Independent Haul + Plans

 

Hi Peeps

As a writer myself, I know how hard it is to get published, especially by the big publishers.  That is why, when I can, I support friends. Friends who are either self-published or published by small publishers.

The two authors above (Simon and Duncan), I have met at Edge-lit. A mini writer\reader Con based in Derby.  I went in 2018\2019 and both times were great where I met fellow writers and readers.

But there are other writer friends who have books out including Amanda, Steven and Robin. Also not forgetting Ian - see below.

So what I am planning in 2022 is Independent Year.  Hopefully we will be more Independent of Covid and back at Edge-lit.

I intend to read and review my independent books and hopefully have some author interviews and maybe meet one or two in person.

Then when I'm published (somehow) they may return the favour and review my work and ask for an interview.

Keep an eye out for updates!

Apologies to any author pals I've missed.

Neil x

Book Review - Ravenheart (Rigante 3) by David Gemmell

 

Books read in 2021.  -  No. 7

Hi Readers

Well this book took too long to read!  Not that it wasn't a good book, it was.  I just hit a reading slump during May/June.  Plus this novel in the Rigante series is bigger than previous books.

Set 800 hundred years after the events of Midnight Falcon, the story follows the survival of the Rigante.  They are now living in pockets and their land has now been overtaken by the Varlish. Now treated as second class citizens, the Rigante clans are by law, not allowed to carry weapons or make a profit.  The stories of Connavar are now said to be Varlish history.

This novel follows young Kaelin Ring and his uncle Jaim Grymauch, who is a skilled fighter, as they try and restore the Rigante name. Kaelin is a descendant of Connavar, and it follows his journey of joining the outlawed Black Rigante tribe who live high in the mountains. His relationship with its leader Call Jace, and his love for his daughter Chara.

Describing all what happens in this novel, and the many characters it follows will take ages, as there are more points of view characters in this novel than I've seen in a David Gemmell novel up till now.  A lot happens in this book which is why it is about 150 pages more than a usual novel of Gemmell's.

Overall -  a great book although more to keep track of.  The time gap of 800 years between books annoyed me as there wasn't much different, except more stone houses, and now there are pistols and muskets.  Yes this is flintlock fantasy.  It would have made sense just being 300/400 years between books. 

Also there is some Insta love in this novel.  It happens in a few Gemmell novels but for some reason it annoyed me. There is also some magic but not much as it is dying out because the land is being built on. A theme carried over from previous books. A fine addition to the series but not as good as books one and two.

Score. -  9/10

Cheap Book Haul - July 2021

 Hi peeps

I just wanted to share a quick, cheap book haul which I stumbled upon in HMV in Bradford.  They do an offer of 2 books for £6!  Bargain!

Well here are the books.  All Sci -fi ones. Two are classics. Two complete a collection.

I didn't realise I'd bought a full set of Alien books. One author Tim Lebbon, I follow on Facebook.  Christopher Golden I met at Edge-lit in 2019.

Well I'll post soon. Enjoy the sun and read well.

Neil x

Black Widow - Film Review

Hi Folks

Well took my daughter to see Black Widow, a delayed prequel film about a dead MCU character.  A film which should have been made about 7 years ago.  Especially as most of it is set after Captain America - Civil War, with Black Widow on the run from General Ross and his army.  

It would have made more sense and Scarlett Johansson would have had a better film because if it.  More would have been at stake and you'd have more attachment to the character, wondering if she'll survive.

The film starts off in 1995 and a young Natasha and her sister are having dinner.  Their Dad arrives and urges them to leave, which they do to an old airfield.  After a quick chase they fly to Cuba where you realise they were undercover Soviet spys.  The girls are sent to The Red Room training camp not wanting to go.

Fast forward to just after Civil war and Natasha's sister Yelena (played by Florence Pugh) is chasing another Black Widow and kills her, as she does she is squirted with red mist which breaks her Red Room programming and makes her normal.  She then takes the remaining vials of red mist and sends them to Natasha's safe house.

Long story short, they meet and are pursued by Task Master and other Black Widows as they try to find out where the new Red Room is and break the others programming with the red mist. They enlist the help of their false parents Alexei/Red Guardian (played by David Harbour) and Melina (Rachel Weisz).

Overall  -  an ok film but the action is over familiar and looks a mash up of old MCU films. It is a bit of a woke film with white males either dumb (Red Guardian)  or bad (Ray Winstone) as Dreykov.

An example is Task Master chasing Natasha in a tank veichle which reminded me of Winter Soldier.

A good thing is the eye candy of Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh and even Rachel Weiss who has aged well.

I'm hoping the stage 4 films are better. Especially Spider-Man and Doctor Strange.  This film felt underwhelming like the Disney series of Wanda-vision, Falcon and Winter Soldier and even first few Loki episodes. 

Spoilers - looks like from the post credit scene the Hawkeye show will be mainly following Hawkeyes daughter. 

Bels Score   -  8/10

My Score    -   6/10

You should all check out the YouTube channel Critical Drinker for great reviews, as he's a writer he can tell you more of what works both with this film and others.

Here's the link to his Black Widow review -

https://youtu.be/0c5ynKJxnWI

Reading and Writing Goals 2021 - July - Dec - Last 6 months!

 

Hey gang

This is my second update for 2021. Showing what I'm going to read and write in the last 6 months of 2021, as days start drawing shorter and nights become longer.

At the moment I'm behind on both.  I'm only on book 8. Ravenheart by David Gemmell has took longer than expected as I hit a reading slump end of May, into June.

I hope to speed up by years end.

Writing wise I've done some on Cubby-hole short story and blogged.  So hardly anything.

Well these are the books I've chosen to read July to December.  It could change. I will let you know.

July

Ravenheart/Stormrider

Having read the first 2 books in David Gemmells Rigante series on schedule, I hit a slump with Ravenheart, which I started on 13th May.  I'm still enjoying it but think I hit a burnout. I'm about 150 pages to read so won't take long then will read the final book Stormrider.

August

Death Trilogy

I should be reading this now, although glad I waited as I've decided to read Mort.  It will be a re-read but I can hardly remember it.  Plus now I'm older hope to understand it more as took a while getting into it.  Hope to read all 3 by end of August.  If not definitely Mort and Reaper Man.

Sci-Fi September

Transformers Exodus/Exiles

As I've not read many Sci-fi this year so far, except the Sci-fi light Doctor Who novels, I've decided to dedicate September to Sci-fi.  I have older Sci-fi novels that have sat on my shelves longer but these are short quick reads.  Plus I love Transformers!

October

Best Served Cold/ House on Cold Hill

As October features Halloween, I wanted to try a spooky book. So House on Cold Hill fits the bill.  Although I am eager to get back into the First Law books, after the excellent First Law Trilogy so chose the standalone Best Served Cold. Haven't decided which I'll read first and not sure I'll be able to read both in October as Best Served Cold is a chunky book.

November

Malice

I've wanted to get into John Gwynne's Faithful and the Fallen series since I bought the first two books in York in 2018.  I'd heard it's similar to David Gemmell books so eager to start them. Although the books are huge so reading one a month especially in November when it's my birthday and December with Xmas shopping etc.

December

Valour

The sequel to Malice will be my main book for December as will be busy with Xmas.  If it's as good as people say I may start the third book.

Wish me luck.

Writing

I hope to finish the ghost novella The Cubby Hole as well as get back to my sci fi novel.

I may also enter the Costa Short Story competition which is required for 2 August.

Google Costa Short Story for details.

Well that's my reading and writing plan for the rest of the year. Wish me luck.

Neil x

July Quick Update plus pics!

 

Hi Folks!

Just a brief update for July, which has started off sunny and hot.

Well I'm still job searching, looking for office or publishing work.

Writing wise was a disaster in June, as was my reading.  I think I'm in a slump for both as I'm still reading Ravenheart by David Gemmell.  Plus I didn't write in June at all and still have The Cubby-hole to finish.

Hopefully in July I'll get out of the reading and writing slumps and get back into both.  Although I'm still enjoying the CWG zoom meetings.

The next post will be my reading TBR for the next 6 months, July - December. Enjoy.

Enjoy some cool summer pics and chat soon.  Neil x.