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TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated The Conqueror (Constantine's Empire, #1) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
Have you ever opened a package and immediately felt giddy over the book that popped out? Well, I will be honest that is how I felt about this book. The cover pulls you in, the weight and feel of the paper further builds up the hopes in your mind, and then to cap it all off, the description is intriguing! Did I mention I got a hardcover edition?
Bryan Litfin is a new to me author with a very great writing style. He pulls you in with vivid characters, drama, battles, and dreams. I loved the period and setting, and I am so thankful for the research Bryan Litfin put into making this book believable and accurate. The characters were pretty realistic, and they chose believable courses of action. Although at times I marveled at their courage! The Religious aspects of the book were spot on for the period (but more on that in a bit), and I truly felt like I was back in time facing off against the lions with the characters. Both Flavia and Rex captured me from the first page, and I enjoyed getting to go on their journey (But I am curious to see what happens to them next).
On the religious aspect. I usually only review Christian Fiction. This is not your normal overtly Christian Fiction. It does not mention God in the sense of having a personal deep abiding relationship with him. He is thought of more as a deity and mostly mentioned in passing. He is not the focus of this story, as most people expect from Christian Fiction. Yet to clarify it is not primarily listed as Christian Fiction, but Ancient, Historical, Romance with a Christian fiction genre thrown in there. Personally, if this book were to be marketed directly to a non-Christian audience, I could see it doing very well (maybe even having a movie made of it) but directing it towards Christians… I do not think it will go well. Also, because it has sexual connotations throughout the story, as well as taking an odd (period correct though) stance on women.
Overall, I give it 2 out of 5 stars for the great research, interesting story plot, and vivid characters. But I would NOT recommend it to anyone who is not sure of their faith, has problems with reading sexual references, or an impressionable audience. I would also recommend the publisher Revell not label it as Christian Fiction.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Bryan Litfin is a new to me author with a very great writing style. He pulls you in with vivid characters, drama, battles, and dreams. I loved the period and setting, and I am so thankful for the research Bryan Litfin put into making this book believable and accurate. The characters were pretty realistic, and they chose believable courses of action. Although at times I marveled at their courage! The Religious aspects of the book were spot on for the period (but more on that in a bit), and I truly felt like I was back in time facing off against the lions with the characters. Both Flavia and Rex captured me from the first page, and I enjoyed getting to go on their journey (But I am curious to see what happens to them next).
On the religious aspect. I usually only review Christian Fiction. This is not your normal overtly Christian Fiction. It does not mention God in the sense of having a personal deep abiding relationship with him. He is thought of more as a deity and mostly mentioned in passing. He is not the focus of this story, as most people expect from Christian Fiction. Yet to clarify it is not primarily listed as Christian Fiction, but Ancient, Historical, Romance with a Christian fiction genre thrown in there. Personally, if this book were to be marketed directly to a non-Christian audience, I could see it doing very well (maybe even having a movie made of it) but directing it towards Christians… I do not think it will go well. Also, because it has sexual connotations throughout the story, as well as taking an odd (period correct though) stance on women.
Overall, I give it 2 out of 5 stars for the great research, interesting story plot, and vivid characters. But I would NOT recommend it to anyone who is not sure of their faith, has problems with reading sexual references, or an impressionable audience. I would also recommend the publisher Revell not label it as Christian Fiction.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Cosmic Consciousness
Book
Richard M. Bucke's astonishing treatise on the human mind discusses and attempts to explain mystical...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Midnight Mass in TV
Nov 11, 2021
It's a rare thing indeed that I'm left in stunned silence when the credits start to to roll. Midnight Mass was one of those occasions (actually, due to its episodic format, this happened more than once)
This limited series is pretty much perfect in every way. For starters, every single piece of dialogue feels important. There are plenty of lengthy moments of talking, and most of these scenes are completely engaging, dripping with character development. In fact, every character we see throughout the show is given just the right amount of backstory, and I found myself profusely invested in all of them. The way these characters are crafted lead to a plethora of emotional moments. By the time the final scene rolls around, I was exhausted, but in a good and wholly fulfilling way.
The narrative in wonderfully paced. The horror element is present from the start, but is subtle to begin with, focusing on the island setting and the people that live there. The mysteries of the plot are drip fed and intriguing. When the twist and turns start to hit, it gives way to an unsettling horror-thriller with religion right at the centre. I'm a sucker for religious horror, and Midnight Mass is surely the new reigning champion of this particular sub genre. The way that this small island town finds themselves in the grip of a "full blown religious revival" as one of the characters puts it, manages to feel miraculous, warming, and eventually terrifying, all at once. Spearheading said revival is Father Paul, one of the most charismatic bastards ever commited to screen, and portrayed with aplomb by Hamish Linklater. He chews up every scene he is in and delivers some staggering monologues. His right hand, Bev Keane, is another highlight. Samantha Sloyan gives us hugely contemptible antagonist. The whole cast is nothing short of excellent, but these two in particular steal the whole show.
On top of all of this, every episode is shot beautifully. It's stunning to look at from start to finish. The music score is fantastic as well, especially the hymns. The use of them leads to some overwhelmingly powerful moments (especially in the final episode), and all of these positives combined result in a bonafide masterpiece.
It's clear that this was a passion project for Mike Flanagan in the way that it's so lovingly put together. He just keeps proving himself over and over again, and I can't give enough praise to both him, and Midnight Mass, and he's one of a fair few modern directors that ensure that the future of horror is bright indeed.
This limited series is pretty much perfect in every way. For starters, every single piece of dialogue feels important. There are plenty of lengthy moments of talking, and most of these scenes are completely engaging, dripping with character development. In fact, every character we see throughout the show is given just the right amount of backstory, and I found myself profusely invested in all of them. The way these characters are crafted lead to a plethora of emotional moments. By the time the final scene rolls around, I was exhausted, but in a good and wholly fulfilling way.
The narrative in wonderfully paced. The horror element is present from the start, but is subtle to begin with, focusing on the island setting and the people that live there. The mysteries of the plot are drip fed and intriguing. When the twist and turns start to hit, it gives way to an unsettling horror-thriller with religion right at the centre. I'm a sucker for religious horror, and Midnight Mass is surely the new reigning champion of this particular sub genre. The way that this small island town finds themselves in the grip of a "full blown religious revival" as one of the characters puts it, manages to feel miraculous, warming, and eventually terrifying, all at once. Spearheading said revival is Father Paul, one of the most charismatic bastards ever commited to screen, and portrayed with aplomb by Hamish Linklater. He chews up every scene he is in and delivers some staggering monologues. His right hand, Bev Keane, is another highlight. Samantha Sloyan gives us hugely contemptible antagonist. The whole cast is nothing short of excellent, but these two in particular steal the whole show.
On top of all of this, every episode is shot beautifully. It's stunning to look at from start to finish. The music score is fantastic as well, especially the hymns. The use of them leads to some overwhelmingly powerful moments (especially in the final episode), and all of these positives combined result in a bonafide masterpiece.
It's clear that this was a passion project for Mike Flanagan in the way that it's so lovingly put together. He just keeps proving himself over and over again, and I can't give enough praise to both him, and Midnight Mass, and he's one of a fair few modern directors that ensure that the future of horror is bright indeed.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Regarding the Pain of Others in Books
Nov 8, 2017 (Updated Nov 8, 2017)
Not what I expected but powerful nevertheless
Acclaimed American writer Susan Sontag returns with an extended essay about photographing war and inhumane circumstances, an extension of her 1977 work "On Photography". I had expected a philosophical take on pain but this was still important nevertheless.
Sontag's earlier "On Photography" is justifiably regarded as a classic. This book is promoted as revising some of its more important arguments. Like the earlier book this is mainly a summary of points with which most teachers, and students, in this area are likely to be familiar. It is useful to have the arguments drawn together. Without doubt, Sontag's words exude intelligence, exploring how we look at painful images from photojournalists, our reaction to mass media, and how we interpret terrible news about war, even how we look at religious paintings.
She takes us on an argumental debate that covers all aspects of visual imagery through descriptive text. Shes talks of the shock and horror seen by some in photography, to how others see it as political leverage. What this book does, is to make us understand that one photographic image can have a double purpose, and that not all in a war image is truth. A good essay for the Sontag collection.
Sontag's earlier "On Photography" is justifiably regarded as a classic. This book is promoted as revising some of its more important arguments. Like the earlier book this is mainly a summary of points with which most teachers, and students, in this area are likely to be familiar. It is useful to have the arguments drawn together. Without doubt, Sontag's words exude intelligence, exploring how we look at painful images from photojournalists, our reaction to mass media, and how we interpret terrible news about war, even how we look at religious paintings.
She takes us on an argumental debate that covers all aspects of visual imagery through descriptive text. Shes talks of the shock and horror seen by some in photography, to how others see it as political leverage. What this book does, is to make us understand that one photographic image can have a double purpose, and that not all in a war image is truth. A good essay for the Sontag collection.
Tamsin Clark (15 KP) rated The Ancient Magus' Bride (2017) in Movies
Jan 20, 2018
Beautiful Animation (5 more)
Beautiful soundtrack
Well chosen cast
Emotional storyline
Fantasy/horror/action/comedy/drama
Excellent adaptation from the manga
What makes us....us?
I've never been a religious follower of anime in the past. I've delved into it, mostly Studio Ghibli's work and a few others but I never really found a reason to regularly want to tune in and watch an Anime every week. Until Magus' Bride.
From the time of writing this, there have been 14 episodes and every single one has retained consistent high quality of voice acting, storyline and musical score. Not once can I ever say I have been bored or impatient with an episode. Each one will have you questioning your own humanity as you question theirs. You can't help but become attached emotionally to all the characters as they each progress through their own heartbreaking lifelines and each episode brings new and riveting challenges. All the while you're accompanied by amazing scores and haunting singing which strays from the usual cringe-worthy singing in a lot of anime, and stunningly drawn animation.
I could not recommend this any higher. It deserves a 10 and I have no shame giving it that.
From the time of writing this, there have been 14 episodes and every single one has retained consistent high quality of voice acting, storyline and musical score. Not once can I ever say I have been bored or impatient with an episode. Each one will have you questioning your own humanity as you question theirs. You can't help but become attached emotionally to all the characters as they each progress through their own heartbreaking lifelines and each episode brings new and riveting challenges. All the while you're accompanied by amazing scores and haunting singing which strays from the usual cringe-worthy singing in a lot of anime, and stunningly drawn animation.
I could not recommend this any higher. It deserves a 10 and I have no shame giving it that.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated A Time to Die (Out of Time, #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2018
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. "A Time to Die" by Nadine Brandes started out as an interesting Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel. People know exactly when they are going to die. That is an interesting concept. We all know we're going to die but would we change how or what we do if we knew exactly when? The main character, Parvin, is a girl that hasn't done much with her life and her time is almost up. Great concept so far. It then changed and started discussing religion and God. I don't mind, and often enjoy, religious studies books but, because I was surprised to find religion such a strong theme throughout, I did not like it in this novel. The description on both Amazon and Goodreads does not mention God or religion. It appeared to be a Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel with an interesting premise. If it had continued in that vein, I would have most likely thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I had to rate it 2 out of 5. "A Time to Die" is the 1st novel in the "Out of Time" series. I will probably not continue reading the series.
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