ABA's Dump Amazon Day Sponsored by Amazon, Obituary of Babar's Laurent de Brunhoff, Under the Bridge Comes to TV, Vernor Vinge Obituary, Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Braken, Desperation by Becca Ryden, and One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

Hello fellow book dragons, to Easter and the last part of March, as we slide into Spring in April. I've been trying to read all of my TBR bed-stack, and the backlog of books on my Kindle Paperwhite, but I've found that more than a few books in both formats were boring or poorly written or both. So what that means is that I wasted time reading the first 5-100 pages, hoping the book would get better, when 98 percent of the time, it remained the same slog or got worse. One self published volume gifted to me by a dearly beloved found family member, took nearly all of the first 75-100 pages to get going, but once it did, I enjoyed the characters journey through the story arc.  I will review that book, and two others, after I present a whole bunch of tidbits for you all to enjoy.

 

Wow, this whole David vs Goliath situation has taken quite a turn.

 

ABA, Others Declare 'SBA: Dump Amazon' Day

The American Booksellers Association and other independent businesses

and associations have declared Wednesday, March 20, "SBA: Dump Amazon" Day, to protest Amazon's continued co-sponsorship of National Small Business Week, which takes place April 28-May 4. The ABA and Small Business Rising have complained to the federal Small Business

Administration, organizer of National Small Business Week, about

Amazon's participation but say their protests have gone "unheeded."

On March 20, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and others aim to make

"their voices heard, demanding that Administrator [Isabel] Guzman do the

right thing and 'dump Amazon.' "

ABA CEO Allison Hill commented: "Over the past two decades, Amazon has grown a stranglehold on the book industry and crushed healthy

competition in the marketplace for small business. It is preposterous

that a government agency charged with assisting and protecting the

interests of small business concerns and preserving free competitive

enterprise would select Amazon as a co-sponsor of National Small

Business Week--a disconnect heightened by the Federal Trade Commission's

simultaneous lawsuit https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/x/pjJscQfcwusI6a9uJE9-HA~k1yJoKXv-hs8x6nADsOjpoMLg-gVdw against Amazon for illegally maintaining monopoly power. Granting Amazon the opportunity of sponsorship allows it to whitewash anti-competitive behavior and the harm its doing to small business while forcing small businesses to engage with their biggest threat to accept this opportunity. Enough is enough."

 I used to love reading Babar books, along with Madeline stories they allowed my young mind to travel to France and feel like I was in the heart of Gallic civilization! RIP to Mr Brunhoff, who almost made it to 100 years old, and who treated the world to his exotic and exciting children's stories.

 

Obituary Note: Laurent de Brunhoff

French artist Laurent de Brunhoff

https://www.shelfawareness.com/ct/x/pjJscQaJkesI6a82IxgkGQ~k1yJoKXv-hs8x6nBW5CjpoMLg-gVdw,

"who nurtured his father's creation, a beloved, very Gallic and very

civilized elephant named Babar, for nearly seven decades," died March

23, the New York Times reported. He was 98. Babar was born one night in

1930 when Laurent, then five, and his four-year-old brother, Mathieu,

"were having trouble sleeping. Their mother, Cecile de Brunhoff,

a pianist and music teacher, began to spin a tale about an orphaned baby

elephant who flees the jungle and runs to Paris, which is conveniently

located nearby."

Enthralled by the story, they told it to their father, artist Jean de

Brunhoff, the next morning and he began to sketch the little elephant,

whom he named Babar. Histoire de Babar (The Story of Babar), an

illustrated picture book in which Babar's escapade is recounted in Jean

de Brunhoff's script, was published in 1931. Six more picture books

followed before he died in 1937, when he was 37 and Laurent was 12.

The last two books were only partly colored at the time of his father's

death, and Laurent de Brunhoff finished them. Trained to be a painter,

he decided at 21 to carry on the adventures of Babar.

His first book, Babar's Cousin: That Rascal Arthur, was published in

1946, and de Brunhoff went on to write and illustrate more than 45

additional Babar books. "For the first few years, many readers didn't

realize that he was not the original author, so completely had he

realized Babar's world and his essence--his quiet morality and

equanimity," the Times noted.

Charles de Gaulle was a fan, noting that the Babar books promoted "a

certain idea of France." So was Maurice Sendak, though he said that for

years he was traumatized by Babar's origin story: the brutal murder of

his mother by a hunter. "That sublimely happy babyhood lost, after only

two full pages," Sendak wrote in the introduction to Babar's Family

Album (1981), a reissue of six titles, including Jean de Brunhoff's

original.

For Laurent, the idea and the images came first, after which he began to

sketch and paint what that might look like. When he married his second

wife, Phyllis Rose, a professor emerita of English at Wesleyan

University, they often collaborated on the text.

In 1987, de Brunhoff sold the rights to license his elephant to

businessman Clifford Ross, who then sold those rights to a Canadian

company, Nelvana Ltd., with the understanding that Ross would continue

to be involved in the conception of future products. What followed was

what Times described as "an elephantine array" of

Babar-abilia--including Babar pajamas and slippers, wallpaper and

wrapping paper, perfume, fruit drinks, backpacks, blankets and bibs.

There was also Babar: The Movie (1989), as well as a TV series.

"Babar and I both enjoy a friendly family life," de Brunhoff wrote in

1987. "We take the same care to avoid over-dramatization of the events

or situations that do arise. If we take the correct, efficient steps, we

both believe that a happy end will come. When writing a book, my

intention is to entertain, not give a 'message.' But still one can, of

course, say there is a message in the Babar books, a message of

nonviolence."

This sounds fascinating. Enough so that I might have to renew my Hulu subscription.

 

TV: Under the Bridge

A trailer has been released for the Hulu series Under the Bridge

https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/x/pjJscQaJw-kI6a82IxBzHA~k1yJoKXv-hs8x6nBW8KhpoMLg-gVdw,

based on Rebecca Godfrey's 2005 book. Entertainment Weekly reported that

the project, from writer/creator Quinn Shephard and showrunner Samir

Mehta, stars Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon)

and Emmy nominee Riley Keough (Daisy Jones and the Six). Under the

Bridge premieres on Hulu April 17.

"Neither of us wanted to make yet another classic murder mystery," Mehta

said. "We really wanted to find a way to elevate the genre and do

something new with it.... It was a crime book that didn't feel like a

crime book. There was a real gentleness and femininity to the way that

the story was told. I felt like it offered a lot of space to tell a

story both about Reena, but also about childhood and the stories of the

other teenagers."

Another great classic science fiction author is lost to the world. RIP VV.

 I loved his optimism for the future of mankind.

Obituary Note: Vernor Vinge 

Author and professor of mathematics Vernor Vinge

https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/x/pjJscQaKk-4I6a82Ihh2Tw~k1yJoKXv-hs8x6nBWJKmpoMLg-gVdw, who "was noted

for introducing the technological singularity concept (AKA the

Singularity) and known for his gripping hard science fiction," died

March 20, Locus magazine reported. He was 79.

His first published work of science fiction was "Apartness" in 1965.

Other notable short fiction includes "Bookworm, Run!" (1966) and "The

Peddler's Apprentice," which was written with his wife, Joan D. Vinge

(1975). He also published two Hugo Award-winning novellas: Fast Times at

Fairmont High (2001) and The Cookie Monster (2003). 

Vinge's debut novel, Grimm's World, was published in 1969. A Fire Upon

the Deep (1992), the first book in the Zones of Thought series, won the

Hugo Award, while the second title in the series, A Deepness in the Sky

(1999), took the Hugo Award, John W. Campbell Memorial Award, and

Prometheus Award. The Children of the Sky (2011) was the third novel in

the series. Other notable books include Hugo Award winner Rainbows End

(2006). His nonfiction work included the 1993 paper "The Coming Technological

Singularity: How to Survive in the Post-Human Era," which introduced the

concept and greatly influenced post-singularity SF, Locus noted.

In a Facebook post, author David Brin wrote, in part: "A titan in the

literary genre https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/x/pjJscQaKk-4I6a82Ihh2TA~k1yJoKXv-hs8x6nBWJKmpoMLg-gVdw that

explores a limitless range of potential destinies, Vernor enthralled

millions with tales of plausible tomorrows, made all the more vivid by

his polymath masteries of language, drama, characters and the

implications of science.... Accused by some of a grievous sin--that of

'optimism'--Vernor gave us peerless legends that often depicted human

success at overcoming problems... those right in front of us... while

posing new ones! New dilemmas that may lie just ahead of our myopic

gaze."

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken is a YA dark Arthurian fantasy, written in a modern mythical style that is by turns riveting and repulsive. There's also a strong romantic thread in this book, though I think it's ill-served by the severe and dark storyline. Here's the blurb: From the critically acclaimed author of Lore comes a stunning contemporary fantasy inspired by Celtic lore—the tale of a teenage girl who seeks her destiny in the cursed ruins of Avalon, driven by love, revenge, and pure adrenaline!

Born without a trace of magic, Tamsin Lark is no match for the sorceresses and Hollowers who populate the magical underground of Boston. But when the only parent she’s ever known disappears without so much as a goodbye, she has no choice but to join in their cutthroat pursuit of enchanted relics to keep herself—and her brother, Cabell—alive.

Ten years later, rumors are swirling that her guardian found a powerful ring from Arthurian legend just before he vanished. A run-in with her rival Emrys ignites Tamsin’s hope that the ring could free Cabell from a curse that threatens both of them. But they aren’t the only ones who covet the ring.

As word spreads, greedy Hollowers start circling, and many would kill to have it for themselves. While Emrys is the last person Tamsin would choose to partner with, she needs all the help she can get to edge out her competitors in the race for the ring. Together, they dive headfirst into a vipers’ nest of dark magic, exposing a deadly secret with the power to awaken ghosts of the past and shatter her last hope of saving her brother. 

  This book had a lot going for it, as the author has won rave reviews of her first foray into rewriting myths/legends with Lore. So I was surprised that this book was so full of redundancies and fluffy paragraphs that really needed a strong editing hand to excise them.

Still, Tamsin was an interesting, if somewhat cringy-wimpy character who required way too much rescuing by the male protagonists in the book. She seemed to be smart, at first, but then fell into the "I'm the only one who can save everyone!" trope, where she nearly dies trying to be a heroine instead of planning out her rescue efforts and being smart and strategic about her involvement, instead of holding her life so cheaply that she was recklessly thrown into battles that couldn't be won.

The book, I will tell you (SPOILER) ends on a cliffhanger, so I assume that there will at least be one more book in this series.

I'd give it a B, and recommend it to those who like YA fantasy very loosely based on ancient legends.

 

Desperation by Becca Ryden is a beautifully rendered urban fantasy novel that, though it appears to be self-published, is rich with colorful portrait inserts of the male and female protagonist, a bookmark and elegant fonts. I had trouble getting into the book, which takes about 50-70 pages to really get going, but once I got beyond those hurtles, it was all smooth sailing, for the most part (There were a number of typos and grammatical errors in the book that were jarring, including the back cover information, which had a glaring error that kept me from picking up this book until a couple of weeks ago. Here's the blurb:  

She believes he murdered her parents, the King and Queen of the Sky Throne. She believes he wants her and her sister dead. But one person's perception and reality are rarely so succinct.

Charlotte grew up being in love with the man she was promised to marry. Aurek was a warrior, a Daeva Prince to equal her Daeva Princess, and meant to protect their people when they took the throne. Where she was spoiled and young, he was patient and understanding. When she had outbursts, he was there to sooth her naive woes. It was a perfect match, just like her parents intended. Until he murdered them. 

Online Book Club blurb: "Desperation by Becca Ryden stands out as a tale that delves deeper into the human psyche and explores the complexities of relationships. Her writing is evocative and emotionally resonant. Becca Ryden's storytelling is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a world where romance is not just about love but about overcoming misconceptions, fighting for love, and confronting one's deepest fears. The narrative culminates in a breathtaking cliffhanger, leaving readers yearning for the forthcoming chapters of the story. As the layers of misunderstandings peel away, it becomes evident that more formidable adversaries lurk in the shadows than Charlotte could have ever fathomed.

One of the standout features of this novel that resonated deeply with me is the love that King Aurek holds for Charlotte. Amidst the upheaval, misunderstandings, and even moments of bloodshed that affected their relationship, King Aurek's commitment to protecting Charlotte remains unshaken. His actions throughout the book serve as a testament to the notion that true love is capable of making sacrifices and going to great lengths to ensure the safety and well-being of those we cherish. This portrayal of love is a resonating theme that enriches the narrative and makes Desperation an upsetting exploration of the enduring power of human emotion."

I disagree with the reviewer above, in that I didn't find Aurek's disgusing himself as someone else and then trying to win back the love of Charlotte (though he has killed so many people, including her parents, that he's not really a good person) to be more creepy and possessive/obsessive than romantic. They share a "magic soul McGuffin"  that continually draws them toward one another, but again, it's all the big strong man doing the majority of sword work and saving everyone, while the immature female protagonist consistently proves herself irrational and in need of rescue. Another heavily used trope here is the way Charlotte is infantilized as a damsel in distress and physically small and child-like, while the disguised Hunter/Aurek is described as huge, muscular, dark and manly, ie "tall dark and handsome." The writing was often overblown and Victorian, full of puffed up paragraphs that do nothing to move the plot or the characters forward. The plot was inconsistent, as a result, sometimes fast and often moving at a snail's pace. The ending was an inept cliffhanger that I assume will be resolved in the next novel. I'd give this book a generous B-, mainly for the portrait inserts and the cover art, and recommend it only to those who have a fainting couch handy while they read.

 

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is another dark romantic fantasy/mystery that creeps a bit too close to horror fiction for my taste. Still, it's one of the few books that I read that was engrossing from the first chapter onward, and the author's prose was deep and richly rendered. Here's the blurb: For fans of Uprooted and For the Wolf comes a dark, lushly gothic fantasy about a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom—but the monster in her head isn't the only threat lurking.

Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.

Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom she calls home—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it. Except the highwayman just so happens to be the King’s own nephew, Captain of the Destriers…and guilty of high treason.

He and Elspeth have until Solstice to gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly, darkly, taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

I found this tale of one woman's slow descent into the madness of the magic creature that possesses her soul to be chilling but fascinating. Though there's a great deal of delving into humanity's more vile and vicious motivations for living, (ie a greed for power or immortality or beauty that trades your soul for magic), I was surprised by Elspeth's ability to wrangle her inner demon for years, when it would have been easier to just give in and become the monster within. Her ability to use what magic that she has, while allowing the monster king to come out and beat the snot out of  other horrible card users was by turns darkly comic and somehow satisfying, due to the confines of propriety that women lived under during that time/era. By the end, she's closer, but not finished, with her quest to gather all the cards to remove the disease/curse that is destroying her family and nearly everyone else in the country. I was rooting for the romance between Elspeth and the Captain, and I might even have to read the second book to find out what happens between them now that Elspeth is no longer in control of herself. Anyway, I'd give this book a B, and recommend it to anyone who likes dark fantasy romances full of monsters and magic.