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The Real Jim Hawkins: Ships' Boys in the Georgian Navy
Book
Generations of readers have enjoyed the adventures of Jim Hawkins, the young protagonist and...
The Anonymous Novel: Sensing the Future Torments
Book
A middle-aged judge driven by curiosity and the intellectual challenge of his work, a nervous and...
Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated The Dark Tower (2017) in Movies
Oct 9, 2017
Boring male power fantasy with little to no character development
It's hard to tell who is meant to be the protagonist of this film, the young boy, Jake, or the Gunslinger. Sure, we're introduced to Jake first, and only really meet the Gunslinger towards the end of Act 1, which should signal that it's Jake.
But Jake is boring. SO BORING. He doesn't really have any character flaws. Oh sure, he has problems, expositionally convenient plot device "visions", but no real, tangible character elements. He reacts violently towards another kid at school, but this isn't treated as a flaw and this isn't a movie where Jake is going to learn that there's a better solution than violence. At best he's going to learn that it's bad to use your fists to solve problems - guns are much more efficient.
The Gunslinger is presented with all the hallmarks of a protagonist. He's got a defined past and a defined character flaw. He's consumed with thoughts of revenge and will let the world burn around him to get it. The problem is, the story never gives him a point where he actually has to make a choice between revenge and something better.
The villain, while fun, seems to have no internal motivation whatsoever. Why does he want to destroy the universe? Because that's what semi-omnipotent bad guys want to do, I guess.
And I get it, he's called the Gunslinger, he shoots guns. It's all very straightforward. But that doesn't mean it's not still kind of boring to watch EVERY problem they encounter get solved by just shooting at it enough while every single woman in the movie exists to be murdered, assaulted, and grossly sexualized by the villain.
It used every trope in the book, it used them badly, and the script was just...not good.
But Jake is boring. SO BORING. He doesn't really have any character flaws. Oh sure, he has problems, expositionally convenient plot device "visions", but no real, tangible character elements. He reacts violently towards another kid at school, but this isn't treated as a flaw and this isn't a movie where Jake is going to learn that there's a better solution than violence. At best he's going to learn that it's bad to use your fists to solve problems - guns are much more efficient.
The Gunslinger is presented with all the hallmarks of a protagonist. He's got a defined past and a defined character flaw. He's consumed with thoughts of revenge and will let the world burn around him to get it. The problem is, the story never gives him a point where he actually has to make a choice between revenge and something better.
The villain, while fun, seems to have no internal motivation whatsoever. Why does he want to destroy the universe? Because that's what semi-omnipotent bad guys want to do, I guess.
And I get it, he's called the Gunslinger, he shoots guns. It's all very straightforward. But that doesn't mean it's not still kind of boring to watch EVERY problem they encounter get solved by just shooting at it enough while every single woman in the movie exists to be murdered, assaulted, and grossly sexualized by the villain.
It used every trope in the book, it used them badly, and the script was just...not good.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated The Missing Diamonds (Agent Zaiba Investigates, #1) in Books
Sep 24, 2020 (Updated Jan 26, 2021)
The protagonist in this novel is Zaiba, and the story I told from her perspective. Her “sidekicks” are her brother Ali and best friend Poppy. They all are very different, Zaiba is a born leader, who decides where the whole crew goes, Ali is a little nerd, he is very good when it comes to facts and information, and Poppy knows everything about celebrities, nice clothing and makeup. I think they make a really good team. I really liked that these series have a South Asian protagonist. There is still a lack of diverse characters in children’s literature, and I am thrilled to see, that South Asian children can relate to such a great character like Zaiba.
The narrative of this book was quite intriguing. I really enjoyed the investigation in this book. I really could not figure out who was the culprit, and the discovery was very surprising to me. 🙂 I really enjoyed how South Asian traditions and family was described, also, I really liked the fact that Zaiba’s parents have an interracial marriage. This thing is very common nowadays.
The writing style is very creative, and the language used is pretty easy to read. I really liked the illustrations, they make the whole reading experience more entertaining. The chapters have medium length, and to be fair, I would like them a little shorter. There is some extra material for the children at the back of the book, and I think it is very thoughtful and great for all the little agents to use for their future adventures.
So, to conclude, I really liked this mystery story, filled with diverse and entertaining characters, as well as very well written investigation during mehndi celebration in an old hotel. If your young one is into the mystery, I strongly recommend this series, especially if you are Indian, Pakistani, Bengali etc.
The narrative of this book was quite intriguing. I really enjoyed the investigation in this book. I really could not figure out who was the culprit, and the discovery was very surprising to me. 🙂 I really enjoyed how South Asian traditions and family was described, also, I really liked the fact that Zaiba’s parents have an interracial marriage. This thing is very common nowadays.
The writing style is very creative, and the language used is pretty easy to read. I really liked the illustrations, they make the whole reading experience more entertaining. The chapters have medium length, and to be fair, I would like them a little shorter. There is some extra material for the children at the back of the book, and I think it is very thoughtful and great for all the little agents to use for their future adventures.
So, to conclude, I really liked this mystery story, filled with diverse and entertaining characters, as well as very well written investigation during mehndi celebration in an old hotel. If your young one is into the mystery, I strongly recommend this series, especially if you are Indian, Pakistani, Bengali etc.
Ducklady (1174 KP) rated The Painted Man (the Demon Cycle, Book 1) in Books
Aug 25, 2019
Beginning of a fantastic series
Contains spoilers, click to show
The painted man is about the world coming to its knees after demons have risen from the core and decimated the land and its people. The key part of this book seems to be how people deal with fear. Most people hide behind their wards of protection, a series of symbols designed to repel the demons that stalk the lands. Arlen is one of the main protagonists that watches his mother ripped to shreds by a demon while his father stands frozen in the spot in fear. The image of is father’s cowardice haunts Arlen until he makes the decision to flee into the naked night. I love Arlen as a character but find his constant hate of demons can make him a little one dimensional at times.
Leesha Paper is another protagonist that lives with her family in a small hamlet, the kind where everyone knows everyone. Leesha is smarter than most and consistently protracted as attractive. She becomes the hollow’s herb gatherer’s apprentice and excels at this. She holds onto her purity preciously and Bretts absolute destruction of this later on in the book is a powerfully tragic scene. I do feel like her absolute refusal to hurt her attackers is a little bit much.
The last protagonist is Rojer Half-Grip. He is a street performer that was orphaned young and is looked after by a drunken man whose cowardice caused his parents death. Rojer is a great character with a special power over the demons and the way he handles his master’s drunkenness and abrasiveness is admirable. He is a very well-written character that I felt, at this point in the series, had the most about him.
Overall, this book is a great start to a fantastic series that deserves more than one re-read.
Leesha Paper is another protagonist that lives with her family in a small hamlet, the kind where everyone knows everyone. Leesha is smarter than most and consistently protracted as attractive. She becomes the hollow’s herb gatherer’s apprentice and excels at this. She holds onto her purity preciously and Bretts absolute destruction of this later on in the book is a powerfully tragic scene. I do feel like her absolute refusal to hurt her attackers is a little bit much.
The last protagonist is Rojer Half-Grip. He is a street performer that was orphaned young and is looked after by a drunken man whose cowardice caused his parents death. Rojer is a great character with a special power over the demons and the way he handles his master’s drunkenness and abrasiveness is admirable. He is a very well-written character that I felt, at this point in the series, had the most about him.
Overall, this book is a great start to a fantastic series that deserves more than one re-read.
Michael Packner (32 KP) rated Child's Play (1988) in Movies
Jun 21, 2019
The atmosphere is top notch. (4 more)
The tension could be cut with a knife at times.
Young Alex Vincent is surprisingly amazing in the film.
The film quickly establishes Chucky as a horror icon.
Everything was done with practical effects and actually looks amazing
Hi I'm Chucky, wanna play?
I'm sorry but at least for me this is about as close as you can get to a perfect horror film. The atmosphere of this film is perfect and both the acting and direction are top notch. The special effects are astounding for the time that this came out and Chucky is masterfully voiced by Brad Douriff. This film is interesting in the fact that if you grew up in the 80s and early 90s and remember what life was like back then, not only was this film absolutely terrifying for you as a child, but it holds up beautifully 30 years later. If you are a child of the modern era however, you just might find this film ridiculous and dated. The kills are extremely well thought out and suspenseful and the dark as night soundtrack fully adds to the terrifying experience. Child's Play remains 30 years later for me a staple of the horror genre and one of the main reasons I became such a big fan of the genre. Alex Vincent is unbelievably great holding down the lead role as a 6 year old. Not many horror films can survive centered around a protagonist so young, but this film does so masterfully.
I'm sorry but at least for me this is about as close as you can get to a perfect horror film. The atmosphere of this film is perfect and both the acting and direction are top notch. The special effects are astounding for the time that this came out and Chucky is masterfully voiced by Brad Douriff. This film is interesting in the fact that if you grew up in the 80s and early 90s and remember what life was like back then, not only was this film absolutely terrifying for you as a child, but it holds up beautifully 30 years later. If you are a child of the modern era however, you just might find this film ridiculous and dated. The kills are extremely well thought out and suspenseful and the dark as night soundtrack fully adds to the terrifying experience. Child's Play remains 30 years later for me a staple of the horror genre and one of the main reasons I became such a big fan of the genre. Alex Vincent is unbelievably great holding down the lead role as a 6 year old. Not many horror films can survive centered around a protagonist so young, but this film does so masterfully.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Unknown Reality in Books
Nov 28, 2019
Chloe lives with her family in what seems to be a fairly normal life. But after meeting a stranger during a trip to the theatre, she starts to realise that all might not be as it seems and her world - and her entire life- might be nothing more than a simulation. Abruptly thrown out of the only existance she has known she has to face up to a different reality. She must adapt to her new circumstances and new reality when all she wants is to return 'home'.
Following on from the young adult fantasy stories of Truth Teller and The Wrath of Siren, Chambers once again sets out to encourage an interest in fiction in young adults, in this case science fiction. Once again he produces an interesting and engaging work, choc full of characters and ideas. Just the first few chapters contain enough material for the average science fiction work but Chambers goes further, layering further nuanced plots and subplots together and managing to spin them together into a terrific ending.
Chloe is a strong protagonist, intelligent and thoughtful while always remaining an 11 year old in outlook and the reader will really root for her and want her to succeed. The world Chambers creates is very well described and imagined, relying on science fiction standards for some parts but carefully avoiding cliche and doing what science fiction does best - highlight some of the folly of the real world.
Yet another terrific book from Chambers, one of those authors who is a 'must read' for my teenage sons.
Following on from the young adult fantasy stories of Truth Teller and The Wrath of Siren, Chambers once again sets out to encourage an interest in fiction in young adults, in this case science fiction. Once again he produces an interesting and engaging work, choc full of characters and ideas. Just the first few chapters contain enough material for the average science fiction work but Chambers goes further, layering further nuanced plots and subplots together and managing to spin them together into a terrific ending.
Chloe is a strong protagonist, intelligent and thoughtful while always remaining an 11 year old in outlook and the reader will really root for her and want her to succeed. The world Chambers creates is very well described and imagined, relying on science fiction standards for some parts but carefully avoiding cliche and doing what science fiction does best - highlight some of the folly of the real world.
Yet another terrific book from Chambers, one of those authors who is a 'must read' for my teenage sons.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Witch's Legacy (Supernatural Evolvement #0.5) in Books
Nov 28, 2019
The first book in a new series by outstanding young adult author Katrina Cope is something of a big deal. Both her previous series are particular favourites of both mine and my teenage children. Set in the same universe as her Afterlife series, this tells the story of an ancient feud between witches and shapeshifters.
Living in a coven with her mother, Della has to put on a front of cruelty to fit in with the other witches, especially when her mother makes one of her frequent disappearances. One day she accidentally discovers a terrible secret that means that she must go on the run, attempting to survive in a modern world she is unprepared for and with few allies. With the whole might of the coven on her trail she must adapt and find friends to survive.
Once again Cope proves why she is one of the best young adult authors out there. Although the members of the coven do perhaps veer to towards a cackling stereotype at times they do come across and dangerous, evil and threatening. The other characterisation is up to the usual high standard. Della is a very likeable - and sometimes fallible- protagonist and grows as a person throughout her experiences. The other people she meets are also carefully described and have their own distinct personalities and goals.
The plot perhaps isn't complex, dealing as it does with setting the basics for the series to come, but does have a couple of twists if not any major surprises. But the story is always interesting and engaging and the reader will definitely be siding with Della and holding their breath as things get tight.
I very much enjoyed this and so will the young adult audience. 5 stars even though I know very well that every book in the series will just get better and better and I have left myself nowhere to go. But that's been the case with both of Cope's other series.
Living in a coven with her mother, Della has to put on a front of cruelty to fit in with the other witches, especially when her mother makes one of her frequent disappearances. One day she accidentally discovers a terrible secret that means that she must go on the run, attempting to survive in a modern world she is unprepared for and with few allies. With the whole might of the coven on her trail she must adapt and find friends to survive.
Once again Cope proves why she is one of the best young adult authors out there. Although the members of the coven do perhaps veer to towards a cackling stereotype at times they do come across and dangerous, evil and threatening. The other characterisation is up to the usual high standard. Della is a very likeable - and sometimes fallible- protagonist and grows as a person throughout her experiences. The other people she meets are also carefully described and have their own distinct personalities and goals.
The plot perhaps isn't complex, dealing as it does with setting the basics for the series to come, but does have a couple of twists if not any major surprises. But the story is always interesting and engaging and the reader will definitely be siding with Della and holding their breath as things get tight.
I very much enjoyed this and so will the young adult audience. 5 stars even though I know very well that every book in the series will just get better and better and I have left myself nowhere to go. But that's been the case with both of Cope's other series.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Defy the Stars (Constellation, #1) in Books
Feb 19, 2018
I didn’t fully read the description of this one, and therefore didn’t know exactly what to expect when I started reading. What I found was a strong-willed, yet sympathetic protagonist with a bit of a chip on her shoulder, although not without reason, and an equally likable, and believable, android thrust together in an adventure spanning the galaxy.
Finding that as the only human around she is able to command Abel to do her bidding, Noemi orders him to help her find a piece of equipment that will aide her people in their was against Earth. Abel for his part would be happier to destroy Noemi, but his programming won’t allow it. There is some great character development as the two get to know each other and understand each others motivations. There is also more real science than I expected to get in a young adult scifi story, and that was a pleasant surprise.
This was my first encounter with author Claudia Gray, but if Goodreads is to be believed and there will be a sequel to Defy the Stars, then it will not be my last.
Finding that as the only human around she is able to command Abel to do her bidding, Noemi orders him to help her find a piece of equipment that will aide her people in their was against Earth. Abel for his part would be happier to destroy Noemi, but his programming won’t allow it. There is some great character development as the two get to know each other and understand each others motivations. There is also more real science than I expected to get in a young adult scifi story, and that was a pleasant surprise.
This was my first encounter with author Claudia Gray, but if Goodreads is to be believed and there will be a sequel to Defy the Stars, then it will not be my last.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Devil's Music (Emory Crawford Mysteries #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***I was provided with a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review***
The Devils Music was a quick, easy read at only 218 pages, but also an enjoyable one. The story is sprinkled with plant lore as well as bluegrass and folk music tidbits that add interest to the story. I would suggest not reading this book on an empty stomach, however, as the descriptions of all of the delicious sounding food served at various functions are sure to leave you hungry!
The Sleuth, Emory Crawford, is a likable protagonist. Even though she aspires to be a young Miss Marple, she has her faults, and they add to her charm. Her occasional fumbling around after clues makes her seem all the more genuine. I did appreciate the fact that she wasnt all-knowing despite the gift that she realizes she has part of the way through the story. She still had to rely on her wits and ability to make logical deductions, not solely on her intuition.
Overall, a nice start to a new cozy mystery series.
The Devils Music was a quick, easy read at only 218 pages, but also an enjoyable one. The story is sprinkled with plant lore as well as bluegrass and folk music tidbits that add interest to the story. I would suggest not reading this book on an empty stomach, however, as the descriptions of all of the delicious sounding food served at various functions are sure to leave you hungry!
The Sleuth, Emory Crawford, is a likable protagonist. Even though she aspires to be a young Miss Marple, she has her faults, and they add to her charm. Her occasional fumbling around after clues makes her seem all the more genuine. I did appreciate the fact that she wasnt all-knowing despite the gift that she realizes she has part of the way through the story. She still had to rely on her wits and ability to make logical deductions, not solely on her intuition.
Overall, a nice start to a new cozy mystery series.