Merry Wanderer of the Night [Search results for harmless

  • In the European Union since 2010 forbid standard lamps

    In the European Union since 2010 forbid standard lamps

    Andris Piebalgs

    The eurocommissioner on power Andris Piebalgs has promised to develop legislative offers on introduction in the Usual lampEuropean Union since 2010 of an interdiction for trade in usual lamps on which share it is necessary an order of 80% of the European market, have informed on Saturday the Belgian mass-media.

    According to the eurocommissioner, refusal of such lamps and transition on ampoule a led will allow to reduce to 60% a current consumption house economy, and also will promote the aims laid down by EU to lower on 20% by 2020 annual consumption of an electricity in member countries of this regional organisation.

    Londoners can exchange usual lamps for the harmless free of charge

    Eco lampCampaign for an exchange of usual lamps on harmless (economical) lamps starts on Friday in London, the mayoralty of the British capital has informed.

    Social campaign which carries the amusing name "lamp amnesty", is sponsored by a network of department stores B&Q and portal Simulateur D'aube. Within three days all interested persons can exchange free of charge two old lamps on two economical.

    LampsBy estimates of the power companies, each such lamp will allow to reduce harmful emissions in atmosphere at the expense of fuel burning to 120 tons of carbonic gas a year, and for the simple British will save 7 pounds sterling at the payment of invoice for an electricity.

    Economic ampoule burn as brightly, as well as usual lamps, but serve approximately in 12 times longer and consume on 80% of less electricity.

    European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs

    VIA «In the European Union since 2010 forbid standard lamps»

  • The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, by Maggie O'Farrell

    The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, by Maggie O'Farrell

    Imagine being locked up in a mental institution for 60 years. Forgotten by your family. No visitors, no connection to the outside world. This was the life of Esme Lennox.

    Iris Lockhart is Esme's great niece. She is contacted when Esme, now deemed harmless, is released by the institution. But is she harmless?

    Throughout the book, the author takes the reader back in time, revisiting Esme's past through flashbacks and first person accounts through the eyes of Esme and her sister Kitty.

    The flashbacks and change and narration is distracting at first, but it does aid in the telling of the story.

    The author, Maggie O'Farrell, states that two of the books that influenced her life and her career were Jane Eyre and The Yellow Wallpaper, two works that revolve around a woman's spiral into mental illness. It is evident in reading The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox how influental these works were.

  • Review: Witch Song by Amber Argyle

    Witch Song by Amber Argyle is a book that I was really excited to read. Like, really excited for. I noticed the cover on Goodreads and thought it looked gorgeous and then (as I've mentioned a time or 12 before) I met Amber at a book signing in Utah, pretty much on accident. And she was awesome in person. Like, a lot awesome. So, when I got a review copy of this in the mail, I did a little happy dance.

    And, while I did like the book, it wasn't really what I'd hoped it would be. It was good, but I wanted more from it. There were a few times that the characters, mostly Bressena, made these huge thought jumps that I didn't understand. At all. Kind of like going from zero to sixty with nothing in between. And this confused me, made me wonder if something had accidentally been left out. I'm actually really hoping that these are things that will be smoothed out in the finished copy.

    About the story itself, there were things I loved, things I liked, and things that I... well, not so much.

    I loved the idea of this story. I loved the songs themselves and the way the songs gave the witches an ability to manipulate and control nature. Like using corn stalks to trap the bad nasties trying to kill her. Umm, hello Yes! I love watching the seemingly innocent and harmless characters turn around and lay the smack down. I also really liked that Amber made the songs simple poems instead of super complex and weird. Really, I loved the magic in this story. The spells and potions were just awesome (although there is a seed fight that I just couldn't feel as... dramatic as it should have, because they were, well... throwing seeds...) (I also really liked that the police officer types in this book were actually the good guys! Yay for positive representation of law enforcement!: P)

    Also, this book is another perfect example of why parents who 'keep super important, life threatening information from their children because it 'protects' them are stupid. It always backfires! Ignorance is more deadly that knowledge in these situations. And, when you have this in a novel, a parent who keeps the important info hidden, it often leads to a major info dump later on, as a 'sneaky' way to give the reader all the information at once, since, hey, the character is getting it now too. (But really, it's not that sneaky) But, although it gets precariously close a time or two, I was very pleased that Witch Song never actually felt like it was info dumping on me. So, yay for that.

    I did also have a hard time with Bresenna's character at some points. She was very insecure, very unsure of herself and constantly believing that no one could ever like her. And, I get that the people in the village were cruel and unwelcoming, and her mom did lie to her about very important things. But her mother also loved her, and raised her in a very loving environment. Which, in my opinion, should have counted for more. It should have made it easier for Bresenna to accept that not everyone was as closed minded as her village and that people (like Joshen) really were interested in helping her. I kind of felt like her insecurities were so strong to add a little more tension to the lovey stuff. Which got a little old. I do love me some Joshen though.:)

    The climax of the story, well, the first climax was... interesting. I am not a fan of the dues ex machina and I was more than a little disappointed that Amber chose to take the story there. But she kind of made up for it during the second climax scene, because I loved the power that came through in that section, and at certain parts, I was definitely feeling it.

    So, although I did have some issues with this book, overall, I did enjoy it. If Amber chose to write a sequel, I would read it. And I'd be excited if/when I get me a copy. But it's not one that I can throw my whole recommending self behind either, which makes me sad. It's by no means a bad book, but it could use a bit more smoothing out. I am incredibly excited to see how Amber grows as a writer though!

    Have you read this one yet? Let me know what you think!

    *Disclaimer — I received a copy of this from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.