IRA

This will be my second blog on my new IRA book, Of Truth and Beasts. I explained the basic plot in the previous book, so I'll delve into more detail on it in this blog. This novel follows the same basic concept as many books, that of good vs. evil. But even so, though there are many people who oppose this ancient Enemy, their different and varying aims frequently get in the way of other's who are on the side of good. It's rather ironic that though they all wish to oppose this Enemy, they frequently make it impossible for others to fight this evil. Also, though many of these people are on the side of good, they frequently stress moral boundaries. This brings me to my next topic of discussion about this book, which is moral ambiguity. As a matter of fact, one of the main characters, Chane, a Noble Dead, who is on the side of good, frequently kills people and feels no remorse for it. Many other characters exhibit similar behaviors of moral ambiguity. This actually does make them more human. They all have their flaws and none of them is perfect.

Another interesting facet in this story is all the various forms of undead that exist. Many of them serve this Enemy, but most of the Noble Dead (vampires), do not. Back when the Enemy first attacked, the first Noble Dead did serve it, but the ones that were created on the battlefield and the ones that were created in later years, don't serve the Enemy. Also, when these vampires drink blood, it's not really the blood they're after. The blood is merely a convenient medium through which to absorb their life energy. On my next blog, I will try to explain the kinds of undead in detail.

Introduction Blog

Well, this is my introduction blog.  Hopefully it won't sound too stupid.

My name's Mollie Mauch. I live in Onawa, Iowa. I enjoy reading, though my favorite books are all sci-fi/fantasy books. My plans for my future remain somewhat murky, but I think I could have a real future in a career as a hobo (just joking). But seriously, with this economy I think there will definitely be many openings in this career field. Well, on a more serious note, I do plan to attend college but I remain uncertain about my avenue of study. I guess I'd like to keep my options open until inspiration strikes me (a lightning bolt striking me would be really helpful). As well as reading, another thing that I enjoy doing is speech. I'm not all that bad at acting, so I guess I do alright. It's about the only school related activity that I'm involved in. On a side note, I'd like to really quickly explain my blog's title, Imagine. It's a reference to the John Lennon song of the same name. Thought I might as well explain what the title's referring to.

I guess I better write some other things about myself. I like manga and listening to music. My tastes in music vary from old country to alternative rock. I'm sure your aware of this but I'm in the AP Lit. class. We've read quite a few books, so I won't bore you with the details. Anyway, we discuss these books in class and I rather enjoy these talks. It's interesting to hear other people's takes on the books and how they differ from my own. I can't think of too much else to say. As an introductory blog, its probably an ultimate failure, but I never claimed to be a genius writer. That's all from me for now. This is Mollie, signing off.

IRA: Of Truth and Beasts

My new independent reading book is called Of Truth and Beasts by Barb & J.C. Hendee. The story is about these people who are trying to find these orbs to stop this ancient Enemy from rising and taking over the world. There are earlier books in the series with other characters but in this particular book the main characters are Wynn Hygeorht (a sage), Chane Andraso (Noble Dead, a vampire), Ore-Locks (dwarf, a Stone-Walker), and Shade (a majay-hi, a wolf descended from the Fay). This is the kind of story that is capable of lasting for so many books but still staying good.

I don't really have that many issues with this book, but there is one thing that bothers me about it. Some of the lines that describe characters appearances, as well as the things that talk about what has happened previously, repeat themselves. It's somewhat repetitious, but its not that bad. The storyline's interesting, and while it has a central plot, it also throws in some emotional angst. The characters aren't flat and one-dimensional, either. They are three-dimensional and seem very real.

IRA: Final Analysis Blog

This is my final blog for The Shadow King. All in all, I think its a very good book. It's part of a larger series but at the same time its a novel that can stand alone. I'm also very pleased with the fact that the hero of the story, and as an extension of that, the story itself, aren't typical. The protagonist isn't like most heroes and main charcters of novels, all righteous and doing everything for the greater good. While he does want to help his people, more than that he wants revenge. It's more like saving his people is a fringe benefit. What really drives him is his thirst for revenge. This sets him apart from most heroes but in my opinion it also makes him more realistic. In a lot of stories the hero will have his family murdered by someone but will forgive them and go after the antagonist for the sake of others. However, this isn't realistic at all. Also, this story doesn't give you false hope. Most novels will comfort you with the belief that there will eventually be a happy ending, but The Shadow King doesn't do so. In this way its far more realistic. When you think about it logically, it's really very simple: theres a war going on and the good guys are vastly outnumbered. Only an idiot would believe that even if the protagonist prevails that the outcome will necessarily be a good one.  This novel is gritty and realistic. The setting may be in a fantasy realm but it still has a degree of realism. In a lot of stories. the hero is righteous and can do no wrong. He certainly isn't the type to kill people in their sleep, mutilate corpses, etc.

Excluding all the details, this is what I really like about the book: the characters realism. They are very human. They feel emotions, they have doubts, fears. Also, the characters aren't just flat and one-dimensional. They are three-dimensional and it feels as if they could actually exist. Another thing to note about the book is the theme of religion. Now, I know I could be reading too much into the religion aspect of the story but I think its a perfect example of why religion is such a horrible thing. I don't mean to offend anyone but the fact is that religion has caused incalculable amounts of death and destruction, and still continues to do so.

So, to end my blog. Well, to conclude it on a personal level, I'd have to say that this book just helps to reinforce my belief in the fact that religion is a bad thing. Until something comes along to prove differently, that will remain my stance on it. Now to recommend this novel. I personally enjoyed it very much, so I would definitely recommend this book. That being said, I'd have to say that unless you enjoy sci-fi/fantasy, you probably wouldn't like this book. However, if you are a fan of the genre, then I would definitely suggest you read it.

IRA

An interesting concept in this story is how much events in your life can shape you and what they can drive you to do. In Alith's case, the murder of his family drives him to extremes to get his revenge. In a way it completely alters his personality. He becomes a hateful person, fueled by his need  for revenge. After his family is killed, he swears vengeance on all the druchii. It may seem unrealistic, considering how few soldiers he has, compared to the vast hosts of Anlec, but this illustrates my point even more. It shows just how much he wants his vengeance. Also, Alith has discovered a very valid war tactic: fear. Some would argue that Alith has become like his enemy in his quest for revenge but there is a very major difference between them. The druchii use religion to justify their brutality. Alith doesn't use excuses such as this.

In The Shadow King, religion plays a major role but not a positive one. The main mentions of gods and religion in general is in a very negative context. This book, while being fantasy, illustrates a religious issue that is far from exclusive to literature. The Shadow King shows just how horrible religion can actually be. For the most part, we choose to ignore the uncountable horrors and atrocities that have been committed in the name of a higher power. Countless deaths can be laid at the feet of a supposedly benevolent god. Can you even imagine what havoc can be wreaked in the name of vile gods that rejoice in pain and suffering?