Giveaway: Ann Aguirre's Dred Chronicles

I've decided to come back from blog hibernation with a BANG!

I am a big fan of Ann Aguirre's books, and was very lucky to have a chance to Skype with her some months ago and ask her a whole bunch of random stuff. She is so patient, clever and funny, also a great storyteller,  her writing is full of crafty worlds and unforgettable characters. You can find more about her work here

To celebrate the upcoming publication of 'Breakout' (August 25th) the last installment of the Dred Chronicles (brilliant spin up from the Jax world, a romantic adult sci-fi trilogy), I will be giving away the first two books of the series, Perdition and Havoc:

So, this is your chance to read this great sci-fi adventure!


Here is the blurb of Perdition:

WELCOME TO HELL

The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.

Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape.

Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…

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Why? Because I want to share the love for Ms. Aguirre's books and I ended up getting two copies of Havoc a few months ago by error.

How? Just enter the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Please spread the word!

#ArmchairBEA - Day 4 "Beyond the Borders"

Oh diversity!

You're an excellent topic. Very close to my heart since I'm an anthropologist and all...

So, I will take the opportunity to change course from my usual reading blogging genres (YA, Fiction, fantasy, etc.), and open up the little anthropologizing window over here. I've read TONS of anthro literature on this topic, which basically encompasses lots of ethnographers’ research.

These are two of my favourite ethnographic books that have transported me to a different culture (apologies in advance if I bring out geeky academic jargon and inspiration to this topic)

1) The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong child, her American doctors, and the collision of two cultures by Anne Fadiman

This is a very insightful story of a Hmong girl, Lia, who was born in 1981 to a family of recent American immigrants at that time, and developed symptoms of epilepsy. It focuses on how her disease is dealt by her parents and her American doctors. This narrative is very detailed describing how cultural misunderstandings clashed towards tragedy when dealing with such disease. 

Particularly what impacted me the most: how different views of the world affect a culture's perception of health. Specially since Lia's illness was viewed with mixed blessings by her family, because her seizures could be a sign of possible shamanic powers. It is a very thoroughly investigative story and I learned a LOT about cross-cultural illnesses. 

2) Landscapes of Devils: Tensions of Place and Memory in the Argentinian Chaco by Gastón Gordillo. 

I was privileged to have Gastón as a professor when I was reading his book during my graduate degree. I was able to ask direct questions to him and he was kind enough to explain a lot about his research, teaching me a great deal of how this was done: so rich and insightful. 

This research portrays indigenous perceptions of a particular region, El Chaco, in Argentina, in regards of colonization of British Anglicans in the early twentieth century. 

What impacted me the most: as familiar as I am with South American aboriginal studies, the way each community constructs its geography through memory and space so very different from one another. What I love about this book is how it makes you realize a lot of subtle experiences about yourself. 

Basically they way I (Lina) experience a place is completely constructed by my social context, background and historic perspective. So very different from someone else, like you, my reader, who may be experiencing the same place.

Also, something we tend to forget: geographic places are not objective entities but a result of historical forces.

The main theme, or lesson from these books is the term us, anthropologists love, Cultural Relativism: one should judge a person’s actions or beliefs from the perspective of that person’s culture.

Review: Ender's Game Special 20th Anniversary Edition

Ender's Game Special 20th Anniversary Edition by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Hhhooolllyyyyyy guacamole, this was intense, stressful and mind blowing! No wonder you're still famous and quite refreshing. I was glad I decided to listen to you in preparation for the movie!

A new kind of soldier


This book was just crazy! I can't believe I hadn't read it before. Almost all the sci fi novels I've read touch in one way or another with themes portrayed in this book. I'm now ready to watch the movie! Yay for Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield!!

---EDIT:

The movie was even more amazing!!!! I like a sci-fi combination of book-movie I am able to share with the husband!



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Reading is simultaneously a space and a place