Benedict is my favourite Cinder Spires character, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to find out what happened just before he's picked up by PredaBenedict is my favourite Cinder Spires character, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to find out what happened just before he's picked up by Predator's crew at the beginning of The Olympian Affair. Wonderful character development; I like how Benedict tries to be a gentleman, but there are times when he must let his Warriorborn qualities loose to save the day....more
**spoiler alert** Again, great depiction of Steve's personality--his determination, his loyalty to his friends, especially. For once, I even like the **spoiler alert** Again, great depiction of Steve's personality--his determination, his loyalty to his friends, especially. For once, I even like the depiction of his relationship with Sharon, because this version of Sharon can be nice and she demonstrates actual affection for him. The variety of characters in the team-up aspect is good, although I think it's a little awkward to have both Peggy and Sharon around. I'm sad about what happens to Roger Aubrey; he's a very cool guy. But, again, the conspiracy plot is still nuts and got even nuttier with the involvement of M.O.D.O.K. the absurd....more
**spoiler alert** Due to some real life upheaval and my emotional state the first time I tried, I couldn't finish this by the time it was due back at **spoiler alert** Due to some real life upheaval and my emotional state the first time I tried, I couldn't finish this by the time it was due back at the library. Others had placed holds on it, so I had to wait for it to cycle back around to me. The content of the story is good in terms of representation and guidance on processing negative emotions and trauma. Nico has a lot of baggage to deal with: his godly parent and how that influences Nico’s temperament and abilities and how others view him; losing his mother, sister, and friend Jason; going through other traumatic experiences; and coming to terms with his sexuality as someone born in Italy in the 1930s but who lived for decades “out of time” at the Lotus Hotel and now lives in the 21st century. I did love how Nico was able to free from Nyx’s control the little demons Nyx created from his negative emotions and take them back to Camp Half-Blood as pets of a sort; they’re like skittish, ghostly monster-puppies. But the experience of listening to this story was often difficult for me. It’s literally two sweet teenagers going through hell. There was much less levity than the other books of the series. Also, although it’s good to show that non-heterosexual teens can have successful romantic relationships, it seemed at times to be saying that a person needs a romantic relationship to become whole. The reader does a good job overall; his voice is fitting for the material. However, he mispronounces a few words....more
The depictions of Obi-Wan and Anakin are wonderful. I like how this fills in the story behind that line in Revenge of the Sith about "that business inThe depictions of Obi-Wan and Anakin are wonderful. I like how this fills in the story behind that line in Revenge of the Sith about "that business in Cato Neimoida that doesn't...count." And it was interesting to get a more balanced view of Neimoidians; Ruug is an interesting and honourable person....more
More of everything I liked about the previous Murderbot adventures, with some extra elements that turned like into love. I'm also impressed with the aMore of everything I liked about the previous Murderbot adventures, with some extra elements that turned like into love. I'm also impressed with the author's world-building, the true science fiction flavour of it all, tempered by realistic, logical bits. Like when the humans refuse to let Murderbot go to the planet's surface alone and Murderbot grudgingly lets some of them come along because it knows that plenty of people have died due to getting locked into somewhere, cut off from the feed (the super-duper wi-fi/internet thing they now have)....more
**spoiler alert** This is wonderful! Molly continues to fight to keep her awesome, essentially decent Mollyness.
"...Where people had been harmed by th**spoiler alert** This is wonderful! Molly continues to fight to keep her awesome, essentially decent Mollyness.
"...Where people had been harmed by the battle between supernatural nations, Winter, the defender of the mortal world, went forth to bring comfort and security.
"Except for the kids.
"The kids got the good stuff.
"Tablets. Gaming systems. Collectible cards. And books. Books and books and books and books and books."
“'You aren’t much like the last Lady, are you,' he said."
Even better than the first one. The interactions between Murderbot and ART are hilarious, and Murderbot's exploration of personhood is endearing. I waEven better than the first one. The interactions between Murderbot and ART are hilarious, and Murderbot's exploration of personhood is endearing. I was pleased to find out the essential truth about "the incident."...more
The depictions of Leia's and Han's feelings for each other and their concerns about various situations are good. The pace of the plot was too slow; thThe depictions of Leia's and Han's feelings for each other and their concerns about various situations are good. The pace of the plot was too slow; there was more description than action....more
**spoiler alert** 4 stars in terms of it being a screenplay. I still prefer the further detail of novels for this kind of story. The additional comment**spoiler alert** 4 stars in terms of it being a screenplay. I still prefer the further detail of novels for this kind of story. The additional commentary, costume sketches, scene renderings, etc. are a nice bonus. Albus Dumbledore is one of my favourite Wizarding World characters, so I've enjoyed learning more about him. He can be manipulative--poor Jacob getting set up with that prop wand--and he never shows all his cards. But he does things for the right reason, trying to bring about the right outcome. The ease with which he does magic is amazing; he obviously has immense power but uses the minimum necessary to get the job done. I'm glad that the mystery of Credence's parentage has been resolved and that he isn't Albus' brother. I liked the way Albus confronted Credence--the magical pocket reality where Credence could lash out as much as he liked without hurting anyone was brilliant (and spectacular in the film). He told Credence the truth, he apologised and then he turned Credence loose again to make up his own mind. I think the timeline involving Albus' and Grindelwald's involvement and Aberforth's relationship (which resulted in Credence) seems contrived, though. Lally Hicks has become a new favourite in the WW with her personality, her intelligence and her excellent and dazzling magical skills. I love the book magic. It was nice to see Newt and Theseus interacting, working on their relationship. There's a lovely deleted scene (not in this screenplay) I wish they had left in, involving Theseus taking care of the baby qilin after Newt gets back to England; Theseus and Newt discuss Dumbledore as well as their own sibling relationship. Theseus definitely has a softer side than was previously revealed. The qilin are beautiful, precious and fascinating. I found the scenes in which two of them are killed extremely disturbing. No further proof of Grindelwald's evil is needed beyond his killing of the baby qilin in addition to his abuse of Credence. The scenes in which Grindelwald, aided by his confederates, cons his way to power are chilling. Queenie came across as more intelligent this time, more stable. She's trapped for a time by her mistake, and it's clear that she's terrified of Grindelwald. It was nice that she wasn't too terrified to help out the good guys a little and was finally reunited with Jacob and her sister. There's so much going on with the other characters that it felt to me as if Newt got a bit of a short shrift; but the action he got was important. The strength under his gentle, awkward exterior is impressive....more
I think mysteries featuring inadvertent / amateur 'detectives' require some contrivances, and this story is no exception. However, I think this is morI think mysteries featuring inadvertent / amateur 'detectives' require some contrivances, and this story is no exception. However, I think this is more of a character piece than a mystery. I really like the main character, Marissa. The blurb calls her shy, and I'm not going to attempt to diagnose further. I'm not going to detail my own quirks, either; but I can relate to some of Marissa's feelings, thoughts and opinions. Isaiah, the security guy, is also very likeable, with his talent for understatement and wry sense of humour. The way he interacts with and doesn't judge Marissa negatively is lovely. There are other quirky and interesting characters to round out the cast. The movie references--including some of my favourites--are perfectly used/placed. The title is ironic. Don't judge the book by its title. Julia Whelan has the precisely right voice and delivery for this material....more
**spoiler alert** The way the story was broken down and the way some of the art was done made things a bit confusing in places, and I had to go back o**spoiler alert** The way the story was broken down and the way some of the art was done made things a bit confusing in places, and I had to go back over pages to sort things out. Aside from that, it has some good material, including the way Sharon and the Daughters of Liberty assist Steve....more
The plot reminded me of that Geena Davis movie The Long Kiss Goodnight to a degree, but it has a more twisted twist; and I liked this story better thaThe plot reminded me of that Geena Davis movie The Long Kiss Goodnight to a degree, but it has a more twisted twist; and I liked this story better than that movie. There are believable emotions here and good presentation of the good 'guys.' I don't know (or don't recall) most of the villains, who have less depth. While I agree that the majority of people want some combination of a life with a romantic partner and/or child, that isn't wanted by everyone or in the cards for everyone; and I bristle a bit at the implication that only motherhood would make Natasha better person and/or complete. Maybe that's just me. The art is quite good but a bit chaotic in places....more
Loading...
