Fiction Friday (139)

 

Being the nerd that I am, I'd been waiting anxiously for Hollowpox (the third Nevermoor book) to come out. I'd been waiting since I finished the second book over two years ago. Then, when it finally did come out last October, life got in the way as life will do. I bought the book a few months ago, but had a lot of reading obligations. Also, this was the series that really inspired me to pursue the middle grade novel that I've been working on for two years and I wanted to wait until I was far enough into the manuscript that it wouldn't influence me. Oh, the complications of the reading life of a writer!

Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

(Little Brown, 2020)

Morrigan Crow has just finished her first year at the Wundrous Society and is finally beginning to feel at home, but being the only Wundersmith in a hundred years, things are bound to get complicated. Her instructors have finally agreed to instruct her the Wundrous Arts, using lessons from the past that have been frozen in time using "ghostly hours." For once, Morrigan believes she just might learn to be a true Wundersmith after all...then a mysterious sickness begins to disrupt life in the Free State of Nevermoor. 

As more and more Wunimals are infected, turning them into regular animals, the city is on the verge of panic. Morrigan soon discovers that she is the only one who can fix it...but she will need the help of the villainous Ezra Squall to do it. 

As with the previous two novels, there is such a careful build-up with scenes that engross the reader in Morrigan's world that you secretly hope the story never ends. It is clear why this book was postponed so often, it was because Townsend was busy weaving together a brilliant tale, while also building the bigger story so perfectly. The expectations for this book were through the roof and she rose to the challenge. Bravo!

Weekend Music Roundup

 

The weekend is here, and the Roundup finally returns! It's been a few weeks since I've posted. The summer just sort of got away from me, the way summer's often do. But the music keeps on playing even if I haven't written about it. This is a bit of an eclectic list, which means there some things to perk some interest. Happy listening. Enjoy.

Current Joy - Voyager: The newest album from the indie artist on one of my favorite labels (Secretly Canadian) is bit of a 80s inspired pop rock, a kind of Ryan Adams record but with fits of chaotic energy that make it unpredictable and enjoyable throughout. "Breaking the Waves," "American Honey," "Amateur," and "Voyager Pt 2" are personal favorites on this solid record. 

 

Elton John - Victim of Love: By '79, Elton was awash in drugs and this disco effort is a prime example of a coked-up odyssey. If it wasn't clear by the cover, it instantly becomes clear with the opening track, possibly the longest version of Johnny B. Goode ever made. Though pretty much panned when it came out, and still one his most un-loved albums, it's actually pretty enjoyable and one of those albums that bridges the blues based nature of 70s pop rock and the slicker style of 80s pop rock. 

 

Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story: After leaving the Jeff Beck Group and joining the Faces, Rod also embarked on his solo career in the early 70s. Released in 1971, the same year the Faces' "A Nod is as Good as Wink...", this is probably Rod's most beloved solo record and features "Maggie May" as the opener for Side B. As followers of the Roundup may have noticed, I've been really into Rod these days and consider him one of the best true barroom vocalists. There's a grittiness to his voice that is so soothing and catchy. You can usually find a copy of this in the cheap bin, and it will always be worth the few dollars you pay. 

 

Royal Trux - Pound for Pound: Released in 2000, twelve years after the Chicago noise rock band's debut. This is one of those bands that's listened to on and off for a good two decades, but never found an album that I really connected to. This one, I did. It's a little more garage rock than some of the albums that came before it, a little easier to get into. I will definitely go back and explore their CDs that I have in my collection. I often find that once I connect with something a band does, I can connect with other albums that I may not have connected with before.  

 

Big Mama Thornton - Stronger Than Dirt: Released in '69, almost 20 years into the southern blues singer's career, this album is a powerhouse of soulful blues. There are many classic songs on here, each of them transformed by her captivating voice. This was one of those albums I picked up for a few dollars and instantly felt that it was worth 10x what I paid. 

The Cult - Electric: The third album from the London band was their released in '87 and sees them move away from their gothic roots and establish themselves as a hard rock band. Ian Astbury does his best Jim Morrison on here, oozing an electric vibe over grinding guitar riffs. It was the album that came after this, Sonic Temple that hooked me when I was a tween, with the powerhouse "Fire Woman". What I didn't know at the time is that this album is filled with "Fire Woman" type tracks and a much more solid album. Great late 80s hard rock that fits in with the sound coming out of L.A. at the time.