Review: Finn Fancy Necromancy by Randy Henderson

Finn Fancy Necromancy by Randy Henderson

So, I picked this book up at random on Audible. No lie, I had no idea what I was getting in to when I started it. Boy, was it one of the best books I've ever picked up.

The basics, so I don't ACTUALLY give anything away, are simple... Finn's been in a magical type prison for 25 years, from 1986-2011, for a crime he didn't commit. Not even at the moment of his return, but before, he is besieged from all sides by an enemy he can't see and thrown into the middle of a battle he doesn't understand.

But, Finn manages to handle it all with an amazing strength that betrays his own understanding of himself. Sure, he makes mistakes, but then... Someone who was 15 in living, 20 in mind and 40 in body has a lot of catching up to do, starting with Star Trek 4 and finishing with a surprise twist that made this reader/listener more then a little happy.

As Mr. Henderson's debut novel, I have to say I'm stoked to see what more he has to give us.  The only negative, was that I figured out one of the big surprises about 2-12 chapters before Finn did. [I leave such a gap, because while I guessed it early on, but didn't know for sure until just before he did.]

I'm also thrilled to FINALLY see someone give magic users the ability to use science. You have no idea how much I love the idea of working them together. Sure, I also adore all the books that have them not able too, but... As a writer myself, I've never seen them as anything but two sides of the same whole.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Kristy C

Review: The Rewrite

The Rewrite

I picked this one up rather randomly... Which I'm apt to do sometimes. Anywho, Hugh Grant idn't my fave actor, but I do enjoy him and some of his later pieces. Oddly, the older he's gotten the better he is in the movies... Plays a lot of insufferable asses, but he plays them well.

This story ended up being one that really sparked something in me, as I watched it I saw how well it fits for art in general, and for writing for me.

It spoke to that part of you that fears your a one trick pony, who did one amazing thing and nothing else. Not just your typical story of a guy finally finding the right woman, or a man regaining his own inner strength... It managed to teach the viewer as well, give them a small lesson on dreams, achieving them, what happens next and even after.

Oddly, more than a Rom/Com, I found it something I'd rewatch and most likely learn something new from the next time.

5 outta 5 stars

Kristy C

Creativity is Draining

I don't think most people know that, but its true.

There have been days where I've had my muse just take over and suddenly I'm designing and designing and designing. And in the last few weeks, I've been at it with the jewelry design.  You'll see some photos below.

On another side, I also sent in a story to an anthology, only to have it rejected.  As a result, I published it myself.  :D

You can find it here: Last Daughters of Davit

Its part of a bigger world, one I'm slowly building.  This is the last piece of the story.

I hope you enjoy the pictures, and if you're so inclined, the book.

Kristy C

Sold 

Busy couple of days..

I went from 'not working on anything creative' to 'finishing one story, starting another and making jewelry.'

Yep, I popped out several new pieces of jewelry, finished my Women in Practical Armor story AND started a Pirate piece for another possible anthology.

Here's a small blurb from that piece, and below it are the images from my new designs.

Hanging low in the sky, The Lusty Nymph awaited her new captain. When the news had come down that their captain had chosen to retire and try a hand at living in one of the newly built sky cities, the crew had thought their first mate would take over. He'd been with them for some years now and even the captain had commented on how sure he was of the young man achieving every officers true goal.  Their own ship. 

But as the days rolled by, it became apparent that this was not the case. Jefferson didn't have the money, and the former captain was staunch on his desire to have what the Nymph was worth, and not a penny less. 

Days turned into weeks as the ship had been all but grounded since then, with potential captains looking over the ship and discussing prices with the polished older man. Sitting in a nearby tavern, their home away from home, the crew was beginning to grow worried that new births were in their future. 

"You see who's looking over the thing now?" Came the hushed voice of one of the men. 

"Who cares, the capt'n won't accept their offer either. Mans set a price in his head and won't go below." 

"An most of the ones who want the ship can't even come close to that price." 

"This one might. Man was dressed in foppery, arrived in a personal coach and everything. Could see the drool on the Cap's lips at the sight of it." The first told them, causing silence to fall on the crew. 

"I won't work for no fop." One of the others murmured. "I don't care how much money he's got." 

"You'll work for whoever pays you." Another said, "Works hard to find right now, unless you wanna take up a land job." 

It was a well known problem among the shrinking sky ships. Once you'd taken to the sky, it was hard to stay too long on earth. Each one would rather die, then be forced to ground before their time. But with the cities moving into the air, their space was falling away and more captains were forced into simple transport services, between the cities. 

"Alright boys, sale has gone through." Came a commanding voice from the doorway. "Your new captain will be here in three days time to take possession and start your new life." He smiled at them, "I'll miss ya, and I hope you honor Captain Hayford like ya do me." With a mock glare, he looked at each of the men in his former crew. "If I hear ya'll been anything else, I'll be back to kick you off the plank myself!" 

He waved over Jefferson, "Come on boy, I'll give you all the details you need to know." 

So here she sat, waiting an unknown future.  The old captain hoped the crew accepted the changes coming their way. Not the least of them, Captain L. Hayford. 

---- 

Jefferson looked at the officers and nodded his head at their shocked expressions. He couldn't wait until the rest of them found out. 

"He refused to sell to you, a man who knows how to captain a ship, but to one with no training beyond her father being a captain?" 

"Matthew Hayford is one of the finest captains to fly. If his daughters half as skilled as he was, we'll be in good hands." The navigator stood and looked at them, "My worry is this foolhardy desire to be pirates. The Lusty Nymph has a long standing history dating back three captains. She's been cared for and isn't built to take on this new life." 

"That's why I've given each of you the chance to leave, with several months 'pay' to cover your down time." Came a voice from the doorway. 

Heads turned to look at the newcomer. The woman before them stood tall, her broad shoulders taking up much of her captains coat. Of all that she conveyed, it was her age that surprised Jefferson the most. 

"I'm untested, by the normal standards. But for the last thirty years, I've been at my fathers side on every ship under his command. This isn't the some whim of a child looking for adventure. Our skies are changing, and we have to change with them." 

She strode into the room, taking note of each mans face as she walked. "This is the finest ship, and crew, the world has to offer. I want you with me on this journey, which isn't to follow the pirates of old." Her smile was broad, with a cunning that drew in each of the men. "If you'll see fit to follow me, we'll make history. No one will remember the fine history of The Lusty Nymph, but rather the shocking discovery of The Siren's Song."

Kristy C

Sucked into another world....

I've recently become refascinated by Pokemon.

Yeah, it might seem a bit silly, but its the truth.  It started when I was able to play FireRed again, and turned out to be better at it than I used to be.  :D

Then I said 'I wanna watch Pokemon' so, to netflix [and then streaming sites] I went.

THEN, I researched weird questions like 'Do Jesse and James end up together?'

This lead to...

Me reading the Manga, Pokemon Adventures.

0.0

HOLY SHIT, is it a good story. Red is one hell of a trainer. Ash might be 'based' off him, but its poorly based. I mean, no comparison. If anything, its like comparing Harry Potter to Harry Dresden. One wins mostly on dumb luck and the other wins on skill.

If they ever went up against each other, Ash would get his ass kicked.  Nevermind that in the manga, the trainers seem to take as much a beating as the pokemon.

So far, I've read...

• Arc 1: Red, Blue & Green
• Arc 2: Yellow
• Arc 3: Gold, Silver & Crystal
• Arc 4: Ruby & Sapphire
• Arc 5: FireRed & LeafGreen

Let me tell you, that's a LOT of stories.  Better yet, they follow a slight formula style, but each one has challenges for the characters to overcome. In other words, THEY GROW UP!!!

Yeah. I know, weird huh?

When reading the third arc, I became so engrossed in it.. That I was up til past 2am reading the over 15 chapters of The Final Battle... Before I finally forced myself to stop reading.

If you're looking to pick it up, do it. Honestly, its a good storyline and sucks you in.

Plus, the pokemon are awesome.

Kristy C