Day: June 3, 2021

Posted in Books, Reviews

The Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey

Posted on by Tawny Molina

Another Anne McCaffrey book? You bet your butt! This time I read the first part of the Brainship series. Unlike the previous reviews done by Anne McCaffrey novels, this one is a heavy sci-fi story. Her previous works I have covered have had fantasy touches or heavy romance additions. And while this one has a heavy influence in it based on love and emotion in general, it is at its core a science fiction story.

The Ship Who Sang is heartbreaking from the start. In this futuristic world, children born with physical deformities but fully functioning minds are physically altered to live life as the minds of ships. Allowing them to travel the universe, though also be indebted to the company that provided their new metal body.

This mechanical body allows the person to live for centuries. However, as wonderful as this sounds, it also means they are expected to go through many shorter lived pilot partners. This leads to some emotional issues as it can be heartbreaking when someone you spend every day with finally passes away. More so if it happens suddenly.

This book will break your heart, but it will also leave your mind wandering as you enjoy the fantastic world the author has carved out for your enjoyment. If you enjoy sci-fi, pick this up. You are in for an adventure!

Posted in Audiobooks, Books, Reviews

Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Posted on by Tawny Molina

So, I will not pretend this was my first time enjoying Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. The first time I read it was back in 2007, when I was in my first year of college. I had to read it as part of my composition class. It was helpful. This time, I listened to it, as it is on Audible. It was certainly just as interesting, if not more so when presented in the writer’s voice himself. Though Stephen King is certainly no expert narrator, one will pay attention when someone of note reads their own work.

Now I am not a huge fan of Stephen King. Yes, I know. I read for pleasure and employment, but I am not a fan of the master of horror? I read little modern horror, anyway. But I can respect the man’s work for what it is. He certainly has to be doing something right to have sold as many books as he has.

This memoir does have a lot of useful information. I will not be going in to the advice he lays out as that would take away from the appeal when you read it yourself. However, I can say as a writer that it assisted me with my writing, my prose in particular. 

Now, if you are a writer, I suggest you go out and pick this up. Add it to your must read list!

Posted in Books, Comics, Graphic Novels, Reviews

Alleycat 2.0

Posted on by Tawny Molina

So a few months ago, (probably more than a few by the time of this publishing, because sometimes I remember to read and not post) I started advertising my blog on Instagram. Being as I am a writer and not an artist or photographer I did not think this would go very far, however, since it is easily accessible through Facebook’s Business Suite, I figured what harm can it do since I am already using the thing, anyway? Well, I got a bit of a surprise when someone actually reached out to me about the blog! It was Greg Manuel with a comic he wanted to share.

So what was this message about? Alleycat 2.0. Now if you have been reading for a while you will know this is the first graphic novel I have covered on this blog. Though it is far from the first one I have read. I grew up on graphic novels of various types. So I was pretty excited when he agreed to send me a review copy of Alleycat.

Now lets get down to the nitty gritty of Alleycat 2.0 shall we?

Alleycat is, in the words of the creator in the book’s introduction, an experiment in comics. And I have to second this thought. It sends you headfirst into the story. This is not another hero origin story. No bites from radioactive kittens or anything. We are dropped rather unceremoniously (much to my delight) straight into the climax of a plot. Where the Alleycat, who reminds of an old school Detective Comics Batman as an anthropomorphic cat, is facing down his arch-nemesis, though with a lot of very feline-like snide humor. From here, our story unravels as Alleycat describes how he ended up here. Now as much as I would love to dissect the story in detail, I won’t, I like to avoid spoilers. And it will be more enjoyable for you to do it yourself.

Now I know some of you are probably thinking “Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, did you say anthropomorphic cat?” and yes I know on the internet that can bring up curious thoughts, many of us have seen some things. Let me assure you, the art style of Alleycat is not the type of work that would have you cringing, or concerned you can not read it during your lunch break at work. This is a well written and well-presented story of a hero simply doing his best to protect his city, and how even those with good intentions can go too far.

So, is Alleycat 2.0 worth reading? Do Superheros have secret identities? That would be an outstanding yes! If you enjoy creative heroes, I suggest you pick this up. You will enjoy every moment!

You can pick of Alleycat 2.0 at https://www.blurb.com/b/9983289-alleycat-2-0-pilot .