[#PotterheadJuly] In Defense of Cho Chang



Cho Chang, best known as the first girl who caught Harry Potter's eyes or one half of Harry Potter's first (disastrous) romantic relationship. Most of the Potter fans I've talked to either don't care much about her, or find her annoying - an obstacle in the way of Harry's true soulmate. The fact that she had chosen Cedric first and couldn't seem to forget him probably didn't help. I have always had a soft spot for Cho, however, and I believe she has more depth than what we've gotten to see.

[Review] Frankie by Shivaun Plozza

Title: Frankie
Author: Shivaun Plozza
Publisher: Penguin
Source: Bought
Synopsis: Frankie Vega is angry.

Just ask the guy whose nose she broke. Or the cop investigating the burglary she witnessed, or her cheating ex-boyfriend or her aunt who's tired of giving second chances...When a kid shows up claiming to be Frankie's half brother, it opens the door to a past she doesn't want to remember. And when that kid goes missing, the only person willing to help is a boy with stupidly blue eyes … and secrets of his own. Frankie's search for the truth might change her life, or cost her everything.


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Review:

 A couple of months ago, I went to #YASquad2016, whose line-up included Shivaun Plozza. Writerly advice and discussions were had, but there was one thing Shivaun said that stuck out to me. I'm paraphrasing here, but she mentioned that she had to get the voice of the character right before she could write. Not surprisingly, Frankie's voice is the strongest thing about Frankie.

[Conversations #5] In Favour of Book Series


Conversations is a new meme created by Geraldine and Joan to encourage more discussions in the book blogging community. Every fortnight, they post a question to respond to. Every fortnight, they post a question to respond to. I thought it would be fun, and I'm looking forward to read everyone's response!

Today, the topic is: Reading book series: yay or nay? 

[Snazzy Snippets #3] Stepping Back in Time


Snazzy Snippets is  a bi-monthly link-up for writers hosted by Emily of Loony Literate and Alyssa of The Devil Orders Takeout. Every two months, Emily and Alyssa post three prompts which you then share a 500 word of less snippet of your writing in response to each prompt.


For the past two editions of Snazzy Snippets, I've focused on my mermaid WIP. In the last one, I shared some snippets that I thought I would significantly revise and, guess what, I revised them. This WIP has recently undergone some major tweaking in terms of plot and world-building, and I'm currently in the middle of another draft for Camp NaNoWriMo. I'm really excited for it and hopeful I'll actually complete one draft. 

For this post, however, the prompts are more appropriate for my other writing project. Cor and I have been writing together for years on a role-playing website and having a blast doing it. So it seems natural that we take that collaboration (somewhat) offline and write a novel together! Our story goes something like this: a chance meeting between a boy and a girl leads them to uncover skeletons in their families' past and a threat to their futures. Spoiler alert: the boy and the girl aren't going to fall in love. 

[Review] Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

Title: Career of Evil
Author: Robert Galbraith
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Source: Borrowed
Synopsis: When a mysterious package is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman’s severed leg.

Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but no less alarmed. There are four people from his past who he thinks could be responsible – and Strike knows that any one of them is capable of sustained and unspeakable brutality.

With the police focusing on the one suspect Strike is increasingly sure is not the perpetrator, he and Robin take matters into their own hands, and delve into the dark and twisted worlds of the other three men. But as more horrendous acts occur, time is running out for the two of them…


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Review:
“Strike knew how deeply ingrained was the belief that the evil conceal their dangerous predilections for violence and domination. When they wear them like bangles for all to see, the gullible populace laughs, calls it a pose, or finds it strangely attractive.” 

 I'll be honest - if this book wasn't written by J.K. Rowling, I probably would never have gone near it. While I've learned to stomach Bones, a plot that involves severed body parts is usually too much for me. This time it is no different, but I found myself sucked in anyway.

[Rewind] June 2016


June marked an important milestone for me: I finished the first semester of my degree! It feels like the easiest part of the course is over, and very soon I'm heading into the real work. I can't tell whether I'm excited or nervous for the practical components of the degree, though knowing that my classmates feel the same way about it all makes me feel rather better.

In other news, I'm doing Camp Nanowrimo in July! The story idea I've been carrying for about two years is finally coming together (in terms of world-building anyway), and I haven't been this keen to write a proper novel in a long time. My wordcount goal for Camp is 12,000 words, but my real goal is to develop a daily writing habit.

Anyway, onto some blogging and bookish news!

[Conversations #4] My Rules for Potential Book Borrowers


Conversations is a new meme created by Geraldine and Joan to encourage more discussions in the book blogging community. Every fortnight, they post a question to respond to. Every fortnight, they post a question to respond to. I thought it would be fun and I'm looking forward to read everyone's response!

Today, the topic is: What are do’s and don’ts for someone who wants to borrow your books?
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