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.

 

 

    

    

 

 

 

Catching Fire Film

For the record, I never made it past the first book, The Hunger Games. Only book I ever read that left me numb, and not in oh my shock numb. Only saw this movie because it was my sister's birthday choice. I did see The Hunger Games and it was one of the worst films I have ever seen. I had hoped for better.

This film, thankfully was better than the last. It was a bit too long. Could have developed characters a bit better, and spent less time on other things of not so much importance. Costumes were great, as well, of effects. But I kind of wanted more time in the arena, that's where things move a bit better, get more interesting. Not bad, but to me, not worth the money, thought maybe 3-D especially in the scene with the Baboon, and Katniss in the water, would have been so much more in 3-D. I could take this film or leave it, but then again. I'm not a book fan, though so if you love the books, you'll probably love the film.

The Monster's Corner : A Story Collection

This is story collection focused on the point of view of the monster. It does have one author I love but I might have made an exception because I loved the idea of monster point of view. I just wish it stayed focused on the paranatural or supernatural, an average collection of tales, but worth checking out if you’re looking for a change or break from series or single tales.

1.       The Awkward Age by David Liss.      Had the feel like a Ghoul Lolita. A little disturbing and could have been more if the reason why she chose to be ghoul was looked at.

2.       Saint John by Jonathon Maberry.      Human monster tale. At the end of days, a monster becomes a hero.

3.       Rue by Laura Goff.     A re-envisioned Rapunzel.

4.       Succumb by John McLiveen.     Lackluster succubus tale. Why not have teen succubus falls in love. Succubus’ first time. Could have been much more.

5.       Torn Stitches, Shattered Glass by Kevin J. Anderson.     Frankenstein’s monster in WWII.

6.       Rattler and the Mothman by Sharyn McCrumb.     One of my favorite tales. Enjoyable characters. In this tale Mothman has his say on things.

7.       Big Man by David Moody.     Reminiscent of the science experiment tales, like The Fly or The Incredible Hulk, with a slight twist.

8.       Rakashi by Kelley Armstrong:     One of my favorite writers. Live an evil life. Die and be transformed into a demon warrior. Have the chance for redemption, but can a monster truly change?

9.       Breeding the Demons by Nate Kenyon.     A morbid, disturbing tale of art and creation, the monster within.

10.   Siren Song by Dana Stabenow.     Didn’t like the end at the start. Made it harder to follow. Had some issues with this tale, about three sisters who kill a pimp, and become the “angels” of the community. All this trouble, to get away from a really bad family situation. For a girl that was so smart, there are other ways, to get out of this situation besides murder. Felt fake, and left one wondering if maybe they weren’t human, real Sirens.

11.   Less of a Girl by Chelsea Cain.     Disturbing. Weird. Creepy. About the monster under the bed.

12.   The Cruel Thief of Rosy Infants by Tom Piccirilli.     Interesting tale. A twist on the changeling story in Fairy Tales.

13.   The Screaming Room by Sarah Pinborough.     One should not assume that all possible readers of the story know how Medusa came to be. Should have started from her point of view there and added the rest of the story. Not bad though.

14.   Wicked Be by Heather Graham.     Loved the use of Salem and the Witch Trials in the tale. Loved the idea of a witch just wanting to have a normal life.

15.   Specimen 313 by Jeff Strand.     A tale that gives voice to man eating mutant plants.

16.   The Lake by Tananarive Due.     Liked the twist on the don’t go in the water tale. Thought at times the teacher was border pedophile.

17.   The Other One by Micheal Morghall Smith. Why was this story in the collection? One sort of human monster, in it. Confused ending. Time travel? Doppleganger? Shapeshifter?

18.   And Still You Wonder Why We Our First Impulse Is To Kill You: An Alphabetized Faux Manifesto Transcribed, Edited, Annotated,(under duress and protest) by Gary A. Braunbeck.    Huh? Confusing. Tripping, weird.

19.   Jesus and Stan Go Jogging in the Desert by Simon R. Green.     From Satan’s perspective of course. A bit strange at points but not a bad tale.

Worth checking out if you want change or break from the normal serial or novel.

 

 

Blood Bond by Jeanne C. Stein

This book is part of a series, Anna Strong series, and needs to be read in order. The first is The Becoming.

     I wonder if this is the last book. It had that feel, and I know she is working on a new series. But one could write more if wanted.

     Though this installment had a lot less action, then some of the others in this series, it was still a good, entertaining read. The story focuses more on peronal growth and changes in characters lives. Anna and Frey get engaged. Anna's mother is dying. A potentional threat surfaces from the European Vampires, and a myth is proven to be reality.

     If this is the end of Anna, it was worth the ride, and her story was beautifully, naturally, tied up in a way, that leaves the reader contented.