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Gaz Coombes recommended Histoire de Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg in Music (curated)
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Furies in Books
Sep 26, 2019
Violet joins Elm Hollow after the death of her little sister and father. It's a private girls school that has a history of magic and witchcraft thanks to an association with the 17th century witch trials. Violet finds herself drawn to three girls--Robin, Grace, and Alex. She becomes close with them, particularly Robin, and finds herself invited to an advanced study group led by their art teacher, Annabel, which goes into more depth about the witchcraft practiced at the school so long ago. The girls seem to think the magic is real, and that they can harness it. Always lurking in the background is Emily Frost--Robin's former best friend--who died before Violet came to Elm Hollow. She and Violet look very similar. As time passes, Violet starts to wonder if the witchcraft is real. And what really happened to Emily?
The girl is found dead on a swing on a playground on Elm Hollow Academy property--no known cause of death. That's how this novel opens, and then we have Violet, who tells us the story looking back, recounting her time at Elm Hollow. So the story opens dramatically and we know something has terrible happened. And that Violet makes it out okay.
"Inconclusive, they said, as though that changed the fact of it, which was this: a sixteen-year-old girl, dead on school property, without a single clue to suggest why or how."
This book should be been really good--I'm a sucker for private school tales (I thought it was a boarding school one, as well, but it wasn't)--but it just didn't work for me. I thought about putting it aside several times, but I just couldn't. I need to work on my DNF skills.
There is a lot here: two dead girls; witchcraft and the occult; mythology; friendship and coming of age--and none of it feels fully explored. A lot of the book focuses on mythology as Annabel teaches some of it to the girls (I felt myself skimming over that, and I like mythology). There's the focus on witchcraft, but it never seems fully embraced. There's a lot of violence (won't go too far for spoilers) but there are never really any consequences. It's very strange, and honestly, not the sort of YA book I'd encourage for teens.
And, then, I just didn't care for these characters. Robin is hateful, and I couldn't form a bond with Violet, our narrator. That would be all well and good if the action was enough to keep my interest, but it wasn't. The book just felt jumbled, and I wasn't interested in picking it up. Even a few late twists didn't really redeem things for me.
Lots of others have found the story powerful, however, so if you like mean girls with a side of possible witchcraft, you may enjoy this more. 2 stars.
The girl is found dead on a swing on a playground on Elm Hollow Academy property--no known cause of death. That's how this novel opens, and then we have Violet, who tells us the story looking back, recounting her time at Elm Hollow. So the story opens dramatically and we know something has terrible happened. And that Violet makes it out okay.
"Inconclusive, they said, as though that changed the fact of it, which was this: a sixteen-year-old girl, dead on school property, without a single clue to suggest why or how."
This book should be been really good--I'm a sucker for private school tales (I thought it was a boarding school one, as well, but it wasn't)--but it just didn't work for me. I thought about putting it aside several times, but I just couldn't. I need to work on my DNF skills.
There is a lot here: two dead girls; witchcraft and the occult; mythology; friendship and coming of age--and none of it feels fully explored. A lot of the book focuses on mythology as Annabel teaches some of it to the girls (I felt myself skimming over that, and I like mythology). There's the focus on witchcraft, but it never seems fully embraced. There's a lot of violence (won't go too far for spoilers) but there are never really any consequences. It's very strange, and honestly, not the sort of YA book I'd encourage for teens.
And, then, I just didn't care for these characters. Robin is hateful, and I couldn't form a bond with Violet, our narrator. That would be all well and good if the action was enough to keep my interest, but it wasn't. The book just felt jumbled, and I wasn't interested in picking it up. Even a few late twists didn't really redeem things for me.
Lots of others have found the story powerful, however, so if you like mean girls with a side of possible witchcraft, you may enjoy this more. 2 stars.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) in Movies
Apr 6, 2019 (Updated Apr 6, 2019)
Good-natured family fantasy based on Arthurian legend. Alex Elliot draws a magic sword from a stone and finds himself charged with defending Britain from an ancient sorceress, the problem being he's only twelve years old.
Scores highly on the CGI spectacle front, and some good gags as well, but some of the learning-and-growing stuff feels a bit laborious and it's probably about twenty minutes too long. Child acting is mostly acceptable and Patrick Stewart is always good value, even though he's hardly in it. Given the film is trying hard to hit the same beats as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, and mostly succeeding, it's a little hard to see why it has turned out to be such a flop; a victim of too many other dud films based on classic mythology leaving a bad taste in the mouth, I guess. No-one involved in this one has any real reason to feel ashamed of themselves, anyway.
Scores highly on the CGI spectacle front, and some good gags as well, but some of the learning-and-growing stuff feels a bit laborious and it's probably about twenty minutes too long. Child acting is mostly acceptable and Patrick Stewart is always good value, even though he's hardly in it. Given the film is trying hard to hit the same beats as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, and mostly succeeding, it's a little hard to see why it has turned out to be such a flop; a victim of too many other dud films based on classic mythology leaving a bad taste in the mouth, I guess. No-one involved in this one has any real reason to feel ashamed of themselves, anyway.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Gods Of Egypt (2016) in Movies
Mar 17, 2018
Entertainingly bad
Let's face it, you know a film with Gerard Butler in it is never going to be good. But at least with Gods of Egypt it's that bad it's vaguely entertaining.
It's take on Egyptian mythology is actually an interesting one and it's just a shame they decided to take some of it too far with over the top and pretty naff CGI. Gerard Butler hams it up and it's quite funny to listen to his accent constantly switching between English, Scottish and American. Nicolaj Coster-Waldau is a good actor but he's given absolutely nothing to work with here other than a terrible cheesy and stilted script. Brenton Thwaites isn't too bad either but he does seem to be playing a very similar character to that of the latest Pirates film.
This is one of those films you watch just to laugh at how bad it is. And fortunately for this, I've seen worse!
It's take on Egyptian mythology is actually an interesting one and it's just a shame they decided to take some of it too far with over the top and pretty naff CGI. Gerard Butler hams it up and it's quite funny to listen to his accent constantly switching between English, Scottish and American. Nicolaj Coster-Waldau is a good actor but he's given absolutely nothing to work with here other than a terrible cheesy and stilted script. Brenton Thwaites isn't too bad either but he does seem to be playing a very similar character to that of the latest Pirates film.
This is one of those films you watch just to laugh at how bad it is. And fortunately for this, I've seen worse!
Merissa (11805 KP) rated The Summer Tree (The Fionavar Tapestry #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
The first thing I would say about this book is that it is a slow burner. For probably the first third of the book, you are wondering about whether to carry on or not (the first time you read it at least!) but if you can stick with it, it does become worth your while.
The history and mythology that GGK has put into the Fionavar Tapestry are things that dreams are made of - certainly for every Fantasy fan.
One of the common complaints about this book seems to be that the five friends adjust too well to their 'new' world. My reply is that it's amazing how normal things can seem to be when you're with friends :o)
This book is an excellent introduction to the series and also sets the second book up very nicely.
This trilogy, along with Tigana by the same author, firmly remains on my Favourites shelf!
The history and mythology that GGK has put into the Fionavar Tapestry are things that dreams are made of - certainly for every Fantasy fan.
One of the common complaints about this book seems to be that the five friends adjust too well to their 'new' world. My reply is that it's amazing how normal things can seem to be when you're with friends :o)
This book is an excellent introduction to the series and also sets the second book up very nicely.
This trilogy, along with Tigana by the same author, firmly remains on my Favourites shelf!
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Third Plantagenet: George, Duke of Clarence, Richard III's Brother in Books
Dec 21, 2018
John Ashdown-Hill really has the ability to write clearly and compellingly. This latest offering takes a look at the middle of the brothers of York, George, Duke of Clarence.
Much less well known than his more famous brothers, Edward IV and Richard III, nonetheless, Clarence and his life and death were am important part of the story of this period. His supposed death by drowning in a butt of Malmsey wine is one of those well known 'facts' that might be a mythology all of its own, but Ashdown-Hill provides evidence to suggest that drowning was used as a method of execution in this period and considered kinder than hanging or beheading!
It's not a long book and a good proportion is given over to a study of the Clarence vault at Tewksbury abbey and the remains therein. If you are interested in the period, this is certainly worth a read. I look forward to the forthcoming companion volume, The Dublin King.
Much less well known than his more famous brothers, Edward IV and Richard III, nonetheless, Clarence and his life and death were am important part of the story of this period. His supposed death by drowning in a butt of Malmsey wine is one of those well known 'facts' that might be a mythology all of its own, but Ashdown-Hill provides evidence to suggest that drowning was used as a method of execution in this period and considered kinder than hanging or beheading!
It's not a long book and a good proportion is given over to a study of the Clarence vault at Tewksbury abbey and the remains therein. If you are interested in the period, this is certainly worth a read. I look forward to the forthcoming companion volume, The Dublin King.
David McK (3251 KP) rated The X-Files: Cold Cases in Books
Nov 7, 2019
The X Files was a big part of my teenage years.
And, frankly, I don't remember it being this explicit about the alien conspiracies, cover-ups, etc, etc …
More of a radio show than an audio book, this has David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson returning to their signature roles as Mulder and Scully respectively, alongside several other characters who 'died' in the series proper. It's also very 'episodic' - so was the TV show, alongside the larger occasional mythology episodes - although there is a narrative through-line throughout it all.
To be honest, I also found myself fast forwarding (or listening at sped-up speed) to large parts of it: I'm not sure whether it was the content, or because this misses a key component of the TV series (The visuals, and the lighting), but to me this was only OK: nothing in it that would make me want to rush out and purchase the sequel. A pity.
And, frankly, I don't remember it being this explicit about the alien conspiracies, cover-ups, etc, etc …
More of a radio show than an audio book, this has David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson returning to their signature roles as Mulder and Scully respectively, alongside several other characters who 'died' in the series proper. It's also very 'episodic' - so was the TV show, alongside the larger occasional mythology episodes - although there is a narrative through-line throughout it all.
To be honest, I also found myself fast forwarding (or listening at sped-up speed) to large parts of it: I'm not sure whether it was the content, or because this misses a key component of the TV series (The visuals, and the lighting), but to me this was only OK: nothing in it that would make me want to rush out and purchase the sequel. A pity.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated His Majesty's Dragon in Books
Nov 13, 2019
A Magisterial Read
This first book came free when I pre ordered another book, and at first, I paid it no attention. One day, I found it, and I have not looked back.
The series gives something different in each book, and the first gives all the info to the world, without playing the excessive exposition game.
This universe is set in the Nepolionic war, but in this reality, alongside the Marines and Navy, there is also the Arial Corp, where the men fight from the back of massive dragons!
They have a hyerachy on bord, with captains bonded strongly with their dragons, who are themselves, strong characters.
There is a rich mythology within this series, and includes topics like political strife, religion, slavery and historical events, adapted to include it's scaly new additions.
Both a great read for fantasy and history lovers alike, give this book a go, and see if you read all 9.
The series gives something different in each book, and the first gives all the info to the world, without playing the excessive exposition game.
This universe is set in the Nepolionic war, but in this reality, alongside the Marines and Navy, there is also the Arial Corp, where the men fight from the back of massive dragons!
They have a hyerachy on bord, with captains bonded strongly with their dragons, who are themselves, strong characters.
There is a rich mythology within this series, and includes topics like political strife, religion, slavery and historical events, adapted to include it's scaly new additions.
Both a great read for fantasy and history lovers alike, give this book a go, and see if you read all 9.
An Epic Tale
A great story filled with characters from myth, legend and story books. After the detour in Salty Dog, Sea Breeze takes Quinn back to her original Objective to Find Jack and Stop him and if she can, Rescue him.
She meets up with a true hodgepodge of great characters and sails off on her mission.
On a personal note I think this is Cameron's best novel to date. I appreciate a book that takes the time to not only tell a story... but make me feel what the characters are feeling.
I really cant wait to get my hands on the next book and see what happens next!
She meets up with a true hodgepodge of great characters and sails off on her mission.
On a personal note I think this is Cameron's best novel to date. I appreciate a book that takes the time to not only tell a story... but make me feel what the characters are feeling.
I really cant wait to get my hands on the next book and see what happens next!
Emma (519 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Feb 10, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
I am in no way a comic book reader, and maybe that doesn't give me any entitlement to judge. But my god was this film boring.
We decided to watch it tonight. I happened to enjoy the first quarter of the movie, I love Greek mythology so it appealed to me. However why they felt to make the movie so long and drawn out I don't know. In the first half I liked wonder woman, women's solidarity and all that haha, but by the second half I wanted her gone. She annoyed the crap out of me. Everyone raved about the scene in no mans land, I found it ridiculous.
And who on earth thought of casting David Thewlis as Ares god of war. I mean really? REALLY?! I love the guy but come on, marvel have Chris Hemsworth as Thor, he's literally a god in day to day life. DC decide on the nerdy dark arts teacher.
Think I'll stick with marvel in the future.
We decided to watch it tonight. I happened to enjoy the first quarter of the movie, I love Greek mythology so it appealed to me. However why they felt to make the movie so long and drawn out I don't know. In the first half I liked wonder woman, women's solidarity and all that haha, but by the second half I wanted her gone. She annoyed the crap out of me. Everyone raved about the scene in no mans land, I found it ridiculous.
And who on earth thought of casting David Thewlis as Ares god of war. I mean really? REALLY?! I love the guy but come on, marvel have Chris Hemsworth as Thor, he's literally a god in day to day life. DC decide on the nerdy dark arts teacher.
Think I'll stick with marvel in the future.