because he knows they would force it out of him if he tried to? (since he's used to being controlled)

maybe it's that something in him prevents him from denying it, like even if it's a lie he just can't say it...

idk... but i do know that he didn't attempt to lie about it even with the rampion crew

no one, not even lunars with their gift, can figure out his thoughts so it actually seems fair that we rarely have any idea what goes through his mind either lmao

WHEN JACIN FINDS OUT THAT CINDER IS SELENE AND HE DOESN'T EVEN TRY TO HIDE HIS EXPRESSION

it's like. Oh. Oh.

suddenly everything starts to make sense to him and i have to say it had me grinning

actually, thinking about it, it's kinda good that jacin acted like an antagonistic jerk for 90% of cress (guys i promise i love him) because can you imagine if the rampion crew trusted him? if they had shared their secrets with him?

not only would hiding the plans he'd have known about from levana have been nearly impossible, but he also might not have had a properly shocked reaction at dr. erland saying that cinder is selene and hide the fact that he had known like...

levana would have gotten to them so easily.

in conclusion, jacin clay is the reason the lunar chronicles has a 4th book in the first place. his sarcasm single handedly extended the plot. everyone say thank you jacin.

this is technically the last moment jacin appears in cress BUT if you think i wasn't going to scream about winter talking about him to scarlet, then there is no way you have been actually reading this post because of course i'm going to scream about it

first things first, she is playing make-believe doctor/patient with scarlet

I REPEAT: doctor & patient

this isn't even directly related to jacinter but i don't care i'm making it about jacinter

when she talks about jacin going missing :(((( i'm so upset can you imagine how hard it must have been for her... her going "and I don’t know if he’ll ever come back" and nearly dropping everything

i just find it so interesting that while jacin never shows his emotions, you can feel winter's strongly. like she's so physically expressive, and not just in terms of facial expressions.

"But I asked the stars to send a sign that he was all right, and they sent me a shooting star across the sky."

despite scarlet not really looking like she's about to answer her / cooperate, she just keeps going and asks whether he's safe... she's so worried about him i'm actually sad

more about how expressive winter is:

when scarlet confirms she saw jacin: "Glee spread over the girl’s face."

the instant scarlet implies that jacin might have been killed: The smile vanished and the girl shriveled away, tying her arms around her waist. “You don’t mean that.”

it's just so interesting how marissa meyer made them complete opposite in that aspect. winter shows her emotions in such an open, unfiltered way, to the point you feel that emotion yourself, meanwhile jacin...

“Jacin Clay,” she whispered. “Sybil’s guard, with the blond hair and beautiful eyes and the rising sun in his smile. Please, tell me he’s all right.”

i love this quote a lot because first of all you can just feel how in love winter is oh god she loves him so much (also it's just so endearing coming from her)

second of all, it's just the huge contrast between the jacin we've seen up until now and winter's version of jacin (who is technically his real personality)

and obviously, as i'm rereading this i can immediately go "awww" but i can imagine that when reading it for the 1st time, when you don't know either of them that well, you'd go ?? who? is winter just blinded by her crush that she sees what she wants to see? or has jacin clay actually been nice to another living being before in his lifetime?

and scarlet mirrors that thought perfectly because she's like,, well i remember a blond guard but definitely not a rising sun in his smile. or a smile point blank. also he tried to murder us.

and then winter doesn't even react to the last part. him trying to kill other people. she's absolutely unconcerned.

and it's not in a "oh yeah he does that sometimes" type of unconcerned (which i've seen with different fictional characters for who killing is a 'normal' thing). but no really, her lack of concern about it is because she knows he would never do that willingly.

she knows he has had to do things he doesn't want to do as a guard. that fact doesn't change the image of jacin she has, since she's known him for so long, way before he became a guard.

and i just love that because all the other tlc ships meet during the story's timeline, right? so they all have their moments where they don't fully trust the others, or doubt each others' loyalties, etc. especially in the early stages of each relationship, you have several moments where a certain action one does or miscommunication causes some sort of conflict between them.

take wolf/scarlet, for example, wolf also gets forced into doing things unwillingly, and despite knowing that, scarlet still hesitates in trusting him.

not that it's a bad thing! if anything, it's realistic. completely normal. even when you really care about someone, if you don't know them enough, sometimes 1 wrong move (even if it turns out you just misinterpreted the situation) can make you mistrust them for a while.

but jacin & winter are way past that stage like there is nothing one of them could do that would make them immediately think the other might be a bad person after all or anything like that. they just know each other too much for that.

plus, she knows how ridiculously rational he is all the time so she knows that if he did a certain thing, he had his reason and it was probably his best option at the time.

have i mentioned how much i love them btw

so. that was something.

pleeaaaase leave your thoughts in replies and reblogs let's talk about jacin i want to talk about jacin

i'm also planning on rereading winter at some point, too, and i'm wondering if i should make a jacin post for that. will it end up being 6 parts long? perhaps. but i'm still considering it.

if you somehow made it to the end and don't yet want to block me for how ridiculously long this post is, then congratulations! you are now officially a citizen of the Jacin Clay Nation. we are proud to have you here with us.

part 1

[theedoll]

silver lining

a jacinter fic

@jacihayle

—

“Jacin?”

“Hm?” Jacin sounded out without looking at her. He was too busy putting in data entries onto his computer for a few of his patients. He had on his spectacles that often accompanied his scrubs for work.

Winter concluded that for all of his somber glory, he still looked as attractive as he did shirtless.

“Do you know anything about the earthen’s zodiac signs? Western astrology, perhaps?”

It was something Winter recently became intrigued about. On one of their chats, Iko was blabbering to her about astrological compatibility and the Chinese zodiac. While Winter was quite sure they had something similar to that on the moon, she couldn’t pinpoint what. Instead, she inquired about Canada’s astrological system.

“What about Canadian astrology?”

“Canadian?” Iko repeated incredulously.

“Yes,” Winter proceeded unashamedly. At that time, Winter’s ambassador duties (and Jacin’s medical ones) required them to be on the western hemisphere. “Just like there’s a chinese one.”

“Oh,” Iko mimicked a noise that was supposed to resemble a laugh. “You mean western astrology? That’s what the Americans use.”

“That would make sense. Are you familiar with it?”

“Oh, yes!” Iko exclaimed. “Cress and I talk about it all the time. You know, Thorne prides himself on being a gemini.” She rolled her eyes, ranting on. “He’s very quick to toot his own horn about being so charismatic and witty. It’s what ‘charms the ladies’ according to him.”

“Hm,” Winter said whimsically, playing with a string of her coiled black hair. “What would my sign be?”

“Well,” Iko drooled. “Under the tropical zodiac, you’d be a capricorn! The dates fall between December 21st to January 21st.”

“A Capricorn?” Winter cooed. Her interest at this point was piqued.

“Yes! You all are described as ambitious, persistent, sensitive, and practical.”

Winter chuckled. “Practical is a word that is foreign from anyone’s vocabulary in describing me.” She paused. “But I feel I make a lot of sense to myself. Maybe we’re just misunderstood.”

“Maybe so.”

“Oh!” Winter lifted the palms of her hands to her cheeks. “What about Jacin’s sign?”

“Jacin is just like Cress! A cancer! They’re described as being sensitive, intuitive, protective, and loyal!”

Winter pondered the traits that both Jacin and Cress shared. Protectiveness and loyalty were traits that Jacin always had ever since they were kids. Although between the revolution and Levana’s rule, his protection manifested as possessiveness at times. Both him and Cress were sensitive by nature, although Jacin tried his hardest not to show it—and succeeded for the most part, but not with Winter.

Winter always knew how to get through to his hardened shell. And he always relented.

As she remisinced about her and Iko’s conversation on the living room couch, she snapped back to reality at the sound of Jacin’s low voice next to her.

“Not much. A few of my colleagues have brung it up before. Alongside the infamous Carswell Thorne.” He sighed, and Winter caught a glimpse of his icy blue eyes sparkling like diamonds staring deep into her soul. “What do you care for it, Trouble?” He put his computer down on the table, redirecting his hands towards her waist.

Winter always felt a shiver of excitement down her spine whenever, wherever he touched her. “I don’t know,” she feigned innocence. “It’s just... I’m a Capricorn.”

Jacin stared at her in that cynical Jacin way: eyebrows furrowed and lips forming a wry smile.

That didn’t stop him from moving closer.

“And?”

“And” Winter began, putting her hands on his chest. “You’re a cancer.”

She was fiddling with his white buttoned up shirt now. He could tell this was one of her charming tactics to get her way.

It was—like always—working.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” He asked lowly, his lips barely on hers.

“We’re opposite signs. I’ve heard that makes us quite difficult to get along.”

Jacin chuckled against her lips and smiled. “Well, there’s a silver lining behind it. Don’t you know that opposites attract?”

Before she could come back with a witty reply, his lips were already on hers. The kiss was innocent yet mature, sweet yet passionate. He kissed her like there would be no tomorrow.

But they both knew that they had an eternity to go.

—

a/n: hopefully anyone likes this! It’s been years since I’ve written fanfiction, especially tlc. I fw astrology and used to love this pairing even more so this was refreshing to do.

[fae-fucker]

Review: Cinder

by Marissa Meyer

A forbidden romance.

A deadly plague.

Earth’s fate hinges on one girl . . .

CINDER, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She’s reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen – and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth’s future.

This is not the fairytale you remember. But it’s one you won’t forget.

I DNF’d this book several years ago, probably soon after it came out. I thought the intro was super boring and ended up forgetting this book for literal years.

But, through peer pressure and hype, I decided to give it another shot.

And I’m glad I did! Once I got past the very dull first chapters, I was quickly pulled into the plot and found myself staying up late to finish the book.

A positive review? From ME? I know: wild:

The Writing

I’ve always been open about the fact that I don’t enjoy “pretty” prose. I find it very distracting and unimportant, personally. Which means that I, for the most part, enjoyed Meyer’s writing! It wasn’t usually in the way, and didn’t distract from the plot while still being well-crafted enough to convey the characters’ personalities.

I did find myself skimming a lot of the longer descriptions and action sequences, however. They often felt a bit confusing and sometimes unecessary as I knew the outcome of each, and in the case of descriptions, didn’t feel like I needed more than I picked up from the context clues within the scene.

Overall, I can’t remember a single gorgeous nor a single terrible quote, which is, like, pretty neat, I think.

The Characters

I honestly don’t have much to say in this department, I think the main cast were all well-written and developed for their respective roles.

Cinder was by far my favorite, with Dr. Erland a close second. Cinder was spunky and strong while still feeling like a person with insecurities and weaknesses, instead of being a 24/7 snark-machine. I found myself especially charmed by her massive crush on Kai, usually I think that shit is obnoxious in YA, but here it felt innocent and sweet, and the fact that Cinder herself acknowledged it and accepted it was refreshing.

Iko and Peony and the rest of the family all serve their purposes well. Even Adri, whom I found to be comically evil at times, still showed some depth every now and then. Pearl was probably the most boring of all the family members, I definitely think she could’ve used some more depth, but oh well, this is just the first book in a series and she’s a minor character, so I’m not too disappointed.

My biggest disappointment is probably Kai himself. I found him to be … very generic. I do like how kind and sweet and obvious he is with his feelings for Cinder, it’s so unheard of in YA where everyone’s brooding and obtuse at all times, so that was defo a plus, but other than that, I think he could’ve used more flaws. Or more good qualities. Or … any qualities, really. Even now I can’t really pinpoint any particular personality trait that guy has.

The Story

So, first things first: this isn’t really a Cinderella retelling. Which is fine! But I was expecting something more faithful, and that’s not what I got.

Cinder makes use of the iconic imagery of Cinderella, but it’s so awkward and inconsequential that it sticks out like a sore thumb. They’re introduced as subtly as shining a spotlight on a nuclear explosion (one character directly compares Cinder’s orange car to a pumpkin) and then discarded in one final scene, and after that the book has nothing to do with the fairytale at all. I get that it doesn’t have to be 100% faithful, but the marketing suggested more than what amounted to a bunch of shallow references.

But, despite that, I still think the story is probably this book’s strongest asset. It introduces new complications and escalates the conflict smoothly while skillfully juggling Cinder’s inner struggles as well as her blooming romance with Kai. Honestly, the best thing I can say about the romance is how restrained it was. There wasn’t any pretense about the depth of their LUURV, they were just two sweet teenagers with crushes, and I loved reading their interactions. One thing I would’ve liked to see is Kai’s POV when he interacted with Cinder, because I never really got why he’s into her. I mean, I can guess, because she’s pretty neat, but it would’ve been nice to see her from his eyes.

(I know usually seeing the protag from the love interest’s perspective means lots of worthless wank, but I’d trust Meyer to do it right.)

I don’t really want to spoil any more of the plot, so I’ll end it there, but I will say that if you’re older than 15, you’ll probably see the twist coming the moment the first hint is dropped, which I suppose it comes with the genre. There was a minor twist that did surprise me, mostly because it was also an organic part of the previous worldbuilding and had a natural explanation outside of the twist, so clearly Meyer is capable of writing decent twists, which makes me wonder why the main twist wasn’t hidden better.

The Worldbuilding

This book suffers from Selectionitis, aka All Countries On Earth Have Glooped Together In The Future For Some Reason. Except here it’s worse as now the continents ??? have Glooped Together??? Luckily it’s not as relevant here than it was in The Selection, so it’s not dwelled on long enough to get Uncomfortable beyond the initial implications. I’m not wholly comfy with this choice, but other people with more knowledge have talked about it already, so I’ll just leave it at that.

(Diversireads has a breakdown of all the racist and orientalist issues in the worldbuilding of Cinder.)

There’s also a new race of people introduced called Lunars, who have Space Magic, and the book sort of jokes that it’s space magic but also tries to explain it using mumbo jumbo science-y terms that does it no favors.

Tbh, I’m perplexed as to why Meyer decided to set this on earth in the first place. There are few references to the real world outside of place names, and it’s far enough into the future that there’s been more world wars (but Cinder’s car is still somehow functional, alright), and the aforementioned Glooping, I wonder why she didn’t just make up a planet. I suppose it’s easier for a younger YA audience to absorb familiar concepts instead of having to introduce a completely new world.

BUT, whatever. It serves its purpose and has an internal consistency, and I didn’t find myself questioning everything as I read, so tbh, it could’ve been much, much worse.

The Conclusion

Cinder is a breath of fresh air and a total surprise! I can see now why it’s as popular as it is. It definitely has flaws, as does any book, but I think I can recommend this to people with a good conscience. It’s a fun read that you don’t have to turn your brain off to enjoy but doesn’t require too much effort to get through. The writing is breezy, the characters are charming, the plot is intense (once you get past the first 5 chapters), and the worldbuilding is solid, if problematic.

I look forward to Scarlet, so do let me know if you want me to review that one as well once I’ve read it.

Also, do send in suggestions for what you want me to review next!

[charmingyourheart]

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Rating: ❤❤ 1/2

Genre: Young Adult Romance, Fairytale Retelling

Release Date: 3 January 2012

Synopsis: Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth's future.

Cinder is the first book in the Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer and is a retelling of the classic fairytale Cinderella.This has literally been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read for years (I bought it when it was first released) and I have no idea why I never got around to reading it. Not only is it a great retelling of an old classic, but it also has elements of Sailor Moon, which, come on… It’s Sailor Freaking Moon one of my all time favourites. I was a bit hesitant going in to this because; one, I’m super late to the party and two, I’ve just never really like young adult fiction - there are exceptions but it’s a genre I just don’t read. So, I went in with an open mind and I was super surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.”

Linh Cinder is a cyborg living in New Beijing. She is a brilliant mechanic who has an awesome android called Iko. As a cyborg she doesn’t have the same rights as humans, a point her step mother never lets her forget, and I loved her as a character. This is Cinder’s book and it’s her vulnerability, her doubts and impulses made her feel very real and relatable.

Her relationship with Prince Kai was neither juvenile or forced which was a pleasant suprise. There is no insta-love here, their feelings grow and develop as the book goes on and it was subtle and real and oh so sweet.

The plot, while mostly predictable, still felt fresh and exciting to me. Though it would have been hard to make cyborgs, moon colonies, and a country riddled with plague outbreaks boring. It’s fast paced and the author doesn’t take her foot off the accelerator for a moment.  

While I commend the author for her lush imagination and I understand this is YA fiction, I just wish she went a little deeper with some of her themes. Cinder is a cyborg, but does she consider herself human? Is she is possession of artificial intelligence? What does that mean for her emotionally? Can she love?

As someone who loves Science Fiction, I wanted Cinder to question her humanity and her place in society and I think the book would have been better for it. There was also a lack of Eastern influence despite the story being set in futuristic China and I would have loved that.

It’s a book I enjoyed but on a very superficial level. There are dozens of books and films that tackle similar themes and when compared to them, this just doesn’t really stack up. The potential was there, but there needed to be more character development, more layering, more world building to make it truly engaging and thought provoking.

[somebitofeverything]

The Lunar Chronicles girls and boys as made by me in the Fairytale Scene Dressup.

I read Cinder years ago but I couldn’t find an english copy for Scarlet and so I didn’t read the rest of the series for a very long time. Then a week orso ago I finally got over myself and read Scarlet in my native language and devoured the entire series in a span of three days.

After seeing so many fanart of the characters I turned to the only medium I have available with my mediocre drawing skills

I’m not entirely content with the end results but I’m still pleased with myself.

Cinder and Kai:  So very pleased that you could glove one hand and not both of them and the design of it is so perfect that you could really believe that that is her cyborg hand. Love the eyes, love the hair and clothes, though I wish I could’ve made her a bit more darker but the next tone immediately went overkill in a way that it didn’t make her look like Cinder. Kai was difficult in a different way. There just wasn’t a hairpiece that I was saitisfied with. Then I turned to his description on wikia and it said ‘shaggy’, ‘a bit overgrown’ and I was forced to force him into creation with Alladin hair. Oh well, it turned out alright despite my expectations. The clothes were a bit more difficult ‘caus I didn’t want to go the ‘full prince’ route and I wasn’t sure about the colours. At least I think these are the Commonwealth colours.

Scarlet and Wolf: Scarlet was as easy as pie. I would’ve chosen something more curlier for her hair but one of the two other options was waaaaay too much and the other I picked out for Winter. After that red and brown and simple clothes for that farm life. And of course the hoodie. I would’ve preferred to let the hood down, since it obscure her hair quite a bit, but there wasn’t such an option. Oh well, the hair is still noticeable. The basket with tomatoes (actually apples but you can’t actually see the difference when they’re upside down) was entitely necessary. Wolf was even easier, if you can believe it. I wasn’t really sure about his clothes at first, but they are described as grey and simple, so that’s what they became. And he’s barefoot so hey another problem solved!

Cress and Carswell: Also not that difficult. Actually the one who made me start this dress-up. I’d seen so many fanarts of Cress in a blue dress that I got the urge to recreate it. First in an other dress-up (maybe I’ll post that one too) before I went to this one. The key is to symbolise her occupation as hacker. Carswell went surprisingly well. Jacket, shirt, winning smile and I had my roguish handsome criminal mastermind.

Winter and Jacin: I did the most princessy and classy dress I could make for Winter. Of course with the classic apple. The scar, that’s when I had to get creative. There just isn’t anything in this dress-up to make scars. The little stripes on her face was the best I could do and even then they were determined to look like dirt in her face. I was lucky there was just enough space on her cheek for all three of them. I hope she evokes enough of a Snow White vibe. Jacin didn’t want to cooperate with me (surprise, surprise). I had another hairstyle planned for him but then I read that his hair is tied up and I had to to this one. I grew used to it, I think it’s perfect for him. The clothes, that was easy and difficult. Easy because again grey clothes. Anything more colourful would be too fancy for a mere guard. difficult because I still had to assemble the right clothes pieces for him. Still I’m very pleased how he turned out. Love how dry and bored his face turned out but I especially love the white sword, another reference to Snow White, to Winter who has his allegiance and complete loyalty.

I just realized I should’ve added Iko, maybe paired with Liam. I’ll work on that

[moon-swoon]

Why I love Iko’s character so much

Has this been done before? yes definitely. Do you think that’s gonna stop me?

Iko is pretty much walking proof there is nothing wrong with being ‘like other girls’. You know that one girl in school that prides herself in being different than other girls? You know, the internalized misogynist? Well, whenever you feel less than for being feminine, remember Iko. This girl has one passion for fashion and it does not make her weak or dumb in any way what so ever.

 Iko is a die hard friend, she is literally taking on packs of mutant wolf soldier's in the wires and nerve series, just for Cinder. Iko is very strong and brave in general, it just truly comes out when her friends need her. Her loyalty to her friends is honestly astounding people can only dream of having a friend as true as her. Along with taking on the soldiers she looks great while doing so .

Iko is also very intelligent and not any less so because of her love for typical ‘girly’ things. A lot of people have this mindset built that people that love fashion can’t be intelligent, but let me just say the facts behind this stereotype real quick. It was men that used to love fashion, that’s why they wore those tights and heeled shoes. They knew it made their legs look good, but right when women started showing an interest in fashion the men started saying an interest in fashion showed ‘un-intelligence’. So with that said that stereotype is Bull, and girls that like fashion can be intelligent. Also Iko solves problems pretty much on the spot most of the time (yes, this may have something to do with her being an android but shhhh).

Something said about ‘most girls’ is they’re shallow, and first of all no, and second of all Iko is the kindest person ever. She is constantly helping out and complimenting people, unless of course they prove they don’t deserve her kindness. She makes friends wherever the crew goes and constantly put’s girls up with love and support. 

Another thing that’s great about Iko is her boldness. She’s not afraid to say how it is. I find this amazing because usually people will see feminine girls as push overs and Iko just put’s those people in their place; she’s feminine and strong, which is something not often seen, and I love it.

In short, Iko is the perfect role model. Why some girls are proving they ‘aren’t like other girls’, Iko’s proving there is nothing wrong with other girls because every girl is unique and their own individual. Iko’s selfless, caring, strong, bold, loving, considerate, and she looks great while doing so.

[markwatkinsconsumerguide]

Consumer Guide / No.85 / singer-songwriter Natasha England with Mark Watkins. 

MW : What were you like at school sports and things of that nature?

NE : I was the captain of netball and captain of the swimming team. I was in the “Speed Club” for swimming & diving - winning many gold medals for my school. I swam competitively for my region in South Lanarkshire. 

I was captain of the relay team - winning sports prizes several times in primary and grammar school incorporating sprints of 100 metres, 300 metres, High Jump, Long Jump and Hurdles. 

At one time, I thought I might be a gym instructor. I was a member of a gymnast team called The Flying Angels. I was a member of an athletics club and played a lot of badminton. I’ve roller-skated, ice-skated, canoed, played some tennis and rode bicycles.

From an early age, I’ve “worked my passage” and ridden horses competitively at Show jumping and Cross-country events - winning many rosettes.

At one stage, I had thought of being a riding instructor. I could have done this had I not got even more involved in music. 

I was lucky enough to spend much quality time with my father walking and fly-fishing on the River Spey and other salmon and trout rivers, and lochs, and estuaries. My father was a very good Fly-Fisherman so I was brought up on a diet of wild salmon and trout. 

As you can see I excelled at sports, and have a great love of nature and the outdoors.

MW : Do you enjoy football?

NE : Yes, I love football! I played a lot of football in my youth. However, I was not allowed in the school teams as I was a girl (boys only then!) so I played football with the boys outside school.

MW : You were born in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic or Rangers?!

NE : I have been to both Rangers and Celtic matches, mainly over my time growing up in Scotland and to a few over the years since. I don't buy into the catholic/protestant divide. I have friends who support both teams, and fans who support Arsenal, Chelsea - and Spurs!

MW : Tell me how you won your “Spurs”...and how football lead to music...

NE : When I came to London the guy (Bob England) whom I went on to marry was a Tottenham Hotspur fan.

I was a season ticket holder at Tottenham for many years and throughout the FA Cup campaign that led to an eventual win in a replay over Manchester City at Wembley in 1981 (1-1 draw, then 3-2 win).

I’ve worn a Spurs strip to help promote Tottenham Hotspur’s official records, 'Ossie's Dream' (1981) and 'Tottenham Tottenham' (1982) - both produced by Chas and Dave (who I managed) and released on Towerbell Records (our record label).

I joined players Glenn Hoddle and Garth Crooks on Top Of The Pops with the football squad performing 'Tottenham Tottenham' just a few weeks prior to the release of 'Iko Iko' (1982) and my own appearance on the show.

If you have an original, vinyl copy of 'Ossie's Dream' look closely, and you should see written on the inside ring of the record 'The year of the Cockerel 1981’. I scratched this message on the original acetate which was the template for all the records pressed.

In the 1980's, I had a music biz five-a-side called “Leggy Five” and we played in many music biz charity games.

MW : What would improve the UK's chances of winning Eurovision (again) after so many years in the wilderness?

NE : I’m not sure that the UK will ever have the chance to win this competition again as the judging over these last years has proved beyond any doubt to be politically driven and this will get no better when we leave Europe.

This is now an extravagant spectacle of bad taste, pantomime dames and dodgy outfits and songs - nevertheless compulsive viewing! 

Sir Terry Wogan (RIP) - as the UK's commentator made the show, and now Graham Norton does an equally fabulous job of taking the mickey out its whacky songs and artists. 

In the present political environment there is no point in the UK competing. Very few of the winners go on to have any longevity in the music business with obvious exceptions, Abba - being the most successful since ‘Waterloo’ in 1974, Sandie Shaw (1967 winner), Lulu (1969 winner), Brotherhood of Man (1976 winner), Johnny Logan (1980 & 1987 winner), Bucks Fizz (1981 winner) and Katrina and The Waves in 1997. 

So, I think it would be best for the UK not to put another artist through this humiliation. We would have to have 'The Song' and 'The Artist' that would blow everyone away and leave no doubt in people's minds that it was the deserving winner. Even then, you would have to deal with the politics, so I don't think it is worth it, I’m afraid.

MW : Which newspapers do you read?

NE : I don't buy newspapers anymore. I get most of my news online.

I try and stay as informed as I can on all topics including politics. It’s a minefield out there, but you have to know what your up against. 

If only news agencies and politicians would tell the truth instead of pushing their own agendas to twist and distort the truth to deceive, influence or sensationalize.

MW : What was the first record you bought?

NE : My older sister, Evelyne, started her record collection before me, so I continued the record-buying trend, but instead of being into just pop, I loved folk, blues, rock, jazz, soul, Tamla Motown and Stax.

I purchased the 'Gutbucket’ blues album - which remains a favourite of mine. It has a selection of songs from all the best folk & blues players of the time - all household names now.

I bought a lot of Motown and Sam & Dave, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, along with Pink Floyd, Free, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac (original) and many others. 

Everything that I enjoyed back then are now in The Hall Of Fame.

https://www.rockhall.com

Free were my favourite rock band and Peter Green was my favourite blues guitarist/singer of the time.

MW : Which books do you enjoy?

NE : Any Buddha-based book. I love everything about Buddhists and their ideology. 

Every book about animals, horses, marine life, insects, birds, fish and nature that I can get my hands on. 

‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell. Life imitating art of art imitating life? Power and order.‘1984’, again by Orwell - we’re living it.

‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley - what foresight.

‘The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe’ by C.S Lewis. I loved this book so much that I called my first band in London, 'Aslan'.

‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, ‘The Tale Of Two Cities’, ’The Hobbit’, ‘Lord Of The Rings’, ‘The Canterbury Tales’....and so many more books. 

MW : Share your thoughts on keeping animals in zoos...

NE : Some smaller animals, insects, reptiles, birds etc can live quite happily in a well maintained enhancing environment but larger animals need space to roam. If we have to contain animals for education and breeding programmes we need to give these larger animals more space and a suitable enhancing environment. 

I’m more in favour of Wildlife Parks, where the animals have much more land to roam. Zoos are important for breeding programmes to help keep our endangered species alive but we should be building all zoos along the lines of Safari Parks.

MW : Why are animal rights close to your heart?

NE : I adore all animals and I’ve a very strong affiliation with them. I’ve lived and worked around various animals all my life. I assisted a vet when I was younger. I’ve rescued and mended many animals, birds and wildlife throughout from  childhood to adulthood, so another profession I may have taken up had I not chosen music as a career. 

I have kept all sorts of animals and I train dogs and horses. Animals have served us all well throughout history, in wars, in agriculture, down mines, for transport and in life. We owe so much to animals, so anyone who is cruel to a defenseless animal is sick and will go on to be cruel to humans.

I would dearly love to have an animal sanctuary to help and rescue animals and to rehome them and to educate children on animal welfare and training and most importantly the love, companionship and loyalty that these animals can give to their human friends and the great benefits that humans get from being around animals and nature.

I’ve done much charity and therapy work with horses, dogs and other animals to help enhance children’s lives and mindset and to help them overcome illness and disabilities and contributing to their wellbeing.

So, I would love to be in a position to continue this valuable work i.e combining animal and music therapy.

MW : Money or health?

NE : Health every time - in the world we live in money can be the difference between life and death for so many of us.

You may not be able to buy health, but if you are unfortunate enough to need help with your health, whether medically or mentally, having money will get a quicker service (which could save your life). 

It should not be this way, but it is, and it’s so unfair and unjust.

MW : Tell me about setting up Towerbell Records...

NE : Towerbell Records was set up after I left Good Earth Promotions. Prior to leaving Good Earth I had spotted Darts at the Rock Garden in Covent Garden, London. I went there with Jon Moss of Culture Club. Jon was working for me as a booker at Good Earth. After seeing Darts perform I signed them to (our)   management. Darts were signed to Magnet Records (record label). 

Darts were extremely successful and made Magnet Records money and I believe kept the label afloat at a time when Magnet really did not have much talent on the label. Bob (England) and I found ourselves doing a lot of the work for this record company, so it was always going to be the obvious move to create our own label i.e Towebell Records.  

We then signed Chas & Dave to management and we wanted to have our own label and have both Darts and Chas & Dave on this label. We were unhappy with Michael Levy (now Lord Levy) and Magnet Records. We felt he was penny pinching with regards to Darts’ campaigns, videos and promotion. Given that Darts had made so much money for Magnet the band were very unhappy with the label too, as they felt as I did that Michael was holding them back. I did not like Michael and his practices and both Bob and I wanted the band released from Magnet.

Bob and I discussed this and the terms of this release from Magnet that we wanted for the band. As I say, I did not like Michael, and I would not pander to him so I after discussing what we wanted for Darts, Bob and I decided that Bob did the negotiation with Michael. Everything would have be fine if Bob had stuck to the plan. Unfortunately, the release deal was very much in Michael's favour and the release clauses made it extremely difficult for Darts to function with all the restrictions that Michael Levy had put upon them. It was a very restrictive release contract with Michael continuing to benefit. Michael eventually sold the label and all of Darts’ catalogue to Warner Bros.

Michael made this process very difficult with his demands and delays. The outcome was disastrous for Darts - because of the time taken on the release contract and unreasonable release clauses. Michael effectively ended Darts’ career.

We did go on to set up two labels, Rockney Records for Chas & Dave releases and Towerbell Records for other artists including myself, Snowy White, Amazulu and others.

We were very successful as an independent record label, but I was unhappy in my marriage and I left Bob and the label in 1984.

Bob was not so successful without me. He made some bad decisions. He ended up leaving the UK a year or so later caught up in a blaze of publicity at Miami Airport (on route to Antigua) owing millions to various artists.

I had nothing to do with his downfall. A large part of his debt was still owed to me for PRS and other fees that were generated when I had Top Ten success and other chart album and singles. I had trusted him but he effectively punished me for leaving him. I was by then financially and contractually screwed. He promised he would pay me what I was owed but he never did.

MW : Share some experiences of managing Darts...

NE : Darts were a breath of fresh air amidst an uprising Punk scene. Don't get me wrong there were a couple of bands, The Sex Pistols, 999 and a few others that made an impact but Darts were different.

They had an element of punk but they could all play their instruments and all four singers could sing. They were performing doo-wop and they were their own best promotion. Den Hegarty could be a bit of a handful but otherwise a great bunch of people. I just knew that this band would be successful and they were.

I’ve many great memories of touring with Darts in the UK and abroad and being in the studio with them They were all very down to earth people and consummate musicians. Darts had major success back then and should have continued in this trend but there were problems with Magnet Records, as I’ve said earlier.

Fortunately, Darts still do several choice gigs a year and they are still one of the most entertaining bands around. 

MW : How did you react to the passing of Chas Hodges?

NE : I had been diagnosed with cancer a few months before Chas was diagnosed. I was so sad when I heard the news of his death, for him, his beautiful wife, Joan and for his loving family, his children and his grandchildren, it was a shock. 

Apparently Chas had gone fishing with Dave (Peacock) the day before he died and he seemed fine and in good spirits but he was dead by the next morning.

He is so loved and is missed by all. I was sad for a long while. Although we’d spoken on the phone and made plans to meet, unfortunately this was never to be as Chas died the week before we were due to meet up.

I have many great memories of Chas and I’m so pleased that I played a part in his story. He was an amazing man and a consummate musician who could play many instruments.

MW : How did you know / judge which records to release?

NE : I have always been quite good at spotting a hit and had this talent from when I was very young. I would hear a song once on the radio and would immediately know it would be a big hit. More often than not - I was right! 

It’s a sound, a voice, a hook, an instrument, a band with originality, or the combination of all of theses factors that makes you want to dance, sing, laugh, think, reflect or be quiet. 

It’s when something in the mix reaches in and touches you and inspires you. It’s the overall sound of what is being conveyed and how this sound makes you feel. 

Originality is always a star quality in the mix.

MW : Your solo career. Tell me about your big hit ‘Iko Iko’ and the chart battle with The Belle Stars...

NE : I’d been in the process of recording an album with Tom Newman when I decided to do a version of ‘Iko Iko’ using Richard Branson's 'Barge Studio'. Rita Ray from Darts suggested the song and she sang backing vocals on the track.

I was familiar with the song and would sing this song and 'The Clapping Song' as a little girl. I also loved loved Dr. Johns' version. When we recorded this, it just felt right and it had such a good vibe that Tom and I just knew it was a hit. We recorded it in February 1982 but as it was a summer record we sat on this until the June release. My then record plugger, Alan James, had secured some BBC Radio 1 airplay as a white label a week prior to the release date and there was a real buzz on the record.  

I was in the studio recording a session for the BBC when my then husband, Bob England, called me from Towerbell Records saying that Paul Conroy (who I knew well and was general manager of Stiff Records) had heard ‘Iko Iko’ being played on BBC Radio 1 on the week prior to its official release date. Paul said that he loved it and asked for a copy.

Bob went on to say that he told Paul that he would put a copy in the post when Paul said that he happened to have a scooter-messenger in the area of our office and this messenger could pick this up, which he did pretty sharpish. When Bob told me this I knew immediately that Paul was up to something, as Paul had The Belle Stars signed to Stiff, and they and other artists had previously released ‘Iko Iko’. So, I checked out every artist/band that had ever released ‘Iko Iko’ as a single. The Bodysnatchers were one band who did - they later became The Belle Stars!

I suspected that The Belle Stars had plans to release another version of ‘Iko Iko’ and they wanted my white label version to compare to theirs. As it turned out, The Belle Stars and their then producer Martin Tench sat in the music room at Stiff Records playing my version of ‘Iko Iko’ over and over again against several different mixes they had of their ‘Iko Iko's’ - they were obviously trying to decide which of their versions to release. Co-incidentally when Bow Wow Wow released 'Go Wild In The country' produced by Tench soon after you will notice the distinct similarity with the drums to the drums on my 'Iko Iko'.. 

After speaking with me, Bob immediately called Paul and confronted him. Paul admitted that The Belle Stars had indeed recorded a version of ‘Iko Iko’ and intended to release this in a few weeks. Paul went on to say that Stiff would not now be releasing their version as my version was out the following week. I did not believe them, and I was right not to believe Paul, as Stiff went on to rush release The Belle Stars version to come out on the very same day as my version.

Fortunately, my version of ‘Iko Iko’ was the favoured version being played on BBC Radio 1, and all the other main and regional radio stations up and down the country and abroad. The press had a field day - playing both myself and The Belle Stars off against each other, intimating that their was bad blood between us. This was not true at all. I did a TV show where both myself and The Belle Stars performed our own versions of ‘Iko Iko’. There was seven of them and me and my Great Dane called Fury on the same show.

I had nothing against the girls, I knew it was Stiff Records stage managing all of this. I wished the girls well with their version but my version was out selling theirs from the off.

My version went on to be the highest New Entry in the charts and the Highest Climber in the charts along with Video Of The Month.

The Belle Stars got to No.37 and then dropped out of the chart whilst I went on to have a Top Ten hit. In fact, I had several really good singles out before I released ‘Iko Iko’ in 1982 : - ‘I Can't Hold On’, ‘Strangest Feeling’, ‘Breakin' Down The Walls Of Heartache’ - all good songs which all got great reviews and responses when played at clubs but I did not get the airplay that I needed.

MW : Tell me about your new music...

NE : I have recently brought out a new album 'Somehow' and I released a single of the same name at the same time.

Music videos for 'Somehow' and 'Hook Line & Sinker, the two tracks off the album so far are on You Tube. The website has all the information on all my music, past and present, that I have released and details on how to get physical, as well as digital copies, of this music. Photos, discography etc...

www.natashaengland.co.uk

The album and single received extremely great reviews, but the problem has been getting significant airplay for this music. I feel, it’s deserving of airplay - but the powers that be - who control playlists - seem to have their own agenda. New music on independent record labels has a hard time getting airplay, plus there is ageism to overcome.

You can have the best voice, band, song in the world - but if you are trying to establish yourself, or re-establish yourself, in the music industry and you are not on a major label, it is more or less impossible, and (youthful) looks do count.

Until you get airplay you don't get heard and you don't seem to exist. That said, I will continue to write record and perform.

Keep the passion and let the love and the music play on...

© Mark Watkins / April 2019

[waxingmepoetic]

Book # 12 Wires and Nerve Written By: Marissa Meyer  Art By: Doug Holgate

Star Rating (out of five): ★★★★★

Summary: In her first graphic novel, #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller Marissa Meyer follows Iko, the beloved android from the Lunar Chronicles, on a dangerous and romantic new adventure -- with a little help from Cinder and the Lunar team. In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold. When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series.

Story Review: Holy bad-ass android, Batman. Meyer. Is. Back. This story takes place after Winter, and before the epilogue in Stars Above. However, I wouldn’t suggest reading Wires and Nerve first as there is going to be a second installment (Thank you Jesus- it’s set to release in 2018). I love the story- it’s so great to dive back into the world of the Lunar Chronicles and see Iko be a little bad-ass. 

The bad guy in this story (the leader of the hybrid soldiers) rides far more of a  gray line than Levana did. He believes his reason for hating Cinder is completely sound- even though he’s misinformed about the reason why she is bringing all of the hybrids back to Luna in the first place. 

As the hybrid soldiers have been experimented on and altered genetically against their will by the Lunar government, their distrust of it is completely understandable. These men were torn from their families when they were children, and they were turned into monsters to solidify their tyrant queen’s power.

There is also an aspect of coming to terms with the fact that things on Luna are changing at a rapid rate. So rapid in fact that the soldiers are no longer needed on Earth... and no longer needed on Luna. It’s a difficult thing to conceptualize when a long standing military tradition is gutted, and those involved have been so irrevocably ruined by said tradition that they have nearly no hope to integrate back into normal society. 

It’s blatant social commentary with a psychological twist, and it’s excellently executed.

I have always loved the stakes in the Lunar Chronicles. They’re heavy and highly political. Questions of morality and decrying oppression ring out so often that you sometimes forget that this story is a melting pot of fairy-tales. I know I do on occasion. 

The idea of what it means to be human comes into question as well in Iko’s tumultuous relationship with Kinney that boarders on something that feels a lot like racism. You see this come up a lot in films like I Robot, Alien, Ex Machina, and TV series like Ghost in the Shell. When done properly, this theme works very well, and provides a philosophical lens to what it really means to be human.

I think that there is something in Kinney that wants Iko so much to be human, but pushes her away because of the fact that she isn’t. It feels like he’s trying his best not to fail a Turing Test. It’s hard to say if he will or not. This is entirely speculation, but I think that he may keep it in mind that she’s a robot, but he may care less and less about it as the series goes on. Beyond the fake skin, the metallic exoskeleton, and the wires, Iko has heart and nerve- just like everyone else.

Let’s just hope the world gets over itself enough to see it. 

Art Review: I don’t think I’m the first one to say this, but I feel like the art could have been done far differently. I don’t feel like it truly captures the mood of the plot. 

Meyer has created a very detailed and politically tumultuous world and I feel like the artwork needs to encapsulate that... which it doesn’t. Some of the drawings look like something you might see in a Peanuts comic in the Sunday paper. 

Personally, I really think they should have gone with an art style similar to Ghost in the Shell, or Fullmetal Alchemist as these art style allow you to follow detailed combat scenes closely so that you don’t get confused during the reading experience, and the level of detail fits the world more closely in my opinion.

[booksbeyondimagining]

Wires and Nerve, Volume 1 (Wires and Nerve #1), by Marissa Meyer (Author) & Douglas Holgate (Illustrator)

My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)

Synopsis:

In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold. When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series

My Review:

So I was unsure if I was going to read this or not, but I picked it up at work while it was a little slow and basically got halfway through it in a very short amount of time and so I just ended up finishing it in one day. It's a fast read, as I find most graphic novels are, but the storytelling it clear and the plot moves along a decent pace. The characters' voices were true and made me remember how much I loveThe Lunar Chronicles and I was intrigued by the story itself. The artwork was okay, but not something I really cared for or found all that spectacular. The characters did not match my mental images of them and their ages all seemed off to me somehow. I will say, though, that having Iko as the protagonist is wonderful and I absolutely love her voice in the narrations. Definitely interested in what comes next!

[streetlamphalo]

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (r/fantasy bingo #3)

Rating: ★★

Read as part of the r/fantasy Book Bingo Challenge 2017 for the Re-Use ANY Previous r/Fantasy Bingo Square category (I picked ‘Fairytale retelling’ from the 2015 bingo)

This year, for this challenge if not for any other (and god knows I have a few too many books on my plate right about now), I’ve decided to branch out a little bit with my reading. Where the card is really flexible on the types of authors you can read (and I’ve seen people reading enough different authors and themes to fill up three whole cards) and you’re only really supposed to follow the theme and not repeat an author (and you’re only allowed one re-read), it can be very easy to fall into familiar patterns. A lot of the categories are types of books I would naturally pick up anyway and in some I’ve been dying to finish up various series or finally read that one book that’s been on my shelf for oh, about five years now (if you’re curious, the former applies to MadAddam, which I intend to read for the dystopian square, and the latter to The Final Empire, which has indeed been on my shelf since about May 2012...). 

Young adult, or teen books in general, tend to be a bit hit and miss with me. For all that I love books like Uprooted I also struggle with works like The Ghost Bride. It’s definitely not a YA thing either, because I do think the genre has a lot to offer in terms of depth and character building -- that some authors choose to have simplistic plots, wafer-thin characters and love at first sight is not something that is a) the fault of the genre or b) inherent only to YA books. I’ve read plenty of so called ‘adult fiction’ that struggled to string a couple of sentences together. 

Cinder is a retelling of Cinderella, with a few twists: the protagonist is a cyborg living in New Beijing, Eastern Commonwealth, 126 years after the end of the Fourth World War, in a world plagued by a deadly disease called letumosis. Already I was brimming with questions, but the fun doesn’t stop there. She’s reviled for being a cyborg and makes her living as a mechanic, wholly owned by her stepmother and guardian Adri. Until one day, the heir to the Empire, Prince Kaito, drops by her stall and asks her to fix his android. Soon Cinder is drawn into a plot against the Lunar people, lead by the evil Queen Levana and she needs to decide where her loyalties lie. 

My god is this book popcorn for the brain. The plot may be thin on the ground and you’re able to predict the big reveal about 300 pages before the end, but Meyer is able to move things along swiftly enough, with no real breaks in the action. It’s unfortunate that neither Kai nor Cinder really have a personality to speak of and that their love is very much of the instant adoration kind that I abhor. Iko isn’t really that funny of a sidekick and the whole Lunar people thing doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense, with Queen Levana being such hilariously OTT in her evilness that I had to stop myself from laughing. 

And yet. And yet it’s compelling, even though I do wish Meyer had done more with her setting. So many questions are left unanswered, which is the other thing I can’t really understand: you’re planning to write a series, that’s great, but for the love of all that is holy, you can still have a contained story in a book! Sure, give me a cliffhanger, but give me some resolution too, don’t completely cockblock me like this. Sigh. I suppose it was effective though, because I do want to read the sequel now and knowing me, it will become my summer read. I’m a sucker for a fairytale retelling and sometimes, yes, you do just want something nice and quick and not very complex. Popcorn isn’t really a healthy diet, but you need it to go with your entertainment, don’t you?

[theboxreviewers]

Paper Street Books and Comics Review – April/May 2017 http://ift.tt/2qX97Dm

 Paper Street Books & Comics is a bi-monthly mystery book box for those who are obsessed with reading! It is for readers who are adventurous, imaginative and definitely not afraid to explore. We offer both graphic novels and adult fiction, featuring books that are quirky and humorous and sometimes thrilling! These can be in the Sci-Fi, Fantasy,  and Horror genres from indie and mainstream publishers!

As a member, you'll receive a box featuring:

Adult fiction and/or graphic novel 1-3 items related to the theme/book Bookish swag from our featuring authors or publishers (if available)

Available Plans:

The Book Addict (Book + Accessories) $29.99/bi-monthly+shipping

The Comic Addict (Graphic Novel + Accessories) $29.99/bi-monthly+shipping

The Book Warrior (Graphic Novel + Book + Accessories) $44.99/bimonthly+shipping

*Worldwide Shipping is Available*

April's theme was “Terra & Luna” and I couldn't wait to receive the Book Warrior box!  This was also Paper Street Books and Comics' one-year anniversary box, so that made it extra special.

  Paper Street shows up in a simple white box with the logo on the front!  I like how straightforward the packaging is.  The box is also big enough to hold all of the items inside, but small enough that the items won't move around during shipping.

The items in the box come carefully wrapped in tissue paper!  I love this care that goes into the packaging.

  The box comes with this brochure which includes a note from the owners of the box and an item list!  The design is gorgeous.

On the left of the inside of the brochure is the letter from the owners.  I like how they explained why they chose the books that they did as well as their reasoning behind the theme.  It makes the box so personal!

The book included this month is Avengers of the Moon by Allen Steele!  This book was included because it takes the reader back to the golden age of sci-fi, which I LOVE!  I am a huge old-school sci-fi fan, so this book made me squeal.

Here is the synopsis:

Allen Steele, author of Arkwright, gives us a thrilling piece of science fiction pulp with Avengers of the Moon

Curt Newton has spent most of his life hidden from the rest of humankind, being raised by a robot, an android, and the disembodied brain of a renowned scientist. This unlikely trio of guardians has kept his existence a closely guarded secret after the murder of Curt's parents.

Curt's innate curiosity and nose for trouble inadvertently lead him into a plot to destabilize the Solar Coalition and assassinate the president. There's only one way to uncover the evil mastermind—Curt must become Captain Future.

With the permission of the Edmond Hamilton estate, Allen Steele revives the exciting adventures of Captain Future.

The graphic novel this month is actually a young adult graphic novel!  The book is called Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer, and it is part of The Lunar Chronicles Series.  The Lunar Chronicles is a young adult science fiction series, and it brings classic sci-fi literature to a new generation.

Here is a synopsis for the graphic novel:

The first graphic novel from #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller Marissa Meyer!

In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold.When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder, Cress, Scarlet, Winter, and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series.

Also included is a single comic of American Gods: Shadows #1 by Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell, and Scott Hampton.  American Gods has had a resurgence of popularity since a new television series based on the book has been airing.  That being said, I was very excited to see this comic included in the box!  Comics are my guilty pleasure, and that is one of the reasons why I adore this box.

Here is a synopsis of the comic:

WAR IS COMING!

Shadow Moon just got out of jail, only to discover his wife is dead. Defeated, broke, and uncertain as to where to go from here, he meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, who employs him to serve as his bodyguard—thrusting Shadow into a deadly world of the supernatural, where ghosts of the past come back from the dead, and a brewing war between old and new gods hits a boiling point.

The Hugo, Bram Stoker, Locus, World Fantasy, and Nebula award–winning novel and upcoming Starz television series by Neil Gaiman is adapted as a comic series for the first time!

  The first of the bonus items included in the box is this Crystal Growing Cherry Tree by Copernicus Toys!  This tree is part of terraforming – creating a world based on Earth – and it literally grows before your eyes!

It adds a nice touch of spring to my room, and it is so delicate.  It goes with the terra theme perfectly.

The owners of Paper Street make their own candles from time to time, and this month they made a candle based on Sailor Moon!  I love Sailor Moon – she is one of my favorite characters of all time – and the scent of this candle goes perfectly with her personality.  It has such a lovely spring scent.  It is nice receiving an item based on Sailor Moon because you don't see these items very often.

Paper Street also included this exclusive Sailor Moon magnet!  It is gorgeous, and I love how Luna – the cat – is part of the design.  Paper Street designed the artwork themselves!

As a bonus to subscribers who have been with Paper Street for multiple renewals, Paper Street sent out these gorgeous space lollipops!  These are a throwback to the first box that Paper Street ever sent out, and I love that.

Here is a close up of this lollipop!  I haven't eaten it yet because it is just too darn pretty, but I did lick it and it is delicious!

The last item included in the box is this sneak peek of Beautiful Nightmare by A.M. Nestler – which is me!  Beautiful Nightmare was my first novel, and Paper Street was kind enough to include this sneak peek in their box.

Here is the synopsis:

What if your true love was only present in your dreams?

In the dystopian town of Lunamoon, everything is structured. Humans are created by science and everyone is programmed to follow certain regulations; but one girl, Shawneleigh, never lived up to the Council’s regulations. Shawneleigh has the disorder of narcolepsy, a disorder that causes her to fall asleep at random times without warning. Because of her illness, the Council banned her to life in a hospital since she cannot be counted on fulfill other duties. Lunamoonians all receive prophecies for their lives through dreams that the Dream Maker sends to them, but Shawneleigh hadn’t received a dream in years until she found herself falling into a dream during her sleeping spells. It is during these spells that she meets a man named August who claims to be the Dream Maker himself. He also lives in solitude outside of Lunamoon, and they begin to form a bond; however, Shawneleigh cannot control when she falls asleep, and soon August finds a way to manipulate her illness. The only problem is that when he manipulates her sleeping disorder, she continues to grow sicker. But no matter how hard they try, they can’t stay away from one another.

“Beautiful Nightmare: Some Dreams Become Your Reality” is novel about love, life, and the importance of those who care about you. Love, above all else, is the best thing that we have to give.

Final Thought: Paper Street Books and Comics is the best box to get your fantasy, sci-fi and horror book/graphic novel fix!  The curation is always on point, and I love how the owners put so much thought into the items so that they all connect to the theme.  This is the perfect box for hardcore comic and book nerds!

*NOTE: This box was sent to us to review for free.

[readnowsleeplater]

Stars Above - Giveaway

Hello, lovelies! Let's kick the year off right with a little giveaway. When Marissa Meyer was last out in the Southern California area, she was here signing Stars Above: A Lunar Chronicles Collection! Her next book and first graphic novel, Wires & Nerve, comes out at the end of this month. I'm super-stoked about it because I just love Iko from the Lunar Chronicles so much! So I thought, what better way to get in the right mood for a new Lunar Chronicles book than to let one lucky reader win my extra signed copy of Stars Above? Trick question: there is no better way!

About STARS ABOVE

The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?

With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

Check out Marissa's intro video below, then scroll down for more links (including to excerpts from Wires & Nerve!) and the Rafflecopter widget so you can enter to win a signed hardcover copy of Stars Above. Prize provided by me! 

About WIRES & NERVE

Written by Marissa Meyer Art by Doug Holgate

In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold.When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder, Cress, Scarlet, Winter, and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series.

All right, let's go straight to the giveaway!

Open to the US only, ends 1/30/2017.

No purchase is necessary to enter the giveaway. Void where prohibited.

We and are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

One set of entries per household please.

If you are under 13, please get a parent or guardian's permission to enter, as you will be sharing personal info such as an email address.

Winner will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter widget a day or two after the contest ends.

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to to the email, otherwise we will pick a new winner.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at readnowsleeplater@gmail.com.

PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY PERSONAL INFO IN THE COMMENTS. Sorry for the caps, but we always get people leaving their email in the comments. Rafflecopter will collect all that without having personal info in the comments for all the world (and spambots) to find.

Good luck, everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway