Embrace the meta-ness part 3: Books and comics

As I've posted before, I'm a big fan of the tv show Castle. I've already reviewed the previous books by Richard Castle (see here), but recently I've also read his latest book 'Deadly Heat' (given to me by a friend, also named Richard) as well as one of his graphic novels (only to find out that it's the second volume instead of the first). Anyway, I thought it was time to review these as well. So here's another update in the Castle column ;-)

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Deadly Heat 
Deadly Heat is the fifth novel by Richard Castle about NYPD homicide detective Nikki Heat and journalist Jameson Rook and was released on September 17th, 2013. Picking up where Frozen Heat left off, top NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat pursues the elusive former CIA station chief who ordered the execution of her mother over a decade ago. For the hunt, Nikki teams once again with her romantic partner, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Jameson Rook, on their quest for the old spy and the motive behind the past murder unearths an alarming terror plot-which is anything but ancient history. It is lethal. It is now. And it has already entered its countdown phase. Complicating Heat's mission to bring the rogue spy to justice and thwart the looming terror event, a serial killer begins menacing the Twentieth Precinct and her homicide squad is under pressure to stop him, and soon. The frightening murderer, known for his chilling stealth, not only has singled out Nikki as the exclusive recipient of his taunting messages, he then boldly names his next victim: Detective Heat.

While I haven't done this with the previous books in this series, I'll give a short review about it, seeing how it is the final book mentioned in the series.*
If you watch the show, you might think you already know what's coming. But this book really kicks it up a notch. While there are certain similarities, it just counts as inspiration. This book dove deeper and deeper into the case of Heat's mother and it will have you in it's grasp as soon as the ball gets rolling. This, however, takes some time... Luckily only for a couple of chapters. As it turns out, the answer to her mothers murder has been right in front of her nose - just like on the tv show - all this time. Next to a captivating story, you also get to enjoy characters that you've know throughout the entire (book) series as well as get introduced to some new ones. While the references to the tv show are a little bit more subtle, there still plenty enough to enjoy. All in all this book was a good read and a fitting closure to the series.

You can find chapter one online!

* Just recently I found out that there's gonna be a new Nikki Heat novel, Raging Heat, about to be released on September 16th, 2014.

 

Here are some of the references I (think I) found:

- Page 67/8: Rook says "There's an app for that?" to later be answered by Raley "There is an app for that" This is a reference to the episode 2x17 'Tick, Tick, Tick' where Becket's team works with the FBI. Agent Jordon Shaw sends a copy of a fingerprint to her lab by app to which Castle says "Wow, there's an app for that?" and Jordan replies "That's why I joined the FBI, Mr. Castle. For the toys."

- Page 68: On this page there's both a reference to Darth Vader and the quote "Check the Adam's apples" which I'm sure was said by Castle and Espo, but unfortunately I wasn't able to trace back in which eps it was... So I might be mistaken here.
- Page 114: Rook finds Keith Tahoma playing chess in the park, very much like Beckett and Castle in 4x15 'Pandora' when they went looking for Dr. Blakely who was also a wiz with breaking codes.
- Page 115: While this isn't a direct reference, the Puzzle man says he met Rook at a Star Trek convention, which could jog your memory about the episode where Beckett and Castle are investigating a case that happened on a convention/comic con (5x06 - The Final Frontier)
- Page 133: Rook pulls out a bulletproof vest reading 'Journalist' much like the vest Castle pulls out in ep 1x06 (Always Buy Retail) which reads 'Writer'
- Page 153/4: Heat is investigating Dr. Nikoladze who has a dog business, which could gently relate to episode An Embarrassment of Bitches (4x13) where Castle and Beckett are investigating a death at a dog show.
- Page 154: Rook's talking about meeting with movie execs from Castle Rock about optioning 'the Heat pieces for film', which is also referenced to in the series in eps 2x17 (Tick, Tick, Tick - he strikes a deal), 2x20 (The Late Shaft - a girl is up for the part of Heat), 3x11 (Nikki Heat - where Natalie Rhodes shadows Beckett to get a feel for the character of Heat) & 3x22 (To Love and Die in L.A. - where Beckett and Castle pay a visit to the movie set).
- Page 146: During the movie talk someone says "Nathan would be perfect casting, if he's available" which of course is a reference to Nathan Fillion, who plays Richard Castle.
- Page 171: After the bioterror plot is revealed Rook gets told "Not a word about this" which is the same thing Adrian Pasdar/Mark Fallon tells him about a likewise terror in the two-parter Setup and Countdown (3x16 & 3x17)
- Page 171: Heat gets the compliment "You're beautiful like a model. Or Bond Girl." which is a reference to Stana Katic's role in Quantum of Solace.
- Page 191: Just like in ep 3x16 and 3x17 Rook manages to get his mother out of the city. Only in the book he doesn't have a daughter as well.
- Page 272: They are talking about the ripple effects of the bioterror, which relates to episodes 4x15 & 4x16 (Pandora and Linchpin) where someone like the Puzzle Man would calculate those risks.
- Page 272: Rook holds a gas mask over his face and breathed loudly saying "Luke, I am your fa--" As with one of the first references I mentioned here about Darth Vader, I wasn't able to find the ep in which it was used, but I do recall something like it being on the show.

- Other people working the case are Agents Yardley Bell (who's a strong reminder of Agent Sophia Turner, played by Jennifer Beals) and Bart Callan from the CIA. (page 106)
- Salena Kaye shows up, who's based on Serena from 4x05 - Eye of the Beholder
- The bioterror plot relates to the episodes 3x16 and 3x16, while
- 4x15 & 4x16 relate to the CIA storyline and a possible mole
- There are several 'references' to Castle as a show and/or character, just by using it as a name. For instance Castle Rock, but also Castle in the park on page 274.

In the acknowledgement Castle once again thanks the creators and actors of the show, as well as his poker buddies.

On the show
As with the previous book, there's not much mention of the books on the show. Except for the picture taken above where Castle discusses what the cover should look like (5x24 - Watershed (I believe)).
In 5x03, Secret's Safe With Me, Beckett also makes a promise to someone that Castle will name a character after that person's mother in his next book... Even though this would have been his next book, I couldn't find the name 'Eunice' unfortunately - which was the mother's name.

Storm Season
Derrick storm is a private detective and is hired to look into the case of a missing girl - but what should have been a routine mission quickly spirals out of control when Storm overhears the woman's terrifying scream on a wire. Plagued by the victim's helpless cry, Storm - despite an ominous warning - investigates. Soon, he'll discover an international conspiracy reaching further than he ever imagined - and perhaps the truth about Clara Strike, a CIA agent the world thinks is dead...
Richard Castle's Storm Season is the sequel to the critically acclaimed, best-selling graphic novel Richard Castle's Deadly Storm. This "adaptation" of Derrick Storm's second novel probably continues the storyline. Even though I missed the first one, I imagine that's the graphic novel in which Clara Strike has an accident. As I'm pretty new/green in the graphic novel/comic world, I unfortunately can't really review it on those aspects. While I grew up with comic books such as Kuifje (probably better known as TinTin), Asterix and Obelix, Suske and Wiske and lately have been reading all the Buffy comics I can find, I don't feel I know much about the graphic novels from abroad. That being said: 'Richard Castle's Storm Season reunites the lauded writing duo of Brian Michael Bendis and Kelly Sue DeConnick (Richard Castle's Deadly Storm) for their second Castle story, and the dynamic artwork of rising star Emanuela Lupacchino (X-Factor) brings the world of Derrick Storm to life like never before.' I really like the artwork: It screams action and has a somewhat darker feel. As a lot of the scenes take place in shady places, this works perfectly. It also fits with (what I know of) the Private Eye sector. All in all the story is very fast paced and easy to follow. You will find many strong female characters and they are all funny in their own way. To top it off, Storm works with his father which is a nice change of pace from the Castle/Heat series. The only negative thing I can say about Storm Season is that it's simply to short.

Though I couldn't really find direct references to the show in the storyline - which would be logical - there is the fact that Castle mentions in episodes 4x15 & 4x16 that he got in contact with CIA Agent Sophia Turner for inspiration for his Derrick Storm novels. This character plays a big role in the comic as well. 
Other than that the first comic is referenced in 3x24 (Knockout), where Castle shows advanced art for A Deadly Storm, and in 4x02 (Heroes and Villains) you can see the first stand with Richard Castle's Deadly Storm graphic novels. You can also find issues of this particular graphic novel (Storm Season that is) in episode 5x06 (The Final Frontier) during Becketts and Castle's visit to a sci-fi convention (SuperNova Con), where Castle is signing copies.

You can read the graphic novel yourself here That's about it, I hope you enjoyed more of the meta of Castle ;-)

Update: Embrace the meta-ness

Things have been crazy busy again and they are only gonna get busier. It's the reason I've been seriously lacking in the blogging department. But I did manage to finish reading Frozen Heat by Richard Castle. So, instead of a brand new blog, I decided to update my Frozen Heat section in the Embrace the meta-ness blog about Castle. Wanna know what the book is about or what references I found? Just follow the link ;-)

The Death's Daughter series

One of my favorite writers of this moment is Amber Benson. I know her from the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where she played the role of Tara. But she's so much more than that. Not only has she made independent movies such as Chance, Lovers, Liars and Lunatics and Drones. But she also writes. Boy, does she write! And I LOVE her writing. I got the fourth 'Death's Daughter' novel for my 24th birthday, called How to be Death. I couldn't wait for the final book in the series, which I just got for my 25th birthday :D. She's also wrote Ghost of Albion and Among the Ghosts. Great works, that really deserve a read. I like her writing, her use of words and all the supernatural elements that surprise you. So in this blog, I will talk about the five books in the Death's Daughter series, just because I love it and because I can :-).

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Death's Daughter

All Calliope Reaper-Jones wanted was a normal life: buying designer shoes on sale, dating guys from Craig’s List, web-surfing for organic dim-sum for her boss... It's the reason she used a forgetting charm to stay clear of her real life. But when her father—who happens to be Death himself—is kidnapped, and the Devil’s Protege embarks on a hostile takeover of the family business, Death, Inc., Callie returns home to assume the CEO mantle— only to discover she must complete three nearly impossible tasks in the realm of the afterlife first. 

One of the things I absolutely love about this book is that Callie is more of an anti-hero. Yes, she's immortal so she can't really die, but she's very human as well. Her character is sarcastic and sassy, she struggles during the fights, cares a lot about fashion... And she does what she must to save her family. Even though the story is set in today's world, Benson uses greek mythology, theology and hindi, which makes the story even more fantastical. The story is exciting and amazing, the supernatural world goes beyond your imagination and the characters are awesome. In my eyes, Callie's world is the best fantasy world to get lost in.

(this macarena dance by Amber Benson 

was part of a challenge for her first book)

Cat's Claw

The second book in the story goes a bit further. Calliope Reaper-Jones is Death's Daughter, this we know. But now she owes a debt to Cerberus, the three headed dog that guards the gates of hell. And this debt involves many things, such as a trip to Purgatory, Las Vegas, ancient Egypt and.... a discount department store that's even more frightening than any supernatural creature she'll ever encounter.


Callie's talking pup, Runt, was amazing in the first book. You immediatly want one of those dogs for yourself, but I also love cats. So I immediatly was interested in the book. Sad to say that the immortal Callie is actually allergic to them... Anyways. It's also about Egypt, which I like very much. I've always been interested in Greek mythology as well as ancient Egypt, the way they lived out there and the cultures/beliefs they had. Benson addes this to the story which makes the fantasy world even greater, with more different mythological creatures. Every books keeps you hungry for more. To see how Callie will handle the next thing, as well as how the other characters will grow and help her.

(My signed copy of her second book! )

Serpent's Storm

Callie is still trying to stay away from the family business of Death Inc. while wanting to achieve her dreams in the Big Apple as a normal working girl. But no matter how much she tries to stay away from daddy's coorperation, it just keeps hunting her. Especially now that her older sister, Thalia, has made a deal with the Devil himself, to engage in a hostile takeover of both Death Inc. and Heaven... once they can get Callie out of the way.

Sisterly rivalry... Who isn't familiar with it? I myself have two sisters (I'm the middle one) and this book focuses - more than anything - on family ties, on backgrounds. Not just of Callie, but also of her boyfriend, her boss and her sisters. I especially love Clio (the younger sister) and all the discoveries Callie makes about her own childhood. There's also this big discovery that Callie and Daniel aren't the only ones in the running for Death... A third person is introduced. This book is bloody brilliant and exciting, a little darker then the other ones. It was supposed to be the last one in the series, but it was such a succes that two more books were added. You'll never get enough of it!

I couldn't upload the vid I wanted so just watch it here. It's Amber Benson reading from her third book, with someone else and.... it's a sex scene!!!!! It's hilarious, just watch it ;-)

How to be Death

By now Calliope Reaper-Jones is the official brand new President of Death, Inc. But nothing ever comes easy. The Board of Death is breathing down her neck and her dad's copy of How to be Death (A Fully Annotated Guide) remains unopened, so Callie is really feeling the tension. To celebrate her newly found position, there's a formal dinner being held, but during this fancy dinner the guide book is stolen. So not only does Callie have to figure out how to be boss, she also needs to find the book before the powers it holds get out and destroy humanity forever...

This book was something: A whodunit! Who doesn't like that?! I loved it. It's totally different in the way it reads and Benson knows just how much information to give away and how much to hold back. Issues such as (ex) boyfriend troubles, living up to expectations and murder are all included, just like many of the favorite characters (Runt!!!) and adding some new ones. It's an absolute joy to read!

(Amber Benson reading the first chapter)

The Golden Age of Death

This book resumes where How to be Death left of. Callie is still the reluctant head of her father's company, Death Inc. To say it in her words: "I was gradually learning how to be a businesswoman. Had the power suits and shoes down, though the day to day was slow going. Then I was blindsided by Enemies Unknown and sent off to I-don't-know-where. Not a good thing. Now not only must my friends and family be frantic, but without a CEO, Death, Inc., can't function. With the newly deceased left free to roam the Earth, it's a zombie apocalypse come true." Safe to say... the world needs Callie back for another adventure!

I got the final book in the series, The Golden Age of Death, for my birthday this year and just started reading it. So I can't say much about it right now, except that I'm loving it. Big things are happening and worlds are colliding... I can't wait to see how Calliope is going to challenge this one. I'll be sure to update this little section once I finished it ;-).

The greatest news yet? At the convention I attended in Octobre 2011, Benson mentioned that they are negotiating about making it a (animated?) series. I'm not if that is still in the works, but it sure would be awesome!

Amber Benson also has her own blog and gave some advice there about people who always say they want to write. It's good advice, so if you are one of those people, take a look right here.