Fiction
A Reader's Guide to Marie Sinadjan
Hi! I'm Marie, a Filipino SFFH author and book reviewer currently based in the UK. I’m the co-author of The Prophecies of Ragnarok, a Norse myth new adult urban fantasy trilogy, and I also have several short stories published in anthologies and literary journals. Here's a list of my works and where to find them!
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: What If. . . Loki Was Worthy? by Madeleine Roux
Thor - Son of Odin, God of Thunder, wielder of the hammer Mjolnir - is dead. And Loki is responsible. It was only meant to be a joke - tampering with the Destroyer, changing Thor's course to Midgard - a bit of mischief with a chance of maiming. But Loki's harmless prank spiraled out of control, unleashing death and destruction on New York City and the heroes sworn to protect it. The city was saved, but at the cost of Thor's life. Furious and heartbroken, the All-Father banishes Loki to Earth for his crime. Loki finds himself in a realm of boxed wine, instant noodles, and some sort of regional performance troupe known as the "Buffalo Bills." It's a meager existence, far from Asgard's grand courts, but he finds his new friend, Brian the Gecko, a much more engaging companion than the sycophants back home. A true meeting of the minds. Loki is the God of Mischief - but he knows, deep down, that he never truly deserved to stand next to their father's golden child Thor, as two true sons of Odin. Yet, he cannot even endure his exile in peaceful isolation. A Valkyrie - Hel-bent on carrying out her oath to Thor - barges into his trailer-home with his brother's final words from the beyond: a plea to find a certain Dr. Jane Foster and pass on Mjolnir to its rightful heir. While Loki struggles to fulfil his brother's last request, the far-reaching consequences of his fatal prank return to haunt him. Blinded by grief from those he lost in the chaos wrought by Asgard, Iron Man vows revenge on those who consider themselves gods. Determined to protect the Earth from the might of this unpredictable alien power, he forges Asgard's own weaponry into a lethal suit of armor, set on eradicating any tether between their worlds. Consequences be damned. When Asgard looks to Loki for salvation, he must answer the question: Am I truly worthy?
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Book Review: Love on Dove Street by Cherie Hart
When a streetwise Istanbul mutt named Çiçek befriends a circle of American expats and refugees, she becomes an unlikely Internet anti-war hero in a story of surprising twists and forbidden love. Set along the vibrant cobblestones of Dove Street in old Istanbul, the sunny beaches of Turkey's Mediterranean coast, and the besieged cities of Eastern Ukraine, Love on Dove Street follows a group of exiles, war reporters, and free spirits whose lives fatefully entwine amidst the uncertainties of life abroad and the brutality of war. At the center is Çiçek, a scrappy rescue dog whose connection to the street's inhabitants fuels an inspiring online campaign against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But Çiçek has deeper mysteries of her own to sniff out, including the concealed passions and betrayals of her newfound pack.
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Book Spotlight: The Book of Perilous Dishes by Doina Rusti
1798 Bucharest: A magical, dark adventure A year full of intrigue and political machinations: a slave-chef lives in Bucharest, sought after by everyone. His cooking is sublime, satisfying even the sophisticated tastes of the Prince, who steals him from his rightful owner and installs him in the Palace. However, no one knows that the chef has in his possession a witch’s recipe book: the Book of Perilous Dishes. The recipes in this magical book can bring about damaging sincerity, forgetfulness, the gift of prediction, or hysterical laughter. And the rightful owner of this book is fourteen-year-old Pâtca, initiated in the occult arts. Pâtca comes to Bucharest, to her uncle, Cuviosu Zăval, to recover this book, but she finds him murdered and the Book of Perilous Dishes has disappeared without trace. All that Zăval has left her is a strange map she must decipher. Travelling from Romania to France and on to Germany to do so, Patca's family's true past and powers are revealed, as is her connection to Silica the cook…
By Marie Sinadjan2 years ago in BookClub
Celebration of Community and Tradition. AI-Generated.
In the heart of July, when the days were longest and the sun painted the sky in hues of amber and gold, the small town of Willow Creek hummed with anticipation. For generations, July had been more than just another month; it was a time woven with threads of tradition and community spirit. Every year, as the first whispers of summer heat touched the land, preparations began for the Festival of Lights.The festival traced its origins back to a time when the town was little more than a cluster of cottages nestled between rolling hills and meandering streams. Back then, before skyscrapers and highways, before the world seemed to spin faster with each passing year, the festival was a beacon of unity. It was a time when families gathered, old friends reunited, and stories as old as the hills themselves were retold under the flickering glow of paper lanterns.Sarah, a young photographer with a penchant for capturing fleeting moments of beauty, had grown up steeped in the festival's magic. Her grandfather, a jovial man with twinkling eyes and a penchant for storytelling, had been one of the festival's founding members. He had regaled her with tales of how the first lanterns had been crafted from simple paper and candlelight, how the entire town had come together to light up the night sky with hopes and dreams.But this year was different. This year, as Sarah unpacked her camera gear in her childhood bedroom, she felt a pang of sadness tugging at her heart. Her grandfather, her beacon of warmth and wisdom, had passed away earlier in the year. The festival, once a time of joyous reunion, now loomed before her like an empty canvas waiting to be filled with memories she wasn't sure she was ready to confront.As dusk settled over Willow Creek on the eve of the festival, Sarah found herself drawn to the quiet streets that had once echoed with laughter and music. Lanterns hung from every lamppost, casting gentle pools of light on weathered cobblestones. The scent of jasmine and honeysuckle perfumed the air, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of grilled corn and caramelized apples from the food stalls that lined the town square.She wandered aimlessly, her camera slung over her shoulder like a lifeline. Memories of her grandfather flooded her mind—the way he had laughed, the way he had taught her to see the world through the lens of his old Nikon camera. She found herself retracing the paths they had walked together, capturing moments that seemed to shimmer with a bittersweet clarity.As night fell, the town square began to fill with people. Families gathered around bonfires, children danced with sparklers in hand, and musicians tuned their instruments beneath a canopy of stars. Sarah found herself drawn to a group of elderly women sitting in a circle, their faces bathed in the soft glow of lantern light. They spoke in hushed tones, their voices tinged with nostalgia as they reminisced about festivals past.One woman, her silver hair catching the light like strands of moonlight, told a story that made Sarah's heart ache. She spoke of a time when the festival had been a time of healing, a time when the entire town had come together to celebrate life in the face of hardship and loss. She spoke of Sarah's grandfather, of his unwavering belief in the power of community and the importance of holding onto traditions that bound them together like threads in a tapestry.Tears pricked Sarah's eyes as she listened, her camera forgotten in her lap. She realized then that the festival wasn't just about lanterns and laughter; it was about honoring the past while embracing the future, about finding solace in the company of loved ones and strangers alike. It was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a beacon of hope in a world that often seemed dark and uncertain.As the night wore on and the last embers of the bonfires flickered into the early hours of morning, Sarah found herself surrounded by newfound friends and familiar faces. They shared stories and laughter, passing around steaming mugs of cider and plates of freshly baked pie. And as the first rays of dawn painted the sky in shades of rose and lavender, Sarah knew that her grandfather's spirit lived on in every flickering lantern and shared smile.In the quiet moments that followed, as she packed away her camera and prepared to leave Willow Creek behind once more, Sarah knew that she would carry the lessons of the festival with her wherever she went. She had learned that even in the midst of grief and uncertainty, there was beauty to be found in the simplest of moments, in the quiet strength of a community bound together by love and tradition.And as she drove away from the town she had always called home, Sarah glanced back one last time at the flickering lanterns that lined the streets. In their soft, warm glow, she saw not just a celebration of July, but a celebration of life itself—a reminder that even as seasons changed and years passed, the echoes of July would always resonate in her heart.This story explores the emotional depth of a festival tied to memories and tradition, emphasizing the power of community and the resilience found in honoring the past while embracing the future.
By Francisco H Walker2 years ago in BookClub
The Green Tech Revolution: How Sustainable Innovations Are Shaping Our Future
Harnessing Technology to Build a Greener World As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, innovative technologies are emerging as powerful tools to foster sustainability and mitigate the impact of human activities. This story explores the revolutionary advancements in green technology that are transforming industries, conserving resources, and paving the way for a more sustainable future.
By shakthi devi2 years ago in BookClub
Beyond the Screen: How Augmented Reality is Transforming Our Everyday Lives
As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, augmented reality (AR) is emerging as one of the most exciting and transformative innovations. By blending digital content with the real world, AR is revolutionising how we interact with our environment, enhancing everyday experiences, and opening up new possibilities across various industries. This story explores the profound impact of AR on our daily lives and the future it promises.
By shakthi devi2 years ago in BookClub
JOURNEY TO THE UNDERWORLD
Journey to the Underworld In a small, non-violent village nestled between verdant hills and a shimmering lake, lived a younger woman named Zoe. With raven-black hair, emerald eyes, and a coronary heart complete of marvel, Zoe spent her days exploring the forests and fields, dreaming of grand adventures. One crisp autumn night time, as the sun dipped underneath the horizon, portray the sky in shades of orange and red, Zoe's lifestyles modified all the time.
By Issa Betsungu2 years ago in BookClub
