Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Star Wars : The Force Awakens

I have seen all of the Star Wars films, prequel, and Ewok too.

    I would never call myself a fanatic of Star Wars but I do enjoy the universe it inhabits, its characters, creatures. But when I saw the previews for this, I was thinking I don't know about this. About thirty years after The Return of the Jedi.
     But after a while, I thought I'd give it a chance. Well, I really was pleasantly surprised. There were some surprising plot twists, but as I watch I saw nods to episode IV, time and again, not including story arc connections, like The Storm Troopers.
     To me, this was a bit disappointing, but I ignored it and focused on the story. I will credit where it is due and though I think this could have been a bit more creative with the story instead of sampling from A New Hope, it was a very respectful, more to the original, Star Wars universe, then the prequel was.
     Not bad, but not episode IV through VI. Those never felt too long to me, The Force Awakens did feel a tad too long, But it wasn't a bad trip to the theater. I will most likely see Episode VIII. As for any other tales in the Star Wars verse, well, time will tell.
     I don't think it was worth all the hub bub it got, but if you want to see it, Star Wars is always best on the big screen in a dark theater.
   

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Dead but not Forgotten: Stories from the World of Sookie Stackhouse edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner

These stories are more enjoyabole if you have read The Sookie Stackhouse series. The first book is Dead Until Dark.
     This anthology is stories picked by Charlaine Harris from other authors who are fans of her Sookie Stackhouse series.
     This collection contains fifteen stories.
1. Nobody's Business by Rachel Caine : This story follows Ken and Kenya on a typical , or not so typical day on the job patrolling Bon Temps.
2. Tyger,Tyger byChristpher Golden " This tale focuses on Quinn and his very bad getting even worse day.
3. The Real Santa Claus by Leigh Perry : This story focuses on Diantha and her mission to see what is causing Sookie Stackhouse grief.
4.Taproot by Jeffery J. Mariotte : Andy's old flame is back in town with more than just reconciliation on her mind.
5. Knit a Sweater out of Sky by Seanan Mcguire : Amelia has good intentions with the magic she wishes to use and a new witch in town has other ideas.
6.  Love Story by Jeanne C. Stein : This a look at Adele's journal and her affair with Fintan.
7. The Million Dollar Hunt by Jonathon Maberry: Mustapha joins a reality show competition that is more than what it seems.
8. Borderline Dead by Nicole Peeler: Desiree Dumas finally steps up to her past.
9. Extreme Makeover Vamp Edition by Leigh Evans: Ted Seabrook and Bev Leveto have a debt to pay and it requires preparing a recluse bride for her wedding.
10. Don't be Cruel by Bill Crider : This is the story of Bubba and his performance for Russell Edgington.
11. What a Dream I Had by Nancy Holder : The beginning of Alcide's bad luck streak with the ladies.
12. Another Dead Fairy by Miranda James : Claude and Claudine must solve the murder of their cousin.
13.The Bat Signal by Suzanne Mcleod : Luna Garza is on the hunt for a teenage were on the run.
14. The Sun, The Moon, and the Stars by Dana Cameron : Pam deals with a woman from her past and races to save Eric by a hidden enemy.
15. Widower's Walk by Maryjanice Davidson : Centuries in  the future, Eric watches out for Sookie's descendants
     Most of these stories were good and a few I wish had either a bit more or a slight twist to it. But a good read none the less.

Low Midnight by Carrie Vuaghn

Sorry, this so late in posting.

     This is a novel in the world of Kitty Norville series. One can read this book without having to read the Kitty Norville series, but I do suggest reading the series if one hasn't because it does connect into what is happening in the Kitty Norville series. The first book is Kitty and the Midnight Hour.
     I was excited that Cormac was getting his own story, and it didn't disappoint.
It was refreshing to see what goes on in the mind of Cormac and a closer look into his relationship with Amelia. The tale was a perfect installment to the Norville series. The right balance of character drama and action. Worth the read even if one hasn't read about a werewolf named Kitty.

Witch With No Name by Kim Harrison

Sorry, this so late in being posted.

     This is the last book in The Hollows series. The first is Dead Witch Walking.
This final installment was beautifully done, seamlessly linking the continuing story lines introduced in previous novels. Unlike certain other series that have come to their ends, this one doesn't leave you feeling like the happy endings were forced, this one ends reasonable real for the characters.
     This is the typical roller coaster ride one takes when following Rachel Morgan and her crew on their runs and daily life. The end didn't disappoint at all, and I will miss Rachel Morgan and her tapestry of interesting characters that inhabit her world. I'm glad I took the chance on this series, because it was definitely an unforgettable ride.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Mission Impossible : Rogue Nation

Sorry, this is posted way later than intended.

     I'll be honest, I have seen all the films in this series, and even a lot of the television series its based on. This trailer had me going really? I ended up giving it a chance because critics were a buzz about it, and even Rotten Tomatoes, liked it.
     It did have a decent developed story, plenty of action, but seemed to drag on a bit too long. Would have been just as good, with some extra editing but it was a very pleasant surprise, and worth seeing in the theater.

Visions by Kelley Armstrong

Sorry, this is posted later than intended.

     This is book two in The Cainsville Series. It needs to be read in order. The first book is Omens.

     To be honest, the first book in the series felt like it could have been a non-supernatural thriller. I'm glad that the second installment, has turned the direction I had hoped. Armstrong pulls her series back to where it should be. A perfect balance of a real world with supernatural inhabitants.
    Throughout this story, some secrets are revealed, some truths discovered, and yet, more secrets remain hidden. More players in the Fae game are revealed. And another whopper ending.
     Definitely, glad I gave this series a second chance.

Priestess Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn

Sorry, this is way later than I intended.

     This is part of a series that needs to be read in order. The first book is Witchling.
This installment is told by Camille. I wasn't disappointed in this book but even though it did set up a small mystery of a party interested in Camille and her sisters, it fell a bit short for a story that was supposed to be about Camille finding The Merlin.
     A wonder opportunity to introduce more Fe creatures, and draw the reader deeper into the Elder Fae realm. It just seemed you were taken in than out. PLus, a bit more dramatic ending for an ancient enemy, would have been nice, but I do understand, why it was written the way it was, it did make sense, but when you build toward something, one expects a bit more bang,
     This wasn't one of my favorite installments in the Sisters of the Moon Series, it is still a good read.