The Blue Sword

by Robin McKinley

Where do I start with this book? If I am every asked which book is my favorite, this one always makes the list. I have read and enjoyed the majority of Robin McKinley’s books but this one takes the cake. I reread it every year. I guess it is time to back up my words.

This story follows Angharad Crewe, called Harry, and her adventure with the hill-folk. In a very brief nutshell: two countries are trying to work out relations between them when another country threatens to attack and destroy everything. Harry has to decide where her loyalties lie and what she is willing to sacrifice to do what she thinks is right. Harry is the point of view character for the majority of the story though Corlath, the King of Damar. I’ve looked up to Harry ever since my mother read this book to me when I was a child. She is determined and intelligent. She is put in a variety of situations that make her uncomfortable, kidnapping being one of them, and tries to make the best of it. The characters in this book are what make it such a wonderful read, even after a dozen reads. While the story is told through Harry and Corlath and we see the inner workings of their minds and drives, the other characters also demand attention and develop throughout the tale. As someone who has lived in fairly green areas, even if the only green is sagebrush, the description of the land and nomadic lifestyle gets my imagination going. The great sand dunes and caravans are clearly pictured in my mind through Robin McKinley’s descriptions.

This book may have a heroine as the main character but it will draw in anyone who reads it, whether they are male or female. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a great story, fleshed-out characters, and a beautiful setting. Now I must be off to read it again.

NaShoStoMo

Because obviously I don't have enough to do in my life, I decided to participate in Dan Wells' National Short Story Month. By the end of April I will, theoretically speaking, have written 30 short stories. When I told my husband I was thinking about participating, he said, "It shouldn't be hard, you write short stories all the time." He's so optimistic it makes me happy. Writing one short story a week is drastically different than writing one a day. NaShoStoMo on top of everything else I try to do in my life is going to make things complicated. With all of that in mind, I signed up.

At this point I am right on track, and if all goes well, I'll have a nice backlog of stories to post if I ever fall behind on my weekly flash posting. Though I can already tell you some will never see the light of day unless I'm truly desperate.

*Aftermath

Intro: Let the punishment fit the crime.

The men and women milled around the small room. Some limped, others mumbled eyes rolling around, a few leaned against the wall their faces twisted with contempt and frustration. When the door opened a few of them saluted.

"Glad you could all make it," General Jarkin said. "I'm here to brief you on your next mission."

Jarkin expected the sneers and looks of disbelief as everyone in the room turned his direction. It took all his willpower to hide even the smallest of smiles. It wouldn't do to have anyone think this was a joke.

"Brief us for what?" one of the men in wheelchairs finally asked.

"You have all been called back to active duty. We need all of you in this war."

"But, I'm disabled," the man repeated.

Jarkin ignored him. He pulled his shoulders back, clasping his hands behind him, and cast his gaze over everyone, paying particular attention to the men and women standing and whole.

"We are pleased all of you volunteered. We need a strong team to break through the defenses. You will be the tip of the arrow. You will lead the rest of the men to victory."

A few of them absently nodded. Others whispered to each other.

"Let me just clarify," one of the women said from the back of the room. "You want us to lead a charge against the enemy soldiers."

"Yes," Jarkin said.

"It's suicide. I'm not volunteering. Get me out of here," she said pushing her way through towards the door.

Jarkin raised his hand and two soldiers in full gear came through the door. The door slammed closed behind them.

"You lost your chance years ago, Ms.—"

The woman shook her head, "You can't keep us here."

Jarkin allowed himself a small smile and snapped his fingers. One of the soldiers handed him a pile of papers.

"Now that I have your undivided attention, we need to get down to the business side of things. We weren't expecting so many to volunteer for this mission and our funds for equipment is a little low. All of you will be given a utility knife and a canteen."

Jarkin didn't even bother to look at the soldiers behind him. Every other eye in the room was fixed on the Swiss Army Knife and empty Gatorade bottle the two soldiers held up.

"What about transportation?" someone asked. He turned to the others in the room, "Surly this mission won't be that hard if they give us some tanks or something."

"You can't honestly think they're going to make us go through with this," another person hissed.

The tension in the air rose.

"What else?" someone finally asked. "What other equipment is there?"

Jarkin made a show of lifting up the top paper though it had absolutely nothing to do with the equipment. "Nope, I don't see anything else here in regards to provided equipment, or transportation."

The small room erupted with noise. A few of the people in wheelchairs stood up and made a move to the door. The two soldiers cocked their guns and everyone fell silent.

"I didn't say you couldn't have anymore equipment, just that I can't provide it — for free." Jarkin held up the stack of papers and smiled. "I have more information about opportunities here."

He glanced down the list and called out, "Peter Archibald Jones, I see something good for you."

A man sitting on the floor raised his hands. He was middle aged and wore serviceable clothes.

"I see that you are indeed up for a jeep, full combat equipment, and rifle with ammunition."

The man chuckled with a relieved air about him.

"Oh, but I see you claimed over thirty-thousand in veteran benefits. I'm sure I can work something out for you if you can see the money is returned."

The man's face paled and he bowed his head.

Jarkin picked another name off the list, "Katherine Billings Smith. You are up for a hummer, if you can pay back the hundred grand you collected through your campaign slogan."

The room grew even more silent as Jarkin went through the list rattling off the money each person had listed by their name.

"Anyone care to pay up? I promise, you will get the equipment before you have to make the run tomorrow morning." Jarkin looked around. "I'll leave you to deliberate."

He turned and walked from the room. The two soldiers followed him. As soon as the door closed a clamor of voices rose. Jarkin leaned against the door.

"Thanks for helping me out, boys."

One of the soldiers took off his helmet and held it under his arm. "What exactly was that for?"

"Maybe next time these losers will think twice before impersonating a soldier for gain."

"Are you really going to make them fight?"

"Though I wish we could, the prison is sending a bus over to pick them all up," Jarkin replied.

Someone started pounding on the door and Jarkin smiled to himself.

"Come on, I want to broadcast a few messages over the speaker system while we still have time."

"What?"

"Have you ever heard of War of the Worlds?"

Jarkin and the two soldiers walked off already discussing the plan for the next group to come in and deciding what to tell the press to spread the word.

Jabberwocky

by Daniel Coleman

I am attached to JABBERWOCKY because Daniel Coleman is a friend of mine. I was able to read several drafts of this story as he worked on it. He's always a good writer and the final product of this story is spectacular. He takes Lewis Carroll's poem and gives it a life of its own while remaining true to the initial writings.

JABBERWOCKY tells the story of a young man named Tjaden. His desire, beyond marrying his childhood sweetheart Elora, is to become an Elite. The Elites are the ultimate fighting force of the kingdom and Tjaden has a good chance of making a name for himself. Now throw in deception, action, mystery, true love, friendship, and not to mention the Jabberwocky itself and you will have an idea of everything this story entails. This novel is shorter in length and kept me entertained from the first page to the last.

I wish it could have been just a bit longer, it wasn't because the story felt unfinished but because I wanted to spend more time with the characters. This book is perfect for anyone who is entranced by the world of Lewis Carroll. Don't be dissuaded by the fact that this is a self-published novel; it is a well written story and is suitable for all ages. It is available at http://www.jabberwockybook.com/ in eBook format. You should at least check out the sample posted there to get an idea of how great this book really is. I hope someday to see it in print because it will be one I will read to my children. Though I will read it to them whether it is in print in not.