Book Review (1): The God Project by John Saul

Aloha!

No, today we are not going to talk about my fanfiction. Rather, we will be talking about book reviews from other authors. The last time I talked about someone else's book... happened to be my first in this blog too. That was Robin McKingley's "Pegasus" (which I'm still waiting for its sequel). Since then, I've read two more books (and am now reading through one of it).

For someone who hasn't read a book from cover to cover for more than 5 years... this is an achievement. So I hope that I'll have more opportunities to read :)

The first book that I've completed this year is 'The Warriors of Alavna' by Browne. I'll talk more about that story another time.

I would like to talk about the book that I've just finished. Literally, just a few hours ago. If you are wondering, I'm still reading 'Eragon'. I find myself slowing down that story to read the others first. I wonder why :/

Reading "The God Project" started because I mentioned in a post that I wanted to expand my reading repertoire. So I picked up John Saul (a recommendation from the Boyfriend, who said that it was his first novel... he has been reading Marvel comics till then XD) and began to read.

And two days flew by.

It was a little hard to pick up at first. You gotta understand that I am a very childish reader. I bloom rather late when it comes to reading. Not bad I struggle with reading, just that things aren't as appealing to me. I was reading Enid Blyton when I was 12 years old, when my friends were reading books from Goosebumps, Jeffrey Archer and Agatha Christie. I read Sweet Valley High (and Sweet Valley Twins!!) when classmates were enjoying books from Stephen King and Anne Rice. I started Harry Potter WAY too late (I started when Goblet of Fire was long published. I was around 13 years old then.) When my friends were tackling biographies and memoirs I was reveling in magic-ky stories. I still love magic-ky books.

But I digress. I was saying that it was hard for me to get used to the fact that I was reading such an 'adult' book (many would beg to differ that the book was hardly an adult book). However, once I kinda caught the essence of the story, I was hooked. I couldn't put it down. That feeling of not being able to function until the story is complete brings nostalgia of how I would spend hours in the afternoon pouring over books :)

I guess I've spent too much time already. I'm going to summarise my thoughts of the book into point forms.

1. Language
John Saul's language in this book struck me oddly familiar. Then, it dawned upon me that his writing style is like mine. Or rather... my writing style is like his. The variations of complex sentences, with simple sentences in between to make a point. The little extra information about each character and their background... Simply put, if I continue to hone my writing skills, I may end up writing like John Saul (in description).

Of course, I can never be half as good as these authors, but that doesn't mean that I can't hope :) John Saul's description is written more on the characters rather than the setting, which kinda isn't what I'm doing, but is something that I hope to improve :)

2. Unpredictable
As with horror-thriller stories, you will be expecting twists in the plots. However, what I love about this story is how you think you know how it's going to end, but it... doesn't. There were some people that I thought were the baddies but they were not. The awesomeness comes because in the end you realise that you were thrown another twist, just pages before the end. And well... the ending is chilling.

From the beginning to the end, I couldn't be sure what the end would be like. That, I guess, would be the hallmark of a plot with twists. I could blame it on my inexperience in horror-thriller stories, or I could give John Saul the credit... so I might as well be nice :)

3. Timeless
Being printed in 1982, you would expect the content to be blah. After all, it's 30 years since it's first printing.

To this, I give a resounding NO.

The technology and concept behind The God Project is an area that is constantly explored and examined - Genetic Engineering. I remember that when I was in high school/Junior College, my teacher first introduced that to me (Yes, I am a noob who doesn't read the newspapers.) and it was a little hard to stomach. Imagine the concept of genetic engineering... in 1982. Before Windows 95 were made, for all we know!

Absolutely timeless. The concept doesn't make me feel that the book is unrelevant and outdated.


Oh, now that I'm tired, I suppose I'll take a rest. So here it is, my (somewhat) short afterthoughts of 'The God Project'. I've received some recommendations on books to read, but I doubt I'll have time to read, though i'll try my best to get around it. Enjoy your week!

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.

Looking back

Okay, I'm not going to reminisce about "I Want To Be A Turk!"

I was reading my very first fanfiction, "Romeo and Juliet, FF8 style!" and I was quite amused at my own writing. Sadly, I was so embarrassed with my own writing that I revamped ALL my stories (forgetting to backup the older copies for laughs). As such, my oldest writing is dated 2008, which... isn't THAT old (considering that I've started in 2004).

Yes, lesson to learn (forever). Keep your old drafts for fun and laughter. I'm quite sad to say that none of my old writings are around, especially the one with "Be My Knight!" The first draft was absolutely hilarious and I was terribly ashamed to show it to anyone.

Anyway... regarding old fics? I plan to use them, but I have no idea when I will have the time to. If you remember, I have a dozen of plot bunnies waiting to be birthed and nurtured. Besides, in order for me to go back into the old fics, I probably would have to watch FF8 again. Researching on FF7 took me a (pardon my french) hell lot of time, and it was time I could spare because I was on a month-long getaway in China.

... Writing about all these makes me wish that I have more time to write. Oh well, I guess that I am a pretty disorganised person by nature. If I'm that determined to write, then I jolly well make time for my writing (instead of complaining).

Anyway, I've yet to post another chapter because I'm... ah... lazy :P It's really funny how slowly I'm writing when I was on my internship. When I was uploading Chapter 46 on the 20th of February, I was writing Chapter 57 or 58 (Yes, I am THAT ahead of my schedule). At the beginning of my 10-week internship I realised that if I were to stop writing and upload every week, I've enough chapters to cover. By the end of the 10 weeks, and now that I (should be) uploading Chapter 57, I'm still writing Chapter 60. From a 12 chapter gap, I'm back to a 4 chapter gap.

Well, my habit is that I'd like to keep a 3-5 chapter gap between my writing schedule and my uploading schedule (i.e. if I'm uploading Chapter 1, it should be because I'm already writing Chapter 3). It keeps me far-sighted in case my future plans can't be executed because of something that I've already published. Also, for new stories, it helps me assess if the story has potential to continue. For new stories, once I'm done with Chapter 2, I'll upload Chapter 1. Yeah, just an idiosyncrasy of mine.

Anyway, I'll like to complete Chapter 60 first before I upload Chapter 57. I should be done with Chapter 60, just that there are many fight scenes, and I dread them so much :( But I. Shall. Prevail!!

So be patient with me :))

In other news, I'm so excited that Diablo 3 is coming out! I never played Diablo 1 and 2, but the trailer for 3 looks nice, and seeing how everyone has been waiting for this game for YEARS, I guess it should be awesome :D

I Want To Be A Turk!: Chapter 55

Finally, we're getting on with the show!

Zirconiade is a major part of Before Crisis. I mean, duh, it is the primary antagonist in the game. Therefore, I suggest you play close attention to the Turk meeting!

So this chapter had tons of references from not only BC and CC, but also the OVA: Last Order. Therefore, if there are scenes that looked funny, you need to watch the OVA!

About that, there was a scene in the Last Order OVA that always struck me as funny. In the chapter it is the last scene where the Turks are leaving on their helicopters to find Zack. Even watching the original scene where the camera pans on the Turks commenting on Zack Fair, the literal meaning doesn't make sense still. Therefore, I had to kinda squeeze in the idea that they were not being truthful in their words. If you don't get how confusing it was, the video below is the actual clip. Please watch from 2:00 - 2:36.

I must say, this was the best I could do to fit this scene in with everything that I've created so far. And must I boast again how proud I am of hiding Meia in the smallest corners? :)

As for Cait Sith's fortune telling, I know that he doesn't really rhyme... but it was fun, so I stuck to it (the stubborn person that I am >.<). Well, Cait Sith does have his accurate and inaccurate fortunes so... heheh. No more rhyming from him anymore XD

Ahhh, I dread the next chapter.

I Want to Be a Turk!: Chapter 53

So... I haven't been using my blog for a long time, so I might as well, right? :) I'm writing this beforehand (like, on Tuesday) so I better write this before I realise that I have too much work to do to be hobnobbing here :X

So... Chapter 53. Amazing how time just goes and chapters fly out my head as if they are alive. anyway, i wrote this in January... with the idea and words being so fresh in my head. However, I edited and rearranged and tweaked the chapter for about another month or so before I was satisfied with it. Hope you are too :)

You know me. From the earlier stages of the story, I've been complaining that I suck at writing philosophical talks. The things my poor characters say make them so shallow :P Fortunately, (i think) this chapter turned out pretty well. Yes, I'm referring to the chat between Reno and Meia. :) On a side note, you DO know that the Banora place I was writing about was referring to the Banora right before Zack Fair fought Genesis for the last time?

this one!!

anyway, i thought that it'll be cool to have one final scene here before Zack plummets its existence into nothingness. Isn't it funny that no one ever discovered the place anymore after the events of FF7? (feels a plot bunny creeping behind my mind)

As I was saying, this chapter is jam-packed with information, but I hope you guys liked it :D Also, I hope that all of you are catching the storyline so far. It tends to be a little confusing especially if you don't have BC background. I do hope that most of you have Crisis Core background? Or FF7?

Now, review replies! (because I'm too lazy to reply everyone)

TWA: There you go, I hope this chapter is nostalgia explosion for ya, especially the earrings part. In my opinion, the gift scene tops the one in Chapter 13 now :P

Queen-of-Twilights: Thanks for reviewing once again :D

Takara: Oh dear, you're lost already? I suggest you... reread the story!!! Bwahaahah!! that really is my remedy. Unless I'm terribly mistaken, the story is going on a choo choo train direction. I am definitely not wasting my chapters with fillers, that's for sure. :P

rukoyokunefan: hello! thank you for your review! it is a pleasure knowing that you enjoy the story! i am enjoying the writing process too :) yeah, it'll be cool if Meia is a canon character too, but that would mean that I'm not the original creator :P when I wrote Meia I was hoping for a more normal character with humanly flaws, so it was fun trying to balance her awesomeness and mundaneness... so you know... she won't be too awesome and not too boring :P

Tifa: ZOMG you're back!! you mean girl, you made me wonder if you've been recaptured by Hojo. i miss hearing from you!

Dontgotaclue: thank you for your enthusiasm! I'll keep working hard and ensure that you'll not be (too) disappointed :P

also, many thanks to Lady-Bloody-Rose and Dontgotaclue88 for faving/alerting :D

in addition, on a completely unrelated note, i'm very happy to see that there are people who are still reading stories that have been long-published, like 'moves like jagger' and 'dress off!' thank you for your massive support!

Thank you for the many reviews! It really made my day (esp from Tifa and Dontgotaclue since they are... rare visitors :D) It is a huge joy to read your reviews, I'm not lying!

New Word (2): Travesty

So I have not used the previous word 'reticent' yet.

but this is my new word and I shouldn't post until I use these two words regularly. :3

trav·es·ty/ˈtravistē/

Noun:	A false, absurd, or distorted representation of something.
Verb:	Represent in such a way.
Synonyms:	noun. parody - mockery - burlesque - skit - spoof - caricature verb. parody - burlesque

I have no idea how to use this word. The boyfriend has been using them the past few weeks and I've yet to ask him.

Okay, two words to integrate into my vocabulary!!

Movie Review (4): Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who's the fairest of them all?

Yep, I absolutely loved the trailer when I first saw it.

Narrator: Once upon a time, in an enchanted kingdom, there was a beautiful princess. With skin as white as snow and hair as black as night.

Step-Queen: Blah blah blah. Her hair is not black, it's raven and she's 18 years old and her skin has never seen the sun so of course it's good.

Arghh love how Julia Roberts pushes the stigma aside!

Anyway, this is a remake/revamp of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. There are many twists and changes to the Disney one but I thought it was good. So... it IS a child's movie, with lovely and innocent elements. I wish I can give you an in-depth criticism but I watched the movie wanting to enjoy it so many things went unnoticed.

Generally, it's a light-hearted and enjoyable movie suitable for all ages. The evil queen is not THAT evil and the... ah, I shan't spoil the movie :) Albeit some eyebrow-raising moments, I enjoyed the movie.

Besides, how can you NOT fall in love with a face like this?

I swear, her eyebrows can go twice the thickness and she'll probably still look beautiful. She does fit the Snow White role nicely :) But anyway, just my opinion.

Back to the plot. Standard remakes with new twists. Example, the prince meets the dwarves first, not Snow White. Kinda typical of what we fanfiction writers are already doing anyway. I didn't pay too much attention to plot loopholes so nothing much about that... However, generally, I thought that the rewrite was quite interesting. it's your typical 'step-mother takes over the poor girl's life until she met prince charming' but... different :)

I do like the costumes. it's so extravagant and colourful. and the setting and decorum of the set... there're plenty of things to describe. If you're looking for interesting costumes to work your description on, maybe you can look at this movie. It's not the typical Victorian gowns. :) Even Snow White's wedding dress was not white, but blue and orange :D

The humour endorsed is simple, children-friendly humour. People falling and getting into trouble for the stupidest things (that children will enjoy). Witty comments and dry humour? Nah. Zilch. :)

Could I just say that... their ending song is just... inappropriate. *poker face* I don't even know how to explain it.

Gah, I feel so crappy for posting this redundant post :X

Disclaimer: movie afterthought is not an in-depth review. opinions given are made in the context of writing a fiction story.

expanding my reading preferences?

So. A while back, I thought of wanting to expand my reading selection and thought of reading thrillers. the boyfriend recommended thriller-horror author John Saul and I thought I could give it a try.

I've never liked reading anything past teen fantasy. Just by looking at my bookcase, you'll know what kind of (immature) reader I am:

Eragon series

Harry Potter series

Poison Study series

Twilight series (yeah, I poke fun of it, but yes, I do own one set.)

The Complete Tales of Grimm Brothers (did I tell you how much i adore fairytales?)

The Novice (and its two other books whose names I forgot)

Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen

In their defense, some of them have really mind-blowing stories, but they are for teens! and they are magic-ky. That's how I describe it to my friends. Magic-ky = magic is existent in the world.

So, as much as I want to show some depth in my character, I don't read non-fiction such as biographies and memoirs. Neither do I venture into other genres like horror and action. As such, I got to admit, my vocabulary is pretty limited. It's time to venture.

Maybe starting with John Saul might be good. Anyone has suggestions?

In other news, I haven't been using my word of the moment "reticent" often enough. I better get used to that word before I hunt for a new word.