Beauty by Nancy Butcher. This is the latest book I've read besides re-reading Beautiful Sun book 1 currently.
Beauty is a mix between a modern story of a girl trying to please her mother and a medieval (or earlier) story of a queen and the princess who didn't wanted to be royal. If this sounds interesting to you, you may enjoy Beauty. Ana finds out early in her life that her mother, Queen Veda, does not like any challengers to her beauty. So Ana decides to make herself ugly in order to stay on her mother's good side. Yet all of her hard work (not bathing, eating pastries and dressing less than average, let alone, less than royalty) comes to nothing. Queen Veda seems to have better things to do than spend any time with her daughter. Since her husband died, Veda has to run the kingdom herself. But the book says little to nothing about the run of the kingdom as it focuses on Veda's overwhelming desire to be the most beautiful in the kingdom. So much so she's willing to kill for it. As the story goes along we find the main character and lots of other young girls (beautiful young girls) sent off to an academy that turns out to be a lot different than Ana originally thought. Soon Ana is faced with a situation that pulls her not only out of her ugliness, but also reveals the true leadership that she's hoping will never fall on her, to become queen.
The story isn't too bad, for a YA fiction. It's not so much the story but the delivery that spoils this fic. It's so long an drawn out for probably half the book. Seriously, the book has lots of background, lots of what ifs, ands, and buts...but no real storyline until about halfway through. You know it's leading up to something but nothing is actually HAPPENING and that ticked me off for most of this read. When something does finally happen, well the moral of the story soon degrades. You think it's about how there is beauty more than skin deep or that it's ok not to center your life on makeup, clothes, etc. Yet at the end of the book you are left wondering what the author is trying to communicate about beauty. The main character seems to yearn and want that surface beauty so much, it really kills the initial thought that the book would display beauty as more than surface or not something to covet. There is also a mystery character; well he's a mystery to me at least. They don't explain much about the beauty consultant and well he's kind of creepy. There's another part that is creepy in the book but gives me my favorite line from the story, "But she was already dead." Trust me, it's cool in an eerie way.
There are a couple of other things I don't quite get with this story either, but I can bypass all of it and just say, it's a not too bad story if you just want to read something. But truly, if you just want to read something (and get hooked, fall in love and maybe find direction for your own life while being entertained) I really suggest you pick up Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze. Purchase it at http://lulu.com/4God
Showing posts with label teens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teens. Show all posts
Monday, February 25, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
All Eyes on Beautiful Sun
Been reading Violet Eyes by Nicole Luiken. So GOOD!! But I really am ticked off at the unnecessary use of God's name starting somewhere around chapter 11, 12 or so. It's probably 4x's so far and I'm on chapter 16. There are only 19 chapters in the book. I figure, compared to my book, this books chapters are longer in general. Also, I was considering the story development. With Boy Craze, the story develops but I guess not extremely... it just ... continues.
While with VE, the story changes quite a bit and goes from the first few chapters of the main character, Angel, completely disliking her co-star to falling in love with him. Then (STOP READING HERE, MAYBE SOME GIVEAWAYS BUT I TRY TO STAY GENERAL) somehow they end up being teamed up for badminton, and soon we find out about the whole Sci-Fi aspect. After that we have some inclusion of a probable family disruption (well I guess that's at the same time). It goes to the escape and we get a turnabout in events, Sci-Fi becomes futuristic then twists more to include assassination. A calm, a kidnapping, Angel is now alone, but wittily gets everyone on her side. She flips the high school upside-down and we now understand how/why the town is a "museum". She gets captured, betrayal? and then...I don't know because I had to put it down for now. I'll finish it tomorrow but still, think of all of those lovely plot twists and turns. Though there is an occasional random sentence or illogical event, overall it's good. Now this makes me think of several things I should do with my books.
Boy Craze did not have a lot of back and forth or other plot lines that suddenly match up later on. It's a fairly simple read and pointed. Book 2 though could have more than 1 train of thought. The main train is the girl and the mother and Zion (HA! I AGAIN STAY GENERAL, WELL IT IS BOOK 2 :p MOST OF YOU HAVEN'T READ BOOK 1! SO GO READ IT, DOWNLOAD IT HERE). There could be a second train, I guess. What though? Hm, maybe the girl could be Saffire's grandmother!! Then there would have to be a reference to Saffire in the book and why the order went as such.
Personal note (since you don't know the characters): Somehow they could solve what happened to Mara as a child and stop her from being crazy, end the curse, or destroy the evil. But I may not do that. Hee... I know, I'm such a tease. Yet there are many things that could go on while the main storyline is moving. Perhaps...
Yes?
Perhaps the mother could be an ancestor of Shawn!!
Yes, then mayhaps, Book 3 could be on Shawn, as I always wanted book 2 to be.
It is true, I wanted Book 2 of the series to be about Shawn from Book 1. Shawn Tanaze is introduced in chapter 9 of Boy Craze. He becomes the obstacle that I mention on the back of the book. He's a very arrogant but somehow, loveable character that just oozes self-seeking. However, there is a lot more to Shawn than I'm able to explain or show in book 1. So I wanted to give his story in book 1 and develop him further. But it changed because I just couldn't get my thoughts going on a plot that made sense and that I could write well. Hey, why don't you guys tell me plotlines about Shawn that you'd like to read!? That would be fun, and perhaps one of you would give me something to go on; something that may very well change Book 2 back to a Shawn story. O_O How awesome would that be? And more so, if I were to name YOU as the rhyme behind the reason! You cannot tell me that would not be cool. I want the series to be about the individual characters, not necessarily one flowing storyline. However, there could be a larger storyline that engulfs all the books. I haven't thought that far ahead at the moment, so any suggestions would be taken seriously.
Comment! Tell me your thoughts about the characters and if Book 2 should star Shawn Tanaze!
While with VE, the story changes quite a bit and goes from the first few chapters of the main character, Angel, completely disliking her co-star to falling in love with him. Then (STOP READING HERE, MAYBE SOME GIVEAWAYS BUT I TRY TO STAY GENERAL) somehow they end up being teamed up for badminton, and soon we find out about the whole Sci-Fi aspect. After that we have some inclusion of a probable family disruption (well I guess that's at the same time). It goes to the escape and we get a turnabout in events, Sci-Fi becomes futuristic then twists more to include assassination. A calm, a kidnapping, Angel is now alone, but wittily gets everyone on her side. She flips the high school upside-down and we now understand how/why the town is a "museum". She gets captured, betrayal? and then...I don't know because I had to put it down for now. I'll finish it tomorrow but still, think of all of those lovely plot twists and turns. Though there is an occasional random sentence or illogical event, overall it's good. Now this makes me think of several things I should do with my books.
Boy Craze did not have a lot of back and forth or other plot lines that suddenly match up later on. It's a fairly simple read and pointed. Book 2 though could have more than 1 train of thought. The main train is the girl and the mother and Zion (HA! I AGAIN STAY GENERAL, WELL IT IS BOOK 2 :p MOST OF YOU HAVEN'T READ BOOK 1! SO GO READ IT, DOWNLOAD IT HERE). There could be a second train, I guess. What though? Hm, maybe the girl could be Saffire's grandmother!! Then there would have to be a reference to Saffire in the book and why the order went as such.
Personal note (since you don't know the characters): Somehow they could solve what happened to Mara as a child and stop her from being crazy, end the curse, or destroy the evil. But I may not do that. Hee... I know, I'm such a tease. Yet there are many things that could go on while the main storyline is moving. Perhaps...
Yes?
Perhaps the mother could be an ancestor of Shawn!!
Yes, then mayhaps, Book 3 could be on Shawn, as I always wanted book 2 to be.
It is true, I wanted Book 2 of the series to be about Shawn from Book 1. Shawn Tanaze is introduced in chapter 9 of Boy Craze. He becomes the obstacle that I mention on the back of the book. He's a very arrogant but somehow, loveable character that just oozes self-seeking. However, there is a lot more to Shawn than I'm able to explain or show in book 1. So I wanted to give his story in book 1 and develop him further. But it changed because I just couldn't get my thoughts going on a plot that made sense and that I could write well. Hey, why don't you guys tell me plotlines about Shawn that you'd like to read!? That would be fun, and perhaps one of you would give me something to go on; something that may very well change Book 2 back to a Shawn story. O_O How awesome would that be? And more so, if I were to name YOU as the rhyme behind the reason! You cannot tell me that would not be cool. I want the series to be about the individual characters, not necessarily one flowing storyline. However, there could be a larger storyline that engulfs all the books. I haven't thought that far ahead at the moment, so any suggestions would be taken seriously.
Comment! Tell me your thoughts about the characters and if Book 2 should star Shawn Tanaze!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Beautiful Sun: The Series
BEAUTIFUL SUN'S NEW RELEASE: BOY CRAZE!!!
The moment everyone's been waiting for (especially Saffire!), the release of Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze!
At the age of 4 her parents died. At the age of 5 her grandmother died. Now 16 and stuck in an orphanage Saffire somehow continues hoping on the only Power she feels can save her, though peer pressure and the head mistress of Telston Orphanage Community is pushing her even away from this. That is until a "holy" boy shows up, claiming to be her older brother. But he keeps looking at her in strange ways and acts more in love than he's admitting to. His over-protective and boyfriend-like behavior becomes a problem when a new student enrolls at school. See how it all unravels in Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze. Now available on Lulu.com, soon to be available on Google Reader, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble
Currently you can purchase the e-book (pdf version) for only $1.50!!
SAMPLE from page 49
"You should come skate."
"You know I can't skate."
"I know, but you should still come. I don't mind if you fall on me." He smiled then put out his hand. Saffire smiled. Beginning to blush she put her hand in his but instantly felt a twinge in her gut. It was as if something was pulling, poking, and prodding her conscience. Her eyes sought the source and were drawn to the doorway of the Hot Spot on the opposite side of the rink. There her eyes locked directly into Zion's stare and momentarily her eyes began to dry her eyes out. She blinked as if grasping for air as she felt William creating a firm grip on her hand. She looked at him while he put his free arm around her waist and escorted her to the skating floor. She smiled towards William but turned back to Zion, curious about the intense sensation she felt. But this time when she looked Zion was not looking at her or even standing where she had thought. The drawing had vanished and so had Zion.
Please contact me to get involved in advertising, designing or distributing Beautiful Sun.
The moment everyone's been waiting for (especially Saffire!), the release of Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze!
At the age of 4 her parents died. At the age of 5 her grandmother died. Now 16 and stuck in an orphanage Saffire somehow continues hoping on the only Power she feels can save her, though peer pressure and the head mistress of Telston Orphanage Community is pushing her even away from this. That is until a "holy" boy shows up, claiming to be her older brother. But he keeps looking at her in strange ways and acts more in love than he's admitting to. His over-protective and boyfriend-like behavior becomes a problem when a new student enrolls at school. See how it all unravels in Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze. Now available on Lulu.com, soon to be available on Google Reader, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble
Currently you can purchase the e-book (pdf version) for only $1.50!!
SAMPLE from page 49
"You should come skate."
"You know I can't skate."
"I know, but you should still come. I don't mind if you fall on me." He smiled then put out his hand. Saffire smiled. Beginning to blush she put her hand in his but instantly felt a twinge in her gut. It was as if something was pulling, poking, and prodding her conscience. Her eyes sought the source and were drawn to the doorway of the Hot Spot on the opposite side of the rink. There her eyes locked directly into Zion's stare and momentarily her eyes began to dry her eyes out. She blinked as if grasping for air as she felt William creating a firm grip on her hand. She looked at him while he put his free arm around her waist and escorted her to the skating floor. She smiled towards William but turned back to Zion, curious about the intense sensation she felt. But this time when she looked Zion was not looking at her or even standing where she had thought. The drawing had vanished and so had Zion.
Please contact me to get involved in advertising, designing or distributing Beautiful Sun.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Rose's Story
WHY DO I WRITE?
When I was a teenager I started to go down the wrong road and became, what I call, hypnotized into the things of this world. My heart was focused more on friendships, boys, and getting people to like me. I believe all teenagers go through this on some level - the want for acceptance. But my continual failed attempts eventually sent me into depression, suicidal thoughts, and an anti-social attitude. I didn't hate myself or others, but I felt dark. I now realize it was because I was pulling away from God. In a sense it might have also been God pulling me to a place where I had nothing else BUT Him and if that hadn't been the case, I would have continued on grappling for acceptance.
The depression drove me to near hopelessness. I knew only God could help me, if He was really there, I mean if He was REALLY REAL and truly did love me as He said in the Bible. So I cried out to Him and begged for Him to change things, to save me if He cared. I'm not quite sure what happened, but soon, that same hour, I wasn't as sad anymore. Slowly I became preoccupied with knowing and hearing from Him and things I thought mattered, mattered less and less. Well nothings perfect, I bounced in my walk of faith many times after that, but God always took me back.
Sometime in college I began writing fiction stories, always wanting them to be a picture of God and how He works in our lives. My desire to write grew intensely for a while. Now the desire is like a river that sometimes ebbs but usually flows, displaying God's love, especially to youth.
WHAT'S ROSE'S BACKGROUND?
HOW DO I CONTACT ROSE?
Facebook
Lulu
Y! 360
Livejournal
or leave a comment in this post!
The depression drove me to near hopelessness. I knew only God could help me, if He was really there, I mean if He was REALLY REAL and truly did love me as He said in the Bible. So I cried out to Him and begged for Him to change things, to save me if He cared. I'm not quite sure what happened, but soon, that same hour, I wasn't as sad anymore. Slowly I became preoccupied with knowing and hearing from Him and things I thought mattered, mattered less and less. Well nothings perfect, I bounced in my walk of faith many times after that, but God always took me back.
Sometime in college I began writing fiction stories, always wanting them to be a picture of God and how He works in our lives. My desire to write grew intensely for a while. Now the desire is like a river that sometimes ebbs but usually flows, displaying God's love, especially to youth.
WHAT'S ROSE'S BACKGROUND?
M. Rose Barnett currently lives in Missouri, USA with her husband, who is also a writer for the Lord.
She follows Christ, holding on to the truths presented in the Holy Bible. Rose writes a lot about those truths and how they impact us.
She began journaling regularly as a teen, having a need to express her thoughts, and also wanting to leave her mark in the world. Although she has a college degree in business, she feels driven to teach theology through counseling, mentoring, and writing.
WHAT'S ROSE'S WRITE-LINE?
- A successful online weblog (via Livejournal) for 4 years
- Published a fantasy, web-story called the "Sunshine Kingdom" 2002-2004
- Became a Columnist for AnimeAngels Mangazine and published the articles, "What is Christian Anime?" and "Do you want a Revolution: What is so Revolutionary about Utena?" 2004
- Became Managing Editor of AnimeAngels Mangazine 2004-2005
- Wrote other articles (mostly for Christian teens), short stories and wrote website content for 3 starter sites 2003-2005
- Published Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze (Christian modern fiction story) 2007
HOW DO I CONTACT ROSE?
Lulu
Y! 360
Livejournal
or leave a comment in this post!
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