Author Archives: quickdrawcanary

[ Small Chirp ] Year of the Dragon (Tattoo)

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In Which a Reader of Young Adult and Fantasy Crashes into a Sweedish Mystery Thriller

I tend to avoid harsh (realistic), contemporary fiction. This is a fairly new development for me (at least four years new). I fondly recall the days when I could sit through an action flick and simply enjoy it. I could read whatever I wanted to without being overwhelmed with fear, sympathy or angst.

Then, I had a baby. The moment I became a mommy, action movies became too graphic. Novels that never fazed me are hyper violent or too gritty. My “sensitive” switch is flipped and all the action I used to watch without a second thought to suddenly evolved into the brutalization of innocents. It makes me glance at my children and throw the book/movie into the “maybe someday” pile.

Despite all that, I picked up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It’s set in modern Sweden and revolves around reporter Mikael Blomkvist and hacker/researcher Lisbeth Salander as they attempt to solve a 40 year old murder.

I should have known better. Continue reading →

[ Small Chirp ] Katniss: Heroine or Anti-hero?

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I’ve heard it bandied about that Katniss, the main character and narrator of The Hunger Games, is no heroine. In fact, some sources claim that she is an anti-heroine. This vexes me. I don’t pretend Katniss is above reproach, but I know that she’s a hero–better yet, she’s the hero for her world and people. She’s their only viable option.

“Wait, there are options?” you ask… Yep. There’s a triumvirate of viable characters just waiting to be the hero: Peeta, Gale, and Katniss.

Peeta:

For purists who are looking at for the “Shining White Knight” as their hero du jour, there is Peeta. He is merciful, kind, humane and always does the right thing – regardless of the consequences. Even after Peeta is captured and imprisoned, when he has an opportunity to warn the rebels (and Katniss) of an impending attack, he does so. He is beaten and tortured as a result, but despite the consequences, he took the moment to do the right thing. See that bloody pulp on the ground? There’s your classic hero. Continue reading →