The Staff and the Sword: Books #1 and #2

How does one begin to describe a truly fantastic series?

DISCLAIMER THE FOLLOWING CONTENT MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS....

A Cast of Stones, 

our story opens up in the village of Callowford, with Errol Stone, the village outcast, the village sot, beaten by the village priest Antil...Errol, is sent by a churchman, to deliver two letters to the hermit priest Pater Marten who lives alone except for a reader by the name of Luis. Errol is offered a half crown for delivering the letters to Pater Marten, and is to receive another half crown when he returns with the proof that he has indeed delivered the letters to Pater Marten. On his way there, a mysterious cloaked figure appears to be following him and it isn't long before the assassin takes a shot at Errol, unfortunately causing Errol to jump into the pool, destroying the two letters which were meant for Marten and Luis.

Errol had little idea, that when accepting to deliver these letters, he sealed his fate forevermore. 

Errol, is cast into adventure with the hermit priest Pater Marten, the reader Luis, the warrior Cruk, and the perfect hero Liam. 

But there is one thing which Marten, Luis and Cruk did not expect, that all the times they are attacked in A Cast of Stones, it is always Errol that the bandits and assassins target. Which is explained later, so we think that he is an omne...but was that really the simple truth or was Patrick W. Carr hiding something from us...

Here is a small hint: yes.yes.yes.yes.Yes.

The Hero's Lot, not The Hero's Lost- (as I almost mistakenly gushed it, in front of the author..), within the first few chapters, Errol gets put under another compulsion, in which he has to go and kill Sarin Valon, (yes, the compulsion is administered by the Grand Judica, the church itself....)

So....why is the church so desperate to send the only omne to his death by sending him to kill a man who could see their every move in the last book?!

*Coughs*

Traitors in the church.

*Coughs* 

Once more do we depart on a deliciously colorful and thrilling adventure, with returning characters, Namaan Ru, Rohka, Conger and Rale, whom were all delightful in the last book...(I thought Namaan Ru was really cool, despite the fact he held Errol against his will and made him cast lots for a profit... he was still good...in a way...) Pater Marten, Luis and Cruk have to leave Erinon though, because alas, the fact they drew lots questioning the future king- to put it plain, the church wasn't really thrilled with that.

So they set off in different directions, but in the end, they are destined to fight together, fight to escape.

Now, if you were waiting for Errol Stone to do something stupid...I'll tell you now...uh...I don't know that guy when he is in the tavern, and the woman is singing,( no spoilers... I'm just saying) I don't know him at this part of the book...because here he was incredibly stupid.

In The Hero's Lot, we get to meet Namaan Ru's uncle which is utterly fascinating, and the betrothal dance is really interesting too. Not to mention the blood rose which is very endearing and poetic...

And the ending, (no pun intended viewing a few circumstances which occur at the end), the ending is to die for. Adora and Rohka are two fantastic heroines, and while many people would think Adora would always be simpering and in the way, she is surprisingly useful and isn't annoying at all. The ending scene with Adora and Rhoka wearing the silk dresses posing as merchandise...Patrick W. Carr is BRILLIANT!

Getting back...

  The Hero's Lot, is just brilliant all the way around. 

The Hero's Lot,  has more religious overtones than the first, but beyond that I cannot say it was better or worse than A Cast of Stones, because both books are equally entertaining, and you won't get bored reading either of them so...I would say both of them are exactly the same as far as being brilliantly beautiful works of art, and of course, a good solid addition as ever to the growing fantasy shelf.

An interesting fact for you:

I had little idea, but suddenly whilst reading The Hero's Lot, I became aware of Patrick W. Carr's ferrals.... like I was actually seeing them for the first time...

Ferrals are frightening monsters which have jagged teeth and beast-like faces who bay and howl...and travel in packs...

Feral
Adjective

1. (esp. of an animal) In a wild state, esp. after escape from captivity or domestication: "a feral cat".
2. Resembling a wild animal.

That was clever... very clever. And the poison which is used on Errol in The Hero's Lot, is called Styrich and gives the same effects as Strychnine poisoning, and Papaverine is used to slow the poisoning, an interesting fact about Papaverine is the fact it is an opium alkaloid antispasmodic drug, used primarily in the treatment of visceral spasm, vasospasm (especially those involving the heart and brain.) Now I can't tell whether Errol comes out of that one alive or not...big spoilers like that aren't my area...besides that, I can say nothing more without giving too many spoilers away, as it is the author probably won't be pleased with how many spoilers I've revealed, and he probably won't let me read another one before the release date- ever again. Even if it is to recommend it to all my friends... (I hope that isn't so though.)

For a fast paced novel which appeals to the quick-set time we now live in, this is an admirable novel which if the time is taken to read it slowly, this novel becomes very enlightening in meaning. I was caught off guard when I examined each book closer...and I think anyone who reads any of Patrick W. Carr's novels slowly, and appreciatively, they'll see all the hidden surprises which hide inside the plots. Undoubtedly, The Staff and the Sword series is very good for any fantasy lover, or anyone who simply wants a good read. :)

Now, go read these books! :)

And do you want to know why you should go and read these books?!

© All the characters and plot-lines/summery of A Cast of Stones and The Hero's Lot, belong to Patrick W. Carr, and Bethany House, none of it belongs to me.


© Batman cartoon by How it Should Have Ended, I do not own this piece of artwork.

© Batman belongs to DC comics, and does not belong to me either. (Sadly.)

Artist in progress....

'Hummer' 

I drew this hummingbird for one of my wonderful older sisters back in 2011. It was one of those cold and dreary days when you wish with all your heart it was spring, you either want it to be so cold it will snow or you want the cold to go away. I sometimes wonder why I didn't print out a reference picture for my sister's drawing, but for some reason my reference photo for this drawing was a little cartoon hummingbird, which wasn't of the greatest quality, so if I am a little bit proud of this hummingbird it is possibly because I chose one of the worst reference pictures ever for a 'realistic' drawing.

'Hummer' close up.

I'm not going to say this was one of the best pictures I've ever done, it isn't. But I believe that by posting even the mediocre artwork and my beginning pieces, it shows that I get better with each piece I do. Nobody is born with the ability to draw perfectly, I believe the beginners artwork is more beautiful than the masters perfect magnum opus, because sometimes more love and dedication was put into that lopsided face, or that hummingbird which was drawn on a cold winter's day when there wasn't a flower in sight! Captured in those pictures is some of the greatest feelings which not many people see or feel once they have become masters of drawing and painting.

'Joey from War Horse'

“Can you imagine flying over a war, and you know you can never look down, you have to look forward or you’ll never get home… I ask you, what could be braver than that?”

One of my favourite movies is War Horse, therefore, for a long time I spent my days drawing horses.

The reason for posting this particular picture is, if you look at the picture you'll shudder and say- "Wow, that is not very good at all, the picture is crooked, Joey's neck looks funny, check out his leg...etc." 

I realise I've set myself up for such comments, but you should know, I drew this particular picture without a reference photo, with a terrible No. 2 pencil and I'd probably only had about three hours of sleep.

I'll give you a brief picture, the day was exceedingly hot (too hot for May), I was bored out of my wits, my legs were sticking to the metal folding chair I was sitting on and my brain had all but failed me for any good story ideas, so trapped among clumps of stuff we were selling at our yard sale. I began to draw random objects, a cookie jar, a shoe (yes, I was seriously that bored) and finally I began to draw Joey, and I was very happy to see how it turned out.

'Joey from War Horse'

I know.... I drew this before I watched the film, so I didn't know he had a stripe down his nose!

This picture was a 'Thank You' card for my grandmother and grandfather for giving me a book 'The Big Book of Realistic Drawing Secrets' by Carrie Stuart Park and Rick Parks. Obviously, the book helped me immensely. For this version of Joey, I had an excellent reference photo. I'd probably still be erasing little bits and shading in different areas now if the picture wasn't at my grandparent's house! 

Paintings!

 'Jewel & Jingles'

My first attempt at painting a horse was a work of my sister's miniature horse and my own.

Jingles (my miniature horse) left (tan), and Jewel (my sister's miniature horse) right (brown and white), were painted for a 'Get Feeling Better' card. I must admit this picture is a bit of a stretch for the imagination, I've never seen Jewel and Jingles so loving to each other. :) Since this was my first painted picture of a live horse, it was quite good. My second attempt at painting a horse was a bit better...

'Cookies and Crème'

'Cookies and Crème' was a painting I did last year for an art show! Alas, 2013 has not had any painted masterpieces yet, but already I have something in mind for this years art show.

This painting as you can see, I was a lot better with seeing the colours and where they needed to go. Many of my inspirations come from Illustrator Wesley Dennis- www.wesleydennis.com.

The amazing thing about art is the fact, you don't do it to show it off or compare it to others...(well, we do show it off somewhat...) but many of us draw or paint to have fun, relax and get away from the hectic real life sometimes. Whether you draw Japanese artwork, comics, paintings, realistic drawings, or maybe you just draw little stickmen, drawing is something not everyone has the opportunity to do, and yet by embracing the simple charcoal pencils, and blank pieces of paper, we can connect with people we've never met before, and we connect with our inner-self. 

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, and Good Night! ☼

A Duck in a Cup

Fluffy Ducky in a Cuppy

Since it is almost Easter and to celebrate the first day of spring, I decided to post an Easter-y picture, which I drew for a wonderful friend of mine, to thank her for all she does in my life. And what better way to thank her, than by doing one of the things I do best! Drawing a picture for her! 

I gave the cup and saucer a bit of an Alice in Wonderland feel to it. I know that any little ducklings would not care what company they were in (even if that company is the March Hare and the Mad Hatter) as long as there was a slice of lemon cake, (or any cake at all for this matter...) would join the fun in a heartbeat. 

The Duckling, turned out better than I imagined! On many occasions I've attempted to draw a duck, or duckling, but for some reason, they have never worked for me, until now. When modeling the 'Fluffy Ducky in a Cuppy' after my own pet duck, (Tilly) I found having a reference made it a lot easier. 

The next piece of artwork, is an invitation I made to invite my friend over before she left with her orchestra to go to China, where the orchestra is going to preform. I'm very chipper my friend got such a wonderful opportunity to go someplace new and exciting! 

'Lemur' Invite you to a Party! (No Colour)

Obviously, there is a difference between this 'Invitation' and my 'Thank You' Picture above.

One, was visibly larger, possibly because it was. The 'Fluffy Ducky in a Cuppy'  was drawn on a sheet of white medium weight paper. Whereas, ~ 'Lemur' Invite you to a Party! ~ was a cut piece of paper, so it would fit in a envelope.  Alas, even with that careful planning, the card still came out too big for the envelope.

'Lemur' Invite you to a Party! (Colour)

As you can probably see, the Lemur now has a different appearance, a few lines which didn't stand out before now stand out magnificently. The Lemur, is not eating yellow snow, so put that thought out of your mind completely! 

The Lemur, is snacking on banana ice cream. The reason for the banana, ("Always take a banana to a party, bananas are good." ~The Doctor) since, my friend and I are Doctor Who fans, I figured she'd enjoy the connection. As well as the quote included on the inside of the card. 

As always, on my cartoons, I used my pens, Manga Pens- expensive they may be, but absolutely brilliant when it comes to cartooning. On colourization, I used colour pencils, nothing too special.

Sometimes I use paints, or digital painting, but it depends on what I decide will look best.

For now, I shall bid you all farewell, and begin work on my next masterpiece. :)

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, and Good Night! ☼

The inventor of clockwork birds...and all that is Peculiar!

Stefan Bachmann- Style Chibi

So, one day whilst I was exceedingly bored, I began to doodle little Chibi people.

Chibi drawings are a very popular and has become a rather large fad, and I can see why, they make everyone and everything adorable!

*The actual term used for this style is referred to as SD which means Super Deformed, it is a specific style in which Japanese characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, stumpy limbs, sometimes no noses, round faces, often making a chibi person look young and childlike. This style forms an integral part of what Japanese and American anime fans refer to as Chibi.

My doodles, soon became people I knew well, like actors, and fictional book characters. It was only when I was attempting (without succeeding) to draw my orchestra members Chibi style, that I became aware of the fact one of my friends looked familiar...but not like someone I knew very well....

I couldn't put my finger on it, but the Chibi looked really, really familiar!

Then I saw a book on my shelf, titled "The Peculiar" I realized quite suddenly my little Chibi looked like none other than Stefan Bachmann!

Instantly I knew I had to draw a better Chibi of him! I put my orchestra picture aside, and set to work.

When I finished I was SO Happy! I was so awestruck with the sheer adorableness of the picture, for the rest of the evening I was filled with great ego.

The original picture before I added colour to it.

Before I go, I will say I did ask Stefan Bachmann's permission before I posted this on here. 

(Thank you Stefan!)

Stefan Bachmann is an excellent writer and has a wonderful personality, and if you haven't read his book you absolutely need to go and get a copy of The Peculiar now, because it is an excellent book! 

His sense of humour in The Peculiar is triumphant, with a strange new twist on fantasy, not to mention the amazing inventions, and you'll certainly be clutching the edge of your seat as you are transported into his brilliant masterpiece!

Stefan Bachmann also has a blog, which you may visit here: http://scathingjellyfish.blogspot.com/

You can also 'Like' The Peculiar's fan-made Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Peculiar/520857864609706?group_id=0

We all now await the next book by Stefan Bachmann, The Whatnot which is coming out later this year! Yay!! :)

 Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, and Good Night! ☼

*Thank you Wikipedia! 

Hello, Hello, Hello!

Salutations! 

Since this is my first post on optimistic octopus, I wanted to make it super special!

And what better way to make it super special than to post a picture of my nephew's 3rd Birthday card. Which had to be super special, because you're only three years old once. 

This blog: Optimistic Octopus is for everything I do or find interesting I'll be doing some writing, drawing and other different things, et cetera, et cetera.


Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, and Good Night!

 

My Nephew's Card