Elena Michaels lives in Toronto with her partner, Philip, and just happens to be the only female werewolf in existence.
The book thrusts us into a combination of realism and the fantastical from the very first chapter as we see Elena transform into a wolf in an alleyway. Like a wolf, she yearns to run with her pack, and so we are introduced to a collision of worlds: the life Elena has made for herself, and the life she has run from.
Throughout the novel, written from Elena's perspective, we gain insight into the Werewolf hierarchy/Elena's adoptive family that is the Pack. Armstrong has created a society within society itself, making new rules for werewolves - if you're not a member of the Pack, you're considered a 'Mutt' and doomed to live like a vagrant, never allowed to settle or encroach on Pack territory. In a way, their society runs much like a real Pack of wolves; any threats to them are eliminated, but unlike real wolves only one pack is allowed. It is also revealed how werewolves are created, through being bitten or being the son of a werewolf, and how it has come to be that Elena is the only female.
Elena's character is highly enticing. She has had a troubled upbringing, but unlike some characters in other novels, she doesn't use that as a reason not to make the most of her lot in life. She is certainly a strong female protagonist, and fiercely loyal. Throughout the novel it is clear she is evolving as a person, she has her flaws, and ultimately her journey guides her to her true place in life which involves her more-than-slightly complicated relationship with ex-fiance, Clay. He's another fantastic character - it is clear he is more wolf than human (having been bitten as a child), something Armstrong handles brilliantly, but deeply in love with Elena. Famed for his brutality when enforcing Pack law on Mutts, unlike most 'heroes', he is not considered to be misunderstood or wanting to change and be a better person; he knows who he is and is staying that way, which is what makes him such an interesting character.
The plot remains consistent throughout. Elena seems to be prized in a potential Mutt uprising, and Armstrong certainly isn't afraid to kill off characters. This isn't a novel where all of the 'good guys' miraculously remain unharmed and some death scenes are certainly graphic. And of course, not all the 'bad guys' get killed, Armstrong shows a higher form of Werewolf society in the Pack's ability to negotiate.
All in all, it's a fantastically well-written book with strong characters and plot-line. There are good moments, tense moments, and moments that will make you blush wherever you are.
Sunday 30 March 2014
Monday 24 March 2014
REVIEW: The Pretty Reckless - Going To Hell
Back with a bite: The Pretty Reckless drop their second full length, and what an album it is. New label, new tracks and music you can really sink your teeth into.
Its been a while since Light Me Up, but The Pretty Reckless certainly have not been sitting around procrastinating for four years. The album with 'Follow Me Down', and sets the tone for the whole album. Momsen's vocals have retained their rawness which makes them so appealing - this sure isn't an autotuned, pop rock album. The main riff is certainly descended from the metal genre, complimented nicely by Momsen's voice, and this same vibe is continued into the album's title track. Accompanied by a ballsy bassline and lyrics that only belong in a metal song, this album will certainly have anyone hooked within the first two songs.
Continuing the darker theme, in 'Heaven Knows' the band have included a children's choir. Yes, it does make you question what their teachers thought when they returned to school singing 'oh Lord, heaven knows we belong way down below', but that's an entirely different matter. The song is extremely catchy, and is definitely a good live song. To be honest, the entire album would be fantastic to see live. This sort of theme continues throughout, as the lyrics and music reach new places that show how the band are moving forwards and defining themselves within the rock/metal genre.
Less instrument-heavy songs, such as 'Burn', show a different side to the band and really give Momsen's vocals chance to shine. Not only is her singing unique, but it's clear that it also excels within the context of 'normal' vocals. She clearly has a much wider range than previous TPR songs have let on, and it's a real treat to see the full extent of her talent throughout the album.
Bottom line? If you want interesting, decent music with a real kick, and tempo changes in songs that for any other band would seem jarring but The Pretty Reckless work with ease, you should definitely invest in this album. The band have progressed majorly since Light Me Up and it really shows, and is certainly enough to keep any fan on their toes wanting more.
Its been a while since Light Me Up, but The Pretty Reckless certainly have not been sitting around procrastinating for four years. The album with 'Follow Me Down', and sets the tone for the whole album. Momsen's vocals have retained their rawness which makes them so appealing - this sure isn't an autotuned, pop rock album. The main riff is certainly descended from the metal genre, complimented nicely by Momsen's voice, and this same vibe is continued into the album's title track. Accompanied by a ballsy bassline and lyrics that only belong in a metal song, this album will certainly have anyone hooked within the first two songs.
Continuing the darker theme, in 'Heaven Knows' the band have included a children's choir. Yes, it does make you question what their teachers thought when they returned to school singing 'oh Lord, heaven knows we belong way down below', but that's an entirely different matter. The song is extremely catchy, and is definitely a good live song. To be honest, the entire album would be fantastic to see live. This sort of theme continues throughout, as the lyrics and music reach new places that show how the band are moving forwards and defining themselves within the rock/metal genre.
Less instrument-heavy songs, such as 'Burn', show a different side to the band and really give Momsen's vocals chance to shine. Not only is her singing unique, but it's clear that it also excels within the context of 'normal' vocals. She clearly has a much wider range than previous TPR songs have let on, and it's a real treat to see the full extent of her talent throughout the album.
Bottom line? If you want interesting, decent music with a real kick, and tempo changes in songs that for any other band would seem jarring but The Pretty Reckless work with ease, you should definitely invest in this album. The band have progressed majorly since Light Me Up and it really shows, and is certainly enough to keep any fan on their toes wanting more.
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Feeling Useless: Final Year Stress
The final year of uni is a terrifying thought, and it's only just really hit me that I have 2 weeks left of official term time before the exam period. 2 weeks. Am I panicking? Perhaps a little. And how's my dissertation going? Well, I've hit a block.
There comes a stage for every final year student when you have what I imagine to be the university equivalent of a mid-life crisis. You ask yourself all the questions that it is, quite frankly, too late to answer. Asking 'is this really what I want to do with my life, or should I quit and do something irrelevant?' is probably the dumbest question to ask oneself, yet it still happens. Eventually, most will come to the conclusion that unless you enjoy pointless debt, then yes, this is what you want to do. But what about after university?
These past few weeks, I've noticed a significant rise in the amount of booked slots for the careers advisors. To most students, you have a number of choices: further study, internships/postgrad schemes, employment. For most, it's making this choice that is the first hurdle, which all contributes to the third year break down. Suddenly a question that seemed so simple when you were younger, 'what do you want to be when you grow up?', is more difficult to answer that being asked to single handedly create world peace; it would seem 'Angelina ballerina' is no longer an adequate response.
On top of having to consider life after uni without that safety blanket of a regular loan, it's dissertation period for most students. After writing, scrapping, and re-writing thousands of words a few times, finishing seems like mission impossible. And it's always now that the library has decided to stock only one copy of the book everyone seems to need (cough cough How Fiction Works) so it's near impossible to get hold of. Unless you buy it, spending more money that, by now, you really don't have. But if, like myself, you miraculously do know what you want to do after graduation, there's the added stress of applications and interviews. Managing time becomes an enigma, and before you know it deadlines are catching up.
The main question is, should we be worried? Well, yes. This is real life. But at the same time, whether it feels like it or not, we'll all get there eventually. A full scale freak out is bound to happen to everyone at some point. I think it's important to think of it not as a break down, but as stress release - it'll seem better tomorrow.
There comes a stage for every final year student when you have what I imagine to be the university equivalent of a mid-life crisis. You ask yourself all the questions that it is, quite frankly, too late to answer. Asking 'is this really what I want to do with my life, or should I quit and do something irrelevant?' is probably the dumbest question to ask oneself, yet it still happens. Eventually, most will come to the conclusion that unless you enjoy pointless debt, then yes, this is what you want to do. But what about after university?
These past few weeks, I've noticed a significant rise in the amount of booked slots for the careers advisors. To most students, you have a number of choices: further study, internships/postgrad schemes, employment. For most, it's making this choice that is the first hurdle, which all contributes to the third year break down. Suddenly a question that seemed so simple when you were younger, 'what do you want to be when you grow up?', is more difficult to answer that being asked to single handedly create world peace; it would seem 'Angelina ballerina' is no longer an adequate response.
On top of having to consider life after uni without that safety blanket of a regular loan, it's dissertation period for most students. After writing, scrapping, and re-writing thousands of words a few times, finishing seems like mission impossible. And it's always now that the library has decided to stock only one copy of the book everyone seems to need (cough cough How Fiction Works) so it's near impossible to get hold of. Unless you buy it, spending more money that, by now, you really don't have. But if, like myself, you miraculously do know what you want to do after graduation, there's the added stress of applications and interviews. Managing time becomes an enigma, and before you know it deadlines are catching up.
The main question is, should we be worried? Well, yes. This is real life. But at the same time, whether it feels like it or not, we'll all get there eventually. A full scale freak out is bound to happen to everyone at some point. I think it's important to think of it not as a break down, but as stress release - it'll seem better tomorrow.
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