Assorted Shiny Things

[rj_anderson]

BOOKISH SHINY

If you like your secondary-world fantasy with a healthy dollop of intrigue, wit, danger, and understated but powerful romance, you should all go read Leah Cypess's Mistwood (HarperTeen, April 2010), which I just finished and enjoyed enormously. Steph Su has a very good review of the book here, though I'd disagree with Steph's comment about the secondary characters -- I had no trouble telling them apart, myself.

And Leah tells me she is working on revisions to the companion novel as we speak! Yay, companion novel!

***

TV SHINY

In the DO WANT category: J.J. Abrams' new show Undercover, about a married couple who are spies. From the guy who wrote Jack and Irina? This HAS to be good. Seriously, look at this picture. I am gleeful and optimistic.

Also, check out this lovely, exuberant, heart-warming Doctor Who S5 vid from humansrsuperior: Brand New Day. Thanks to infiniteviking for the tip.

***

WRITING SHINY

I'm mostly preaching to the choir here, I'm sure, but still -- taraljc has reposted a terrific essay about the effort that goes into writing quality fan fiction, and how it isn't always easy -- or even desirable -- to just file off the serial numbers.

***

And that will be all, because I'm feeling curiously dizzy all of a sudden. *blinks*

Comments

[catherinehaines.livejournal.com]

Ooh, the couple from Undercover are gorgeous.

(One of the comments was all "sounds too much like Mr and Mrs Smith" - was I the only one to go "Ooh, like Spy Kids, but without the Spy Kids" instead?)

[areth-lovejoy.livejournal.com]

Love that video! DW has been fantastic so far.

I have been waiting for "Mistwood" for ages now. Glad to hear such a glowing recommendation from you + news of companion novel as I have heard others say it could really use one. I just got "Brightly Woven", by Alexandra Bracken, finished and what a delight! Think you might enjoy it...


Also, my copy of REBEL just arrived and I am so psyched to read it this weekend. *squee*

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I have read and enjoyed BRIGHTLY WOVEN as well! I think I may need to re-read it to appreciate properly all the things I missed the first time because I was roaring through it at such a mad pace to See What Happens.

And yay, I hope you enjoy REBEL!

[bnharrison.livejournal.com]

And isn't that Tish? Gugu Whatever, played Tish, Martha's sister?

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Yes! Yes it is! *is even more gleeful now*