VadisReview - Assasin's Creed: Black Flag

Assassin's Creed: Black Flag by Oliver Bowden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

[SPOILERS!] Apart from an Assassin-turned-Templar he battled, Edward Kenway made all his victims his punching bag.
If only Black Bart had a better swordsmanship... (sigh).
That's the problem with Assassins, almost always do their killings stealthily.

As for the so-called "creed", I'd rather call it "curse", or the curse that can be avoided if the Assassins follow the creed all the way. Even Edward couldn't escape the Assassin's Curse, as it happened again in Assassin's Creed: Forsaken.

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The Golden Age of Piracy – a time when greed, ambition and corruption overcomes all loyalties – and a brash young captain, Edward Kenway, is making his name known for being one of the greatest pirates of his time. In the brilliant new novel, Assassin's Creed: Black Flag, discover the story of how Edward, a young privateer, became one of the world's most deadly pirates and was drawn into the centuries-old battle between the Templars and the Assassins.

Paperback, 464 pages

Published December 3rd 2013 by Ace (first published 2013)

ISBN 0425262960 (ISBN13: 9780425262962)

Series Assassin's Creed #6

other editions (16)

 

Goodreads Link:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15985375-assassin-s-creed

Cinta Beda Alam

Cinta Beda Alam, Cinta Sejatikah?  

Andry Chang

VadisReview – Artikel Umum dan Resensi Novel “A Girl Who Loves A Ghost” – Alexia Chen

Cinta dan hubungan asmara sungguh banyak ragamnya dan penuh warna. Salah satu bentuknya yang sedang trend adalah LDR (Long Distance Relationship), Hubungan Asmara Jarak Jauh. Dalam hubungan jenis ini, sepasang kekasih yang tinggal amat berjauhan, bahkan beda negara bisa membina hubungan asmara. Walau jarang bertemu langsung, pasangan LDR dapat memanfaatkan perangkat-perangkat telekomunikasi canggih agar bisa terus berinteraksi, seperti internet, webcam dan semacamnya. 

Nah, bagaimana bila jarak yang memisahkan pasangan kekasih itu terlalu jauh, bahkan beda alam? Jangankan sarana transportasi, internetpun mustahil dapat digunakan. Satu-satunya cara berinteraksi adalah lewat sarana supranatural, misalnya kemampuan melihat makhluk gaib, misalnya hantu. 

Pertanyaannya, bisakah Hubungan Asmara Beda Alam atau RDR (Realm Differential Relationship) ini berlanjut ke jenjang yang lebih tinggi? Bersatu dalam ikatan pernikahan, misalnya? Jawabannya bisa saja, namun pernikahan seperti ini sama sekali tak wajar, tak diakui oleh masyarakat, dosa besar menurut ajaran agama manapun, dan menyalahi hukum alam. Dan yang terparah, menentang kodrat yang digariskan oleh Yang Maha Kuasa. 

Tentunya, baik dalam ranah fiksi maupun kejadian aneh-tapi-nyata, fenomena atau sindrom Cinta Beda Alam (RDR) ini cukup banyak diekspos. Sebut saja novel “The Ghost Bride (Mempelai Hantu)” dan film legendaris Hollywood “Ghost”. Juga novel anyar karya Alexia Chen berjudul “A Girl Who Loves A Ghost”. Saya sendiri pernah membahas sindrom yang sejenis dalam cerpen “Legenda Li Junyang”. Dalam kisah ini, seorang wanita tinggal dan tidur bersama jenazah suaminya. Di dunia nyata, beberapa kejadian aneh-tapi-nyata orang yang tinggal dan menikahi mayat pernah terjadi di Inggris, Malaysia dan sebagainya, yang tentunya pernah saya baca dan saya ingat. Taruhlah saya percaya hubungan mereka nyata, tak sekedar obsesi belaka. Tapi benarkah mereka sungguh bahagia hingga akhir hayat?

Jadi, mungkinkah ada cinta sejati dalam Hubungan Asmara Beda Alam? Jawabannya, mungkin saja. Tergantung seberapa kuat rasa cinta, kepercayaan dan ketulusan hati si orang yang masih hidup dengan pasangannya, secara timbal-balik. Entah apakah tindakan mereka itu gila, sangat aneh atau tak dapat diterima akal sehat, biasanya perasaan yang bisa timbul dari hubungan ini cenderung sangat kuat, ekstrim dan cenderung obsesif. Tentu saja sebab-musabab terjadinya RDR juga menjadi faktor penentu kadar cinta yang dihasilkannya. Entah karena pasangan yang semula wajar, lalu salah satunya meninggal dunia, atau seperti di novel AGWLAG (A Girl Who Loves A Ghost), di mana si gadis, Aleeta Jones justru tertarik setelah melihat sosok Nakano Yuto, seorang pemuda korban pembunuhan dan perampokan yang telah menjadi arwah penasaran.

Namun, walau sekuat apapun perasaan pasangan RDR, walau mereka menemukan cinta sejati, hubungan mereka takkan bisa berlanjut secara wajar. Baru-baru ini ada berita heboh di Indonesia tentang upacara pernikahan seorang pria dengan makhluk halus dari alam gaib. Tentu saja ini memancing kontroversi karena dan tak wajar dan menyalahi segala norma yang berlaku. Walau pria itu tampaknya bahagia, apa dia benar-benar terus demikian hingga hari tuanya? 

Jadi, bilamana salah satu kekasih masih ingin hidup dengan wajar dan bermakna, dia harus belajar melepas pasangannya yang beda alam itu. Caranya, bisa saja selama “kebersamaan” mereka, pasangan ini bahu-membahu menyelesaikan “urusan yang tertunda” atau “hal yang membuat penasaran” si arwah penasaran, membuka jalan agar si arwah itu bisa berpindah ke alam baka, tak terperangkap terus sebagai hantu di dunia fana. 

Contohnya, dalam novel karya Alexia ini, pasangan kekasih beda dunia, Yuto dan Aleeta bisa bahu-membahu menyelesaikan segala masalah yang membuat Yuto jadi arwah penasaran. Termasuk mungkin, seluk-beluk tentang pembunuhan Yuto yang bisa saja bukan murni perampokan. Masyarakat dan lingkungan pasti menganggap Aleeta gila dan cenderung mengucilkannya, alih-alih membantu. Namun, bukankah cinta itu “buta” dan “gila”?

Walaupun Aleeta dan Yuto galau karena tahu mereka tak bisa bersama, namun perasaan di antara mereka malah makin kuat dengan adanya “misi” ini. Walaupun cinta mereka bagai api lilin yang sewaktu-waktu bisa padam dihembus angin, justru kesementaraan inilah yang melahirkan cinta sejati, seperti bunga sakura yang mekar paling indah dan amat sebentar, sebelum akhirnya layu selama-lamanya. 

Namun, akibat buruk bisa saja terjadi pada Aleeta-Yuto dan pasangan-pasangan RDR pada umumnya. Salah satunya, bila pihak yang masih hidup, Aleeta misalnya tak mampu mengendalikan obsesinya, “kegilaan semu” itu bakal meledak jadi kegilaan nyata dan permanen. Yang terburuk, Aleeta bisa jadi bakal nekad mengambil jalan pintas agar bersatu dengan kekasihnya di alam baka. 

Satu lagi cara penanganan sindrom RDR ini, pasangan beda alam butuh figur pendukung yang mampu berpikir melebihi logika, percaya pada keduanya dan bersedia membantu mereka dengan sepenuh hati, membimbing mereka ke jalan yang benar. Tak harus figur cenayang seperti di film “Ghost”, dan orang itu bisa punya kemampuan melihat hantu atau tidak. 

Mengapa butuh pendukung? Supaya pada akhirnya, saat api lilin cinta harus padam, kembali pada keseimbangan alami, masing-masing kekasih tak perlu bersama-sama mengambil jalan pintas ke alam baka seperti Romeo dan Juliet. Dengan demikian, pembaca akan mendapatkan hikmah positif dari fenomena kisah cinta yang dicontohkan oleh Aleeta dan Yuto ini.

Akhir kata, sekali lagi saya sampaikan. Biarlah cahaya lilin terpancar secerah matahari sebelum padam selamanya, meninggalkan kehangatan pada siapapun yang terjamah cahayanya.

Dan bagi semua insan yang sedang mencinta, ingatlah. Nikmatilah cinta sebaik-baiknya selama waktu kebersamaan yang ada, namun jangan lupa dunia bukanlah hanya milik berdua.

"A GIRL WHO LOVES A GHOST"
A novel by Alexia Chen

“Kenyataan bahwa aku bukan lagi menjadi bagian dari dunia ini nyaris menghancurkanku. Jiwaku perlahan rusak oleh dendam dan amarah, hingga gadis itu muncul dan menemukanku.”

“Apa yang akan kau lakukan jika kau ternyata melihat sesuatu yang sebenarnya tidak nyata? Seperti misalnya, sesosok hantu berparas tampan? Bagaimana reaksimu seandainya kau terlambat menyadari bahwa kau telah jatuh terlalu dalam untuk bisa menemukan jalan kembali? Manakah yang lebih bijaksana, mengarungi neraka demi sebuah akhir bahagia ataukah menyerah dengan melepaskan? Apa yang akan kau lakukan jika kau jadi aku?”

-----------------------------------------------
 
ISBN: 978-602-70105-4-3
Harga Rp 80.000,- (552 hlm.)
Penerbit: Javanica
Email: ptkaurama@gmail.com

Pemesanan bisa melalui e-mail di atas atau HP: 081993817721.

Untuk preview novel ini, kliklah link berikut ini:

http://fireheart-vadis.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-girl-who-loves-ghost-alexia-chen.html

Sumber gambar:

Atas: Phantom Embrace -  http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8440/7938619472_308fb45791_m.jpg

Bawah: Cover "A Girl Who Loves A Ghost" dari Javanica.

A Girl Who Loves A Ghost by Alexia Chen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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VadisReview - Assassin's Creed - Renaissance (Indonesian Edition)

VadisReview

Assassin’s Creed – Renaissance
(Article is in Indonesian Language)

Penulis                               :       Oliver Bowden

Edisi Bahasa Indonesia         :       Ufuk Press (Fantasious) – www.ufukpress.com

Penterjemah                       :       Melody Violine

Penyunting                          :       Helena Theresia

Pemeriksa Aksara                 :       P. Wahyu & Daniel

ISBN                                   :       978-602-8801-21-8

Doktrin Pembunuh Bayaran lahir Kembali

“Aku akan membalas mereka yang mengkhianati keluargaku.
Namaku Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Aku seorang pembunuh bayaran…”

Setelah dikhianati oleh keluarga-keluarga yang berkuasa di Italia, seorang pria muda memulai perjalanan pembalasan dendam nan panjang. Demi memberantas korupsi dan mengembalikan kehormatan keluarganya, Ezio mempelajari seni pembunuh bayaran.

Dalam perjalanan, Ezio membangun kembali pemikiran-pemikiran bijak seperti Leonardo da Vinci dan Niccolò Machiavelli. Ia tahu bahwa kesempatan bertahan hidup bergantung penuh pada ilmu-ilmu yang harus dikuasainya. Bagi sekutunya, Ezio menjadi kekuatan perubahan yang bertarung demi kebebasan dan keadilan. Bagi musuh-musuhnya, dia menjadi ancaman demi menghancurkan para tiran yang memperlakukan rakyat Italia dengan kejam.Kisah kepahlawanan tentang kekuatan,
pembalasan, dan konspirasi, kini dimulai...

KEBENARAN AKAN DITULIS DENGAN DARAH

Sang Musafir Jadi Assassin?

Resensi - Parodi oleh Andry Chang

Nah, setelah lama tak keliling dunia-dunia gara-gara berkutat ketat membentuk liga superhero di negeri sendiri, Sang Musafir menyempatkan diri “turun gunung”. Menggunakan kekuatan supernya, kali ini beliau melintas waktu ke abad ke-15. Tempatnya di Bumi, Benua Eropa di Zaman “Kelahiran Kembali Budaya” abad ke-14 sampai ke-17 Tahun Tuhan Kita – yang lebih terkenal dengan sebutan Zaman Renaissance. (http://en.wikipedia.org/Renaissance) 

Salah satu pusat perkembangan budaya Eropa ini adalah di Italia, tepatnya di Republik Florence, Republik Venesia dan Kebangsawanan Milan. Tempat pertama yang dikunjungi Sang Musafir tentunya adalah sebuah benteng di Kota Monteriggioni, dekat Negara-Kota Florence. 

Tiba-tiba, seorang pria keluar dari dalam benteng dan menyambut Sang Musafir. “Aha, sobat dari jauh! Anda pasti kemari untuk tes masuk pasukan condottieri, ‘kan?”

“Apa? Kondominium?”

“Bukan, condottieri. Anda tentu tahu artinya.”

Berhubung Sang Musafir bukan orang Italia, urusan “bahasa dewa” ini bisa jadi menyulitkan. Untunglah Sang Penterjemah dan Sang Editor sudah menyiapkan daftar istilah bahasa Italia di “buku petunjuk” (ya Novel AC Renaissance, lah!), beserta terjemahannya. 

“Oh ya, benar, wawancara untuk bergabung dalam pasukan serdadu bayaran.”

“Bagus, silakan masuk.”

Sambil menarik napas lega, Sang Musafir masuk mengikuti pria itu ke sebuah auditorium.

“Perkenalkan, nama saya Mario Auditore. Siapa nama anda?”

“Cukup panggil saya ‘Sang Musafir’.”

“Baik Mus Afir,  untuk pelancong antar-dunia seperti anda, tes masuknya mudah, satu pertanyaan saja. Saat pertama kali melihat judul ‘Assassin’s Creed’ baik di novel maupun gamenya, pikiran apa yang pertama terlintas?”

Vadis Review - The Book of the Forsaken by Yannis Karatsioris

The Book of the Forsaken

(Book One of “The Game” Series)

Author: Yannis Karatsioris

Published © 2012 by Yannis Karatsioris

Website: www.yanniskarats.com

Cover artwork: © Yannis Karatsioris

303 pages, paperback

A sarcastic storyteller traps three characters in his web in order to get hold of a special book.

Daniel, Cassidy and Igor are three unique individuals, considered outcasts for different reasons. They are about to meet and stick together, as coincidences and forced situations lead them to a journey all around Europe.

As everyone is after the Book of the Forsaken, the coming Game is about to take place on the dark side of the moon.

But there is a cost to that knowledge. Let alone to the wish to partake.

It has begun…

Winner on HarperCollins UK hosted competition on Authonomy.com

The Game Begins! The Wayfarer’s Report

Review by Andry Chang (@andrychang)

When I first read this synopsis on the back cover, the first thing that came into my mind was, “What’s so special about this ‘Book of the Forsaken’? In reference of the dark, cloaked figure coming through a cemetery gate-like arch, I guess it would be like another cursed book loaded with forbidden, dark knowledge of something with immense, godlike power.

Well, most people will probably stop right there.

However, the thing that triggered my fascination on Yannis’ work for the first time was the story teller’s sarcastic, clever quotes. So I went to figure out why and when he said those things, and their connection and significance whatsoever with the storyline.

It’s intriguing how Yannis came up with these ideas and words. I didn’t bother googling for originality, because the sarcasm actually fits in the narration, as though Yannis himself is involved in the story as the mysterious storyteller and narrator.

David and Leigh Eddings - The Younger Gods (Book 4 of the Dreamers) Review

The Younger Gods by David Eddings

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well, I beg to differ.



"The Gods Must Be Crazy".

It's an obvious notion Vadis, the Pilgrim From Everna got while exploring the nameless World of the Dreamers. And that notion escalated to a climax in this final episode of The Dreamers Saga.



In this last work, the late David Eddings tried so hard to bring out the "climax of all climaxes". While altogether sliced the story between lots of main characters' point-of-views and balancing between dialogue, narration (story) and action.



The result is, the Pilgrim is again impressed by the brilliant work of a true Fantasy Pro as follows:



- Brilliant strategies, giving a more "natural" touch in this "god-loaded" story.

From fort-building to outsmarting enemies and - a goddess in particular.



- Fantastic and godly magicks that seem to fit in place, representing the main elements of nature. Remember the episodes: 1-Volcano (Earth-Fire), 2-Flood (Water), 3-Tornado (Wind-Blue Fire) and 4-Blizzard (Ice).



-Individual brilliance of the commanders and especially the "Dream Team": Longbow, Keselo, Rabbit and Omago.

If you choose to ignore Omago from page one, get ready for a surprise. A bit predictable, yet still shocking.

All in all, the characters are likable with sufficient descriptions of their interesting personalities, traits and abilities.



In spite of that, the Pilgrim stumbled on several things. Observant readers, be warned.



- Too many reminders and discussions about the exploits in past episodes and chapters, in dialogues and narrations alike.



- Except for the blizzard and a few others, on many occasions the Pilgrim was left with "reports" about battles and such. Maybe it's to avoid prolonged narrations about such "minor events". Yet the Pilgrim wished he "join" the characters in action in the spur of the moment instead of "hearing" them TALK about it. The danger, the suspense...



- The involvement of so many mighty gods and dreamers, though with limitations still made things seem so easy.

Especially, for instance, "Father Time". He made the daring sneak into the nest of the Vlagh like a walk in the park.

Well, let's just assume that the gods helped make the impossible possible. Whenever the mortals meet a dead end, the gods would walk in and break the wall.



Apart from the setbacks, the Pilgrim saw (or read) some very interesting things:



- Aracia's madness maybe a subject of scrutiny here - the base problem, the elder gods' main weakness. Yet, the Pilgrim can't help feeling sorry for her. Well, even Greek, Norse and mythological gods have their flaws too.



- The fission between "Big Me" and "Little Me" is another fascinating thing. They shared one body at first, so the logical split should be one in body, one in spirit. Well, where logics can't explain, as long as it's in realms of fantasy we'll just assume it as the work of the almighty.



- As explained in the ending solution, the human counterparts, especially the "mercenaries" didn't retain the memory of their "tour of profit" in Dhrall. They only became more mature, wise and knowledgeable without knowing how.

That's good because, if their memory was intact, we can predict what happen next: The Trogs, Malavis and Maags would unite and invade Dhrall, bringing their gods with them. "You cheated! Give us our gold back!" They'd say.

The Pilgrim must agree that he found the time-manipulating ending is logically hard to believe. Some said that right out: it's plain stupid.



- Among the notable new characters is Alcevan, the crafty little priestess. If only she wasn't at all "buggy", she would be a perfect mate for Rabbit.



All in all, this last work of David Eddings is worthy of appreciation and regarded as "The Treasured One", if not for entertainment. Just consider the condition Eddings was in when he wrote this novel and the magnitude and flair of his works in his prime.



Farewell, David and Leigh. We'll always remember you and learn from your legacy.



Review by: The Pilgrim of Everna

As written in: http://fireheart-vadis.blogspot.com/2011...



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The four elder gods Dahlaine, Zelana, Aracia, and Veltan have ruled over Dhrall for eons. Every 25,000 years, the siblings pass on their duties to a quartet of young gods so that they can rest. But as the next changing of the gods approaches, the elder gods are faced with a potential catastrophe: an enemy has arisen from the vast wasteland in the center of Dhrall and is bent on conquering the entire realm and using all its inhabitants as nourishment for its minions. The Vlagh, as it is called, is a wellspring of evil, continually birthing nightmarish insectoid monstrosities to make up her army. But as the final battle looms closer, one of the elder gods begins losing her sanity. As the gods desperately search for ways to stop the Vlagh -- and rein in their unstable sibling -- heroes turn up in the unlikeliest places.



A word of warning: Fantasy fans who are looking for a truly epic fantasy saga -- like Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth or Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time -- will not find it here. Unlike the Eddings' classic Belgariad series (Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, et al.), the Dreamers tetralogy is decidedly light, featuring a more intimate cast of characters, all-age-encompassing themes, and not overly complex plot threads. That said, hard-core Eddings fans should thoroughly enjoy the husband-and-wife writing duo's world of Dhrall, where the godly couple Ara and Omago are arguably extensions of the authors themselves. Paul Goat Allen(less)

Mass Market Paperback, 432 pages
Published March 1st 2007 by Warner Books (first published 2006)
ISBN 0446613320 (ISBN13: 9780446613323)
edition language: English

Crystal Gorge - The Dreamers Book 3 by David and Leigh Eddings

Crystal Gorge by David Eddings

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well, honestly I haven't read the Malloreon and the Belgariad series,
yet somebody strongly recommended David & Leigh Eddings' books for me to study, as I am a fantasy author myself.

From the Dreamers series, I learned how to "control" so many characters as per their role in the story.

Yet, in Crystal Gorge, as well as other series, "gods" and "dreams" are involved, things are quite revealed and foretold. The most exciting part is, of course the details and backgrounds of the characters that made them likable and the "tactics" the armies used, using the resources of the land so brilliantly so they can win battles with minimal casualties.

And well, as spoiler goes, none of the key characters has been "killed" yet this time, and how the final victory factor was discovered and available - though still, brilliantly executed, using the elemental pattern of: 1. Earth (+Fire), 2. Water, 3. Fire (+Wind), and later, 4. Wind (+Ice). The pattern, as well as the targets of attack, though predictable are simply brilliant.

One thing, though, for me, it's always so sickening when "gods" are involved - although it's all logical and necessary as a decisive factor. I mean, as the characters said, "What use are the outlanders if a single person (through the dreamers) can win this war?" - and the reasons are (yet again) brilliantly explained in the story.

Overall, it's really fascinating, and maybe I'll read more of David Edding's works next time.

Favourite characters:
1. Keselo - for his brilliance and use of his knowledge
2. Rabbit - his expertise is more of the technical side, yet he's a funny bunny
3. Ekial - New favourite, especially for his prowess and speed as a cavalry commander
4. Longbow - Grim determination and a brilliant tactician. He's actually the "leading role", right?
5. Eleria - Kiss kiss, hug, hug!
6. Veltan - He tends to do his job well, but on occasions tends to avoid responsibilities
7. Dahlaine - A bit of absent-minded, probably because of ooooolld age. Sleepyhead, in exact
8. Zelana - beautiful, gorgeous, loving, absolutely stunning

Characters I'd like to punch in the face:
1. Ara - a mysterious, "treasured one". She seems to control everything from the background.
2. Omago - what a lucky chap, right, "Father"?
3. Trenicia - a bit of a blockhead, maybe but it's probably because of lack of technology.
4. Sorgan - a sarcastic, yet cooperative chap
5. Ox - the most powerful human of the lot
6. Aracia - I can't help but feel sorry for her
7. Lillabeth, Ashad, Yaltar - all they have to do, is dream... dream, dream, dream...
8. Balacenia, Enalla, Vash & Dakas - the "Big Me"s really added up to the mountainous pile of names...



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