TDL guess

[blamebrampton]

And the other thing that I've noticed in this book, aside from the fact that the boy on the cover knows how to paint a really good lipline but could have cut back on the gloss (young people today) is ...

... that there is something really off about Nick. Not in terms of the writing, but in terms of Nick himself. He is a really strange mix of teenaged selfishness and self-centredness yet with a hugely acute sense of his brother, I'm not exaggerating when I say it's almost a romantic sense, we hear about his brother's looks, his hopes and dreams, his pains, all sorts of intimate knowledge, all from Nick (who is also a bit of an Alan stalker, it appears). Add to that the fact that he seems preternaturally buff and physically advanced for his years and I call plot twist. I'm guessing he's not wholly human and is connected to Alan in an unexpected way.

And if I am right, I will do the happy dance of 'Yes, yes, AND I guessed Bruce Willis was dead in the Sixth Sense' (well, that one was easy).

If I am wrong, I will shake my head and mutter 'Young novelists today, think it's fine for 15-year-old boys to wear lipgloss AND take steroids ...

Comments

[faynia.livejournal.com]

I say LOL!

'Young novelists today, think it's fine for 15-year-old boys to wear lipgloss AND take steroids ...'

I'm not a novelist and unless I was trying to hit a very small demographic of girls who would like a guy like this, I say LOL. No.

On the otherhand, I'm only 30 pages in, perhaps I have yet to discover this steroid issue.

I've discovered some deep-seated anger issues though. xD

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's roid rage? He is a very cranky young man, though I suppose that we can forgive him a lot when we consider he spends his life both pursued by demons and having to keep that lipgloss free from blood, feathers and assorted body parts.

[faynia.livejournal.com]

I speculate his super strength comes from lugging so many bodies into rivers. >.>

But yes, it must be terribly hard keeping the eyeliner and lipgloss fresh when doing battle!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

He probably met up with a few Irish mafia at a river one night, one thing led to another, before you know it, they're hooking him up with a roid supplier and the good stuff that stays on your lips even after eating, kissing and slaughtering.

Don't get me started on the eye make-up ;-)

Nick

[lilian-cho.livejournal.com]

having to keep that lipgloss free from blood, feathers and assorted body parts.

Where do you get this lip gloss idea anyway?

My image of Nick is a combination of the UK I'm-brooding-and-make-girls-sigh cover and the Japanese I'm-so-awesome-Roy-Mustang-cool-with-knives
cover.

Re: Nick

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I have the US high lipgloss cover (which is my least favourite, but beggars can't be choosers). When I saw the image on Sarah's LJ, I thought he looked a bit odd, now that I have it in my hot little hands I realise it is the lad is loaded down with cherry gloss!

Re: Nick

[lilian-cho.livejournal.com]

Did the illustrator even read the book?

Lololol. And what's the deal with the auburn highlights in USCover's hair anyway? X_x;;

I ordered a copy from the UK just because I dislike the US cover that much, haha. I suspect I'll buy the US hardcover anyway (and hide the dust jacket), but later when it's discounted or if I can find it in secondhand bookstores.

Re: Nick

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

The hair is as nothing to his crepey neck. He's meant to be 15. I am 42 and my neck has far better skin tone than that. I may have to hide my cover, too, once I finish using the flaps as bookmarks.

You were wise to plan ahead!

[sorrelchestnut.livejournal.com]

The lipgloss thing made me laugh. They also put way too much lipstick on tv stars these days, have you noticed that? It's especially obvious in Supernatural. I'm sorry, but nobody's lips are naturally that shade of blushing rose, and it looks especially funny on guys who've forgotten to shave for a couple days.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Damian Lewis in Life had fuschia pink lippie that distracted me frequently. Perhaps with the Supernatural boys it is a tip of the hat to all those crossdressing fics?

[sorrelchestnut.livejournal.com]

I'd totally forgotten about the lipstick in Life, which is even worse than SPN. Gah. The pink was blinding.

[aella_irene]

*She who has Finished the book smiles Mysteriously*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I'll get back to you in a day or two ;-)

[azurelunatic]

*she who has Also Finished the book smirks Smugly*

[lilian-cho.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing he's not wholly human and is connected to Alan in an unexpected way.

I think you may be right! (Only into chapter four myself)

And if I am right, I will do the happy dance of 'Yes, yes, AND I guessed Bruce Willis was dead in the Sixth Sense' (well, that one was easy).

X-D I guessed that one _before_ I watched the movie lolol. Just because everyone was all "What an unexpected plot twist! Ooooh shiny."

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Hee, me too. I read a review that had no spoilers, and one of my friends who had been at the same review session was saying 'You'll NEVER guess', gleefully. He was very annoyed when I did. But it was obvious to all smart people like us ;-)

I'm up to 130 now and I am quite sure that he's at the very least not Alan's actual physical brother, because Alan is odd about it all, too. And I would make spooky noises but I have no idea how to type the sounds.

[lilian-cho.livejournal.com]

I HAZ A THEORY. That began because you put a seed of your theory in my head.

lol, for me it was my oldest brother. He went: "But how did you guess? =O =O =O?"
Me: *appears as wise and mysterious as a teenager can be*

Isn't "Whoo-whoo" a spooky noise? X-D

[melusinahp.livejournal.com]

Mmm, well. He watched his father die violently in front of him when he was a small boy and was soundly rejected by his mother since birth. Alan is the centre of his universe, the only one who ever cared or showed him any affection. I think he's got a right to have some issues. ;)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Oh he can have all the issues he likes, it was the noticing his brother's long fine fingers and how he wears his hair that seemed a bit odd. And now I have read further, Alan is a bit odd with him, too. I await further developments, as I am fairly sure that the steroid hypothesis is false.

What's all this, then.

[wemyss.livejournal.com]

Fraternally-incestuous homo-erotism involving a captain-of-games-except-with-lip-gloss public schoolboy? Why hire an illustrator? Just slap something by Henry Scott Tuke on the cover and Bob's your uncle, I should think.

Re: What's all this, then.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Ha! Yes! Though my mind immediately went to a strange reverse Laurens van der Post place.

(And why is Tuke not as popular as Beardsley?)

[hollyxu.livejournal.com]

I thought he was close to sociopathic, but with a flavour of rebel!Draco. But you will see in the end! (Sign of being in fandom too long: Defining fictional characters with bits and pieces of established fanon archetypes.)

Who's your favourite character?

Young novelists today, think it's fine for 15-year-old boys to wear lipgloss AND take steroids ...

... This needs lolcats. Or icons.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Ha! He's not seeming like Draco to me, but I can definitely see the sociopathic idea. To be fair, you need to be socialised to be otherwise, so he's allowed some leeway there ;-)

Can't say as to fave characters yet, still reading, despite my best efforts to make time to finish it today!

And cats with lipgloss? you scare me!

[drgaellon]

'Young novelists today, think it's fine for 15-year-old boys to wear lipgloss AND take steroids ...

*cough*AdamLambert*cough*... yeah, okay, maybe not 'roid-buff, but c'mon, the boy's got a bod!

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I know that he exists, but that's it! I am a popular culture void.

[drgaellon]

http://drgaellon.livejournal.com/tag/oh+adam!

You'll find pics and videos of him under that tag on my journal.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I fear that, like Russell Brand, he will have to join the list of things I will pay attention to after I get my head around string theory.

[drgaellon]

But UNLIKE Russell Brand, Adam is TALENTED. :) Have an icon.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Well, yes, I am quite with you on that basic difference between the two of them!

[bryoneybrynn.livejournal.com]

Adore you.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

*Mwah!*

[adevyish.livejournal.com]

I've only read the first chapter (when sarah_tales put it online), and I thought I'd picked up on a few of those vibes. Since my slash goggles' mileage varies day-by-day, I assumed this was one of my delusional days. Nice to know I'm not alone (and that I have a reason to read this book sooner rather than later—sooner if I can find a copy that doesn't have any lipgloss boys on its cover. I have Japan for that.)

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Hee! No, I am in full agreement as to the slashy subtext. Worth the price, even more so if you can find a cover that is less bloody scary than the American one. Though, looking at many of their famous young men, they like them covered in slap. I suspect a whole nation of slashy subtext.

[aldehyde.livejournal.com]

i'm about halfway through and i pretty much think the same thing.

but i'm not enjoying the book as everyone else - certain parts seem very stilted to me, and i'm bored more than anything else :( in fact, i haven't even picked up the book since thursday [4 days ago] and that's unheard of when i'm in the middle of reading something new..