Books I Read: Immortal Beloved, by Cate Tiernan and Angelfall, by Susan Ee

[arooza]

REALLY short reviews this time, because I wanted to write them down before I forgot anything but I also wanted to get back to reading asap, so there. :3

Comments

[arooza]

You're right, the description of Angelfall does sound a bit like THG, especially with the mother/sister situation. It didn't occur to me while reading the book though. Angelfall is dystopian fantasy, while THG is more dystopian sci fi, so to speak. Also: No stupid love triangle in Angelfall! Thankfully.
I think you might like the book as well.

There's even a new sub-genre now, it's called New Adult:
New Adult (NA) fiction is a developing genre of fiction with protagonists in the 18-25 age bracket. The term was first coined by St. Martin's Press in 2009 when they held a special call for "...fiction similar to YA that can be published and marketed as adult-a sort of an 'older YA' or 'new adult'."

But I guess you're right.. but what else can they do.. What else can an author do? Plots involving teenagers will always revolve around similar things basically, no matter the setting. Parents/siblings/love/survival...

I don't know man... Angelfall is recommended from the age of 14 upwards, which is more or less reasonable. Book 2 I wouldn't recommend for people under the age of 15 though. There's lots of disturbing horror in that one, jfc.
I know I read Enwor when I was much younger (around 12-14) and it didn't disturb me the slightest even though it's targeted at adults. Maybe because it was targeted at adults and didn't involve protagonists my age... *shrugs*

Regarding The Dream Thieves: I'm through about 1/4 of the way. But I put it aside for Immortal Beloved, because I didn't have the attention span for Maggie Stiefvater's intricate sentences. I will continue reading after IB Book 2 because I think I'm back in the game now.

[fendassor]

Okay, it's duly noted ;)

This is getting ridiculous actually... NA... really? Oh dear... but yeah, see it's the media, the press and who ever else, who coins these terms for whatever stupid reason.

Well, if you see it like that, every book, every movie, every story in whichever form there is in this world always revolves around the same things. From the Illiad to... um... what's really new... anyway there's only a handful of topics and nothing more.
And then there are those horrible lit. teachers (I call them that for now, you know, English / German teachers blah) who even claim there were only ... what was it... one plot? *rolls eyes* Yeah, just like killing your protagonist makes for bad writing... *coughcough* ;)

I'd say putting an age recommendation on books is really, really difficult. It makes sense for kids, considering how difficult something is written, what type of font was used, how many difficult words there are. So yes, those things make sense, but when it comes to the plot, the story, this is where it gets really complicated. First of all, there are some kids, whom you could give a Stephen King or Lovecraft book to read and it'd be no problem, because they can't imagine any of it. And then there are kids, with a really vivid imagination, and even reading Max & Moritz to them can end badly o.O
So yes, there are a lot of factors involved, but to ignore all those factors and just simply say it's a YA because the protagonist is a teenager - um ... nope. In that case, King's Shining would have to be a books for kids, because the protagonist is a kid o.O

And while we're at it, what's with the name anyway? Young ADULT?! Sorry, but since when is a 14 year old and adult, even a young one? 17 year olds are no adults either. Even being legal at age 18 - you're still not really an adult. So... People in there twenties are young adults... we're young adults - yes we are!!! And only on paper.

Okay, you do that. I'm pondering what to read next. Shall I try Wraeththu? Or shall I re-read Nightrunner now? The next and final book will be out on April 1st, so I was planning on re-reading book 1-2 and the last one, but do i do this now or do I still wait a bit. Perhaps I should read something else entirely? Questions, essential and important questions *sigh*

[arooza]

You know I could always lend you my kindle, then you can read everything that's on there if you want.

Labels! There have to be labels on everything, how else would people know what to do with a thing! /sarcasm

One plot? What is that plot exactly?

You know with those age recommendations.. in the end parents will have to make the final descision. They know their kids best. So if a book is recommended for kids 13+ and the parents know the kid is smart and not easily scared even though they are only 11.. why not let them read it. The problem is just that parents mostly don't care at all what their kids read or play (because the same applies to games)... Vicious cycle.
I'm glad I don't have to decide about those things..

I'd wait with re-reading Nightrunner until you're close to the release date, so nothing can distract you from it. ;)

[fendassor]

That's a good idea, we do that some time ^^

What would the world be without labels? Confused people running amock everywhere *rolls eyes*

I have no idea and even less how someone acutally comes to that conclusion in the first place. Sure, a lot of stories are similar in a way - and we're back at the handful of topics - but it's always been like that and that still doesn't make it all the same.

That just goes for everything, books, games, movies - an endless list. And how are parents supposed to know which book is good for their kid, if they themselves don't read anything at all?!

Yup, you're right about that. So I will either read Wraeththu or re-read A Companion to Wolves - good plan... though I'm still stuck with a choice. Argh!!! *tears hair*

[arooza]

Just say the word. ;)

..People dying from peanuts because the pack of peanuts didn't contain the warning label "Contains Peanuts!".. Maybe the world would be a better place ;)

Conclusion: Parent people are no use at all! ;)

You could throw a coin ;)

[fendassor]

Okay ^^

Yup... and yup... *sigh* People... *shakes head* nope.

Well, I have decided I will re-read A Companion to Wolves first, it's certainly the faster read, so I do first that and than I'll check out Wraeththu. Which means, tomorow's program's going to be: let's see if I can read 300 pages in one day while still having to cook and eat and get dressed and visit my dad for his birthday etc. - Challenge accepted ;D

[arooza]

So did you get through your program? :)

[fendassor]

Yup, 307 pages.
Though I wasted a lot of time in between. ^^; You know with visiting Daddy and getting something to eat and actually eating it and making coffee, making tea, vetting my toe,blah blah. In the end it was 2 a.m. ;)