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David McK (3219 KP) rated The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) in Movies
Aug 14, 2019 (Updated Jun 23, 2020)
The first - and, for my money, best - of Peter Jackson's now 6-film foray into Middle Earth, that (I'm sure) saw a massive boost to the New Zealand economy where it was filmed!
It's hard to talk about this film nowadays without describing the plot - is there anyone who doesn't know it? - but this is the film that (I believe) sticks closest to the original story, and is very much what I would call 'traditional' High Fantasy (as opposed to 'Urban Fantasy'), with do-good Elves, Dwarves, Rangers, Orcs, Goblins, Cave-Trolls, Hobbits (halflings) ,,,,
And finally,
"Fly, you fools!"
still packs a punch!
It's hard to talk about this film nowadays without describing the plot - is there anyone who doesn't know it? - but this is the film that (I believe) sticks closest to the original story, and is very much what I would call 'traditional' High Fantasy (as opposed to 'Urban Fantasy'), with do-good Elves, Dwarves, Rangers, Orcs, Goblins, Cave-Trolls, Hobbits (halflings) ,,,,
And finally,
"Fly, you fools!"
still packs a punch!
David McK (3219 KP) rated The Painted Man (the Demon Cycle, Book 1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
First in "The Demon Cycle", this is very much what I would term a dark fantasy novel: not urban fantasy (like The Dresden Files), not heroic fantasy (David Gemmell) and not high fantasy (Lord of the Rings).
This is set in a world where Demons rise through the ground every night to terrorise/slowly cull the few remaining humans, the novel follows three seperate survivors of such attacks. It's pretty obvious that they are, eventually, going to meet up, which only happens in the latter porion of the book, by which stage one of the survivors has become The Painted Man (i.e. covered in magical wards, which the demons can't stand) of the title.
An enjoyable enough read, but I did find this to be occassionally hard going. I also picked it up when Waterstones had it on sale for about £3: for that price, I'm happy enough, but I also wouldn't be looking for the sequels at full price either.
This is set in a world where Demons rise through the ground every night to terrorise/slowly cull the few remaining humans, the novel follows three seperate survivors of such attacks. It's pretty obvious that they are, eventually, going to meet up, which only happens in the latter porion of the book, by which stage one of the survivors has become The Painted Man (i.e. covered in magical wards, which the demons can't stand) of the title.
An enjoyable enough read, but I did find this to be occassionally hard going. I also picked it up when Waterstones had it on sale for about £3: for that price, I'm happy enough, but I also wouldn't be looking for the sequels at full price either.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated On the Edge (The Edge, #1) in Books
Jan 7, 2021
Admittedly fantasy books aren't my favourite (neither are books over 400pgs) and this took me a little time to get into. It was probably about the time Declan was properly introduced that my interest was piqued. At the same time though, I was still struggling with the story. I'd say it was from about a third of the way in when it started to grow on me, as did Declan.
It had an interesting concept with the two linked worlds--one fantasy-esque with nobles and the likes and the other a lot like the world now--with a thin strip known as The Edge linking them together.
I didn't always understand what was happening, especially at the beginning, but it was explained in more detail the more I read of the book.
This is my second book by the author and I think I might read more of her Kate Daniels series since I prefer more paranormal romance/urban fantasy books than just normal fantasy.
It had an interesting concept with the two linked worlds--one fantasy-esque with nobles and the likes and the other a lot like the world now--with a thin strip known as The Edge linking them together.
I didn't always understand what was happening, especially at the beginning, but it was explained in more detail the more I read of the book.
This is my second book by the author and I think I might read more of her Kate Daniels series since I prefer more paranormal romance/urban fantasy books than just normal fantasy.
David McK (3219 KP) rated The Aeronaut's Windlass in Books
Dec 20, 2023
The first book in Jim Butcher's new series: Cinder Spires series, if I'm honest I was a little unsure what to make of this at the start: it's not 'traditional' fantasy (that would be his 'Codex Alera' series); nor is it the urban fantasy (his - still ongoing - 'Dresden Files' series).
Rather, this is probably best described as Steampunk, which is a genre I previously had little exploration in, and which Google defines as:
"...a subgenre of science fiction and sometimes fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.".
Reading that description, this definitely fits right into that bracket!
To my mind, it also falls more towards the fantasy aspect of Steampunk: after all, we have a new magic system, airships, the ability to communicate with animals (cats), and monsters from the ground all within the pages of this story even if (for my money), it never quite gripped me as much as a Harry Dresden book.
Rather, this is probably best described as Steampunk, which is a genre I previously had little exploration in, and which Google defines as:
"...a subgenre of science fiction and sometimes fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.".
Reading that description, this definitely fits right into that bracket!
To my mind, it also falls more towards the fantasy aspect of Steampunk: after all, we have a new magic system, airships, the ability to communicate with animals (cats), and monsters from the ground all within the pages of this story even if (for my money), it never quite gripped me as much as a Harry Dresden book.
David McK (3219 KP) rated Dawnthief (Chronicles of the Raven, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This is pretty much what I would term your standard high-fantasy fiction: high fantasy as opposed to, say, urban fantasy, as it involves Dragons (albeit only at the very beginning, and then more-or-less forgotten about), Elves and Magic amongst other genre staples.
The Raven of the sub-title ('Chronicles of the Raven', remember!) are a group of mercenaries who, at the beginning of the novel, have lived and fought together for years. At the end of one contract, they are hired by a former enemy, before events start overtaking them and they find themselves as amongst the last hope for their land, which is descending into war ...
I found this to be an OK read: not the best of such-like books I've ever read; nor the worst.
The Raven of the sub-title ('Chronicles of the Raven', remember!) are a group of mercenaries who, at the beginning of the novel, have lived and fought together for years. At the end of one contract, they are hired by a former enemy, before events start overtaking them and they find themselves as amongst the last hope for their land, which is descending into war ...
I found this to be an OK read: not the best of such-like books I've ever read; nor the worst.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Chase the Dark (Steel & Stone, #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
4.5 stars
I wasn't sure how into this I'd be with it being urban fantasy but I pretty much devoured it. There was just the right amount of feelings in it to make me happy and the storyline was very interesting; lots of stuff happening to keep me entertained.
I really wish I'd bought the other books in the series when they were the daily deal on Amazon the other day, as I can't wait to continue this series!
I wasn't sure how into this I'd be with it being urban fantasy but I pretty much devoured it. There was just the right amount of feelings in it to make me happy and the storyline was very interesting; lots of stuff happening to keep me entertained.
I really wish I'd bought the other books in the series when they were the daily deal on Amazon the other day, as I can't wait to continue this series!
Merissa (11731 KP) created a post
Aug 19, 2020
Merissa (11731 KP) created a post
Aug 26, 2020
Merissa (11731 KP) created a post
Aug 19, 2020
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Godhunter in Books
Nov 30, 2020
First off, let me say what a real treat this was to read! With the "urban fantasy" genre flooding the market as the flavor of the moment, it's rare for a book like this to come along and force me to reconsider dipping into that genre now and again!
'The God Hunter' feels like the most perfect rollercoaster: the beginning starts out smooth, with a bit of fun, a relaxed feel to the style. Then, it begins to pick up a bit, as more of the bigger picture unfolds, then it heads in the scream-a-rific thrill ride as the coaster dives into the finale.
The one thing that really stuck in my mind while reading this: "Dang! This would make one hell of a great movie!" Seriously, Mr. Lees has a great sense of characterization and pacing that seem to be lacking in so many movies these days!
So, in conclusion, I'd just like to say that in a genre such as "urban fantasy", Tim Lees brings something fresh and fun, with just the right amount of white-knuckled adrenaline rush, to the table!
'The God Hunter' feels like the most perfect rollercoaster: the beginning starts out smooth, with a bit of fun, a relaxed feel to the style. Then, it begins to pick up a bit, as more of the bigger picture unfolds, then it heads in the scream-a-rific thrill ride as the coaster dives into the finale.
The one thing that really stuck in my mind while reading this: "Dang! This would make one hell of a great movie!" Seriously, Mr. Lees has a great sense of characterization and pacing that seem to be lacking in so many movies these days!
So, in conclusion, I'd just like to say that in a genre such as "urban fantasy", Tim Lees brings something fresh and fun, with just the right amount of white-knuckled adrenaline rush, to the table!