"Star Wars: Heir to the Empire" by Timothy Zahn was a pleasant surprise. I had started this book way back when it was fairly new and had never finished it. Now, I have a bit more patience with the tecnho-speak and lack of romance than I did then.
This book stays true to the tone and feel of the movies, particularly in regard to the relationships of Han, Luke and Leia. The author even goes so far as to use bits of well known dialogue from the movies, especially when writing Han. The action is fast paced and the story has a really nice flow from one problem, place or plot point into another. I would have to say I'm a little jealous with how seamless this book is since I know my soon to be finished novel (crossing fingers, knocking on wood and making all appropriate sacrifices to the Muses) does not have that kind of finesse. It's obviously something born out of countless hours spent reading and writing, and I will continue to strive for it as long as I live.
The ending is appropriate to a Trilogy with a conclusion that is both satisfying and leaves the story wide open for the next two books.
No complaints really...which I have to say doesn't happen that often for me. I'll grab the next books in this series this year but not right away. The next fiction book for me will be by Robin Hobb and is the first in her Farseer Trilogy.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Book #9: Star Wars Fate of the Jedi: Outcast
So I took a chance on a Star Wars book, and it wasn't half bad.
Star Wars Fate of the Jedi: Outcast is not too heavy on the tech of Star Wars, more character driven and is easy to jump into even if you've never read any of the other books; which I haven't.
There are three main story lines: Luke Skywalker and his son Ben looking for reasons why Leia and Hans son Jacen turned into a Dark Lord of the Sith; Leia and Han helping Lando on Kessel; and Jaina Solo and the rest of the Jedi trying to keep the Order afloat in the face of Government persecution while attempting to discover why some Jedi are becoming criminally insane.
There were points where at least one of the storylines lagged, but it quickly picked up and made for a page turner; I finished the book in a week which is amazing considering how little time I have with Rosalind running around attempting to pull on the TV, lamps, the stove...you get the idea.
There was a bit of the histrionic about the story, considering that pretty much all the major characters had been "grieviously tortured" at one point or another in the dozen or so books written, and that (SPOILER ALERT!) Lukes wife, Chewbacca, Jacen Solo and Anakin Solo (the two sons of Leia and Han) all died at some point in this long storyline. I don't have a problem with death and torture happening to the main characters, but it comes across a little too...Operatic.
I would love to read more, but I think I'm going to go back to much earlier in the books and read the Timothy Zahn book "Heir to the Empire". It happens only a few years post Return of the Jedi and was good enough to garner praise from both my husband and Todd; two men with discriminating tastes.
Star Wars Fate of the Jedi: Outcast is not too heavy on the tech of Star Wars, more character driven and is easy to jump into even if you've never read any of the other books; which I haven't.
There are three main story lines: Luke Skywalker and his son Ben looking for reasons why Leia and Hans son Jacen turned into a Dark Lord of the Sith; Leia and Han helping Lando on Kessel; and Jaina Solo and the rest of the Jedi trying to keep the Order afloat in the face of Government persecution while attempting to discover why some Jedi are becoming criminally insane.
There were points where at least one of the storylines lagged, but it quickly picked up and made for a page turner; I finished the book in a week which is amazing considering how little time I have with Rosalind running around attempting to pull on the TV, lamps, the stove...you get the idea.
There was a bit of the histrionic about the story, considering that pretty much all the major characters had been "grieviously tortured" at one point or another in the dozen or so books written, and that (SPOILER ALERT!) Lukes wife, Chewbacca, Jacen Solo and Anakin Solo (the two sons of Leia and Han) all died at some point in this long storyline. I don't have a problem with death and torture happening to the main characters, but it comes across a little too...Operatic.
I would love to read more, but I think I'm going to go back to much earlier in the books and read the Timothy Zahn book "Heir to the Empire". It happens only a few years post Return of the Jedi and was good enough to garner praise from both my husband and Todd; two men with discriminating tastes.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Defusing the moment
So instead of doing another book review I've decided to write something about my latest adventures in Mommy-hood.
Lately Rosalind hasn't wanted to sleep during the day, which has caused me more than a little screaming into a pillow and tears. I usually work when she's sleeping, so the fact that she'll sleep for perhaps a half hour in her crib and then wants to to be held or played with has caused me a bit of stress. I don't mind cuddling with her, I love it. Especially when she rubs her face in my chest and then settles in with such a content look on her face. So precious!
Or when she plops her tea pot in my lap or a book and looks up at me expectantly. I love those times with her.
But, I also need to work. And it's been hard to find the time when she's awake because she loves trying to pull my laptop off my lap and look at the screen saver and wallpaper. Short of putting on "Micky Mouse Clubhouse" I can't get her to leave it alone, and I really hate setting her in front of the TV for hours.
So, yesterday I was planning on doing some much needed Yoga during her morning nap and then work during her afternoon nap. We got all settled in, she fell asleep almost right away but as soon as I stood to set her in the crib her beautiful blue eyes popped open and she smiled as if to say "Well, that was great mom thanks, now it's time to play!"
I tried to get her back to sleep, but to avail.
And instead of going in my bedroom to scream out my frustration into the pillow or call my husband in frustrated tears, I took her downstairs, gave her a snack and turned on my Bollywood Dance workout DVD. Within about ten minutes I was actually smiling, my stress and tension was gone and I was relaxed; with the exception of the usual things happening with physical exertion. Rosalind played around me and even did her version of dancing while I did mine; which granted looks like an epileptic chicken but hey, at least I have fun while doing it.
So, the lesson here?
Well, for me it is that next time this happens, or maybe when she decides that her lunch looks far better thrown against my wall, or when she wants my laptop for her own uses and my temper has reached the boiling point, I stop, get up and move. Turn on the Xbox Kinect and do Dance Central for fifteen minutes, or a little Bollywood dance, or some quick Yoga stretches. Change the scene, so to speak, and get moving. Exercise in general does release feel good hormones, but I think the right kind of exercise does it quicker and you actually feel like you're having fun.
What's the right kind? For me it's dance related or Yoga; sometimes a good long walk. For you it may be running, or jumping on a mini-trampoline for ten minutes or vacuuming your floor. It's personal and I don't think you need to be a mom to need this kind of de-stressing. We all need it and it's healthy. So next time you're ready to just lose it in a nuclear fashion, try just doing your feel good exercise for even ten minutes, it'll change your mood and make you a lot healthier in the process.
From the wonderful, difficult, adventurous mommy trenches, I'll say "Good-bye" until next time.
Lately Rosalind hasn't wanted to sleep during the day, which has caused me more than a little screaming into a pillow and tears. I usually work when she's sleeping, so the fact that she'll sleep for perhaps a half hour in her crib and then wants to to be held or played with has caused me a bit of stress. I don't mind cuddling with her, I love it. Especially when she rubs her face in my chest and then settles in with such a content look on her face. So precious!
Or when she plops her tea pot in my lap or a book and looks up at me expectantly. I love those times with her.
But, I also need to work. And it's been hard to find the time when she's awake because she loves trying to pull my laptop off my lap and look at the screen saver and wallpaper. Short of putting on "Micky Mouse Clubhouse" I can't get her to leave it alone, and I really hate setting her in front of the TV for hours.
So, yesterday I was planning on doing some much needed Yoga during her morning nap and then work during her afternoon nap. We got all settled in, she fell asleep almost right away but as soon as I stood to set her in the crib her beautiful blue eyes popped open and she smiled as if to say "Well, that was great mom thanks, now it's time to play!"
I tried to get her back to sleep, but to avail.
And instead of going in my bedroom to scream out my frustration into the pillow or call my husband in frustrated tears, I took her downstairs, gave her a snack and turned on my Bollywood Dance workout DVD. Within about ten minutes I was actually smiling, my stress and tension was gone and I was relaxed; with the exception of the usual things happening with physical exertion. Rosalind played around me and even did her version of dancing while I did mine; which granted looks like an epileptic chicken but hey, at least I have fun while doing it.
So, the lesson here?
Well, for me it is that next time this happens, or maybe when she decides that her lunch looks far better thrown against my wall, or when she wants my laptop for her own uses and my temper has reached the boiling point, I stop, get up and move. Turn on the Xbox Kinect and do Dance Central for fifteen minutes, or a little Bollywood dance, or some quick Yoga stretches. Change the scene, so to speak, and get moving. Exercise in general does release feel good hormones, but I think the right kind of exercise does it quicker and you actually feel like you're having fun.
What's the right kind? For me it's dance related or Yoga; sometimes a good long walk. For you it may be running, or jumping on a mini-trampoline for ten minutes or vacuuming your floor. It's personal and I don't think you need to be a mom to need this kind of de-stressing. We all need it and it's healthy. So next time you're ready to just lose it in a nuclear fashion, try just doing your feel good exercise for even ten minutes, it'll change your mood and make you a lot healthier in the process.
From the wonderful, difficult, adventurous mommy trenches, I'll say "Good-bye" until next time.
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