Fire by Kristin Cashore (Book 2, Graceling Realm)

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult

Summary:
The second book of the Graceling Realm series is a prequel to the first book, although barely connected, to my dismay.  Fire follows a young woman named Fire as she gets caught up in possibly the biggest war in the history of the Dells and struggles with her father's legacy.

What I liked:
The main character was interesting and both alike and different from Katsa in Book 1.  Fire didn't have a short temper and was much less aggressive, both of which Katsa were.  They both had a bit against romance, though for very different reasons, and they both fall in love with someone.  I liked how Fire changed over the course of the story, because it's interesting to see them learn and change.  I really thought this story was very very different from the first book; Katsa didn't really change much over the course of the story but Fire changed a lot, the first book had a lot more action and was more exciting, the second was much slower paced and less physical hardships are endured.

Having read two of Krisitin Cashore's books now, I've realized that her writing style is very different from what I'm used to.  The books are much slower paced and less exciting, but I think she tries to put more of an emphasis on emotion or things that make someone who they are, which is probably why I somehow got through the book despite the slow pace.  Her books sometimes feel like they're all separate mini stories, but still one big story at the same time, which I didn't think was possible with a book.  I guess I'm not used to the writing style.

Like the first book, the descriptions of the environment are frequent and interesting.  And we also learn a bit of Leck's past, so that's good too!

What I disliked
The first part of the book was so insanely slow and boring that it took me like two weeks to finish it.  I feel like that Kristin somehow took up two hundred or so pages describing a single trip to a castle and back, without any action at all nor any especially interesting interactions between the characters.  Although the story probably would've been drier without the first part, as you learn a lot about Fire and her friend Archer, I feel like it should've been faster.  At least after the first chunk of the book it got a lot more interesting.  I also feel that her books kind of lack a 'climax feeling', and what I mean is that although there is definitely a climax in the books, it doesn't feel like there is, probably because her books sometimes feel like a big story with multiple mini side stories happening at the same time, where the side stories merge with the big plot and then separate again...I don't know how to explain it better than that.

Additional Notes:
None.

Final Remarks:
It's pretty good, as long as you don't mind slow-paced stories.  I really got caught up after the first chunk of the book, because it became really interesting, and in the places where nothing in the main plot was happening much, you learn about other characters through mini side stories that don't feel like they are out of place.  I think I liked this book, even though I was hoping Katsa and Po would be in it.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Short Story: His hands shook as he tried to untie it

Writing Prompt: His hands shook as he tried to untie it.

     His hands shook as he tried to untie it.  It was a red, small rope whose length was shortening each and every second.  It was the red string of fate that he was trying to untie.  The string was what connected people to each other, events to each other.  And in his case, it was the source of his happiness and also unimaginable pain.  This is why he was trying to untie the string of fate; the two things that that it connected were things that he never wanted.

     Sweat beaded on his brow as he pulled at loops with his slippery fingers and cracked nails.  His breathing was labored; he had been at this for an hour now.  But he had to untie the remaining knots in the next three minutes, or else his family would die yet again.  He'd gone too far to fail here, committing acts forbidden to human kind.  No man was meant to be able to traverse time, nor look upon the ropes that were the essence of the world.  Much less change them.

     There were ten seconds left.  He was upon the last knot, an easily untied butterfly knot.  As he looks at the knot, he realizes that there will be consequences.  Something fundamental will change, because fate will have been tampered with.

     Like a butterfly flapping it's wings over the ocean and ends up causing a devastating hurricane, unraveling this knot will likely bring great harm.

     But the man doesn't even hesitate as he unties fate, because love is scary like that.

*     *     *

     I look at the black and smoky ball that was once green and blue.  Nobody can explain why or how it happened, and I'm all alone now.  But I guess this was bound to happen some day.  Yes, I needn't feel grief.  It was going to happen sooner or later.

     As long as love existed.

I enjoy writing short stories because I like putting my thoughts into words.  I'm better with writing than I am with speech.  But just plain putting it into words isn't as fun or appealing as putting it into a story.  Short stories are a lot easier to write than long stories, because in short stories you don't have to worry as much about characters and development.  In a long story, you need multiple events and you probably want the characters or plot to grow through these events.  In a short story though, you only need to write about one event and it's resolution.  I enjoy writing stories both short and long and I also love to read as well.

What is a Perfect World?

     I recently was asked to describe my version of a perfect world.  I did a bit of thinking, and I came to the conclusion that the world we are in is already the perfect world, at least for me, and for you if I manage to convince you.
     If you could change the world in an instant and permanent way (impossible, but just imagine), how would you change it?  Would you create world peace?  Would you make it so that there is no death?  Would you make everyone become kind people?  These things might seem noble and great at first, but after a bit of thinking is done it becomes apparent that if these things ever happened, I don't think many people will enjoy them.  Do you want world peace?  As far as I know, the only way to do that is to take away the free will of humans.  No wars means no conflicts.  No conflicts means no disagreements.  No disagreements means there is probably a set list of things everyone has to agree on, and therefore no free will.  How about no death?  Well, I think living forever is worse than death.  Life is great, sure, but it's also tough and painful.  Besides, there are things only death can relieve.  Death is a kindness in it's own way.
     As for making everyone kind, I actually do not see any consequences for this, but kindness, in many cases, is only kindness for one person.  If you sacrifice something of your own to help someone, sure it's being kind to someone, but you're not being kind to yourself.  If two people ask for something you only have one of, at least one of them will not receive anything.  Also, assuming that permanently making people kind is taking away their free will, is making everyone kind a kind act in itself?  And kindness isn't a set list of things you have to do.  Kindness can mean different things for each person.  If you make everyone 'kind' how do you know everyone is truly 'kind'?
     How about changing the world so that there is no poverty or so that everyone is happy all the time?  I'll admit, I was about to end this post right here and then I panicked when I thought of these two idealistic things that people may wish for.  But I thought a bit again, and I don't think these two are very good either.  Eliminating poverty from the world forever?  If this happens, money will literally have no value.  If you have even a dollar more than everyone else, then everyone else is technically poor.  So you cannot sell things for money nor can you buy things with money because the second you do that someone will have more money than someone else.  Not only money, but everyone would also have to have the exact same possessions as one another, and perhaps even knowledge, appearance and identity depending on how far your definition of poverty goes. Happiness is good and all, but I would hate not to feel any other emotions.  Imagine if you couldn't be sad or angry or disgusted.  Emotions are an important thing to us, and they shouldn't be taken away, ever.
     I think way too much about this stuff.
     Anyways, my version of a perfect world wouldn't be any different from this current world.  And since I believe in God, I don't think he would create a faulty world for us either.  Living in this world might be tough at times, but living through tough times only makes you smarter and stronger, and it helps you to grow.  Looking back, I love that I can experience all these emotions, even if they symbolize pain in my life.  I love that people have different opinions than I do, even if I completely disagree with them or I detest their ideas.  I love that I was born into this world so that I can live a full life.  Thank you for reading this, if you have anything to say, please comment!  Have a good day!

I Write To My Future Self

Writing Prompt: Write a letter to yourself at graduation!

Hello, graduating Joseph (June ??, 2022),
     How are you today?  I will bet that you are not wearing something proper for graduation.  In fact, you might be wearing your everyday t-shirt.  If you are, good job, I approve of your bravery.  If you aren't it's okay, at least you don't stick out.
     You will probably read this way after you graduate, since you don't tend to remember little things like this.  I will tell you about my life right now, because why not?  Today is the first day of your grade eight school year, and you got to meet your friends again.  You also made yourself some goals to complete in the school year, such as giving out a compliment daily and being less inclined to argue.  I hope you accomplished them!  Right now, I like reading books.  I am actually currently reading War and Peace, and although it isn't the most interesting book it's not too bad.  I also enjoy poetry(there's a lot on this blog), playing video games and watching anime.  I hope you are more calm and reserved than I am now, sometimes I am too loud and talkative.
     I'm 90% sure that you still like writing stuff so I hope you at least become a part-time author.  I'm not sure exactly what I want to be when I grow up, but maybe you do.  Whatever you do though, just make sure you make enough money for your mom to be comfortable.  Work hard, don't play too much games, and be a nice person.  Be humble and listen to other people's ideas.
     In a normal letter, I would ask questions, but it's not like you can write back to me and answer them.  Sure, you can post a letter on this blog replying to this letter when you graduate, but I'll never get to see it.  When you read this, or rather, if you read this, we will no longer be the same person.  So you don't need to feel nostalgic or wish to come back to this time in life...that's like wishing you could switch lives with another person.  I'm not exactly sure what kind of person you are, but you have a lot to look forward to, you can do it!

     Sincerely,
Joseph (September 5th, 2017)