Try some; it's good.
Wherein I ramble about books, movies,
music, TV shows, my life, and occasionally, hot emo boys.
My Books
Current WiP
My ValentineGuide sequel = DONE
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Monday, December 03, 2007
Early Christmas - day one - Driven
First, here's a special speed blog by Eve Kenin:
DRIVEN was inspired by a confluence of ideas. Joss Whedon’s amazing series, Firefly, with its vicious Reavers, do-what-needs-to-be-done captain, and cast of quirky and fascinating characters was part of my inspiration. Also, at the time, I was just getting into Manga and Anime (Trigun, Full Metal Panic, Hellsing, GTO, Ruruni Kenshin... to name a few). These stories drove home the point that a little bit of humor can go a long way in a dark tale. The element of the frigid environment came from my own personal dislike of the cold. I’m certain there are other ingredients that tipped into the brew boiling in the cauldron of my imagination, but I can’t think of them off-hand. I will say that DRIVEN was a blast to write.
Wow, so she got her inspiration at least partially from Firefly? Is there anything Joss Whedon can't do? I wish the man would get a TV series back on the air, because I so need something else to watch religiously. For me, the Manga / Anime influence was less readily discernible, despite the cover, but that might be because I'm not as familiar with them. Anyhow, let's talk a bit more about DRIVEN.
You want my take on it?
Holy crap, this was good. You know how JR Ward has the knack for writing a strong, charismatic male with just enough emotional trauma to make him intense and interesting? Eve Kenin has that gift too. But what's more (and better!) -- she has the knack for writing strong heroines as well, one who is her own person: smart, tough and capable. You know how sometimes, you half don't understand why the uber-awesome hero is interested in that damp dishrag of a woman? Not so in DRIVEN.
This book was addictive. I literally couldn't put it down. I carried it around the house with me, read it while I cooked dinner, while I was supposed to be watching TV with the family, and then took it upstairs to bed, where I read it nonstop until I finished it. DRIVEN gets an A++ from me. It has everything -- a heart-wrenching love story, great characterization, lovely writing, and an utterly kickass action-driven plot.
I can't guarantee Eve will stop by because she's utterly slammed with deadlines, but if you have questions about the book or her work, feel free to post them here. Someone mentioned on my Friday post that she wants to know what happened to Wizard's sister. I'm wondering about both his sisters, myself. I'd love for her to revisit this world, that's for sure.
Wizard was a perfect hero, as far as I was concerned, and I thought she did a brilliant job of conveying his nature without hitting people over the head with it. As for Raina, I was so happy to find a heroine who could seriously kick ass and take names. And talk about an action driven plot...
Have you guys read this? What did you think?
As I said on Friday, we'll be talking about books all week. Participation will be rewarded.
Labels: contest, early christmas
From my post on Friday, I don't know how I could have forgotten about his other sister. There is totally something going on with her and Trey. They both really intrigue me and I want to know their back stories like yesterday.
I'd rank Driven up there with Nalini Singh's Psy / Changeling novels. From what I hear, we can expect another Eve Kenin novel in 2008, but I don't have confirmation whether there it will be set in this world. Anyone know?
I agree with you, Ann, the cover was really a turn-off, no wonder I thought it was Manga! I really wish they had used a diferent one but oh well, apparently the book is awesome and I want to read it! :)
I find that standard romances are a little slow for my tastes these days; I'm always looking for something sexy cross-genre. This was perfect for me.
And I know what you mean - lately I've been looking for a book with a bit more "hmph!" to it..if that makes any sense at all, lol.
It's a totally kickass sci-fi romance, all words, chapters, and complete yumminess. I cannot read graphic novels. My eyes get all confused and I get a headache, trying to figure out which word box is next.
Hugssss
LindaH
Hi, Rachael! *g*
Kimberly, remember the scene toward the end? After Raina had Wizard's back? (I don't want to say more for spoiler's sake)
What he said to her, afterward, was so deliciously awkward, and yet heartbreakingly intense. At least, it was for me.
For the people wary of this book (and probably others in the Shomi line) because of the manga style covers, don't be. I have read all three of the Shomi books, and while "Driven" is my favorite, all of them were good. The actual stories don't strike me as too "manga-esque" at all.
I've been seriously considering throwing myself on the mercy of the marketing department at Dorchester and asking for the sequel.
And Kimberly is 100% right. It's Wizard's awkwardness that makes him so lovable.
I've been reading comics, romance, scifi and fantasy for 25 years now, I've been reading manga for 13 years (I'm 40 ^^): you haven't come across the good stuff in the vast sea that manga is these days, if you run to avoid it.
Fair enough, but there IS good stuff out there even for romance readers, just in case you might enjoy. Probably one of the reasons why Jan occasionally reviews manga at Dear Author.
Other than that I liked Driven, too ^^.