Book: Inheritance Cycle

I'm writing this on December 27, without knowing when I will be able to post is, since the internet at home decided to stop working. I do think I will be able to post it Friday, when I'm going back to my BF, but hopefully it will be sooner.

Now, on with the actual blog. I want to write a review about t the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. For those who do not know the cycle, I will write down a very brief summary.

The Inheritance Cycle consists of four books: Eragon (there is a film based on this book, with the same title, but the film doesn't follow the book entirely and loads of (important) things have been cut out), Eldest, Briningr and Inheritance. The Cycle follow a young boy who because a Dragon Rider after he found a dragon egg while hunting. From a farm boy he grows into a representative of hope, for he is the only free Dragon Rider and he assumed to be the only person who has a change of besting the current power hunger king, Galbatorix. Together with a band of rebels, Eragon tries to become powerful enough to have a chance against Galbatorix, but his journey isn't an easy one.

While I read the books, I can't help but notice that the setting is a bit cliché, but that doesn't make the books less fun to read, since Paolini put a lot of effort in creating the world and making it feel real. There is no prefect race, for everyone of them has flaws, nor is there a flawless character. I love the way we see a lot of the character develop throughout the cycle and how we slowly get to know the world better and it's mysteries. I also like that there is a lot of variation in the books. We see grand and smaller battles, sieges, politics, friendship, a little bit of romance, loads of magic, travelling, etc...

While Paolini isn't the best writer I know, he is a very good storyteller. While I read the books, I was travelling with Eragon and his friends instead of just reading about it. I fought the battles side by side with Eragon and killed as many enemies as he did. I fell in love with the characters and the world and especially the magic. The magic system is so complicated, but not difficult to understand and I love that. I hate simplistic things, but I hate bad explained things even more. That's what so cool about Paolini. He manages to describer complicated things in such a manner, they are easy to understand, if you are willing to use your brains a bit while reading.

This review is getting long! I'm just going to add one more thing. There is still so much we don't know. I am not going to say what, for it will be spoilers. And I am so curious about certain things, that I hope that some time, we will get the answers. In April I am going to meet Paolini (if everything goes as planned) and I have a few question I am going to ask and I hope he will write more books soon, because I really like his writing style.

These four books have enchanted me from the first letter till the very last. At one point, I even had to blink away a tear and I don't cry fast while reading. I'm happy I finished them, because it was such a wonderful journey, but I am sad that I have to wait to read more and I have no idea how long the wait will be.

So if you are looking for a book or a series to read and you like fantasy, especially dragons and magic, I really recommend the Inheritance Cycle.

PS: From now on I'm going to try to write a small review from every book I have read, while I am not a journalist, nor skilled at reviewing, I'll try to make it as interesting as possible. Tips and tricks are always welcome!  At the moment I am reading Dracula by Bram Stooker! 

Fan girls...

First I have to say that I do not want to offend or hurt anyone, but I just have to express my opinion. If I have offended you, or hurt you nonetheless, then I am very sorry.

Lately I've been using twitter a lot. I like to keep track of what my friends are doing (not that a lot of my friends are on twitter, but whatever) and to follow some persons I like or admire. What I like about twitter is that you can “talk” with people you normally can't, like famous people or people from the other side of the world. The only problem about that is that you get from these fan girls who tweet non stop to their idol and get disappointed when they don't get an answer.

Just place yourself in the shoe of a famous person, would you like to waste hours and hours on replying to every single tweet you get? I wouldn't. It's not because I wouldn't like my fans but more because it takes so much time and so much effort.

Trudi Canavan for example, doesn't even reply on her fanmail because she just doesn't have the time to do it. She just reads it.

I think it is very selfish to demand an answer from someone, or be disappointed when you don't get an answer. Or people who are disappointed that they weren't online when there idol was. To be honest, I have the feeling you are beginning to become a stalker then.  

Creating a world

For a while now, I would love to write a story that would someday be published, in other words, a book. For years I have written (not all finished) stories with characters and worlds that are not my own but I never had an good idea to write a story around until now. I am not going to say what my idea is, because I'm afraid someone else is going to use it.

Before I can write the story however, I have to shape the world and let everything make sense since it is going to be a fantasy story situated in another universe. I never thought writing a fantasy novel is so difficult and needs so much preparation. Every world has a history, and every race has it's own customs and traditions. Who rules the world and how? From what are the houses built and why? Loads of work, and the funniest thing is that most of the things I need to figure out, aren't important in the plot, but will make the world seem more real and realistic. So far I defined the basis of one race, but it still needs a lot more refining.

I will need to put a lot of work and effort in this story if ever want to finish it, but it might be that it would never be published. I know I am not yet good enough, but if I don't practise, or try, how can I get better? So I'm just going to go for it and see where I end up. If I get published, awesome! If I don't, at least I tried.

Job rant

I'm looking for a job for about a year, but I must say that I didn't always put a lot of effort in it, and I have been doubting a lot what I really wanted to do with my life (and I'm still not really sure.) But now I decided to go for it. I am going to be a little picky, since I don't want to end up doing something that I absolutely hate. I want to be able to get out of bed in the morning, feeling good and wanting to go to work.

I'm a bit ashamed of myself of sitting home and doing nothing for a year, but I have the feeling I needed that. A break from life. Just sitting home, doing nothing. But now that period is over and I'm ready to go for it, for 200%! I want a job so I can buy a desktop computer, because my laptop, or better failtop, is dying slowly. I also want my drivers license and a car. I'm not a big fan of cars, but I was so frustrated this morning when I missed my bus that I want to be selfish and say: screw the environment, I want a fucking car! The third thing I want is money to buy and take care of a second horse or to go and live with my BF, not sure what will happen first, time will tell.

Future...

It has been ages since I last blogged and I kind of gave it up because I have the feeling no one cares or reads it, but I decided I don't care (too much).

Since my last blog (end of September) loads of (bad) things happened, but I don't want to talk about that right now. Perhaps later, perhaps never. I'm really thrilled the new year is coming and I do have the feeling I'm going to make a fresh start. At first I want to rid my self of my insecurities and be proud of who I am. Next I want to find a job and at last I want to lose weight.

Also the approaching of the new year made me wonder what I really want in live. There are a few things I really want to do, but they are still out of reach, unfortunately. So I need to find something closer to focus on. To go for. I've been slacking around for a year now, and that needs to be done. I want to go on but I am afraid of routine. Doing the same thing every day like I am doing right now. On the other hand it has some sense of security.

I also have some regrets. Regrets that I didn't try harder for my studies, because it could have been a great experience. But then I wouldn't be busy with horses right now and I would probably not be able to find a job here in Belgium and I am reluctant to leave everything behind.

I would love to become a writer, but right now, I don't have the character for it. I can't focus enough to write a story and I am still so in experienced. Another thing I would love to become: a professional photographer, but I think I am not good enough to stand out.

Aagh I have the feeling I'm stuck in this big black pit and I just can't crawl out of it. It's frustrating!