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ames_morgan (8 KP) rated The Girl in The Tower: The Winternight Trilogy in Books
Jun 19, 2018
I fell in love with The Bear and the Nightingale the second that I started reading it so I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of the second installment in this story.
The story picks up with Vasya driven from her village, orphaned and branded as a witch. She could not face the option of marriage or life in a convent so she decides to become a traveler and explore the world on her own.
Brave and reckless as ever Vasya disguises herself as a boy she travels through Moscow and ends up fighting at the Grand Prince's side as they try to discover the identity of the bandits who have been terrorizing the area.
I enjoyed dynamic between Morozko, Vasya and Solovey. We are also introduced to some new characters and reunited with some old ones as the story progresses.
I found the second installment of The Bear and the Nightingale just as captivating as the first one and am anxiously awaiting the third and final part of the story!
The story picks up with Vasya driven from her village, orphaned and branded as a witch. She could not face the option of marriage or life in a convent so she decides to become a traveler and explore the world on her own.
Brave and reckless as ever Vasya disguises herself as a boy she travels through Moscow and ends up fighting at the Grand Prince's side as they try to discover the identity of the bandits who have been terrorizing the area.
I enjoyed dynamic between Morozko, Vasya and Solovey. We are also introduced to some new characters and reunited with some old ones as the story progresses.
I found the second installment of The Bear and the Nightingale just as captivating as the first one and am anxiously awaiting the third and final part of the story!
Andy K (10821 KP) rated The Wizard of Oz (1939) in Movies
Jan 1, 2019
Did you know about The Jitterbug?
Probably one of the most famous deleted scenes of all time is from The Wizard of Oz (which I watched last night on New Year's Eve). There is a line the Wicked Witch of the West says where she sent an insect along ahead which is still in the movie, but the song and scene were removed.
The attached clip below gives you the dialogue and the song itself even though the actual footage no longer exists. I actually like the song a lot and wished it was still in the movie, but it will never be.
The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite all time movies and I try and watch it every few years to remind myself that movies are still special and even though I complain about most modern films being not very original any more, they still should transport you somewhere and make you forget about your troubles even for just a little while.
You should watch it again yourself!
The attached clip below gives you the dialogue and the song itself even though the actual footage no longer exists. I actually like the song a lot and wished it was still in the movie, but it will never be.
The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite all time movies and I try and watch it every few years to remind myself that movies are still special and even though I complain about most modern films being not very original any more, they still should transport you somewhere and make you forget about your troubles even for just a little while.
You should watch it again yourself!
David McK (3369 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The first Harry Potter book, known in the United States as 'Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone' which I remember first reading well over a decade ago; before even the first (virtually word-to-screen) movie adaptation.
Despite that, on re-reading this I've discovered that while the parts that are faithful to the book are VERY faithful, there's also certain plot-lines that are left out almost entirely.
Framed as Harry's first year at 'Hogwart's school of Witch-craft and Wizardry', I find it impossible to read now without visualising Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role, or Professor Snape as any other than the late, great, Alan Rickman.
The narrative device of allowing Harry to discover the Wizarding world as we do also proves to be a savvy move, in that it allows the reader to identify with the main character while also still allowing the possibility of further surprises in later books: it wouldn't have provided so much of a hook to the reader, for example, if Harry had grown up knowing of his parentage and heritage.
Despite that, on re-reading this I've discovered that while the parts that are faithful to the book are VERY faithful, there's also certain plot-lines that are left out almost entirely.
Framed as Harry's first year at 'Hogwart's school of Witch-craft and Wizardry', I find it impossible to read now without visualising Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role, or Professor Snape as any other than the late, great, Alan Rickman.
The narrative device of allowing Harry to discover the Wizarding world as we do also proves to be a savvy move, in that it allows the reader to identify with the main character while also still allowing the possibility of further surprises in later books: it wouldn't have provided so much of a hook to the reader, for example, if Harry had grown up knowing of his parentage and heritage.
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated The Vine Witch in Books
Dec 22, 2019
Slow burning
After seven years of being cursed Elena is finally free, from her wet and cold confines. She travels back to her beloved vineyard she calls home in the Chanceaux Valley of France, only to find there is a new owner, and the vines she loves so much are dying.
Elena offers to help her Grandmere and the new owner, Jean-Paul to revive the vines and bring back the quality wines that were previously made there.
Elena hides her witch abilities, from an unsure Jean-Paul, who believes science is the way behind great wine making.
Expect some witchy chaos, some ritualistic (but tasteful) blood letting, and a lot of wine talk. Elena ends up face to face with her ex, his new wife and the inspector in charge of keeping covenant laws.
Smith writes very well, the setting is written so beautifully and descriptive you can imagine yourself being there. It’s a lovely read, it’s a bit of a slow burner, with a lot of action towards to the end, but stick with it.
Elena offers to help her Grandmere and the new owner, Jean-Paul to revive the vines and bring back the quality wines that were previously made there.
Elena hides her witch abilities, from an unsure Jean-Paul, who believes science is the way behind great wine making.
Expect some witchy chaos, some ritualistic (but tasteful) blood letting, and a lot of wine talk. Elena ends up face to face with her ex, his new wife and the inspector in charge of keeping covenant laws.
Smith writes very well, the setting is written so beautifully and descriptive you can imagine yourself being there. It’s a lovely read, it’s a bit of a slow burner, with a lot of action towards to the end, but stick with it.
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated The Familiars in Books
Mar 11, 2020
I do like a good historic fiction and this one intrigued me as I read the blurb. A pregnant woman who has previously had miscarriages meets a woman who is a midwife, but is also accused of being a witch. This is a story with an underlying theme (or not so underlying) of women striving for more but being trapped by a society run by men who are trying to keep women at a lower status and importance of themselves, while striving to continue to maintain authority and bloodlines. A story of one woman who uses the resources available to her and her intelligence to make situations favour her wants, needs and justices. The Familiars and the concept of The Familiars within the story deemed vague, unimportant and not pressed upon, I'm not entirely sure if their relevance, in comparison to these themes of strong women in a male dominated society of 1600s Britain. If you like Jessie Burton, you will love Stacey Halls! And you will love this!
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romance fantasy
Ten Little Princesses
Mike Brownlow and Simon Rickerty
7.0
Rate It
Book
A traditional counting rhyme with a sprinkling of fairy tale magic. Now in a chunky board book...