beta request + books
So I'm back again with the same request. Anyone interested in beta-reading an X-Men: First Class fic? Pairing is Emma/Angel and Angel/Raven, and since its for xmen_tales, the fairy tale is The Little Mermaid. And even though it's a modern, powered AU, the end pairing is essentially Sea Witch/Mermaid.
There's sex in it, and while I guess it's explicit, I wouldn't call it erotica. It's currently at 3k, and I think it'll be 5k in the end (and this time I mean it, lol). The fic is due September 8th. I mostly just want someone to take a look at it and tell me if there are any glaring spelling/grammar/plot holes/etc. No need to pick over word choice unless you want to; I just want to make sure I didn't miss anything Obvious.
I also admit, I'm attempting Teen Wolf fic now, lololol. And I did finish the Charles/Erik fairy tale AU, so it looks like the Franz one is up for completion next.
*goes back to NK Jemisin's The Shadowed Sun and waits for Ilona Andrews' Gunmetal Magic*
ETA:
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Honestly, I would never have finished this if it wasn't a classic because the beginning is so slow. Probably wouldn't have finished it either if I hadn't skipped ahead to read the Historical Note, which I found eons more interesting than the book's first half. But I do admit, once the story picked up re: the Commander midway I enjoyed myself and wanted to know what happened next. The historical note was very interesting (it seems white people died out and there're just PoC left?), and the second half of the book was really interesting re: metaness/text as a purposeful construction whether by Offred and re: phallic imagery. Also, let me say that I am continually irked at how this is labeled Fiction, but most other dystopias get slammed into SF/Fantasy. (also, did not realize Offred=Of Fred until I read the Historical Note)
The Shadowed Sun by NK Jemisin (The Dreamblood Duo #2)
So my main complaint about The Dreaming Moon was that there were too many men and I wanted more women. Well, this book answers that. It's very much a woman-driven book and is concerned with sexism, sexual abuse/power, and women's place in society. No one country comes out of this book re: women looking particularly good or bad. Sunandi's revelation about women in Gujaareh was pretty fascinating.
I'm also really bummed that this is only a Duo; I'd love to see more in this universe. I imagine more books would have to deal with Gujaareh in peacetime, seeing as these two books deal with Earth Shaking Events. I'd also love to see the issues of women in the Hetawa addressed. Seeing as she isn't, I really want to know what her next project is.
Although the books is pretty thick, it's a relatively quick read. Also, even though I forgot a good chunk of the worldbuilding, it's easy to pick back up and the glossary in the back helps. As for bonus features, I am disappointed there isn't another interview with/by Jemisin in the back. I would also like to add Wana goes through a pretty big character development arc, and it works, surprising considering what a Jerk he is in the beginning. As for Hanani, check out the spoiler cut for more info. Also glad to see the return of Sunandi and Nijiri. (NIJIRIIIIIIIIII. <3333333)
(On a related note, Orbit Books, the publisher, publishes a lot of books by/about PoC. I think I might pick up the gang war retelling of King Arthur)
Similar to The Inheritance Cycle, The Shadowed Sun mirrors The Dreaming Moon in many ways plotwise (Inunru's pet projects return, loss of mentor). And perhaps what's interesting is the way Inunru--Gujaareh's founder--is continually depicted as a Not Cool Guy. In which case, it's really interesting to see a book that examines a country founded on some nasty things, and still strives to make good of itself.
Likewise, this book (like its predecessor) doesn't provide easy closure for readers. Nijiri still remains in mourning over Ehiru. Omgggg, this killed me; you have no idea what I would give to see Nijiri in my movie theatres after this book. This book really just hammers the nail in with Nijiri and Ehiru's relationship from the first book. It continues to kill me (in the good way) how much Nijiri loved Ehiru in all senses of the word, and that Ehiru despite being unable to give the kind of love Nijiri wanted still wanted that love of Nijiri's.
And despite how easy it would be for Hanani to be the First Woman of her Profession like in Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness Quartet, we don't get that. Hanani resigns from the Hetawa, and I can only imagine what havoc this is going to make for whatever girl wants to join the Hetawa next. I would also like to add the end of this book started giving me the Feels that The Broken Kingdoms did, but not quite.
Also, this book brings out that the Kisuati occupation of Gujaareh was not the fix once would anticipate from the first books. Which casts some doubts on whether serious reform within the Hetawa regarding Inunru's decrees are likely to occur (and if they do that would be an interesting paper topic).
I'm also not sure why Tiaanat's POV was necessary. I mean, we get a lot from it, but when there're multiple POVs, and they're not told in equal amounts, I get suspicious. ...I'm also not sure what any of the book/series titles have to do with anything.
Anyway, having time to reflect upon the first book now... I recommend both books in this series. Together they make an interesting portrait of how political reform works and the gutwrenching loss required.
There's sex in it, and while I guess it's explicit, I wouldn't call it erotica. It's currently at 3k, and I think it'll be 5k in the end (and this time I mean it, lol). The fic is due September 8th. I mostly just want someone to take a look at it and tell me if there are any glaring spelling/grammar/plot holes/etc. No need to pick over word choice unless you want to; I just want to make sure I didn't miss anything Obvious.
I also admit, I'm attempting Teen Wolf fic now, lololol. And I did finish the Charles/Erik fairy tale AU, so it looks like the Franz one is up for completion next.
*goes back to NK Jemisin's The Shadowed Sun and waits for Ilona Andrews' Gunmetal Magic*
ETA:
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Honestly, I would never have finished this if it wasn't a classic because the beginning is so slow. Probably wouldn't have finished it either if I hadn't skipped ahead to read the Historical Note, which I found eons more interesting than the book's first half. But I do admit, once the story picked up re: the Commander midway I enjoyed myself and wanted to know what happened next. The historical note was very interesting (it seems white people died out and there're just PoC left?), and the second half of the book was really interesting re: metaness/text as a purposeful construction whether by Offred and re: phallic imagery. Also, let me say that I am continually irked at how this is labeled Fiction, but most other dystopias get slammed into SF/Fantasy. (also, did not realize Offred=Of Fred until I read the Historical Note)
The Shadowed Sun by NK Jemisin (The Dreamblood Duo #2)
So my main complaint about The Dreaming Moon was that there were too many men and I wanted more women. Well, this book answers that. It's very much a woman-driven book and is concerned with sexism, sexual abuse/power, and women's place in society. No one country comes out of this book re: women looking particularly good or bad. Sunandi's revelation about women in Gujaareh was pretty fascinating.
I'm also really bummed that this is only a Duo; I'd love to see more in this universe. I imagine more books would have to deal with Gujaareh in peacetime, seeing as these two books deal with Earth Shaking Events. I'd also love to see the issues of women in the Hetawa addressed. Seeing as she isn't, I really want to know what her next project is.
Although the books is pretty thick, it's a relatively quick read. Also, even though I forgot a good chunk of the worldbuilding, it's easy to pick back up and the glossary in the back helps. As for bonus features, I am disappointed there isn't another interview with/by Jemisin in the back. I would also like to add Wana goes through a pretty big character development arc, and it works, surprising considering what a Jerk he is in the beginning. As for Hanani, check out the spoiler cut for more info. Also glad to see the return of Sunandi and Nijiri. (NIJIRIIIIIIIIII. <3333333)
(On a related note, Orbit Books, the publisher, publishes a lot of books by/about PoC. I think I might pick up the gang war retelling of King Arthur)
Similar to The Inheritance Cycle, The Shadowed Sun mirrors The Dreaming Moon in many ways plotwise (Inunru's pet projects return, loss of mentor). And perhaps what's interesting is the way Inunru--Gujaareh's founder--is continually depicted as a Not Cool Guy. In which case, it's really interesting to see a book that examines a country founded on some nasty things, and still strives to make good of itself.
Likewise, this book (like its predecessor) doesn't provide easy closure for readers. Nijiri still remains in mourning over Ehiru. Omgggg, this killed me; you have no idea what I would give to see Nijiri in my movie theatres after this book. This book really just hammers the nail in with Nijiri and Ehiru's relationship from the first book. It continues to kill me (in the good way) how much Nijiri loved Ehiru in all senses of the word, and that Ehiru despite being unable to give the kind of love Nijiri wanted still wanted that love of Nijiri's.
And despite how easy it would be for Hanani to be the First Woman of her Profession like in Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness Quartet, we don't get that. Hanani resigns from the Hetawa, and I can only imagine what havoc this is going to make for whatever girl wants to join the Hetawa next. I would also like to add the end of this book started giving me the Feels that The Broken Kingdoms did, but not quite.
Also, this book brings out that the Kisuati occupation of Gujaareh was not the fix once would anticipate from the first books. Which casts some doubts on whether serious reform within the Hetawa regarding Inunru's decrees are likely to occur (and if they do that would be an interesting paper topic).
I'm also not sure why Tiaanat's POV was necessary. I mean, we get a lot from it, but when there're multiple POVs, and they're not told in equal amounts, I get suspicious. ...I'm also not sure what any of the book/series titles have to do with anything.
Anyway, having time to reflect upon the first book now... I recommend both books in this series. Together they make an interesting portrait of how political reform works and the gutwrenching loss required.