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ClareR (5854 KP) rated A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom in Books
Sep 3, 2022
Once I’d recognised the trick to this book, I found it fascinating - it took a couple of chapters though, so I would encourage anyone contemplating reading this to keep going for at least three chapters. Or, you know, read this, have some idea of what’s going on, and then get the book, sit back and enjoy!
I’ve often thought that life must have some universal stories: things that happen in our lives that have happened untold times before throughout history, and will probably happen countless times in the future.
That is the premise that ‘A Traveller’ works from. And it’s done so cleverly.
We begin in the Roman world in 1AD, and swap between different continents and cultures. The story remains the same, of love, loss, betrayal, revenge and death. There’s a lot of births and deaths. It really puts in to perspective humanity’s inability to learn from its mistakes - and we just keep on making them in to the future.
This is such a thought provoking, imaginative read. John Boyne just never seems to let me down.
I’ve often thought that life must have some universal stories: things that happen in our lives that have happened untold times before throughout history, and will probably happen countless times in the future.
That is the premise that ‘A Traveller’ works from. And it’s done so cleverly.
We begin in the Roman world in 1AD, and swap between different continents and cultures. The story remains the same, of love, loss, betrayal, revenge and death. There’s a lot of births and deaths. It really puts in to perspective humanity’s inability to learn from its mistakes - and we just keep on making them in to the future.
This is such a thought provoking, imaginative read. John Boyne just never seems to let me down.
British Comics: A Cultural History
Book
British Comics is a unique cultural history of British comic papers and magazines, from their...
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999) in Movies
May 3, 2019
Sprawling, episodic historical drama which brought the Hollywood career of Luc Besson to a firm stop. 15th century France is invaded by the English, but leading the resistance is a teenage girl who believes she can hear the voice of God. She may be able to defeat the invaders, but can she survive the snake pit of court and church politics?
So: Joan of Arc, an iconic, legendary, complex figure, is brought to the screen by Milla Jovovich, whose performance mostly consists of her rolling her eyes a lot and squeaking. No matter how distinguished the rest of the cast, or how well staged the various massed battle scenes, this is a problem which any film would struggle to overcome. Some other odd creative choices don't help much (Dustin Hoffman turns up as the embodiment of Joan's self-doubt). Still, there is a genuine sense of the medieval grotesque, and Besson is very much in his comfort zone during the battles. Certainly a brave and imaginative take on history, but the end result is too close to Monty Python and the Holy Grail for comfort.
So: Joan of Arc, an iconic, legendary, complex figure, is brought to the screen by Milla Jovovich, whose performance mostly consists of her rolling her eyes a lot and squeaking. No matter how distinguished the rest of the cast, or how well staged the various massed battle scenes, this is a problem which any film would struggle to overcome. Some other odd creative choices don't help much (Dustin Hoffman turns up as the embodiment of Joan's self-doubt). Still, there is a genuine sense of the medieval grotesque, and Besson is very much in his comfort zone during the battles. Certainly a brave and imaginative take on history, but the end result is too close to Monty Python and the Holy Grail for comfort.
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Body of Christ in Books
Jan 31, 2019
One of the things I love about horror is the potential for wildly imaginative happenings. Like fantasy, some crazy things can take place–only with horror, it’s more attuned to the things we fear. In Mark Matthews Body of Christ, we see the fantastic in strange, everyday behaviors.
Body of Christ tells the story of two children simultaneously, one a young boy whose mother is abusive and father kills himself, the other a girl whose mother has died and her father neglects her. Both children are peculiar in their own ways, and it is deliciously disturbing. Despite how messed up the story is, I can’t help but feel a bit of pity for the children and that’s a good thing, considering they’re the herald of bad things to come.
The story is quick-paced, with no time wasted. Considering my short attention span, this is a plus. Boredom often leads to me not finishing a story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this work. I feel that the plot was unique and I love the way Matthews describes his horrific things.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my unbiased opinion.
Body of Christ tells the story of two children simultaneously, one a young boy whose mother is abusive and father kills himself, the other a girl whose mother has died and her father neglects her. Both children are peculiar in their own ways, and it is deliciously disturbing. Despite how messed up the story is, I can’t help but feel a bit of pity for the children and that’s a good thing, considering they’re the herald of bad things to come.
The story is quick-paced, with no time wasted. Considering my short attention span, this is a plus. Boredom often leads to me not finishing a story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this work. I feel that the plot was unique and I love the way Matthews describes his horrific things.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my unbiased opinion.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Leprechaun Returns (2019) in Movies
Jul 25, 2019 (Updated Nov 11, 2020)
I think I sort of enjoyed this? Maybe?
I'm not a Leprechaun veteran by any means. I saw the first one years ago and that's about it, and I seem to remember that being pretty average.
As far as I can gather, Leprechaun Returns is a direct sequel to that original movie, discounting the many other sequels that followed.
"It's so bad that it's good" is an often used term that doesn't quite apply to LR.
There's certainly some fun to be had - the kills are fairly over the top and imaginative and the Leprechaun himself can be amusing at times, throwing limericks and rhymes all over the place whilst gleefully killing off the mostly annoying characters.
There's even a character from the original thrown into the mix, which I'm sure is a lovely inclusion for proper fans of the franchise.
Other than that, it's a pretty run-of-the-mill, unscary, teen horror movie.
It's the very meaning of mediocre, but for some reason I found myself satisfyingly entertained by the times the credits rolled.
I may even seek out the older sequels!
As far as I can gather, Leprechaun Returns is a direct sequel to that original movie, discounting the many other sequels that followed.
"It's so bad that it's good" is an often used term that doesn't quite apply to LR.
There's certainly some fun to be had - the kills are fairly over the top and imaginative and the Leprechaun himself can be amusing at times, throwing limericks and rhymes all over the place whilst gleefully killing off the mostly annoying characters.
There's even a character from the original thrown into the mix, which I'm sure is a lovely inclusion for proper fans of the franchise.
Other than that, it's a pretty run-of-the-mill, unscary, teen horror movie.
It's the very meaning of mediocre, but for some reason I found myself satisfyingly entertained by the times the credits rolled.
I may even seek out the older sequels!
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated King of Light and Shadows (The Omaran Saga #3) in Books
Nov 18, 2019
Brannog, who has been declared king of the Earthwrought despite being human, is hunting down the spawn of the evil city of Xennidhum that he helped destroy when he discovers something troubling. There are songs under the earth, beguiling the Earthwrought. Both his enemy turned ally Simon Wargallow and the rod of power held by Orhung have been captured. Who are the Earthwise and what do they want?
This was my introduction into the work of Adrian Cole, and it certainly impressed me. Firstly the tone is very much what would be described now as 'grimdark' with Wargallow being a particularly fine antihero. Secondly this is resolutely non-Tolkien and avoids so many fantasy tropes that were prevalent at the time. No orcs or elves. Instead we have altogether more imaginative creations - Children of the Mound, Deliverers.
This does start slow - it after all is part way through the saga and the characters are already established - but gradually builds to some fantastic set pieces, and a rather well executed and low key ending, setting up the fourth and final part of the series perfectly.
This was my introduction into the work of Adrian Cole, and it certainly impressed me. Firstly the tone is very much what would be described now as 'grimdark' with Wargallow being a particularly fine antihero. Secondly this is resolutely non-Tolkien and avoids so many fantasy tropes that were prevalent at the time. No orcs or elves. Instead we have altogether more imaginative creations - Children of the Mound, Deliverers.
This does start slow - it after all is part way through the saga and the characters are already established - but gradually builds to some fantastic set pieces, and a rather well executed and low key ending, setting up the fourth and final part of the series perfectly.
Grant Imperfection Mitchell (0 KP) rated Mice and Mystics in Tabletop Games
Mar 15, 2020
Co-op taking away tension of competitive (3 more)
Fun for all ages after a few rule adjustments
The story its self is a rich, beautiful tale of adventure
Combat is simple
Mice and Mystics is a great story telling boardgame in a series by Jerry Hawthorne. The game follows Prince Collin and his court of advisors who turn themselves to mice to escape certain death at the hands of an evil witch.
The whole game plays out by reading the story that accompanies the box and then playing out scenarios depicted by board pieces and using beautifully sculpted miniatures to navigate and fight the queens rat forces, spiders and more.
Its a game for the whole family which is brilliant, although to keep things moving smoothly for younger kids some rules can be stripped back for sure. This game is imaginative, difficulty can ramp up quickly making it challenging for all level of players and even though its co-op you can always just compete for kills......Centipedes only count as one.
The whole game plays out by reading the story that accompanies the box and then playing out scenarios depicted by board pieces and using beautifully sculpted miniatures to navigate and fight the queens rat forces, spiders and more.
Its a game for the whole family which is brilliant, although to keep things moving smoothly for younger kids some rules can be stripped back for sure. This game is imaginative, difficulty can ramp up quickly making it challenging for all level of players and even though its co-op you can always just compete for kills......Centipedes only count as one.
lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Kingdom of Back in Books
Mar 26, 2020
Mozart's sister reimagined
Marie Lu, known for her fantasy and science fiction has created a well-written and imaginative story about the childhood of the Mozart siblings. Wolfgang Mozart had an older sister nicknamed Nannerl, and together they imagined a fantasy land called the Kingdom of Back.
Nannerl, like her brother, is a enormous talent in terms of playing and composing music, but it is 18th century Europe and women are not allowed to openly compose or have musical careers. Her greatest wish is to be remembered forever. Enter Hyacinthe, a faerie prince from the Kingdom of Back, who offers to make Nannerl's wish a reality, if she will complete a series of tasks for him. At first Nannerl is enthusiastic as she follows his wishes, but soon realizes that there is a sinister price that comes with Hyacinthe's demands. She realizes she must rethink her priorities.
A big theme is this novel is the constraints that were placed on women in this time and it made me wonder how many talented women throughout history were unable to pursue their dreams. Four and a half stars.
Nannerl, like her brother, is a enormous talent in terms of playing and composing music, but it is 18th century Europe and women are not allowed to openly compose or have musical careers. Her greatest wish is to be remembered forever. Enter Hyacinthe, a faerie prince from the Kingdom of Back, who offers to make Nannerl's wish a reality, if she will complete a series of tasks for him. At first Nannerl is enthusiastic as she follows his wishes, but soon realizes that there is a sinister price that comes with Hyacinthe's demands. She realizes she must rethink her priorities.
A big theme is this novel is the constraints that were placed on women in this time and it made me wonder how many talented women throughout history were unable to pursue their dreams. Four and a half stars.
Country Girl
Book
I thought of life's many bounties, to have known the extremities of joy and sorrow, love, crossed...