Eustacia Tan

Eustacia hates writing about herself, especially in third person. She would, however, like to tell you that she’s been an insatiable reader since she was young. The plot bunnies eventually got to her, and she started writing some of her stories down. Eustacia is from sunny Singapore, but currently lives in Japan as a university student.

Before starting writing fiction, Eustacia used to edit a (now defunct) e-magazine called An Excuse for Company. She also transcribed and published (complete with the requisite grammatical and spelling errors) an account of a Minamata-disease survivor’s story called Keiko-san’s Story: An Account of the Minamata Tragedy.

Twitter: @PeiLing93
Wattpad: EustaciaTan93
Blog: http://www.allsortsofbooks.blogspot.com

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• Draykon (An Epic Fantasy of Dragons) on Jan. 13, 2012
  (no rating)
  Draykon is a fantasy novel. For some reason, I've slowly started reading more fantasy, which I guess is because fantasy is an indulgence for me. To cut what could be a potentially long-winded flashback short: I was told by my writing teacher that I was reading too much fantasy and it was affecting my writing. But now that I've (temporarily) finished school and no longer have to write dreary reports, I can read as much fantasy as I want. But for some reason, absence doesn't make the heart grow founder. On the bright side, Draykon may have started to rekindle my love of fantasy. I'm going to give a sort-of-spoiler in saying that it took me to read nearly to the end of the novel to realise that Draykon is another spelling of the huge mythological creature that breathes fire. I noticed that it's getting common to intentionally mis-spell words to make them seem cooler, e.g. Vampyre, Faerie, Trylle. I don't know about you, but it's not very effective. Draykon is also part mystery. The mysterious Istore (I hope this name has nothing to do with Apple!), is causing deaths and Eva has to find out the cause. But it's really more a fantasy novel, with a world very different from ours, and the mystery was more of a chase than a deduction from clues. I'm also hoping that Draykon is part one of a series. Otherwise, the ending is seriously disappointing, because some mysteries (my lips are sealed) are not explained, but only hinted at. The true nature of the Draykon is never explained properly, and I felt very puzzled at the explanations (or lack of). I got this novel free from the librarything giveaway. I was asked to write a review, but was not asked to write a positive review. I will be positive, however, and recommend you to read this book, because it's an enjoyable read. (First published at http://allsortsofbooks.blogspot.com/2012/01/draykon-by-charlotte-e-english.html)
  
• Dirty Little Angels on Feb. 04, 2012
  
  I managed to finish another ebook today. I think my ebook reading speed has increased! ^_^ Anyway, remember how I was complaining about monotony in my reading (that one period of time where I read a lot of chic-lit)? Well, I can safely say that Dirty Little Angels is unlike those novels. The novel is one of those disturbing ones that you feel compelled to keep reading. It's really dark, due mainly to the portrayal of the lower-income class. I could actually see this as a novel to be studied in Literature. Basically, the novel is narrated from the protagonist, Hailey's point of view. It's a rather winding novel, chronicling her day-to-day life. The only thing is that to someone like me, it's a very strange and interesting world. Hailey has got to be in her teens (it's mentioned that her friend and her are below 21) but she smokes, she drinks, smokes pot and well, all sorts of things that I have never dreamt of doing. Basically, it's a far far distance from my sheltered world. But strangely enough, I couldn't stop reading it. Hailey's story isn't hopeful, conversely, she actually goes into a downward spiral. But somehow, despite all the negativity, and the fact that she smokes, she's a strangely likable character. This book is short, but worth reading. Especially if you're like me, and you hail from a sheltered world. Disclaimer: I got this book free from the librarything giveaway. All opinions in this review are my own. (First published at http://allsortsofbooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/dirty-little-angels-by-chris-tusa.html)