The Hobbit : Desolation of Smaug

This is the second of three films based on The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

      I really enjoyed The Hobbit : an Unexpected Journey. This installment was good, but could have been better. First off, it didn't feel like a movie. It was like watching a stage play on a really big screen in 3-D. It didn't feel like a movie, which was disappointing, and strange.
     Second, it seemed to be a wee bit too long. Could have cut a little of the fighting scenes. I loved Smaug. At points he kind of reminded me of a Raptor from Jurassic Park. If you've seen Jurassic Park, and the Raptor facial expressions, you'll undersstand what'I'm talking about.
     Overall, it wasn't bad, wasn't great, just pretty good. A few changes and I think that this film would have been a lot better. 3-D was well used, and nothing beats seeing a film on the big screen. But don't expect it to be like the first installment, you'll only be disappointed.
   

Stroke of Midnight : Story Anthology

I usually only read anthologies that have at least one author I like. This collection has a story by L.A. Banks. The theme of this collection is paranatural or supernatural tales of sensual romance. Sometimes a bit too much sensual and not enough supernatural.
     An average collection of tales. I have read better anthologies. This one contains four tales by four different authors.
     1. The first tale is Winter Born by Sherrilyn Kenyon. This story focuses on a human born were-animal trying to find the "person" who can help her get home. But destiny has other plans, involving a beast born were-panther.
     Too short for my taste. I also thought certain elements took away from the story. Specifically, the use of time travel. The other powers were a bit much too. The tale did have interesting cast of characters, and wasn't a bad read. Just could have been so much more.
     2. Next is Born of the Night by amanda Ashley. This tale is about a man who is cursed to be a werewolf. He captures and holds his enemies daughter for ransom, in hopes of luring him inot a duel to the death, but of course, love has other plans.
     I enjoyed this tale. It wasn't too short or too long. The characters were well written. Liked the twist on the werewolf curse. The story grabs you and takes you on an entertaing ride.
     3. Make It Last Forever by L.A. Banks. I have read her Crimson Moon series. Not quite the type of story I would expect form her, but it was alright. It's the tale of a woman who is trying to reach her Grandmother in hopes of stopping from turning into a vampire. She meets a man, who is more than he thinks he is, and their destiny's come full circle.
    Story felt a bit off, at times. Not sure how to explain it. I can get over the I barely know you and I have to have you thing, typical romance scenario stuff. But I mean, you have things in a prophecy and then you break the rule I thought a Prophecy had: Certain things can't be altered. But you have six and not seven, when it says there is always seven guardians. Plus, why didn't she just tell him the truth, after he seemed to begin to believe in vampires? All that time they spent having sex, when they could have been headed toward help. Not a bad tale though.
     4. Red Moon Rising by Lori Handeland. This story is about a writer who is the chosen one, needed by a shapeshifter to complete a ritual that would give him immense power. But standing in his way, is a monster hunter, determined to save the girl and stop the bad guy.
     I enjoyed this tale but I wanted a more climatic show down. You build things up about this man's power and then Bam, he's dead. The story isn't bad, but does seem to grab you, and is a roller coaster ride up to the bad guy showdown, then sadly, simmers down in a slightly disappointing way. Ending should have been a bit different. Didn't quite flow with the rest of the tale.
     Like I said it was an average collection but not a bad read.

Thor: The Darkworld

     I enjoyed this installment much more than I did Thor. For the record, it wasn't because it was the origin / introduce story. I liked Iron Man.
     This one moved more fluently. More balanced story. Didn't feel too long or too short. Great villian. A few unexpected twists and turns in the tale. Leaves you wondering where it is heading to next. Liked the 3-D. Worth paying to see it. A good blend of action and tale too.  Plus, the nice splashes of humor too.

Sebastian by Anne Bishop

     I was hesitant for a while about reading this book. I had read other of Anne Bishop’s books, and loved the tales from her Black Jewels and Pillars of the World Series.  I think part of it was the fact this installment focused on an Incubus, and the story idea didn’t quite grab me.

     But then I found an offer I couldn’t really refuse. I found the third book in the trilogy at a bargain price, so I thought I’d take a chance on the Sebastian and I’m glad I did.

     If you have read The First Pillars of the World book, you might notice that it seems to have influenced this tale just a little bit. I won’t go into detail, in case you haven’t read Pillars of the World. Besides that, the tale is well wroth the time to read.

     A tale that moves well. Surprisingly, little sex, considering it focuses around an Incubus. Characters you love and ones to hate. Interesting world, with strange villains, and even stranger secrets, and twists.  A world I want to get lost in again.

     By the way this is the first book in The Emphera Trilogy.