As of next month it will be two years since I started blogging on Disdainful-Soul.net. It’s an odd sensation to be sitting here now and writing this post. But I’ve finally stopped putting it off and putting fingers to keys.

Some of you may have already noticed this, but I have started to use my full name on most things, and now it has reached the logical conclusion: Catherine-Haines.com. It will be a combination of D-S.net and Working Title, and hopefully when I find me an agent who gets me a publishing deal, I can have a nice author website all set up (with a nice pre-built fanbase to go with it :P). I’ll be renewing the domain names for both when the time comes, so I have a whole year to work out what to do with them while the content stays up. It’ll also mean that all the stuff on the subdomains will be fine too. My bank balance… not so much. Oh well.

So please, come and check out Catherine-Haines.com, with its shiny new layout I am very proud of. I’d be tickled pink if you stopped by.

Online bookseller Amazon.com is in deep doo-doo. You see, in a move tagged with #amazonfail on Twitter, the company has started deranking “adult” titles, which removes them from search queries.

Sounds okay, right? Wrong.

The problem lies in what they are classifying as “adult”: literature with GLBT content or leanings. Even books that don’t have any graphic content, such as non-fiction books, have been labled “adult” and thus deranked.

You can imagine my fury when I saw that Stephen Fry’s memoir and (the hardcover edition of) John Barrowman’s autobiography had both been deranked and removed from search engine result. The same goes for Heather Has Two Mommies, a children’s book. There is a list of affected books over on Meta_Writer.

So what can you do? Let Amazon know that they have done wrong, of course. Tweet about it using the #amazonfail tag. Blog about it. Sign the petition. Get the word out.

Other Links On #Amazonfail

• DearAuthor.com - Amazon Rank
• Jezebel.com - Why Is Amazon Removing The Sales Rankings From Gay and Lesbian Books?
• Mashable.com - Amazon Accused Of Removing Gay Books From Rankings
• BookSquare.com - Open Letter to Amazon Regarding Recent Policy Changes
• Petition - In Protest at Amazon’s New “Adult” Policy
• Smart Bitches, Trashy Books - New definition of Amazon Rank

Looking for an Amazon alternative? Try The Book Depository - same prices, with FREE worldwide shipping.

So from now on all my book reviews (and book-related posts) can be found at On The Nightstand. My three latest reviews are for The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman), Uglies (Scott Westerfeld) and The Tricksters (Margaret Mahy).

If you like books and are looking for reviews and suggestion please stop by at On The Nightstand.

</shameless promotion>

For my own sanity, if not you’re own interest, I’ve made a list of my DVDs. I think I got them all.

The Movies

The TV Shows

I still have no idea where they all came from. Heh. I just know that the collection won’t stop there. No way.

Rule #3: Don’t stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don’t speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don’t ever attract their attention. But it’s too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything. Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations.

Before reading Wicked Lovely, my experience with fairy/faerie/fae fiction was very limited: unless, like Claudine/Claude and their ilk in the Sookie Stackhouse books, they popped up in books from other (urban) fantasy books or are in the movie Labyrinth I tended to avoid them. But after hearing many good things about Wicked Lovely I decided to give it a go.

I’m glad I did.

One of the big things I love about Wicked Lovely is the obvious effort Marr has put into her research and her world-building. Each chapter begins with an epigraph from reference books about fairy mythology which ties in somewhat to the chapter it belongs to. Both the human world and each of the faerie Courts are fully-realised. The in-story mythos is strong and in place, and the rules of the created canon are stuck to. This is always a very good thing in fantasy, and where a lot of fantasy falls short these days. Some authors seem to think that fantasy doesn’t require research or rules - thankfully Marr is not one of these authors, and her positive attitude towards research and in-universe rules shows through in her story.

The characters too, are fully-realised, too, with the exception of the Winter Queen. Someone else (I forget who) mentioned that she seemed too much like a stock villain, too full of cliches. I have to partially agree with that - she seemed like she was trying too hard, and that she was written in a way that expressed it not to be a character issue but more a mild reflection on the author’s skill of handling her. But apart from her, the characters were all vibrant and interesting, and definitely with more than one note. Seth is probably the hallmark of that attitude, as, given the way he looks and where he lives, one could easily write him off and turn him into a stereotype. Not Marr though: she handles him well. He’s complex and interesting and I’m not surprised he is a favourite amongst many female readers. He could easily have been portrayed in the way his exterior might have others do so but no. So well done on that, Marr.

My favourite thing about Wicked Lovely is the theme of choice, and Marr’s understanding of it. Choice is evident right from the prologue and stays right until the end. From one’s role in life to who you love, choice is woven throughout the novel and is an important part of the plot. One thing I loved most about choice in Wicked Lovely is the understanding to not make a choice is in fact a choice itself. That is something that is often looked over, so well done there.

Wicked Lovely is a fast-paced novel with a fully-realised world full of wonderful characters. The writing is clean and true, and wonderfully evocative without having to resort into the depths of purple prose. The story will keep you hooked and wanting more. So go on and read Ink Exchange… we all have a while to wait until Fragile Eternity comes out.

Five stars.

I was going to blog about my trip to Napier, but I couldn’t drudge up the energy. You can see my photos taken on the trip, though.

I want to write a review of Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange, both by Melissa Marr but again… nothing happens.

It’s like all the sparks have gone out of my head for the moment.

I’ve had the same problem with writing The Superhero Diaries. I know exactly what comes next in the story - a pissing contest (not literally, just a “lay ‘em out and we’ll see whose is bigger” thing) between two Supes (over the catching of airplanes) and then the introduction to Georgie’s family. I’ve only just settled down the names of her stepbrothers (Callum and Paul) but her mother and stepfather keep eluding me. I kinda see “Steve” for him so that’ll probably stick. Her mum is still gone.

As you can imagine, that blows. I have entire scenes in my head waiting to go, all laid out but I can’t muster up the energy to sit down and type. I’m in my worst stage of procrastination.

I thought about writing a blog about job-hunting but what would I say? I applied to loads of places and got rejected. I am either over-qualified or under.

Basically life kind of sucks. And to make things even worse… my Pikachu gets wiped out by Lorelei’s Dewgong in one hit. And there’s only four levels between them.

Hmph.

You are by far one of the worst fandoms I have ever had the misfortune to come across² The batshit crazy portion of you can be rude, obnoxious, horrifyingly stupid at times and, if reports are to be believed³, you can also be prone to fits of violence.

Most people understand the concept of opinions, and that people are allowed to have them. Just because someone doesn’t like [insert fandom of mine here] does not mean that they are a horrible person, or that they are stupid. I am not simply better just because I like [insert book/movie/musical artist here] and they don’t. It is their right to not like something, just as it is your right to like it.

Everyone has the right to an opinion, whether it’s a positive one or a negative one. Opinions are a two way street, people.

It is TweenTeacher’s right to be of the opinion that “the books are poorly written” and that “the message of the books is icky” without being bombarded with horrible comments.

You really have no idea of what the books are really about. let meguess you never fallen inlove with some one or even had the experience. You read this books with your eyes closed and with a closed mind as well.

My first impression of your review is that you’re probably a failed writer who is taking it out on Steph Meyer. Five bucks says this is true. If you have never written, I *will* send you the five bucks. Just email me. Then I will ask you what the hell you’re doing teaching if you’ve never written.

LEELAwhereareyou is allowed to have her (incredibly eloquent, especially for a twelve year old) opinion that the books suck without being told she’s ugly, that she “needs to get the fuck over it” or worse things I do not want to repeat on my blog.

Entertainment Weekly is allowed to publish a negative review of Breaking Dawn without the author and the magazine being sent chess pieces in an attempt to change the review. Actually, that goes for any review of Twilight and its sequels, be it from a large site like Smart Bitches, Trashy Books or a random person’s personal blog.

It doesn’t matter - they all have the right to an opinion. Which leads me to…

Stephen King, writer of many, many novels is allowed to say that Stephenie Meyer “can’t write worth a darn”. He knows a thing or two about writing, and guess what: he is allowed to have an opinion. He is not “insecure”, “jealous of Stephenie Meyer’s success” (or of Edward’s good looks!) or “upset that a woman is so successful”. The appropriate response is not to flame him, make nasty comments, suggestions to send him hate mail or promise to throw something at him.

And I am allowed to write a short story poking fun at one of my favourite genres - the very genre I have written a novel for⁴ without receiving a comment about how it is offensive (thanks for saying it’s good though).

wow. as a twilight fan i find this funny yet slightly offensive. i mean its a good story but come on do you really think that writing this story is going to get people to stop talking about Twilight?

Just remember die-hard fans: people have the right to not like Twilight, just as you have the right to like it. They have the right to say they don’t like it, just as you have the right to say you do. Them not liking Twilight is not an attack on you - it is not an appropriate response to attack them back. And if they do start a fight… finish it in a calm, mature and responsible way. Don’t swing right back.

In short: Grow up. Act like the adults some of you are. You’re giving vampire fans - and fandom in general - a bad name.

1. Those of you who are sane Twilight fans, I applaud you. This blog entry is for the really obsessive, over-reactionary fans.
2. The dubious honour of being the worst goes to the K-Pop band Super Junior’s fanclub E.L.F. And they only win because there are no confirmed Twilight deaths.
3. The “Twihard Attack Directory”. Some of these reports do sound fake/exaggerated, but some do not. I speak from personal experience when I say teenage girls can be batshit insane at times, and can do unspeakable things.
4. Blood Bound is currently in the first round of editing. You can read more about it, and my other works, at the projects page of my writing blog, Working Title.

Nathan has never been able to forget the worst night of his life: the party that led to the sudden, shocking disappearance of a young woman. Only he and Bob, an old acquaintance, know what really happened and they have resolved to keep it that way. But one rainy night, years later, Bob appears at Nathan’s door with terrifying news, and old wounds are suddenly reopened, threatening to tear Nathan’s whole world apart. Because Nathan has his own secrets now. Secrets that could destroy everything he has fought to build. And maybe Bob doesn’t realise just how far Nathan will go to protect them…

I was 158 pages into Burial when I realised it was like it was like watching a ten year old driving a car on the motorway. You know it can’t end well but you cannot tear yourself away.

Burial introduces us to the character of Nathan Redmond, who several years before attended a party with several friends, including new acquaintance Bob. Somehow - amidst the sex and drugs in the back of a car - nineteen year old Elise Fox suddenly dies, Nathan finds himself convinced to bury the body and go back to the party and act as if nothing ever happened. Somehow he manages to follow Bob’s orders and makes it out of the situation as unscathed as one can be - he’s far luckier than the host of the party, who’s suspected by the family, the police and the media, and whose life pretty much goes down the drain.

What I found really interesting about Burial is that, unlike a lot of others I have read, the story focuses on what happens after a person apparently gets away with the unthinkable. Here the thing that keeps you turning the pages is wondering how - it’s not really an if, possibly because crime books and tv shows etc. suggest to us that you can’t really get away with the unthinkable, that one day your past catches up to you - he is going to cock it all up. Every step he made afterwards had me screaming in my head for him to stop being so stupid, as each step would have brought him closer to unravelling the whole secret - especially when Bob came back into Nathan’s life with some terrifying news.

Once again, the best description of Nathan’s reaction to what he has done and his gradual descent downwards psychologically is like realising that the driver in the car next to you on the motorway is a ten year old boy. Your sense of logic tells you that it is going to end badly, horrifically, yet you hope it doesn’t (after all, one does start to feel for Nathan, despite what he has done to Elise’s remains) - and throughout it all you can’t help but watch.

Overall I really enjoyed Burial. It’s not my usual type of book but I am definitely glad I did decide to read it. The combination of suspense, crime and the paranormal touch, along with Cross’s style, made it an easy but very gripping read. The fact that I ended up not wanting Nathan to get caught, and was actually yelling at him in my head to not do anything stupid speaks to how Cross manages to get us to sympathise with someone who has clearly done something wrong. Altogether, the writing, the story and the characters kept me hooked until the very last words.

I’m giving this a four and a half stars.