Sunday: Weekly Update May 22nd

Happy Sunday everyone! It's time to post an update and short commentary for my 30 Day Blog Challenge for last week.

Monday- May 16th
Nebula Award Winners: Books & Magazines

• From the Nebula Award Winners, Uprooted by Naomi Novik made it to my "2015 Favorite Books & Authors" list. And, I highly recommend Binti by Nnedi Okorafor for the excellent mixture of SF with African culture, the POC protagonist, and the unique world-building ideas incorporated by the author (i.e.: mathematical treeing). 
• Don't miss the free online links provided for Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, as well as the free online link to the winning short story at Nightmare Magazine. 

Tuesday - May 17th
Review: Eidolon (Wraith Kings #2) by Grace Draven

• I am loving Grace Davren's Wraith Kings' fantasy romance series, and highly recommended Eidolon. There a few unanswered questions which I'm sure will be addressed in the 3rd installment The Ippos King, due to be released in 2017.  

Wednesday - May 18th
TBR Review: The Brush of Black Wings (Master of Crows #2) by Grace Draven

• For my first TBR review of the year, I chose another fantasy romance book by Grace Draven. The reason behind it? It is a bridge story between the Master of Crows and the Wraith Kings series containing spoilers (which I did not give away) for Eidolon. 

Thursday - May 19th
Poetry: Angel Park by Roberto F. Santiago

• Sometimes when I find a book that touches me personally, I'm reluctant to (or can't) share it. Angel Park is one of those… 
• Angel Park is Robert F. Santiago's debut poetry collection. After reading it, I'm left wondering, what comes next from this poet? His poetry is vivid, penetrating, and for those of you reluctant to read poetry, I would describe it as accessible with deceivingly simple language. The more you read the poems, the more substance you will find. 

Friday - May 20th
Music Video: Vivir Mi Vida (Live my Life) Ehh… Mi gente!

• I shared this video because the song itself just makes me want to celebrate life, the moment. This past Friday, that's how I felt. :) 

Saturday - May 21st
Reading Break: A 'Nathan Burgoine Saturday

• These days, reading one book tends to take a few days and blogging takes time. I decided to dedicate my Saturday to reading one book: Triad Blood a new Urban Fantasy release by favorite writer 'Nathan Burgoine. 
• Although it is not necessary to follow the story on Triad Blood, I'm anal and decided to reread or read four short stories connected to the characters. Since I already owned three of the four anthologies, it was a matter of going back to them and purchasing the one I missed. 
• All anthologies are available at Bold Strokes Books. In order: (1) "Three," in Blood Sacraments: Gay Vampire Erotica ed. Todd Gregory. Available on its own for .99 cents or free with any ebook purchase; (2) "Intercession" in Wings: Subversive Gay Angel Erotica ed. Todd Gregory $3.99 (3) "Possession" in Erotica Exotica: Tales of Sex & Magic ed. Richard Labonte, purchased for $2.99, and (4) "Necessary Evil" in Raising Hell: Demonic Gay Erotica ed. Todd Gregory $4.99

That was my weekly recap folks! I did not miss a day for the challenge and that makes me happy. And, hopefully, between the reviews and the links, you will find a few good reads!

Reading Break: A 'Nathan Burgoine Saturday

I'm taking a break to finish reading 'Nathan Burgoine's latest release Triad Blood. Also, reading a few related short works.

Later!

Music Video: Vivir Mi Vida (Live My Life) ¡Ehh… Mi gente!

It's Friday! Time to chill, time to enjoy life.

Vivir Mi Vida is about the joy of life, living the moment. Not allowing sorrow and worries to rule the day by celebrating with laughter, song, and dance. This is Latin music, so the words are uplifting but the music is fantastic! Everytime I listen to Vivir Mi Vida, my body moves on its own, and next thing I know, I'm on my feet dancing! Celebrating the moment.

The video was shot on the streets of New York City. It has that "celebrity" quality since it was shot when Marc Anthony returned to the City for his 2016 concert. But, what I love about it is the neighborhood "block party" atmosphere it conveys. El barrio was smokin' hot that day.

Happy Friday!!

Poetry: Angel Park by Roberto F. Santiago

Angel Park, the debut poetry collection by Roberto F. Santiago, explores the intersections of identity (familial, gender, sexual, racial, ethnic, spiritual, class, and linguistic) vis-à-vis the vehicles of travel, or motion from the familiar to the new, the loss of innocence that occurs within the process of maturation.

Let's get this out of the way first. I love this powerful poetry collection, Roberto F. Santiago's strong voice, and recommend Angel Park to anyone who will listen.

Now, let's get down to the book. Those few lines above are an excellent summation of what I found in Angel Park. The collection flows smoothly as it progresses throughout its three sections: Home, Away, and Far Away. That exploration of identity mentioned in the summary -- familial, gender, sexual, ethnic, spiritual, class, and linguistic -- grows stronger with each poem, in each section, and it is fabulously integrated throughout the whole collection.

Although Home holds strong ethnic and familial poems -- "Café con Abuela," "¡Canta Conquí Canta!, "A Blessing," -- they are not exclusive to this section.  Home is where it all begins, however, with family and early personal experiences as the core. The section ends on a powerful note with a few poems such as "Some Birds are Exotic", "Self-portrait of a Boy Kicked Out of His House" and "The Lexington Avenue Line: III. Castle Hill Ave." "There is a boy with teardrops for eyelashes[…]" The end to Home, organically leads to Away.

In Away, the shortest section of the collection, Santiago's poems move away from early youth, gaining strength and momentum. There is a shift which, although personal in nature, sets out to discuss the very nature of racial, class and gender issues, as well as sexual identity. This momentum continues, leading to the last section, Far Away, where Santiago ends the collection by exploring queer life through bold, vibrant poems such as: "The Day He Became Queen," and "The Ways of Men."

Angel Park has been in my possession for a long time; since last year. I have read it many times since then and keep it at my bedside. I could not review it at the time. There is a good reason for that. A poem. The last poem. Was it written for me?

For Those Left Behind

When loss is all you have
left let me remind you
at cinnamon dusk
the dead can dance.

They percuss          the thrash of hearts
                            against their chests
                            with dribble bounce
                            and ball of foot

They timpani          pulse & rattle bone of ankle to knee
                             shimmy-crescendo their hips & neck

They raise              hands like flags
                            waive them like freedoms.

In the realm of the spirit
there is life, and then there is
consciousness. A stillness
of breath condensed

on top of another
like fermented prayer
I can hold in my hands
as the snow crashes down

take comfort in knowing
endings are never
as final as they sound.
This, too, shall pass.

--------------------------
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Roberto F. Santiago has an MFA in Creative Writing from Rutgers University and is a Coordinator of Post-Secondary Education in San Francisco. He is a Lambda Literary Scholar and past recipient of the Alfred C. Carey Prize for Poetry. He lives in Oakland.

TBR Review: The Brush of Black Wings (Master of Crows, #2) by Grace Draven

This is my first review for Wendy's TBR Challenge 2016 (hangs head in shame). But hello, here I am! Better late than never, right?

This eNovella has been in my TBR since 2015. This month's theme is Something Different -- whatever different may mean. I chose a fantasy romance novella with strong world-building, fantasy elements, and romance to please. I am loving most of Draven's fantasy romance books and thought I would share.

The Brush of Black Wings is the sequel to Master of Crows, one of Grace Draven's most popular fantasy romance books. It is not my favorite, though, that would be Radiance. Unfortunately, I did not review Master of Crows. I did leave the following short comment at Goodreads:

Dark fantasy romance. Slightly unbalanced in its execution with a few slow, and later sex filled sections; but overall, an above average fantasy romance with interesting main characters dwelling in a rich, dark, magical world.

Silhara of Neith, Master of Crows, and Martise of Asher are the protagonists of this series. The Brush of Black Wings begins with Martise going into the enchanted woods of Neith where she comes across the ruins of an ancient temple. She encounters and battles a dark entity, and escapes after regaining her magical powers. While Silhara wants to destroy the temple, Martise feels the need to identify the dark entity. The information she finds is horrifying -- filled with soul eating demon kings, necromancy, and dark magic. Unfortunately for Martise, the dark entity compels and takes her into another plane. As we already know, Silhara doesn't play nice. He will do whatever it takes to find Martise, including breaking the rules of magic, time, and world barriers.

A few comments here. First, the romance is good, it is there. Silhara and Martise are still as sexually compelling as they were in Master of Crows. The love and intimacy between the two are shown in spades. And that dark, rich, magical world is still at the center of the series. The plot itself, however, became problematic for me.

This novella is ultimately about Silhara and Martise, and their end of the story is well done. However, The Brush of Black Wings is not a stand alone. You see, this is a bridge story between the Master of Crows series and The Wraith Kings series. As a matter of fact, in my opinion, this novella is best understood and enjoyed if read after Eidolon (Wraith Kings #2). Why? The dark entity and the circumstances will actually make sense. But, warning, The Brush of Black Wings contains huge spoilers for Eidolon. Recommended to fans of both series.

Review: Eidolon (Wraith Kings #2) by Grace Draven

Kai Prince Brishen, the dead eel, and his human wife Ildiko, the pink mollusk, are back! Eidolon, Wraith Kings #2, by Grace Draven continues the story that began in Radiance, the first book of this fantasy series.

At the end of Radiance, the Queen of Haradis, in her bid for power, opened the gates and unleashed the galla. Demons from the underworld that devour all those in their path. Eidolon begins at this point, with the Royal palace at Haradis, the royal family, including the Queen, the King, Brishen's brother, and his heirs, succumbing to the galla. A lucky few escape, including a couple of palace guards with a baby, and make their way to the river where safety awaits as galla cannot cross running water.

Back at Saggara, Brishen and Ildiko are leading an extremely happy life as a couple in love. The daily routine and happy relationship comes to a sudden holt when news arrives that Brishen is the only survivor of the Kay royal house. The King is dead. Long live the King! The new Kai ruler finds himself in a tough position. First, to save his kingdom the galla must be defeated. Second, the neighboring kingdoms must be prevented from declaring war against him. The answer to both problems is to seek an alliance in order to defeat the darkness threatening to annihilate them all. Still, the galla are dead, and the dead may only be killed by the dead. Desperate measures through ancient magic will have to do. The change of circumstances, however, also affects the relationship between Brishen and Ildiko. Will the Kai accept a human queen?

In Radiance, although political/court intrigue and fantasy elements are well-integrated, romance is at the forefront of the story. In Eidolon, Draven focuses on the fantasy and political/court intrigue aspects of this world, while integrating the romantic elements. Romance is still key to decisions taken by the protagonists, however, conflict and angst are introduced to the blissfully happy relationship already established between Brishen and Ildiko.

This couple faces all conflicts with strength and vulnerability. Ildiko continues to be a strong character. However, Draven shows Ildiko's insecurities in this installment, and as a result, she emerges as an even stronger woman and partner at the end of the story. Brishen openly acknowledges his need for Ildiko. I admire his character for the sacrifices he is willing to make and the almost-unsurmountable dangers he faces for his people. But also, for the sacrifices Brishen is unwilling to make in his personal life. He is a real hero, and this is a great couple!

The world-building for the Wraith Kings series continues to evolve with this installment. I really enjoyed how the Kai's culture is further explored through political / court intrigue, and by strongly expanding the fantasy aspect of this series through magical elements and plotting. The Wraith Kings make their appearance in this book, but you'll have to read the story to find out the who, why and how. Additionally, personal relationships between main and secondary characters, as well as individual contributions made by secondary and tertiary characters, are key to the success to this story.

So, did I like one book more than the other? No. I loved Radiance for the fabulous romance. I love Eidolon for the fantasy, the world-building, the plotting, the way Draven portrays darkness and light, the resolutions, and yes, for the continuing romance between Brishen and Ildiko. Highly recommended.

Radiance (Wraith Kings, #1)
Eidolon (Wraith Kings, #2)
The Ippos King (Wraith Kings, #3) Releasing in 2017

Nebula Award Winners: Books & Magazines

Yesterday, Winners of the 2015 Nebula Awards, the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, and the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation were announced by Science Fiction Writers of America. A list that includes a complete list of all the nominees, as well as the winners, may be found at their website. Congratulations to all!

Following is the list of the winners. And, for those interested, I've included a summary of the books and a link to the magazines where both the Novelette and Short Story may be found (single issues are available for purchase):

NOVEL:
Uprooted by Naomi Novik (Del Rey)

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.

Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.

But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.

NOVELLA:
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (Tor.com)

Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.

Knowledge comes at a cost, one that Binti is willing to pay, but her journey will not be easy. The world she seeks to enter has long warred with the Meduse, an alien race that has become the stuff of nightmares. Oomza University has wronged the Meduse, and Binti's stellar travel will bring her within their deadly reach.

If Binti hopes to survive the legacy of a war not of her making, she will need both the the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University, itself ― but first she has to make it there, alive.

NOVELETTE:
‘‘Our Lady of the Open Road’’ by Sarah Pinsker

This novelette is 105 pages long. Click on the title above and you may read "Our Lady of the Open Road," free, online, at Asimov's Magazine's website. The link should take you directly to the story.

Additionally, for your convenience, here is a link to Asimov's 2015 Reader's Awards Finalists List which provides links to each individual short story, novella, and novelette that has either won or has been nominated for an award. All are free online reads.

If, on the other hand, you would prefer to purchase the single June 2015 issue of Asimov's Magazine, where this novelette first appears, please follow this link.


SHORT STORY:
‘‘Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers’’ by Alyssa Wong (Nightmare Magazine 10/15)

This short story may be read online at the Nightmare Magazine. Just click on the title above to read "Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers."

However, if you would prefer to purchase the single October 2015 issue of Nightmare Magazine, please follow this link. As an interesting aside: This was a special issue. Here is a description that explains it all:

NIGHTMARE is an online horror and dark fantasy magazine. In NIGHTMARE's pages, you will find all kinds of horror fiction, from zombie stories and haunted house tales, to visceral psychological horror. Funded as a stretch goal of our sister-magazine LIGHTSPEED’s Queers Destroy Science Fiction! Kickstarter campaign, this month we’re presenting a special issue of NIGHTMARE called Queers Destroy Horror!: an all-horror extravaganza entirely written—and edited!—by queer creators.

ANDRE NORTON AWARD FOR YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY:
Updraft by Fran Wilde (Tor)

Welcome to a world of wind and bone, songs and silence, betrayal and courage.

Kirit Densira cannot wait to pass her wingtest and begin flying as a trader by her mother's side, being in service to her beloved home tower and exploring the skies beyond. When Kirit inadvertently breaks Tower Law, the city's secretive governing body, the Singers, demand that she become one of them instead. In an attempt to save her family from greater censure, Kirit must give up her dreams to throw herself into the dangerous training at the Spire, the tallest, most forbidding tower, deep at the heart of the City.

As she grows in knowledge and power, she starts to uncover the depths of Spire secrets. Kirit begins to doubt her world and its unassailable Laws, setting in motion a chain of events that will lead to a haunting choice, and may well change the city forever-if it isn't destroyed outright.

RAY BRADBURY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DRAMATIC PRESENTATION
Mad Max: Fury Road, Written by George Miller, Brendan McCarthy, Nick Lathouris

What a movie!! Excellent special effects, but explosive is the best way to describe it.

Available on DVD.

Sunday Weekly Update

It's Sunday and time to do an update for my 30 Day Blog Challenge, and some commentary about last week's posts. I missed posting an update last week, but then, it was Mother's Day. :)

Monday
Update & Impressions of a Reader Turns 7!

• My 7th blogiversary and a commentary on the current status of my reading and blogging woes. 

Tuesday
…On the 2016 Locus Award Finalists List

• I loved this list of Locus Award Finalists. I posted my list of books read, but most importantly, a list of books I already own and WANT to read.
• Update: I have already read one book on that list, and began reading a second. See? It works! 

Wednesday
Tonight: Reading vs. Reviewing

• Struggling to choose between writing a review and picking up a book I desperately wanted to read. Everyone agreed that I should read! I did!

Thursday
I missed posting on Thursday, so I'm behind one post for the 30 Day Blogging Challenge. Reason? Worked late, fried brain! I deemed it best not to even try posting a picture! :)

Friday
Want to Read: Romance, Fantasy, LGBT Spec Fic, UF

• May releases I want to read. I already downloaded Only Beloved by Mary Balogh because I'm a huge fan of the author, and I've enjoyed a few books from this series. Also downloaded The Summer Dragon by Todd Lockwood. This fantasy was a random pick on part mainly because well… Dragons! I'm hoping it will be a good choice.
• In the meantime, I'm really looking forward to Tuesday and the release of 'Nathan Burgoine's new novel, Triad Blood. I loved his first novel Light, plus, he is a favorite LGBT author whose works (short fiction definitely included) I try not to miss. 
• Then there is All Fixed Up by Linda Grimes, another random pick on my part. I chose this book because it is urban fantasy with humor. I need humor in my life, so why not?
• And last, but not least, Sleepless in Manhattan by Sarah Morgan is part of her "From Manhattan with Love" contemporary romance series. Romance set in New York? Enough said! 

Saturday
Review: Ancillary Mercy (Trilogy #3) by Ann Leckie

• And finally on Saturday, I wrote and posted a complete review (no mini). This is the science fiction book from the Locus list that I finished this week. Also the book that I was reading Wednesday night! So worth it!! 

Review: Ancillary Mercy (Trilogy Book #3) by Ann Leckie

Well, the Imperial Radch trilogy by Ann Leckie is done, and what a glorious ride it has been! In Ancillary Mercy, Ann Leckie brings the story back to the beginning by wrapping up threads, answering questions, and finding resolutions to issues that began in Ancillary Justice and Ancillary Sword. And that, my friends, is one of the great aspects of this trilogy because, although different in plot and atmosphere, Books 1 & 2 are extremely relevant to the highly satisfying end.

The story picks up where it ended in Ancillary Sword, as Fleet Captain Breq Mianaai recovers in Mercy of Karl quarters, with Captain Seivarden Vendaai serving her, the always-needed, required, revered, solver-of-all-problems, tea. It doesn't take long, however, for things to change and speed up as, first, Breq is summoned down to station by the Governor to find an ancillary under custody. She is an ancillary fragment from the Notai ship Sphene, last seen over 3000 years ago. This new character, a vengeful and mistrusting Sphene, adds a whole new dimension to the story.

Closely following this news, Presger Translator Zeiat shows up looking for the previous Translator who was sort-of-accidentally-shot-dead in Ancillary Sword. This character not only adds humor through "cultural misunderstandings," but also provides that alien element in spades. Zeiat is deceivingly friendly and bumbling in her attempts to experience and navigate the human world. Yet, when she attempts to communicate thoughts or opinions about weighty subjects, it becomes clear that she/they (the Presger) do not really understand humans. And, humans don't seem to understand just how fragile and thin the treaty keeping them safe from this predatory alien species has become.

Soon after, a single segment of the many-bodied (self-cloned) Anaander Mianaai shows up at Anthoek Station, looking for Breq, and accompanied by two ships. The tyrant's presence sets up a confrontation between the adversaries, and it takes action in form of a battle, political maneuvering, as well as masterful manipulation, to bring it all to a satisfying end. One segment when the tyrant is many-bodied, you ask? Leckie does it! Read the book and find out… it's a noteworthy resolution.

And speaking of noteworthy, remember those fantastic relationships that Leckie builds in Ancillary Justice and continues to build along the way? Throughout her evolutionary journey, Breq has gained much self-awareness, yet in Ancillary Mercy she comes to some highly emotional conclusions, finding flaws and much needed clarity. Then there is my favorite secondary character, Seirvarden Vendaii, who makes a truly emotional impact in this last installment. Breq's journey would not have been the same without Seivarden, the same applies to Seivarden's journey. Here we see her battle addiction, character weaknesses, failures, and can't help but root for Seivarden as we witness her dependency, love, and affection for Breq. I love the resolution to their flawed, but warm, mutually satisfying relationship.

There are other significant relationships worth mentioning, as well as small details of daily life Leckie incorporates into this space opera. From the secondary and tertiary characters, I enjoyed getting to know Karl Five, Breq's personal attendant, with her priceless white porcelain tea set, her pride, and the stoic love/admiration she felt for Breq. I loved Mercy of Karl or Ship's and Station's strong voices and feelings, as well as, Breq's relationship with the always emotionally conflicted Lieutenant Tisarwat. However, those small details mentioned above complete relationships and fully realize this world: the makings of tea, the significance placed on different tea sets, the sharing of a favorite bowl. These are subtle details showing friendship or deeper feelings that are also used to emphasize an insult, manipulate a political situation, or as a show of strength. All perfectly executed!

I am not going to go into the end, except to say that it was perfect for the trilogy and that Leckie took it to its logical conclusion. I loved this book, this trilogy as a whole! I know this is the end, yet, I hope that Leckie will write more in this brilliantly constructed world. Whatever happens, I will be re-reading the whole trilogy soon. Highly recommended.

Trilogy:
Ancillary Justice
Ancillary Sword
Ancillary Mercy