
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Aaliyah in Books
Nov 8, 2019
Her sheltered existence is a great concern to her mother, and so she takes her young family away from their monastery home - and Duan - in order the live a 'normal' life. But Aaliyah can't help using her power, and draws unwanted attention to the family.
This book is the start of a new series, albeit one firmly rooted in Cope's Afterlife series. However it is not necessary to have read that series, nor the Witch's Legacy book which provides some additional background.
As usual with Cope's books it is the characters that shine out, everyone from Aaliyah and Duan to the villagers who are just desperate for Aaliyah's healing touch are realised perfectly. As the stakes are raised, not least by a dreadful prophesy and dark forces who want to use her gift for their own ends, both Aaliyah and Duan must decide where they belong and who they need the most.
As the story unfolds the stakes are skillfully raised, drawing the reader along, genuinely fearing for the fates of the main characters at each step. Sometimes it was hard to turn the page, knowing that the characters you have been getting to know so well will almost definitely end up coming to harm.
In this book Cope has managed to take the elements of angels, witches and shapeshifters and combined them into an engrossing and thrilling read that will appeal to young adults of all ages.

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated American Horror Story - Season 8 in TV
Apr 29, 2020 (Updated Sep 10, 2020)
Subtitled "Apocalypse", the show deals with the end of the world and endeavours to bring the antichrist, a now grown Michael Langdon (born at the end of season 1) face to face with the coven of witches from season 3.
I can't fault the ambition on display. I really like when different seasons reference each other so this first fully fledged crossover is enticing.
The execution is just a bit boring unfortunately.
I didn't really like any of the new characters. I like both Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson very much, but the characters written for them are so over the top. AHS had always had a hammy side, but this was just a little too much. The comedy aspect just didn't stick this time around. Even Kathy Bates get a pretty uninspired story arc, really nothing too different from her "right hand man" relegation in Freak Show and Hotel.
As I've said before, I'm also not a huge fan of Coven, so when they eventually turn up, I surprisingly felt relieved.
Michael Langdon is an exception. Cody Fern plays him with a genuine sense of evil, and was the highlight for me.
It's not all bad however, the return to Murder House was a great touch and it was great to see Jessica Lange and other season 1 characters return, even if it was all too brief.
It's hard to hate on it too much, as AHS always has it's tongue firmly in cheek, but Apocalypse just felt like a misfire - a great idea, but fumbled in practice.

Iceland: Its Scenes and Sagas
Book
"Off at last! Farewell comfort, ease, good food, snug beds! Welcome hard riding, rain and cold,...

Time's Convert
Book
From the Sunday Times Number One bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches, soon to be a major...

The Worst Witch
Book
The Worst Witch written and illustrated by Jill Murphy is reissued with exciting new branding and...

The Call of Cthulhu: And Other Weird Stories
Book
Collecting uniquely uncanny tales from the master of American horror, H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of...

BookishWoo (317 KP) rated Pawsitively Poisonous: A Witch of Edgehill Mystery #1 in Books
Jun 20, 2020
I had actually read the 2nd book in the series first for review and enjoyed it so much that Melissa sent this one to me also.
The cover alone would have been an instant buy for me, the silhouetted witch against the bright green is so eye catching it literally screams out to you pick me up and read me (You know you want too)!
With Melissa being a professional pet sitter you just know that this would have a nod to pets, and she certainly did not disappoint. Edgehill is a small quirky town whose identity revolves around cats. With everything from the business names to the town fair having a cat related theme and name.
The characters are spot on and you cant help but fall in love with the main Protagonist Amber Blackwood and yes, she is a witch, from a long line of witches who keep their identity secret, for good reason!
Being a cozy mystery you are dragged into a plot line that keeps you on the edge of your seat and has you invested in the characters right through to the end. This leaves you wanting more and I can guarantee that you will move straight on to the second book in the series as you are left with so many unaswered questions about Amber and her family.
So if you are looking for a quick, quirky, fun read you should definitely go and grab yourself a copy!
Melissa sent me my copy of Pawsitively Poisonous for free in exchange for an honest review

Jonathan Donahue recommended Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky in Music (curated)

Flights of Fancy: Birds in Myth, Legend and Superstition
Book
Did you know that Barnacle geese were once classified as fish? That both the Cherokees and the...

Masters of Horror: A Horror Anthology
Book
Masters of Horror A selection of some of the finest horror writers of today were invited by Matt...