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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Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Early Christmas - day three - Voice of Crow
A special speed blog from Jeri Smith-Ready:
I’ve always felt a spiritual and creative connection to crows and ravens, so when I became a writer, I wanted to honor them with a book that would show them in a positive light. I just had to find the right story.
Then one day I thought, hey, wouldn’t it be cool/horrifying to know when people would die? Tie these two ideas together with the shamanistic concept of the Power Animal, and voila! Aspect of Crow.
P.S.: As I write this, a dozen crows are surfing the 40-mph winds outside, just for the hell of it. What other wild animal takes time from its busy survival schedule to goof off? No wonder biologists think crows are so smart.
That's an excellent question, and one I don't know the answer to, I'm afraid. Before I get into the squeeing, I'll tell y'all how I know Jeri. I first became aware of her work on Smart Bitches, where someone recommended her book Requiem for the Devil. A novel written from Lucifer's POV, first-person? I was dubious. How could that possibly work? But daaaaaaaaamn. Once I got it, I read it in one sitting and then I became a fan, just like the person who said the book was amazing.
From that point on, I stayed on the alert for any of her books. After I sold Grimspace, I asked if she would consider blurbing me. That worked out great, and we became friendly via emails. Then Eyes of Crow was out, but I wanted a signed copy, and I got hooked up at RWA National in Dallas, and I bought it at the literacy signing. I hoarded my signed copy until I got home and then I read it in one sitting. It totally blew me away -- my review can be found here.
So as you can well imagine, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Voice of Crow. In fact, I was ballsy enough to offer Jeri an e-ARC of Wanderlust (Jax, book 2) on the chance she would swap me an e-ARC of VoC. Well, mwahaha, it worked! So I read that just before the book came out, and then I waited three weeks longer for my actual physical copy, to which I added a signed bookplate. Now I have all her books signed. Yay!
These days, I consider her a friend, but don't worry -- early Christmas isn't about my pimping my friends' books, regardless of how good they are. There are people I like a lot, but whose books leave me cold. You won't find me pimping books I don't genuinely love.
And now you're up to speed.
VoC is a book that offers a perfect marriage of romance and fantasy. There's a gritty magical realism inherent in the world Jeri has built, full of symbolism and raw emotion. The world-building is fantastic and intriguing, full of spiritual symbols and hints of Native American lore. The prose is flowery, but elegant. Her characters are fantastic as well. Simply put, VoC is a joy to read, but you'll want to make sure you've read book one first. For anyone who loves romance or fantasy, you'll find this a perfect symbiosis of the two genres.
Rhia possesses the aspect of Crow, which means she can sense when someone's death is approaching. You'd think that would make her really depressing, but it doesn't. Conversely, she understands that it's important to truly live. The world is in turmoil, after the battle. (Trying not to spoil!)
Her relationship with Marek is tested, but it's very well done. VoC is a fine addition to the Crow series, and it left me eager to read the book she's been slaving over, The Reawakened, which is the conclusion to the Aspect of Crow series. No, I haven't had a sneak peek, and I don't know whether I'll get one. But I'm sure it will be wonderful.
Who else has read this? What did you think?
And our random prize winner from yesterday should email me. Happy Early Christmas! Tetewa, I need to hear from you!
Labels: contest, early christmas
I really wanted to know how strong the romantic element was throughout the series and was the same couple featured in all the books or were there different couples in each book.
Since everything you've recommended in the past tickled my fancy, I ALWAYS want whatever you're pimping.
*walks away yanking out credit card and shaking head*
must not visit Ann's blog!
must not visit Ann's blog!
Sweet: the books do follow the same couple, but there are also ancillary characters who become couples, and Voice of Crow broadens its focus beyond Rhia's POV.
Kimberly has explained it really well, I think. Anyone who enjoys fantasy or romance (or romantic fantasy!) will likely love these books.
Lesley, VoC is a wonderful continuation of an amazing series. I can't wait to hear what you thought of the first one.
Cathy, I think you'll really enjoy it. Jeri has the rare ability to sweep you away from the real world completely, and sometimes that's exactly what I need.
Catslady, it's truly a unique idea, and her world-building is phenomenal.
Ahem. Not to brag or anything, but... I just got an advance copy of her book, WICKED GAME. Oh, who am I kidding? Of COURSE I'm bragging. EEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
It sounds a little different than...everything else I've been looking into.
If it's terrible, I'll be blaming everybody who has been hyping it.
*forewarns*
Wendy, I think it's remarkable that Jeri was able to pull that off as she did.
L, I will be surprised if you think we steered you wrong.
Cherie, it's really different.
I would be curious to hear what someone thinks who has read the CL Wilson book, another romantic fantasy, and see how they compare.
P.S. I think I'm getting an ARC of "Wicked Game," too, since I review VOC on Good Reads. Squeee!