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Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated The City of Brass: Daevabad Trilogy in Books
Dec 13, 2018
Interesting start to the series
This was a really colourful and deep entrance to a new fantasy series by a debut author. I read this in a combination of paperback and audio, both were enjoyable. The cast of characters are many with three main contenders that each had me completely interested.
This is a fairly long and complex tale, with the occasional confusing moment that had me switching off audio to refer to the book and names of characters/magic/tribes. The index of these definitions of words was hugely helpful.
The story is full of intrigue, battles, magic, faiths, warring factions, desire and family. Nahri, a lowly girl with special abilities finds herself transported to a city of six dijinn tribes by a very powerful dijinn. Friendships, allegiances and wariness are formed as Nahri finds herself to be special and revered if she can only prove herself. The friendships are strong and central, whilst the budding romances on multiple fronts are subtle. So much happens and life is totally turned upside down by the end. The story is told from multiple POV.
I will definitely by reading the rest of the series, but I suspect the complexity will mean a re-read so that I can pick up book two. I highly recommend the audio, with superb narration.
This is a fairly long and complex tale, with the occasional confusing moment that had me switching off audio to refer to the book and names of characters/magic/tribes. The index of these definitions of words was hugely helpful.
The story is full of intrigue, battles, magic, faiths, warring factions, desire and family. Nahri, a lowly girl with special abilities finds herself transported to a city of six dijinn tribes by a very powerful dijinn. Friendships, allegiances and wariness are formed as Nahri finds herself to be special and revered if she can only prove herself. The friendships are strong and central, whilst the budding romances on multiple fronts are subtle. So much happens and life is totally turned upside down by the end. The story is told from multiple POV.
I will definitely by reading the rest of the series, but I suspect the complexity will mean a re-read so that I can pick up book two. I highly recommend the audio, with superb narration.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Golem (Der Golem) (1920) in Movies
Nov 4, 2019 (Updated Nov 4, 2019)
Usual disclaimers apply when discussing a movie this old (the pace, production values and performance style should not be judged by modern standards), but this is another one of those films proving that things have, perhaps, not changed as much as we think. This is technically Golem 3, a prequel to the first two showing the creation of the titular monster during the middle ages. The structure of the story is very familiar - it seems like a good idea to create an immensely powerful servant from clay using dark magic, to begin with anyway, but he proves an unruly worker in the end, to say the least.
Another expressionist German fantasy film about the dangers of flirting with the powers of darkness; if you're looking for historical irony the fact it's based on a Jewish legend should give you plenty to work with. Holds up pretty well; the similarities to Frankenstein are very obvious, and the director gives a striking performance as the monster. Many other performances are striking to the modern eye as well, although not in quite the same way. Some interesting cultural baggage to be unpicked here too (the Jewish characters are the heroes of the film, but the Rabbi does have black magic powers which no-one seems very surprised). Interesting historically and a watchable genre movie, too.
Another expressionist German fantasy film about the dangers of flirting with the powers of darkness; if you're looking for historical irony the fact it's based on a Jewish legend should give you plenty to work with. Holds up pretty well; the similarities to Frankenstein are very obvious, and the director gives a striking performance as the monster. Many other performances are striking to the modern eye as well, although not in quite the same way. Some interesting cultural baggage to be unpicked here too (the Jewish characters are the heroes of the film, but the Rabbi does have black magic powers which no-one seems very surprised). Interesting historically and a watchable genre movie, too.
House of Many Ways
9.5
Rate It
Book
Charmain Baker is in over her head. Looking after Great-Uncle William's tiny cottage while he's ill...
Magic Fantasy Wizard Witches Magic House Howl
Paragon: Trials of the Chosen
8.0
Rate It
Tabletop Game
Set in a fantasy world beset by warring demigods vying to join the eternal pantheon, Paragon: Trials...
ClareR (5911 KP) rated The Queens of Innis Lear in Books
Nov 21, 2021
The Queens of Innis Lear is a retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear, which I haven’t read, so I can’t even begin to compare this frankly wonderful book to the original.
I’m not even going to write a synopsis, however short, because this is a 500+ page book, and it would be impossible. What I WILL say, is that this book really did deliver on the strong female character front. That alone would make this a book I’d want to read. The descriptions of the anthropomorphised island (that’s my big word for the day), the magic, the trees, was entrancing. Where is this place? I need to go there! It’s OK, I know it’s fictitious, but, y’know…
There are so many twists and turns, double crosses, misunderstandings - there’s never a dull moment on this island. Handsome men and Kings who are passed over because the women, the potential Queens, know that to have their own autonomy they must remain single.
Ok, this book could have been shorter, but I really believe that this would have affected the world building - and what a world Innis Lear and the countries near and far from it’s borders are!
If you like fantasy with Kings, Queens, magic and strife, then this may well be the book for you. I adored it.
I’m not even going to write a synopsis, however short, because this is a 500+ page book, and it would be impossible. What I WILL say, is that this book really did deliver on the strong female character front. That alone would make this a book I’d want to read. The descriptions of the anthropomorphised island (that’s my big word for the day), the magic, the trees, was entrancing. Where is this place? I need to go there! It’s OK, I know it’s fictitious, but, y’know…
There are so many twists and turns, double crosses, misunderstandings - there’s never a dull moment on this island. Handsome men and Kings who are passed over because the women, the potential Queens, know that to have their own autonomy they must remain single.
Ok, this book could have been shorter, but I really believe that this would have affected the world building - and what a world Innis Lear and the countries near and far from it’s borders are!
If you like fantasy with Kings, Queens, magic and strife, then this may well be the book for you. I adored it.
Dawn of a Demon (NightFly #1)
Book
The fight to save my city and everyone in it has only just begun. It's time to sharpen the cat claws...
Urban Fantasy
Nobody's Goddess (Never Veil #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
In a village of masked men, magic compels each man to love only one woman and to follow the commands...
Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006) in Movies
May 13, 2019
Amor et Psyche
Number 6 of my #top10 #favourite #films is 'Perfume The Story Of A Murderer'.
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#Perfume is such a #strange film, it extreamly long and almost feels like 3 separate films about the same character sewn together. Every time i watch it i feel absorbed by in this amazing #fairytale, maybe its the #magic, the #wonder and the sheer #beauty of it thats so intoxicating. Then theres the #violence, the #filth and the straight up #creepy but no matter how odd the film seems to get you cant help but be #mesmerized by it constantly. With such memorable characters, smashing dialog, huge well designed sets/costumes, great acting and an absolutely griping/highly satisfying story Perfume for me is an incredible hidden gem. If you like #fantasy, #gothic #horror, #serialkillers and #beautiful #perioddramas its a must see. ------------------------------------------------
#sundayfunday #weeked #scary #killer #alanrickman #dustinhofman #purfumethestoryofamurderer #runlolarun
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#Perfume is such a #strange film, it extreamly long and almost feels like 3 separate films about the same character sewn together. Every time i watch it i feel absorbed by in this amazing #fairytale, maybe its the #magic, the #wonder and the sheer #beauty of it thats so intoxicating. Then theres the #violence, the #filth and the straight up #creepy but no matter how odd the film seems to get you cant help but be #mesmerized by it constantly. With such memorable characters, smashing dialog, huge well designed sets/costumes, great acting and an absolutely griping/highly satisfying story Perfume for me is an incredible hidden gem. If you like #fantasy, #gothic #horror, #serialkillers and #beautiful #perioddramas its a must see. ------------------------------------------------
#sundayfunday #weeked #scary #killer #alanrickman #dustinhofman #purfumethestoryofamurderer #runlolarun
Merissa (13100 KP) rated Fracture (The Secret Enemy Saga, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
A brilliant concept intertwined with a very well-written story! One world has magic, one world has technology. Should they try to combine there is a chance that both will perish. But what happens when someone from one falls in love with someone from the other?
This is the tale of what happens when one world tries to cross over to the other and the people who are trying to stop this from happening. There are noble kings, honourable assasins, seers, traitors, inner evil that is wrapped up in beauty and stallions with attitude to name but a few.
I loved how the worlds intermingle and how someone from one world would try to comprehend the other. The characters all have depth and are fantastic to read about. You will become involved with each and every one as their story unfolds.
Highly recommended to all fantasy readers!
This is the tale of what happens when one world tries to cross over to the other and the people who are trying to stop this from happening. There are noble kings, honourable assasins, seers, traitors, inner evil that is wrapped up in beauty and stallions with attitude to name but a few.
I loved how the worlds intermingle and how someone from one world would try to comprehend the other. The characters all have depth and are fantastic to read about. You will become involved with each and every one as their story unfolds.
Highly recommended to all fantasy readers!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Krull (1983) in Movies
Apr 13, 2020
Daft but charming sword-and-sorcery adventure, one of the more distinctive products of the early 80s fantasy boom. The planet Krull (a generic fantasyland) is invaded by vaguely Giger-esque alien conquerors and rightful king Colwyn must go on a quest in search of a rather unwieldy magic weapon to save the galaxy (or something).
Looks good, and is helped along considerably by a slightly unhinged score from a young James Horner. One of the many fun things about it is the fact that ostensible hero Ken Marshall is, these days, one of the least well-known people in it - the lower reaches of the cast list are stuffed with well-known actors just starting out (Alun Armstrong, Robbie Coltrane, Liam Neeson). In the end the story is nothing very special - the usual quest for plot coupons - but it's played with gusto and very hard to dislike.
Looks good, and is helped along considerably by a slightly unhinged score from a young James Horner. One of the many fun things about it is the fact that ostensible hero Ken Marshall is, these days, one of the least well-known people in it - the lower reaches of the cast list are stuffed with well-known actors just starting out (Alun Armstrong, Robbie Coltrane, Liam Neeson). In the end the story is nothing very special - the usual quest for plot coupons - but it's played with gusto and very hard to dislike.
