First Blog Post

     Hi, this is my first blog post.
Honestly, I don't know how to exactly start this.
My name is Dennise, but I will be using the name Neko as an alias when posting on this blog.
My goal with blogging is to try to test myself as a reader and a writer. Also, to share part of my life to the world. Basically in simple terms, I am attempting to become a book blogger or something like that.

   Since I am off from college, (Yes, I am a college student.) I have been binge reading on some unread books on  my bookshelf. I started by reading Colleen Houck's Tiger Curse and Tiger's Quest. At this moment, I will not be reviewing those two books until I read the other two books in the series. Instead, I will be reviewing Richard Harland's young adult novels, Worldshaker.

    While I was reading the Tiger's Curse series, I alternated by also reading Worldshaker and Liberator. The setting of both books takes place in a steampunk period on a civilized airship called Worldshaker. There are social hierarchies on the ship as the upper class rule the ship on the upper decks while the lower class called Filthies, are stationed on the lowest part of the ship called Below. Filthies are often disregarded by the upper class and are transformed into emotionless servants called Menials with a lobotomy-like surgery.

     In Worldshaker, we meet our main character Col Polpentine. Col's story starts out as he is announced to be the successor of his grandfather announces that Col will be taking over as his place a supreme commander of Worldshaker, a flying airship. As Col was born and raised as a child of privilege, he was taught to believe that the Filthies of Below are not human and unintelligent compared to those of the Upper Decks and are destined to become mindless servants called Menials. Col's perspective of Filthies changes as he meets Riff, a Filthy who seeks refuge in his room. As the two people from different worlds bond, Col starts questioning the truth and the things he was taught by his world.

    Okay, for starters I honestly bought this book for $0.50 in Christmas Tree Shops. I didn't mind paying the clearance $1 price, but I was shocked on my receipt that the books was priced  $0.50. Disregarding the matter on how much I paid on the book, price is not the full reason of why I bought the book. I was intrigued by the story line because I have a fondness for the steampunk genre. I found it refreshing as for most of the steampunk genre I own centers on a female protagonist in London whereas this series takes place on a juggernaut airship called Worldshaker centering on a male protagonist. Even though the book does not take place in England, there a still elements of it such as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert being residents on the Worldshaker.

     When I started reading the book, I felt as the first few chapters were slow. I won't be dwelling on that as those chapters are the starting point of the book. As I delved further in the book, I started noticing the character buildup and the setting. Honestly as a book, it was a quick read for me.  (Defining quick read, 2-3 days.) I liked how Col's perspective changes as he bonds with his unusual friendship with Riff and his the truth of his world is revealed to him. I like how Riff was a strong girl who is not afraid to speak her mind but having a soft spot for Col despite their difference in classes. Finishing the review, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I thought it was a nice starter book to read for those who want to start the steampunk genre. I know this book review is quite late from the publication date but this is my first blog post. Thanks for  reading, Neko.