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| IF, "Time Travel" PaperMate 1.0m ink on paper By Joanne Roberts |
Don't forget to leave the link to your InkTober Challenge in the comments.
Thanks for looking!
Showing posts with label steampunk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label steampunk. Show all posts
Thursday, October 5, 2017
IF: Time Travel
Today's illustration doubles for both InkTober Day 5 and Illustration Friday.
Follow me on Instagram to see the rest of my InkTober drawings.
Don't forget to leave the link to your InkTober Challenge in the comments.
Thanks for looking!
Don't forget to leave the link to your InkTober Challenge in the comments.
Thanks for looking!
Monday, July 17, 2017
MMGM: The City of Ember
Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick:
The City of Ember
Written by Jeanne DuPrau
Cover by Chis Reily
Random House Books For Young Readers, 2003
Ages 8-12, Lexile 680L
60,000 words, 288 pp
Themes:
Dystopian adventure
Opening:
The prologue begins
"When the city of Ember was just built and not yet inhabited, the chief builder and the assistant builder, both of them weary, sat down to speak of the future."
Chapter 1 begins
"In the city of Ember, the sky was always dark. The only light came from great flood lamps mounted on the buildings and at the tops of poles in the middle of the larger squares. When the lights were on, they cast a yellowish glow over the streets; people walking by threw long shadows that shortened and then stretched out again. When the lights were off, as they were between nine at night and six in the morning, the city was so dark that people might as well have been wearing blindfolds.
"Sometimes darkness fell in the middle of the day. The city of Ember was old, and everything in it, including the power lines, was in need of repair."
Thoughts:
Let's be frank. I hate prologues. I think this one was decent and mercifully short, but probably unnecessary. OK. Enough about that.
I adore this book. From the time it first appeared on the bookshelves I knew I had to read it. It just emanated that certain something. And The City of Ember does not disappoint.
Though not a fan of dystopian world-building, this novel had all the cool elements: a unique setting, immediate stakes, interesting characters, underdogs, solid voice. I love the main character (s) and their families. I love the element of mystery, of puzzling out the clues to save the world. And I really didn't know how this story would finish. I hoped for a happy ending, but it often seemed out of reach.
At the risk of sounding cranky and negative, I wish I had stopped this series at book one. My absolute love for this book is nearly crushed by the succeeding novels. I'd love to hear your opinion on this.
Bonus:
1. I found this interview with the author rather sweet, available on the Secret Files of Fairday Morrow.
2. Looking for more dystopian books for middle graders? Other MMGM bloggers recommend Margaret Peterson Haddix's many books, like Children of Exile, Sabotaged, Among the Imposters, and Found.
Or sample one of the MG adventures below.
Check out the Summer Drive-In review of the City of Ember movie, from July 14, 2017.
View all the Summer Drive-In reviews for 2017.
Visit all the recommended titles for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday for July 17, 2017 available on Shannon Messenger's Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe.
Feel free to leave your MG recommendations in the comments. Thanks!
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| The City of Ember, book 1, by Jeanne DuPrau and Chris Reily |
Written by Jeanne DuPrau
Cover by Chis Reily
Random House Books For Young Readers, 2003
Ages 8-12, Lexile 680L
60,000 words, 288 pp
Themes:
Dystopian adventure
Opening:
The prologue begins
"When the city of Ember was just built and not yet inhabited, the chief builder and the assistant builder, both of them weary, sat down to speak of the future."
Chapter 1 begins
"In the city of Ember, the sky was always dark. The only light came from great flood lamps mounted on the buildings and at the tops of poles in the middle of the larger squares. When the lights were on, they cast a yellowish glow over the streets; people walking by threw long shadows that shortened and then stretched out again. When the lights were off, as they were between nine at night and six in the morning, the city was so dark that people might as well have been wearing blindfolds.
"Sometimes darkness fell in the middle of the day. The city of Ember was old, and everything in it, including the power lines, was in need of repair."
Thoughts:
Let's be frank. I hate prologues. I think this one was decent and mercifully short, but probably unnecessary. OK. Enough about that.
I adore this book. From the time it first appeared on the bookshelves I knew I had to read it. It just emanated that certain something. And The City of Ember does not disappoint.
Though not a fan of dystopian world-building, this novel had all the cool elements: a unique setting, immediate stakes, interesting characters, underdogs, solid voice. I love the main character (s) and their families. I love the element of mystery, of puzzling out the clues to save the world. And I really didn't know how this story would finish. I hoped for a happy ending, but it often seemed out of reach.
At the risk of sounding cranky and negative, I wish I had stopped this series at book one. My absolute love for this book is nearly crushed by the succeeding novels. I'd love to hear your opinion on this.
Bonus:
1. I found this interview with the author rather sweet, available on the Secret Files of Fairday Morrow.
2. Looking for more dystopian books for middle graders? Other MMGM bloggers recommend Margaret Peterson Haddix's many books, like Children of Exile, Sabotaged, Among the Imposters, and Found.
Or sample one of the MG adventures below.
 |
| Bot Wars, by J. V. Kade illustrated by Steve Stankiwewicz, reviewed by Heise Reads & Recommends. |
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| The Age of Miracles, by Karen Thompson Walker Reviewed by Writer's Alley |
 |
The Artic Code,
reviewed by Reading Nook Reviews.
|
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| Freakling, by Lana Krumweide, cover by Maryellen Hanley reviewed by Lucky 13s |
Check out the Summer Drive-In review of the City of Ember movie, from July 14, 2017.
View all the Summer Drive-In reviews for 2017.
Visit all the recommended titles for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday for July 17, 2017 available on Shannon Messenger's Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe.
Feel free to leave your MG recommendations in the comments. Thanks!
Monday, September 26, 2016
MMGM: Behemoth
Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick
Behemoth
Written by Scott Westerfeld
Illustrated by Keith Thompson
Simon Pulse, 2010
Ages 12 and up
542 pages, 86,700 words
Themes:
Steampunk, WWI,
Opening:
Alek raised his sword. "En garde, sir!"
Deryn hefted her own weapon, studying Alek's pose. His feet were splayed at right angles, his left arm sticking out behind like the handle of a teacup. His fencing armor made him look like a walking quilt. Even with his sword pointed right at her, he looked barking silly.
Thoughts:
I loved the first book in this series. Of course, I love authors who spin history and mix anachronisms, imagining an alternate future. The Leviathan series explores an alternate WWI timeline. This world throws genetics and automatons into the mix. What's not to love?
Scott Westerfeld has proved himself as a writer who tackles dialogue, quirks, fantasy elements, and action with equal skill. His automatons lumber through a landscape as real as our own. His characters breathe. His action scenes keep us turning pages, gripping the edges of our books.
The plot of Behemoth meanders a bit more than the first book, but if I didn't have Leviathan to compare it to, I'm sure I'd find it less so. I also think the tension between main characters was stronger in the first book. Their growing friendship makes them more alike and somewhat more predictable. The re-envisioned Istanbul is certainly a fascinating setting, but I don't think it can compare with first book which introduces an entirely reimagined world. None of those things diminish Behemoth by itself. Only in comparison to the first book. And when was the last time you loved the second book in a series better than the first? (Chamber of Secrets? Point Blanc? Enna Burning? Prince Caspian? Empire Strikes Back? I didn't think so.)
So read it. Love it. Dive into the third book.
Bonus:
1. Not familiar with this series? Start with the first book in the trilogy, Leviathan.
2. Already a fan? Tor books features an interview with author Scott Westerfeld and another with illustrator Keith Thompson. Airship Ambassador also interviewed the author.
3. Intrigued by this genre? Chronicles of Harriet gives a thorough overview of steampunk and all its subgenres (because technically, Leviathan falls into the category of Dieselpunk). The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences focuses on steampunk in the Victorian era. Lastly, Booklist Reader gives a few middle grade suggestions which fall into this category.
4. If you love alternate history, you might like The Clockwork Three or The Lost Kingdom, by Matthew Kirby , cover art by Brian Despain and Owen Richardson, respectively. Or try one of my favorites, Kronos Chronicles, Book 1: Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski or Mysteries of Cove, Fires of Invention, by J. Scott Savage, illustrated by Brandon Dorman.
And because you asked for it...I've added Impyrium to the list.
Thanks for the suggestion, Greg and Shannon.
If you want to join MMGM, blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday. You can post a straight review or contests, author interviews, etc. Then email Shannon Messenger at SWMessenger@hotmail.com
Put "MMGM" or "Marvelous Middle Grade Monday" in the subject line, include the title of the book you're featuring, and a link to your blog. Email your link by Sunday evening in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.
For additional details, see Shannon's website.
Check out all the recommended titles for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
for September 26, 2016 available on Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe.
Feel free to leave your MG recommendations in the comments. Thanks!
 |
| Behemoth, second in the Leviathan Series, by Scott Westerfeld, art by Keith Thompson |
Written by Scott Westerfeld
Illustrated by Keith Thompson
Simon Pulse, 2010
Ages 12 and up
542 pages, 86,700 words
Themes:
Steampunk, WWI,
Opening:
Alek raised his sword. "En garde, sir!"
Deryn hefted her own weapon, studying Alek's pose. His feet were splayed at right angles, his left arm sticking out behind like the handle of a teacup. His fencing armor made him look like a walking quilt. Even with his sword pointed right at her, he looked barking silly.
I loved the first book in this series. Of course, I love authors who spin history and mix anachronisms, imagining an alternate future. The Leviathan series explores an alternate WWI timeline. This world throws genetics and automatons into the mix. What's not to love?
Scott Westerfeld has proved himself as a writer who tackles dialogue, quirks, fantasy elements, and action with equal skill. His automatons lumber through a landscape as real as our own. His characters breathe. His action scenes keep us turning pages, gripping the edges of our books.
The plot of Behemoth meanders a bit more than the first book, but if I didn't have Leviathan to compare it to, I'm sure I'd find it less so. I also think the tension between main characters was stronger in the first book. Their growing friendship makes them more alike and somewhat more predictable. The re-envisioned Istanbul is certainly a fascinating setting, but I don't think it can compare with first book which introduces an entirely reimagined world. None of those things diminish Behemoth by itself. Only in comparison to the first book. And when was the last time you loved the second book in a series better than the first? (Chamber of Secrets? Point Blanc? Enna Burning? Prince Caspian? Empire Strikes Back? I didn't think so.)
So read it. Love it. Dive into the third book.
Bonus:
 |
| Leviathan, book 1 |
2. Already a fan? Tor books features an interview with author Scott Westerfeld and another with illustrator Keith Thompson. Airship Ambassador also interviewed the author.
3. Intrigued by this genre? Chronicles of Harriet gives a thorough overview of steampunk and all its subgenres (because technically, Leviathan falls into the category of Dieselpunk). The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences focuses on steampunk in the Victorian era. Lastly, Booklist Reader gives a few middle grade suggestions which fall into this category.
4. If you love alternate history, you might like The Clockwork Three or The Lost Kingdom, by Matthew Kirby , cover art by Brian Despain and Owen Richardson, respectively. Or try one of my favorites, Kronos Chronicles, Book 1: Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski or Mysteries of Cove, Fires of Invention, by J. Scott Savage, illustrated by Brandon Dorman.
 |
| Reviewed by Brooke |
 |
| Reviewed by Jess |
 |
| Reviewed by Kim |
 |
| Reviewed by Greg |
 |
| Reviewed by Shannon |
Thanks for the suggestion, Greg and Shannon.
If you want to join MMGM, blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday. You can post a straight review or contests, author interviews, etc. Then email Shannon Messenger at SWMessenger@hotmail.com
Put "MMGM" or "Marvelous Middle Grade Monday" in the subject line, include the title of the book you're featuring, and a link to your blog. Email your link by Sunday evening in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.
For additional details, see Shannon's website.
Check out all the recommended titles for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
for September 26, 2016 available on Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe.
Feel free to leave your MG recommendations in the comments. Thanks!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Songs for a Machine Age winners!
Congratulations to the winners of the Songs for a Machine Age contest.
Here is the winning image.
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| Winning art by Rhea Ewing |
Gorgeous, right? That's what illustration does: It tells a story, introduces you to a character, sets the scene, fulfills the vision of the author, and displays the creative mind of the artist. It is so much more than a sum of its parts. Just like the steambeast itself, come to think of it.
My piece was named a runner-up! My thanks again to Heather McDougal.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Steambeast Unveiled
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| Steambeast festival design, By Joanne Roberts |
As promised, here is a concept of what Heather McDougal's steambeast might have looked like at the annual festival. Its central core is a sphere. It is composed of brass, copper, vellum, and other materials. I enjoyed playing with the mechanical parts -- trying to reinvent them in an organic way. The mythical steambeast is supposed to redesign itself as something totally new and inscrutable each year. I wanted a beautiful form whose purpose was not readily identifiable. Thanks, Heather. This was a good exercise, not to mention loads of fun!
Look for Heather's debut novel, Songs for a Machine Age, published by Hadley Rille (Ingram, dist.).
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Clockpunk SkADaMo
I promised to post a few more sketches from my November SkADaMo attempts. Here are three clockpunk contraptions. I actually used my sketch-a-day to refine some designs I was working on for my entry in the Songs for a Machine Age contest. I'll post my final design next Tuesday.
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| Clockpunk contraption by Joanne Roberts |
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| clockpunk beast and friends by Joanne Roberts |
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| Bug Buggy by Joanne Roberts |
Interestingly, James Gurney also posted some concept sketches today for a steampunk digging machine he designed back in the 80's.
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