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Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rating: 4.5
The Breakout Novelist is a fantastic handbook that should be on every writer's desk. It should be marked up, highlighted, paper-clipped, and sticky-noted (if that's a word. Let's pretend it is). There is so much great advice and information in here it would take weeks and multiple readings to really get it all: but it's not meant to be read through from start to finish. It's a handbook, workbook, dictionary type tool.
There are many categories such as plot, theme, characters, chapters on voice and hyper-reality, protagonists vs. heroes, and information about what to do when you've got your manuscript done and "ready." There are exercises questions, prompts, and examples carefully explained and outlined. It's easy to read and understand and doesn't feel like an instruction manual: it's fun and enjoyable and interesting to read.
I wholeheartedly recommend any serious writer—just starting or multi-published—to grab a copy of The Breakout Novelist.
check out my blog for an excerpt/guest post: http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-and-guest-post-breakout-novelist.html
The Breakout Novelist is a fantastic handbook that should be on every writer's desk. It should be marked up, highlighted, paper-clipped, and sticky-noted (if that's a word. Let's pretend it is). There is so much great advice and information in here it would take weeks and multiple readings to really get it all: but it's not meant to be read through from start to finish. It's a handbook, workbook, dictionary type tool.
There are many categories such as plot, theme, characters, chapters on voice and hyper-reality, protagonists vs. heroes, and information about what to do when you've got your manuscript done and "ready." There are exercises questions, prompts, and examples carefully explained and outlined. It's easy to read and understand and doesn't feel like an instruction manual: it's fun and enjoyable and interesting to read.
I wholeheartedly recommend any serious writer—just starting or multi-published—to grab a copy of The Breakout Novelist.
check out my blog for an excerpt/guest post: http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-and-guest-post-breakout-novelist.html
Andy K (10823 KP) rated 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) in Movies
Apr 29, 2019
One of the first Disney films to be shot in Cinema Scope
I swear Kirk Douglas has the best chin in film I have ever seen.
Another Disney classic I am ashamed I had not seen until today. What a grand epic undersea adventure! Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre and James Mason as Captain Nemo (my dog really liked the seal, Esmeralda as well).
After some mysterious encounters at sea results in several vessels going down, some survivors of one of the blasts find their way aboard the Nautilus and meet the nefarious captain. After discovering the captain's mission our heroes try and escape and end up sort of joining the crew to bide their time until another opportunity arises.
What about the giant squid?
For the time period, this film looked amazing and the art direction and special effects both won Academy Awards for that year. The design of the Nautilus was also very interesting and it photographed well underwater.
I thoroughly enjoyed embarking on this aquatic journey and had to hold my breath until it was over!
Another Disney classic I am ashamed I had not seen until today. What a grand epic undersea adventure! Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre and James Mason as Captain Nemo (my dog really liked the seal, Esmeralda as well).
After some mysterious encounters at sea results in several vessels going down, some survivors of one of the blasts find their way aboard the Nautilus and meet the nefarious captain. After discovering the captain's mission our heroes try and escape and end up sort of joining the crew to bide their time until another opportunity arises.
What about the giant squid?
For the time period, this film looked amazing and the art direction and special effects both won Academy Awards for that year. The design of the Nautilus was also very interesting and it photographed well underwater.
I thoroughly enjoyed embarking on this aquatic journey and had to hold my breath until it was over!
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Matrix Revolutions (2003) in Movies
Jun 2, 2019
So as we left our heroes, the last human city, Zion, is coming under imminent threat from the army of robot "squiddies" hurling toward them at lightning speed and Neo has discovered he has superhuman powers and can do lots of cool stuff.
After Agent Smith visits the Oracle at the beginning of the film, he really disappears along with Neo while the large dogfight between the humans who are using these Avatar/Aliens type robot machine things to defend Zion.
Most of the battle scenes are mediocre at best. The whole time I was thinking I had seen all of this done better in other movies.
The scenes between Neo and Trinity at the end tie the story of the three films together somewhat, but the ultimate climax is not very interesting and somewhat of a letdown.
Ultimately, Warner Brothers wanted to make The Matrix a film trilogy, and although the original will always maintain its status as truly revolutionary, the sequels will always be remembered as disappointments.
After Agent Smith visits the Oracle at the beginning of the film, he really disappears along with Neo while the large dogfight between the humans who are using these Avatar/Aliens type robot machine things to defend Zion.
Most of the battle scenes are mediocre at best. The whole time I was thinking I had seen all of this done better in other movies.
The scenes between Neo and Trinity at the end tie the story of the three films together somewhat, but the ultimate climax is not very interesting and somewhat of a letdown.
Ultimately, Warner Brothers wanted to make The Matrix a film trilogy, and although the original will always maintain its status as truly revolutionary, the sequels will always be remembered as disappointments.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated The Duke Meets His Match in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I had a love hate relationship with the novel. The hate comes from my annoyance with the certain character traits. I dont enjoy the tortured heroes/heroines who push people away because they feel they dont deserve love or have done terrible things in the past. However, I loved the strong female lead and her willingness to take things into her own hands to get things done and the sassy male lead who didnt know what hit him. The hero actually ended up being one of my favorites to date particularly for his ability to realize he is not infallible and must correct his own wrongdoings/misconceptions.
Overall, it was an enjoyable novel. The pity parties got old, but I enjoyed watching the main couple fall in love. It was an easy kind of love that happened over time rather than forced. Not to mention the female lead had a brain on her shoulders. Always a plus in my book!
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Overall, it was an enjoyable novel. The pity parties got old, but I enjoyed watching the main couple fall in love. It was an easy kind of love that happened over time rather than forced. Not to mention the female lead had a brain on her shoulders. Always a plus in my book!
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Kyera (8 KP) rated For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds in Books
Feb 1, 2018
This was your typical, hilarious Rick Riordan companion novel. Like Percy Jackson telling us in his witty way about Greek mythology in the two books about Greek Gods and Greek Heroes
Various residents of Hotel Valhalla tell us about Norse mythology. It was filled with interviews, stories and jokes. Part encyclopedia and part comedy sketch. I do wish that it was longer and more in depth. Generally, people know more about Greek mythology than they do about other types, so it would be great to have a more expansive discussion about the gods, goddesses, monsters and origin stories in Norse Mythology. Perhaps this will be rectified in a future expanded novel? That would be my one criticism for this book, otherwise it was a fantastic, quick, funny read. Highly recommended for middle grade and young adult readers who are already fans of Rick Riordan's, love fantasy, mythology, funny books or pretty much anything else. I just recommend that you read the Magnus Chase series before delving into this book to give yourself a little familiarity.
The Nature of Monkey is Irrepressible
Only mildly unhinged Japanese adaptation of the famous Journey to the West stories, which became a cult TV show when exported to the UK, Australia, and South America. Classic 16th century Chinese novel is transformed into something almost indescribable; a mixture of off-the-wall humour, hyperactive martial arts sequences, and cheesy special effects - the English dub may take a few liberties with the original scripts as well.
A representative episode sees our heroes visiting a small village terrorised by a giant catfish monster, which proceeds to eat three of them; they end up going to a disco which is held in the bad guy's stomach, before persuading him to vomit them up so they can fight him and his followers. Frequently silly, and the low budget often shows, but made with relentless energy and cheerfulness; hugely imaginative, often genuinely very funny. A generation of UK viewers grew up able to sing the theme tune 'Monkey Magic' (and misremember the name of the show as a result).
A representative episode sees our heroes visiting a small village terrorised by a giant catfish monster, which proceeds to eat three of them; they end up going to a disco which is held in the bad guy's stomach, before persuading him to vomit them up so they can fight him and his followers. Frequently silly, and the low budget often shows, but made with relentless energy and cheerfulness; hugely imaginative, often genuinely very funny. A generation of UK viewers grew up able to sing the theme tune 'Monkey Magic' (and misremember the name of the show as a result).
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Disney at Last (Kingdom Keepers: The Return #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Finn, the rest of the Kingdom Keepers, plus Jess and Amanda are still back in 1955. While they wait for their trip back to our time to be perfected, they have a new mission – stop the overtakers from even being created. Meanwhile, in the present, Jess and Amanda’s friend Mattie is in a fight of her own to protect the parks of the present. Can she do it?
With two stories in two time periods, this book is never boring. There are several great fight scenes, and we even get to see some of the Disney heroes for more than a glimpse this time around. As always, the characters could be more fleshed out, but I have spent so much time with them I really don’t care. I do feel the climax glossed over a few things, but I do like where the characters end up. We’ll just blame it on me trying to follow time travel.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-disney-at-last-by-ridley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
With two stories in two time periods, this book is never boring. There are several great fight scenes, and we even get to see some of the Disney heroes for more than a glimpse this time around. As always, the characters could be more fleshed out, but I have spent so much time with them I really don’t care. I do feel the climax glossed over a few things, but I do like where the characters end up. We’ll just blame it on me trying to follow time travel.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-disney-at-last-by-ridley.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018 (Updated Feb 11, 2018)
Rather atypical Godzilla movie with the focus very much on the human characters and a much stronger sci-fi element than usual. When a new Godzilla appears, a widowed scientist and a young pilot both find themselves working on a project to develop Mechagodzilla, a cyborg weapon built from the remains of the creature from the 1954 movie. Needless to say, Mechagodzilla turns out to be unexpectedly ornery - can our heroes turn things around in time to save Tokyo from Godzilla (again)?
Unusually well-characterised for this genre, with a plot that distinctly anticipates that of Pacific Rim. The downside of this is that Godzilla's off-screen or off in the distance for most of the movie, but you can't have everything. Not exactly profound or loaded with subtext, but it does have rather glorious widescreen scenes of indiscriminate property damage, extremely good monster suits, and bags of energy and fun - you can see why the next film in the series was a direct sequel to this one.
Unusually well-characterised for this genre, with a plot that distinctly anticipates that of Pacific Rim. The downside of this is that Godzilla's off-screen or off in the distance for most of the movie, but you can't have everything. Not exactly profound or loaded with subtext, but it does have rather glorious widescreen scenes of indiscriminate property damage, extremely good monster suits, and bags of energy and fun - you can see why the next film in the series was a direct sequel to this one.
Connie (244 KP) rated Super Powereds: Year 1 in Books
Jun 8, 2018
A twist on the classic super hero story
This is an interesting in-depth look at a Hero Certification Program and how young Supers become full-fledged Heroes. Gifted with incredible powers, the Supers have to complete 4 years of rigorous training to be allowed an internship under an existing Hero.
The Powereds, on the other hand, have to be contained and avoided--they have no control over their abilities. And that's fine if your ability is, say, shooting water out of your fingers... But what if you control the flow of gravity, or absorb electricity?
When a mysterious treatment turns 5 Powereds into Supers, you can bet there is chaos, mischief, and at least a little destruction to boot!
I loved this book because it was well-written, with interesting and deep characters. There are no Mary Sues here, and even the professors become real as opposed to just static authority figures.
Additionally. I bought this book for Kindle for $4, and it's like 700 pages long. Can't beat that price!
I reccommend this book to everyone!
The Powereds, on the other hand, have to be contained and avoided--they have no control over their abilities. And that's fine if your ability is, say, shooting water out of your fingers... But what if you control the flow of gravity, or absorb electricity?
When a mysterious treatment turns 5 Powereds into Supers, you can bet there is chaos, mischief, and at least a little destruction to boot!
I loved this book because it was well-written, with interesting and deep characters. There are no Mary Sues here, and even the professors become real as opposed to just static authority figures.
Additionally. I bought this book for Kindle for $4, and it's like 700 pages long. Can't beat that price!
I reccommend this book to everyone!
Connie (244 KP) rated Super Powereds: Year 4 in Books
Jun 8, 2018
A brilliant conclusion to an outstanding quartet
I literally don't know what to say. This book took my breath away. The trials were tough, and the fallout from Year 3 is real and well-thought-out. The characters have defined themselves and their growth is evident. The world is ready for these new heroes... Assuming they can make it to graduation.
Personally, I appreciate the struggle that Alice goes through and how she chooses to utilize her Subtlety skills. I also loved watch in Will try to find the lines of his own morality--will I break the law to achieve my ends? His test is brilliant, and I love Kennedy's reasoning when the test is over.
I stumbled onto this series from Crew's NPC series, and it was well worth it! I will be on the lookout every day to see what I can find by the magnificent Mr
Hayes!
This book was $6 on Kindle and comes to almost 2000 pages (yes, almost TWO THOUSAND pages. It's not a typo).
Personally, I appreciate the struggle that Alice goes through and how she chooses to utilize her Subtlety skills. I also loved watch in Will try to find the lines of his own morality--will I break the law to achieve my ends? His test is brilliant, and I love Kennedy's reasoning when the test is over.
I stumbled onto this series from Crew's NPC series, and it was well worth it! I will be on the lookout every day to see what I can find by the magnificent Mr
Hayes!
This book was $6 on Kindle and comes to almost 2000 pages (yes, almost TWO THOUSAND pages. It's not a typo).