Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Sarah (82 KP) rated Elf (2003) in Movies

Mar 12, 2019  
Elf (2003)
Elf (2003)
2003 | Comedy, Family
One of my all time favourite Christmas movies. Traditionally watched over the festive period.
The story follows a human who as a baby crawls into Santa's sack and ends up at the North Pole. He (Buddy) grows up with the elves but struggles with the elf jobs due to his size.
Buddy goes on a mission to find his Dad, who doesn't believe this strange man to be his son. Everyone falls in love with Buddy except his Dad, who struggles to accept him or believe his story of the North Pole and Santa, that's until Christmas Eve arrives and Santa is in trouble. Cue Buddy's new found friends to save Christmas.
A full on feel good festive movie, that will become a firm favourite in any household.
  
Second entry in Weis and Hickman's 'Dragonlance Chronicles' trilogy: a trilogy that is almost a rite of passage for nerds like me to read after we move on from Narnia, but before we reach The Lord of The Rings.

And, I have to say, this largely follows the same structure as the mid part of JRR Tolkien's magnus opus, with the companions split into several groups, and of on several inter-connected quests.

As with the first book in the series, the characters are largely cardboard cut-outs, with it being in the world building where the novel excels. Of the companions, I also know that we are meant to associate with Tanis Half-Elf the most (or Raistlin), but I have to say: I've always had a soft spot for Sturm Brightblade the most!
  
The Druid's Gift (The Nameless Gods #1)
The Druid's Gift (The Nameless Gods #1)
Dante Silva, Vanessa Mozes | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
very well written high fantasy
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

She was supposed to on a pilgrimage, being kidnapped for sacrifice was not in the plan!

I gotta be honest here, and you'll know when I gotta talk about my feelings about books, I'm nothing if not honest! When asked did I want to read this book, it came with a link, and of course I looked at it, and my first reaction was nope. That cover did nothing for me, but the blurb grabbed, so I said yes. NOW, I've read this book, and feel I should say this. That cover is right and proper for this book!! It fits Nune and Ty's story so perfectly! And it is a rather good book!

Nune is a day elf, a Druid, and Ty a night elf. They usually never cross paths. Nune is on a pilgrimage and Ty is on an initiation to move up the warrior ranks, I forget what the name he used is, sorry! Nune was supposed to be his sacrifice for this initiation, but after befriending each other, they question why Ty suddenly has to do this, when it's never been required of warriors before.

It is, quite simply, brilliantly written high fantasy. I really find myself engrossed in Nune and Ty, and their path towards finding out just what is going on in Ty's village, and why things are changing so rapidly, to the detriment of the day elves. It's told from both Nune and Ty's point of view. It does carry some difficult subjects, kidnap, elf sacrifice but these are dealt with very well.

Its not overly explicit, indeed, I thought it might actually come out clean, but Nune and Ty do get naughty on. Again, well written. Not overly graphic either, what's here is right for this book.

And there is a MUCH bigger picture that I'm still not seeing. Ty's brother is missing. There's the reason why the Nameless Gods are being summoned. And Ty still has to face his superiors about his failed quest when he gets home.

A step out of my comfort zone, but a very nice step. I hope I get to foloow Nune and Ty on their quest.

And an apology to the author for not spelling Nune with accent on the e, I don't know how to put that on!

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
The Cruel Prince
The Cruel Prince
Holly Black | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.4 (36 Ratings)
Book Rating
The second book is lined up and ready to go!
I really enjoyed this, contrary to a lot of reviews I've read. Perhaps it's because it was so hyped in the lead up to it being published, and I left it a year before I read it? I don't know: perhaps I'm easy to please? Stick in some fairies, magic and a bit of danger, and I'm happy. Entertain me, help me to escape from real life - we've all wanted to be a fairy or elf haven't we? Well, maybe that's just me then...
Anyway, I loved this story of human sisters abducted after their parents were murdered, and brought up in Faerie by the murderer. Lots of intrigue, fairy Princes, Kings and spies. And the ending was pretty unexpected too. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!
  
Show all 5 comments.
40x40

Cumberland (1142 KP) Jan 16, 2019

@Amy Christmas I might wait until book 3 is out to lol

40x40

Amy Christmas (170 KP) Jan 16, 2019

@Cumberland might be the way to go to be honest. Could be another gruelling gear of waiting. I haven't licked up the second books yet so I'll have a shorter wait. ??

40x40

lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Fowl Twins in Books

Mar 26, 2020  
The Fowl Twins
The Fowl Twins
Eoin Colfer | 2019 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fun, fast-paced and funny
have never read the original Artemis Fowl books but now I absolutely intend to. The Fowl Twins is highly enjoyable, even if, like me, you have never read the Artemis books. The action is fast-paced and grabs the reader right away. The personalities of the twins are very different and highly engaging. There is a constant funny banter between them. There are a lot of moving parts: a villainous nobleman, a nasty nun, a fairy who is called a pixel (pixie/elf hybrid) and a small but highly destructive troll. Artemis also plays an advisor role from outer space. I really liked Lazuli, the Pixel. The action, pacing and clever gadgets remind me of the James Bond stories, but this book is age appropriate, of course. It seems that Mr. Colfer is a very imaginative fellow.
  
Blades of Glory (2007)
Blades of Glory (2007)
2007 | Comedy
5
5.5 (6 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I've always found Will Ferrell to be a bit hit and miss: sometimes he is funny and has some good movies (Elf or The Lego movie belonging near the top); others are cringe-worthy bad (Step Brothers).

This one falls in the middle somewhere, with Ferrell starring as one half of the main duo Michaels and MacElroy (Jon Heder), two former Olympic figure-skating champions who have been stripped of their medals and banned from their sport after a public dust-up on the podium, but who have now discovered a loophole that will allow them to compete again as a pair (and as the first all-male pairing in the sport).

It's as ridiculous as it sounds.

Best bit? Probably the slow-speed chase near the end that shows why skates should only be worn on the ice!
  
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
J.K. Rowling | 1998 | Children
10
9.0 (208 Ratings)
Book Rating
The school year is just about to start and once again Harry finds himself back at 4 Privet Drive with the Dursley's. Harry Potter is to attend his second year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry but for some reason a strange house elf named Dobby appears in his bedroom one evening warning him that he cannot go back to school as it is unsafe. This Dobby creature doesn't let Harry know how he has got such information but when Harry doesn't agree to stay away he starts making life even more unbearable with the Dursley's.


Harry's second year at Hogwarts is not all plain and simple as he was hoping, he appears to attract attention from unwanted people...mostly Draco Malfoy. When Students start being petrified into a coma like state and a message informing the 'Chamber of Secrets' has been opened.... Harry, Ron and Hermione take it upon themselves to find the culprit.


There were some new characters introduced in this second edition of Harry Potter, we meet Dobby the house elf, who is trying to persuade Harry not to go to Hogwarts this year. I loved that we got another magical creature into the book and that he was a house elf/servant and explores classes, his relevance in the story is explained as the story progresses. Gilderoy Lockhart is the new professor for the defence against the dark arts, Lockhart is a self obsessed, pompous, egotistical character that is very annoying. Then we have Moaning Myrtle the ghost that haunts the girls toilets, it's in the name really she moans a lot and feels sorry for herself and always crying but again with every character in the book, she has relevance to the story. Ginny Weasley the last of the Weasley clan has started school and is very shy around Harry, it appears she has somewhat of a crush. We have all the same characters as the first book and you get to see Harry, Ron and Hermione grow and develop.


There is a lot of repetition in this book, I think you could read this second book without reading the first as she explains things over again, It is the shortest book among the series but it is fast paced, packed full of adventure and written in true J K Rowling style. It has you gripped all the way through. This isn't my favourite book of the series and I think that is because there are a lot of annoying characters in my opinion.

Favourite character of the book for me so far is Hagrid, I like the way he is written as big softy and the dialect of the dialogue makes him more endearing.


This book is an excellent continuation of the Harry Potter series and definitely recommend the book to anyone.
  
The Dragon Prince - Season 1
The Dragon Prince - Season 1
2018 | Adventure, Animation, Fantasy
10
9.5 (4 Ratings)
Amazing Series
Humans have killed the Lord of Dragons with their Dark Magic, and a war between them and the Elves has resulted in fear, bitterness, and prejudice on both sides.
The young princes of the human kingdom discover that the only egg of the Lord of Dragons was not destroyed, but kept hidden, now embark on a quest, together with an elf, to return the egg to its mother, and hopefully, put an end to the fighting that has claimed so many lives.
Cute, witty and heartfelt, the creators of Avatar, the Last Airbender, have made another absolute gem! This one is suitable for kids, as well as animation loving adults. It explores themes of ignorance, loyalty, open mindedness and loss, in a deep and also funny way.
The third series has just come onto Netflix, and I can not wait to het started!!!!
  
40x40

Ross (3282 KP) rated Onward (2020) in Movies

Mar 9, 2020  
Onward (2020)
Onward (2020)
2020 | Adventure, Animation, Comedy
Ticked all of my boxes - superb
I don't know if this is more of a "boys' film" in terms of themes, or just because of the main characters, but my son and I loved this film, my wife and daughter were slightly disappointed.
The film takes place in a world much like our own where magic has faded into myth and technology taken over. It sees two fatherless elf brothers suddenly in possession of a magical staff and clues to how to bring their father back from beyond the grave for a day.
The boys set off on a quest and grow to love each other again, shedding their differences and appreciating each other again.
The film is funny, touching, thought-provoking and exciting. The makers have nailed an exciting animated film with all the feels and none of the cringe. I would happily go and see this again and probably will do!
  
Maggie for Hire (Maggie MacKay #1)
Maggie for Hire (Maggie MacKay #1)
Kate Danley | 2020 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
My name is Maggie MacKay. When monsters show up in Los Angeles, I get the call to haul 'em back to the dimension where they belong.

It's a living.

But I just got word my uncle has teamed up with the forces of darkness to ruin my life. Actually, everyone's lives. Everyone's gonna die if I don't find a magical object before the coming apocalypse. This is going to make the next family reunion a little awkward.

Come along with me, my sidekick elf Killian, and my crazy family for a snarky urban fantasy adventure with attitude.

WARNING: This book contains cussing, brawling, and unladylike behavior. Proceed with caution.

Well I really enjoyed this book it was a quick read,fast paced and well written! I loved Maggie and her whole kickass attitude. Although there was a bit of sexual tension between her and Killian it didn't take over the whole book. Loved how balanced it was. Short chapters that kept you reading!