Booklog and Tank Updates
The big tank:
I had to rearrange the driftwood, since the diagonal piece across the tank's middle was interrupting the water current--I kept getting dead spots behind the log. I took that out and moved the pygmy chain sword to the back left corner. That patch of green in the left front is a rosette of wisteria, which is just there till the pygmy chain fills in that corner. Big upheavals, but we're making progress!
And here's the small tank:
The driftwood log from the big tank got moved over here, where it helps gives some definition to the layout. The glossostigma is starting to fill in the front, which I'm highly pleased at. I'm not sure about that purple-green plant in the back middle--I got it from a local fish store, and it's pretty but I think the plecostomus is chowing on it. We'll see. The fountain of green in the back right is water wisteria (the plant I cut the stray rosette from. I trim that thing all the time. I could probably take a chainsaw to it and it'd need to be trimmed within two weeks. I love it. It forgives all mistakes).
And now for some booklog!
#10. A Curse Dark As Gold, by Elizabeth C. Bunce
An interesting take on Rumpelstiltskin, set in a place something like a 1700s English wool mill. The setting is the strongest part--I really loved the details and sense of place, and how the characters interacted with it. I found the plot weaker, and some of the characterization a little flat. But definitely a peaceful read with a great setting.
#11. Kingdoms of Dust, by Amanda Downum
The third of the Necromancer Chronicles, and definitely not the place to start. Some bits I loved, especially with Asheris, but I think the plot suffered from too many pov characters--Melantha in particular robbed the other povs' plotlines of some tension. In counterbalance we have things like undead cobras, imperial politics, and a very opinionated manticore.
#12. Shadow Magic and #13. Daughter of Witches, by Patricia C. Wrede
My library failed to have any Lyra novel but The Raven Ring, when I was younger, and the older books were out of print. I pounced on them when they came out in ebook last year. I would have loved them at 12; at this age they are slim and entirely straightforward, but the characterization is handled with Wrede's usual refreshing style.
#14. Range of Ghosts, by Elizabeth Bear
An epic fantasy centering on complex, non-Western societies along a version of the Silk Road. It's full of great worldbuilding (the different skies! I love them), along with characters that have histories and motives and fully-formed personalities. Also, pretty prose. It's the beginning of a series, which reflects in some of the authorial decisions at the ending--it's not a cliffhanger, but it's fairly open to continuing events. I'm definitely interested to see where it goes next.
#15. The Game of Kings and #16. Queens' Play by Dorothy Dunnett
Somehow I never read any of the Lymond Chronicles, of which these are the first two. I think I heard "classic" and thought they'd be boring. Which they are not, happily! They instead involve interesting people doing interesting things, all across 1500s Scotland and France. The omniscient voice is brilliant (and, on occasion, hilarious). There's enough politics even for me, and Lymond spends a great deal of time being the sort of fascinating jerk that reminds me of Swordspoint. Thoroughly recommended.
And in conclusion, have a picture of turquoise merino.
I had to rearrange the driftwood, since the diagonal piece across the tank's middle was interrupting the water current--I kept getting dead spots behind the log. I took that out and moved the pygmy chain sword to the back left corner. That patch of green in the left front is a rosette of wisteria, which is just there till the pygmy chain fills in that corner. Big upheavals, but we're making progress!
And here's the small tank:
The driftwood log from the big tank got moved over here, where it helps gives some definition to the layout. The glossostigma is starting to fill in the front, which I'm highly pleased at. I'm not sure about that purple-green plant in the back middle--I got it from a local fish store, and it's pretty but I think the plecostomus is chowing on it. We'll see. The fountain of green in the back right is water wisteria (the plant I cut the stray rosette from. I trim that thing all the time. I could probably take a chainsaw to it and it'd need to be trimmed within two weeks. I love it. It forgives all mistakes).
And now for some booklog!
#10. A Curse Dark As Gold, by Elizabeth C. Bunce
An interesting take on Rumpelstiltskin, set in a place something like a 1700s English wool mill. The setting is the strongest part--I really loved the details and sense of place, and how the characters interacted with it. I found the plot weaker, and some of the characterization a little flat. But definitely a peaceful read with a great setting.
#11. Kingdoms of Dust, by Amanda Downum
The third of the Necromancer Chronicles, and definitely not the place to start. Some bits I loved, especially with Asheris, but I think the plot suffered from too many pov characters--Melantha in particular robbed the other povs' plotlines of some tension. In counterbalance we have things like undead cobras, imperial politics, and a very opinionated manticore.
#12. Shadow Magic and #13. Daughter of Witches, by Patricia C. Wrede
My library failed to have any Lyra novel but The Raven Ring, when I was younger, and the older books were out of print. I pounced on them when they came out in ebook last year. I would have loved them at 12; at this age they are slim and entirely straightforward, but the characterization is handled with Wrede's usual refreshing style.
#14. Range of Ghosts, by Elizabeth Bear
An epic fantasy centering on complex, non-Western societies along a version of the Silk Road. It's full of great worldbuilding (the different skies! I love them), along with characters that have histories and motives and fully-formed personalities. Also, pretty prose. It's the beginning of a series, which reflects in some of the authorial decisions at the ending--it's not a cliffhanger, but it's fairly open to continuing events. I'm definitely interested to see where it goes next.
#15. The Game of Kings and #16. Queens' Play by Dorothy Dunnett
Somehow I never read any of the Lymond Chronicles, of which these are the first two. I think I heard "classic" and thought they'd be boring. Which they are not, happily! They instead involve interesting people doing interesting things, all across 1500s Scotland and France. The omniscient voice is brilliant (and, on occasion, hilarious). There's enough politics even for me, and Lymond spends a great deal of time being the sort of fascinating jerk that reminds me of Swordspoint. Thoroughly recommended.
And in conclusion, have a picture of turquoise merino.
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