Book Review (7): India Black - Madam of Espionage

Been a LONG while since I last reviewed. I meant to write this review as soon as I was done with the book, but I never got around to finishing it. (Note to self: Always finish the review when you're done with a book.)

Back to what I was saying. I was ploughing through Anne of Green Gables, which is a really lovely book to read when you don't want any of those fantastic twists. Then, a random decision to go to the library brought me to this book.



India Black - Madam of Espionage
Carol K. Carr

Story Sypnosis (in my own words): India Black is an intelligent and charming owner of a brothel, and minds her own business, technically. However, a death of a high-ranked customer in her premises led her on a spy-filled journey where she suddenly becomes a spy for the British government. Don't worry, there'll be a handsome gentleman who will spice the story up for you.

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It's a rather difficult concept to accept - not because of the plot's complexity, but because it's really, really hard to imagine a courtesan being a government spy. Which brings me to:

1. Preface
If you usually skip the prefaces, I suggest you read this one. It is a snarky but funny introduction of the book, narrated by India Black herself. In the preface she did mention the laughable possibility of a whore being a government spy, but once she explains the resourcefulness of a prostitute, it all makes sense. She also draws some parallels too-close-for-comfort.

All in all, the preface was the determining factor for me to continue reading the book, which goes to show how easily one can win over a reader with just a simple preface.

2. India Black as a protagonist
Snarky. That's it. I really enjoyed her character and how she tries to explain things in her opinion. To the eyes of French and the other men and 'bints' in the story, India was a calm and composed woman who knew how to get what she wants. If you read on, you know that she is very talkative in her own head.

The book was written in a first person narrative. I'm usually quite awkward with first person narratives because I feel that it limits the readers' perspective. However, the book was written in her perspective. That really shows the readers her true feelings, and it's rather funny. I kinda like her. She talks like a young adult who thinks that she is so educated. She has this arrogance yet sometimes behaves so immaturely. In fact, she at times reminded me so closely to one single character, that the only thing she lacked was 'Oh my'.

I had this thought about India Black and Anastasia Steele. I think that India Black's personality would be so perfect as Anastasia. For one, India Black has the bombastic words that EL James covets, but she delivers them so elegantly and not so... flippantly like Anastasia. Then again, the whole spiciness about 50 Shades of Grey is the fact that Ana is so innocent and pure... Who wants a shrewd virgin?

3. The world of Dickens
The story is set in the 19th century, UK. Dickens fans, hurray for you... Unless you are a HUGE Dickens fan, of course. You may then have your own standards. I'm not a huge Dickens fans, so I'm pretty cool with the whole Industrial period setting.

This was totally what I had in mind when I was reading the book.

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I've got an interesting thing that I dislike in this book.

1. I. Really. Dislike. Parentheses. (yeah. like those brackets around the words that you see.)

Remind me, not to do that to you guys (unless you really like it, then let me know). I mean, what is the point? Why can't you just write them out in sentences? Parentheses served to provide extra information (or a quick and suitable remark). However, I found it utterly distracting. Parentheses are littered everywhere in the story (even during the preface!). It's really hard to read something (anything!) when a stupid parenthesis comes and stands in your way.

Sometimes it works (sometimes it doesn't). Now that I've experienced it as a reader, I'm definitely going to cut down on that. And now that you've experienced it (refer to above paragraph), are you sure you want to do it on your own story?

2. Attraction between India and French
Simple question. Where is it??

I was quite bummed out. I thought there would be some romance or flirting between the two of them. But nada. Maybe the sequel might appease me. Then again, I appreciate that the protagonists didn't get it on immediately, unlike that of Maria V Snyder. No offense, I love Maria V Snyder!

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Rating: Consider it.

A cute read to put by your bedside, but not that difficult to put down. Come to think of it, months after I've finished reading it, I don't feel like picking it up again. Not even the sequel. Whatever it is, it's not in my priority list. So you decide.

Pictures taken from:
India Black - Madam of Espionage
Picture of London

Disclaimer: Despite the official term, the above book review is not a wholesome and fully critical one. The book is merely reviewed and reflected on based on story writing skills and other literary elements.

Days of Exile: Chapter 42... and crossroads.

I've been posting on my blog for the last two Mondays. Hmm, I see a trend...

Anyway, here's the long-awaited chapter for Days of Exile! And while I've got nothing much to talk about the chapter, let's talk about the STORY.

You see, once upon a time, when "I Want To Be A Turk!" was just a mere idea in my head, I had wonderful ideas and storylines on what I want the story to turn out to be. My plan was to write Meia's entire life, from the moment she became a Turk in 1999, to being exiled in Year 0007, to her return during the events of FF7 in Year 0008, all the way through Advent Children events in Year 0009 and possibly up to Dirge of Ceberus in Year 0012. Yeah people, we are talking about a full 13 years of Meia's life before I end the story.

The naive person that I am, seriously thought that I could finish the story within 200 chapters (glancing at the pile of files in my folder? Nope.) and I even thought I could finish this in 2012 (I started writing "I Want To Be A Turk!" in 2011). So long story short, at 63 chapters into "I Want To Be A Turk!" and 42 chapters into "Days of Exile", I came at the crossroads of my writing life.

Should I continue the way I wanted it to be? 

Or should I stop?

(Cue random free picture, because yes, I have to add pictures to make my blog pretty! Someday I should just draw my own pictures for the blog so that I don't have to worry about copyright!)

Truth is, I have a lot of plot bunnies jumping at the back of my mind, wanting to be unleashed. However, "Days of Exile" has been taking up all my creative juices and spirit. Not that I dislike writing Meia, but I really would appreciate the change.

So I contemplated.

"Let's stick to what I've planned!"

If I continued the way I wanted it to be (all the way to Advent Children at least), I would first complete my original dream of what "I Want To Be A Turk!" was supposed to be. Furthermore, there would be a more complete ending to Meia's story in Shinra. That sense of accomplishment of doing what I started out to do would be tremendous.

The negative consequences would be that I may end up feeling so drained and so tired beating around the same things and same nonsense, and I won't deny it. My writing may not be as good, because after all, people are used to what I can come up with. I may end up delaying the updates longer and longer... until one day I pull that stunt again and just not appear on FF.net anymore.

"Let's just stop here and focus on something else."

If I end "Days of Exile" at the part after Aerith's Holy saved the Planet, technically I have finished what I wanted to write. The main bulk of my original story covers the BC, CC and FF7 events. Honestly, I don't have much planned for what Meia would do after Meteorfall. So technically, I have written my story and I am not THAT guilty. Then, I can take a break from this world and immerse myself in writing out FF7 fics. I mean, don't YOU want to know what I have in store? (Okay, let's not get excited about it... it's not THAT great a plot bunny anyway...)

The negatives. I know I have many loopholes now. I've not explained how Meia is handling her moral ambiguity, I have not answered whether Reno and Meia will end up happy, I barely made interactions between Meia and the other canon characters in the series. Neither have I finished explaining the backstories of the other Turks, nor how Randy and Heidi are going to face Meia. I can definitely say this now. I can't explain all of those so quickly. Maybe I would disappoint some of you because you were expecting something super epic. And the truth is simple, you may not know what Meia really is going to do after Meteorfall.

Sucks, doesn't it?

That was the main question in my head since December. I could not concentrate on my writing because I was so afraid of throwing ideas out that will force me to commit. Believe me, people. I really want to bring out my best to you, but I'm scared that either choice may not turn out well.

In case you're wondering and worrying for me, I've decided on my solution already... Yes, there is a route that we are going now. Just that I won't tell you yet. Sorry! I will definitely let you know when the time draws near (at least another 14-16 weeks!). So for now... let's just enjoy Chapter 42!

Nevertheless, I thank you for being with me through my rantings and doubts. Hope you have a great week ahead!

Let's do that tag again!

So I had quite some fun pondering about the tag for the FF7 fandom. So I decided to do one for the entire FF universe that I've played.

I will be considering FFV, FFVII, FFVIII, FFX, FFX-2, FFXIII.

Name a fandom you know I know and I’ll tell you

1. The first character I first fell in love with
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now
3. The character everyone else loves that I don’t
4. The character I love that everyone else hates
5. The character I used to love but don’t any longer
6. The character I would totally smooch
7. The character I’d want to be like
8. The character I’d slap
9. A pairing that I love
10. A pairing that I despise

Fandom: FF5, 7, 8, 10, 10-2, 13

1. First character that I first fell in love with. Zell Dincht (FF8). I had a full blown crush on him for like, a month I think.


Sidenote: A character that I like that has lasted through many years till now is Rikku (FF10, FF10-2). She's incredibly adorable and so pretty in FF10-2. I believe I became who I am today because sometime in my teenage years, I tried SO HARD to behave and talk just like her. Unfortunately, I do not have her figure. Poopie.

2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now. Bartz (FF5) started off as a very unassuming character when I first played him in Dissidia. Thought he looked very girly. Must be all the girls that he hung out with in FF5. Even in FF5 he was quite normal... until I saw fanart of Bartz, all handsome and cheerful. 

Oh gosh, I'm so superficial. It's okay, these are just games. I'm entitled to be superficial about them. But on an honest note, I think Bartz has a very nice balance of cheerful and serious person. The protagonists in the other fandoms are inching on extremes.

3. Character that everyone loves that I don't. Lightning (FF13). She's too much like Cloud. Okay, that's not the reason. She's too reserved for my liking. Yes, I know. Horrible past and all but seriously? I can only summarise her character as a big sister who is righteous in her own ways (please convince me, "Lightning Returns" game!!) Even Cloud has a little bit more depth in his character.

4. Character that I love but everyone hates. Oerba Dia Vanille (FF13). I know everyone thinks that she is too annoying and her voice is squeaky. I like her initially for her character design, but I thought she possessed a deeper personality than what she shows.

Yeah, yeah, cliche painful past behind sunny facade, but I think she made the balance quite well. She had every reason to feel pain for what had happened, and every reason to try and hide it.

5. Character that I used to love but don’t any longer. That would be Selphie (FF8). She is really perky and cute, but it was really short lived once I started playing the other FF games.

6. Character that I would totally smooch. Well, I really think I've grown out of the fangirl thing (for now). Using my answer in the previous tag, it'll still be Reno (FF7).

7. The character I’d want to be like. Here's the laundry list. Zack Fair (FF7) for his willpower. Aerith Gainsborough (FF7) for her sincerity. Yuna (FF10) for her beautiful eyes and gentle disposition. Rikku (FF10, 10-2) for almost everything. Lightning (FF13) for her hair. That must be some awesome hairspray.

8. The character I’d slap is Don Corneo (FF7). He is a big meanie, and picking brides every other night is totally wrong. Genesis (FF7) is also another one, for reasons that I've explained in the earlier post. 


9. A pairing that I love: Zack and Aerith (FF7). Refer to my previous post again. Even against the many pairings across the titles, theirs win. Tidus and Yuna (FF10) is a close second. Generally, I'm quite happy with the canon pairings. I just wished that Bartz and Lenna were together, I mean, I was quite sad that the story had no romance but alrighty, I'm the only hopeless romantic around here I guess... Another non-canon pairing I would LOVE to see is Gippal and Rikku (FF10-2).

10. A pairing that I despise: Lightning and Hope (FF13). No. Just no. What's wrong with these fans? They are just desperate to ship just any two people together. That's what I dislike about non-canon pairings (GippalXRikku is the ONLY exception). Well, at least pick the more natural pairings if they are not canon.

There we go, another random tag to fill up my otherwise boring and stress-filled Monday. If you guys are interested to take up the tag, do let me know what your tags are!

Days of Exile: Chapter 41

Now that we are in the privacy of my blog, I have all the chance to talk! Just that I won't. I've got work in about 7 hours' time. 

Once upon a time, I had this awesome experience of climbing a mountain in China (during my month-long getaway) and then we had the option of either walking down the mountain trail or sliding long this uber long marble slide that will lead us all the way down to the foot of the mountain.

No prizes to guessing which one my dad and I took. (Come to think of it, my dad's pretty adventurous.)

The slide. Was. Amazing.

Except for the fact that the slide had to be on a gentle slope so that we don't whizz down the mountain and shoot off the slide tracks or something. It took us about 15-20 minutes to inch our butts down the place.

Anyway, thanks to this very unique experience, I could imagine how it was like sliding down the chute for Rufus Shinra. But of course, his slide must be a lot faster... hmm...

Here is an age-chart of the various characters as of this moment, in case you are actually wondering.

Yup, taken straight from my own data file. I've included people like Shelke because technically she is still alive, just not around the storyline. Um... Just take note that the ages are not canon. Some are, some are not. Use this information with lots of discretion.

This chapter is once again, very heavily modified and retold from Case of Shinra. Just wondering... why did Reno spot Yuffie? What happened after that? I seriously don't remember. Perhaps kadajclone could help me if he/she ever sees this.

Yup, I gotta go sleep now. Hopefully you guys enjoyed this chapter!

Happy New Year!

I don't know what time it is in your countries, but it's already 4 PM into the new year. I told myself that I would do a end-of-year reflection before the new year but... I got sleepy and I went to bed after counting down.

2013 had been a good year for me, at least for the first half of the year. I continued Days of Exile faithfully... I had new plot bunnies (though no time to produce them)... I had opportunities to write in my workplace... Even though the second half of the year was rocky for me, I was glad that I persevered. Days of Exile is (possibly) reaching an end but who's to say what will happen in 2014? No one is the wiser.

What's in store for 2014? I can't be too sure actually. Days of Exile is currently reaching the crossroads in its development. Everything will be revealed in due time, but for now, I'm still at loss in my decision. All I can say is... hang in there, everyone. Depending on the direction of Days of Exile, I may release some new stories, but no guarantee, of course.

The biggest challenge for me yet, would be the things happening in my life outside the writing world. My workload has increased and in my personal life, there are new commitments. Perhaps even finding a day in a month to shut everything out and just focus on writing will prove to be hard to do this year.

Nevertheless, I'm not giving up. I'm enjoying the entire writing journey. I'm not ready to give it all up. Till the day I know I have to abandon this and move on, I will dedicate every ounce of my time in planning, researching and writing the best stories I can ever come up with.

Please continue to stay with me for another year of surprises. It is my pleasure to entertain you and I will do my best.

Happy new year!
aichioluv