To Bind the Stars: the final battle against a powerful force and freedom of the land and its people

To Bind the Stars is the third and final book in the Empire of Ash and Song trilogy by D.E. Carlson. The Fire Emperor has been killed by Iris’s hand. The Dragonbloods have declared war on the remaining Fire Empire. Iris has done her job. She has freed the world from the oppressive emperor and now, she can finally rest. Or can she? The powerful force behind the emperor, Ahl, the Star Prince, has been driven back but he is far from dead and he has found a new puppet. How do you win against a demon? As the world begins to awaken and former enemies become allies against their common enemies, battle plans are drawn for one final epic showdown. Iris finds herself at odds with what she has done and what is still required of her. Can she open her heart and relieve the conflict within her mind? 

I was eager to finish this trilogy and at the same time I wasn’t ready for it to end. I have thoroughly enjoyed Iris’s growth from the frightened young girl in To Bind Fire to the powerful woman she becomes. I even enjoyed the story arcs of the other characters: Besaun, Casandra, and so many others. There were a great many twists and surprises that had me gasping at their reveal. There were even reveals that were foreshadowed in the previous books that had me screaming “I knew it!” when the connections were made. The faith themes are presented in simple terms and easily understandable. I am looking forward to future books by Ms. Carlson. Overall, If you enjoy adventure stories with faith themes similar to the Chronicles of Narnia, I feel you would thoroughly enjoy the Empire of Ash and Song trilogy. I highly, highly recommend To Bind the Stars. 

To Bind The Stars is available in paperback and eBook

Metal Slinger: a romantasy with action, magic and adventure

Metal Slinger is the first book in the Fire and Metal series by Rachel Schneider. With no memory of her origins, Brynn grew up among the Alaha. Even though she’s not one of them, she has been training to be a guard. The chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta is one every young guard looks forward to; however, Brynn does not count on breaking a century long peace treaty. One encounter with an enemy soldier threatens everything including what Brynn believes about herself and the people she thought she knew. Her loyalty to the Alaha is tested when the enemy soldier reveals her true identity and his mission to return her to her true home. Now she is in a fight for her life as she learns a whole new world of magic and fate with questions of loyalty, love and betrayal. 

With the second book in this series releasing in June this year, I was given the chance to read Metal Slinger. I usually do not reach for a romantasy book; however, I do enjoy a good fantasy book and a good romance book, so I decided to give this romantasy book a chance. The beginning of this story was a bit slow as the author built the world around these characters. However, when Brynn leaves the Alaha people and enters a world she knows nothing about, the story picks up speed. As the story went along and I thought I knew where the story was going to go, the last quarter left my jaw on the floor. It does end with a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see how this story continues in book 2. If you enjoy romantasy books, I recommend Metal Slinger. 

Metal Slinger is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

Obsidian Throne: the final chapter in the Lochlann Feud series

Obsidian Throne is the fourth and final book in the Lochlann Feud series by Robin D Mahle and Elle Madison. Picking up eight weeks after the end of Crimson Kingdom as Evander and Rowan prepare for their wedding in Bear and dealing with Iiro’s sudden succession to the Obsidian Throne. The war their marriage was supposed to stop seemed to bring the threat of another one. As Rowan learns the customs and rituals of her new home, an enemy waits in the shadows, biding their time to make a move. With secret alliances and spies around every corner, Rowan and Evander must figure out who they can trust, can they trust each other? 

This series has been an exciting story of romance and intrigue. I enjoyed the Obsidian Throne immensely! From the opening chapter to the final epilogue, it was a story that kept me on the edge of my seat. Told between Rowan’s and Evander’s points of view, readers get a fast paced adventure of romance, political intrigue and battlefield strategy with lots of jaw dropping moments. I enjoyed the growth Evander had from his first introduction in the Scarlet Princess. I also enjoyed Rowan as she takes charge in order to help the war effort. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the Obsidian Throne. I highly recommend Obsidian Throne and the rest of the Lochlann Feud series. 

Obsidian Throne is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Fate be Changed: what if Merida took the spell instead?

Fate Be Changed by Farrah Rochon is the latest addition to The Twisted Tale series. What if Merida received a different spell? As a princess of Clan DunBroch, Merida knows she has certain requirements and obligations. She begrudgingly follows through each one until the topic of her betrothal is brought up. She finds herself in a battle of wills with her mother, Queen Elinor. Merida follows the wisps to a hidden witch’s cottage. There she is given a spell in the form of a pastry to give to her mother. However, Merida eats the pastry herself and finds herself in the past. To a time when the Clans MacCameron and DunBrich are bitter enemies and teenage Elinor is betrothed to another and has not met Fergus DunBroch. Merida now races against time to bridge the rival clans, get her parents to fall in love and return to her own time. 

Fate Be Changed is a great addition to the Twisted Tale series. Brave (2012) is one of my favorite Pixar movies and I looked forward to reading this twisted tale. From the opening chapter to the closing pages, this story is a wild adventure. As with the movie, in this story, there is more than just the changing of Queen Elinor to see Merida’s point of view. Merida sees her parents as more than just her parents with their rules and regulations. She begins to see her mother as a young girl who fought her own battles for the life she wanted. She also realizes that there’s more to her parents and her family that she did not know. There is the added drama of a plot against the king and Elinor and Merida must expose the plot to save their futures. I enjoyed and highly recommend Fate Be Changed. 

Fate Be Changed is available in hardcover and eBook

A Road Trip to Remember: one road trip can change someone's life

A Road Trip to Remember by Judith Keim is a story of a life-changing road trip. Agatha “Aggie” Robard talks her granddaughter, Blythe, into driving her from their home in Boston to Florida, to see old college friends along the way. One college friend in particular, Donovan Bailey, the man she was planning to marry after college but circumstances took them on different paths. Aggie hopes to show her serious granddaughter that life can be fun too. However, their trip needs to be a secret. While the rest of the family is in Hawaii on vacation, Aggie and Blythe set off. All goes well and it looked like they would be able to keep their secret. Until a series of accidents leads their lives on a path they never saw coming. Will this new path show them that there are new possibilities everywhere. 

I was expecting a story about an amazing road trip. However, the road trip takes place in the first third of the book and not much happens while on the road. It seems like the road trip was just to explain Aggie and Donovan’s history leading up to their reunion. Most of the events happen in Florida as Aggie and Donovan reunite. There was no real conflict with all the conflicts being resolved a bit too quickly. Everything is tied up in neat little bows with everyone happy and getting along. I didn't even feel a connection to any of the characters. The story was a bit too predictable and dragged in certain points. Overall, I liked the story and I enjoyed the premise that life is too short without some fun but it wasn’t the road trip story I expected. 

A Road Trip to Remember is available in paperback, eBook, and paperback

A Colorful Life: friendship, love and finding strength in life's twists and turns

A Colorful Life by Melissa Storm is a story of friendship, love, adventure and finding the strength to move forward. Life has been one disappointment after another for Daly English. She locks herself in her art studio, focusing on her art school portfolio rather than dealing with the hurt. However, fate is going to give her no choice but to face them. Three separate times, she comes face to face with a handsome stranger, Akash “Kashi” Malhorta, refuses to walk away from Daly and forces her to face the losses she has had and open herself to love and trust again. Their whirlwind romance takes them from her drab Midwest hometown to the bold and colorful country of India. Will Daly continue to live in the background of life? Will her journey teach her to live and love despite life’s disappointments and tragedies? 

A Colorful Life was a hard book to read. Daly was a hard character to like. While I sympathized with her grief and struggles, I felt she was very childish in many aspects even toward the end. The story itself seemed to be lacking something. The conflicts were too quick. At one point, as Kashi and Daly are flying to India, he reveals that he isn’t going to introduce her as his girlfriend and, of course, Daly is upset; however, she accepts this condition too quickly. Yes, they were already halfway around the world but to say “I don’t like it but ok” was just odd to me. Overall, it was a hard book to enjoy. There was so much going on and at the same time nothing really. It wasn’t a bad story, it just wasn’t the book I was expecting. 

A Colorful Life is available in paperback and eBook

River of Lights: a fun adventure for young readers

River of Lights by Melanie Dobson is the first book in the Magical Mortal series. Katie Andrews doesn’t fit in with the other girls at her French boarding school. During a field trip in Paris, Katie falls into the river Seine and discovers a colorful fairy world hidden below. In the mysterious Land of Light, all is not well. An evil wizard named Gaul has captured the queen and stolen the fairy light. With the help of her new friend, Princess Lilly, and the firefly fairies, Katie discovers there is an ancient prophecy that can help defeat Gaul and save the Land of Light. In the process, she discovers a secret that will change everything she knows about her family. 

With a Narnia-like journey, River of Lights is a great introduction to a new magical series. A book for young readers, particularly girls, filled with fairies, princesses and evil wizards. It is a sweet and fun adventure and as a fairly easy and fast read, I see younger readers really enjoying this series either reading independently or as a family. I look forward to introducing these books to my daughters. If you enjoy magical kingdom adventures, you will enjoy River of Lights. 

River of Lights is available in paperback and eBook. 

From a Distant Star: an adventure story filled with lesson on life, love, and relationships

From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion is a Young Adult book about loyalty and the power of love. Lucas Walker is near death, according to his doctors, it’s only a matter of time. One night a shooting light is seen falling near Lucas’ home. The next day, he miraculously recovers from terminal cancer, everyone is astonished. Everyone that is but Emma, his girlfriend, who never gave up hope. As his family and friends celebrate, Emma is concerned. Lucas has changed. Something is different, off. He speaks haltingly, can’t recall past events and even his dog, Mack, doesn’t recognize him. What happened to the Lucas she knows and loves? Is his strange behavior connected to the light seen the night before? Soon, the two set off on a road trip in search of the truth, the journey filled with unknown enemies and help from unlikely allies and a  desperate race against time.

From a Distant Star is a mixture of love, adventure, and the extraterrestrial. It is sweet, adorable, filled with young love and the fight to be together. While it is tagged as a Young Adult novel, it has great insight on humanity from the perspective of an outsider and the complexity of human relationships. I feel that adults and teens can enjoy this story and gain new insights on life, love and relationships. I enjoyed all the characters and their interactions ranged from the breezy banter to deep conversations. The ending had me smiling and I closed with the book, satisfied with a great story. It was not overly complicated and the action flowed very well which made reading it enjoyable. It is a great mixture of science fiction, romance and wonder. A great book for troubling times. I highly recommend From a Distant Star. 

From a Distant Star is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Over the Moon: an adventure story with life lessons

Over the Moon is an American Chinese computer animated film, directed by Gary Keane, co-directed John Kahrs. Screenplay by the late Audrey Wells along with Alice Wu and Jennifer Yee McDevitt. Starring the voice talents of Cathy Ang, Phillippa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Margaret Cho and Sandra Oh. First shown at the Montclair Film Festival on October 17, 2020, it was released on Netflix and select theaters on October 23, 2020. My eight-year-old daughter is a big fan of Phillippa Soo and was excited to watch Over the Moon. When we watched it together, I found it was a fun adventure story with a touching life lesson.

The film opens with a young girl named Fei Fei (voiced by Cathy Ang) with her parents. Her mother tells her the legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess, who took a potion for immortality and ascending to the moon without her lover, Houyi. Now she sits on the moon, waiting for her love. As her family prepares for the annual Moon Festival, Fei Fei’s mother falls ill and passes away. Four years later, Fei Fei and her father prepare for the annual Moon festival, but something is different this year. Mrs. Zhong (voiced by Sandra Oh) and her eight-year-old son, Chin (voiced by Robert G. Chiu) arrives, and everything seems to fall apart. Fei Fei decides to build a rocket to the moon to prove the moon goddess’s existence. Once she arrives of the moon, Chang’e (voiced by Phillippa Soo) is not who Fei Fei was expecting. She tells Fei Fei that she was supposed to deliver a gift for Chang'e and offers proof of her existence as a prize. Fei Fei finds herself in a race against time to find the gift, get her proof and go home.

The movie was sweet and fun. There are many aspects I enjoyed about the film. I will highlight my top three. First, the story is wonderful. While it has the common themes of parental death, grief and moving on. It is still a moving story about a young girl who learns that moving on doesn’t mean she stops loving her mother, stops missing her or worse, forgets her mother. Over the Moon offers a story that shows children that it is okay to cry and grieve after a loss of a loved one. As well as it is okay to move on. Second, the music is fun and enjoyable. The score was composed by Steven Price and the original songs were written by Christopher Curtis, Marjorie Duffield, and Helen Park. Phillippa Soo shines with her beautiful voice as well as shows off her hip hop skills. Third, I loved the insights into more of Chinese culture. My daughter and I immediately googled mooncakes, which are made during the Moon Festival, as we have never heard of them before and they look so delicious.

Unfortunately, there was one aspect of the movie I did not care for. The character of Gobi, voiced by the talented Ken Jeong, was a character that seemed out of place. Gobi, a pangolin, was a former royal advisor to Chang’e who exiled him a thousand years ago. Gobi came into the story to bring Fei Fei to a revelation that will change her attitude and view on her life. Normally, that would be fine and expected, however, Gobi was too much like Olaf for me to fully enjoy his part in the story. His manic speech style felt familiar to Olaf’s. The rambling, nonsense speech with a gem of entitlement in the middle was too much like Olaf. It is not the fact that Fei Fei had animal companions as many. Many fairy tales and legends have animal counterparts. Gobi would have been great if he just didn’t feel like an Olaf copy.

In conclusion, I enjoyed Over the Moon. It was fun and enjoyable. It had funny moments. It had sad moments. It had moments led to talks with my daughter about loss and grief. It had amazing animation with a great story featuring a Chinese legend and a look into more aspects of Chinese culture. The music was great and fun to listen to. While I did not enjoy the Gobi character, the other characters were fun. Overall, I recommend Over the Moon for all. Not just families, but for anyone who would enjoy a story about a young girl who learns a great life lesson. 

The Dark of Twilight: a fantasy adventure

The Dark of Twilight by Kate Danley is the first book in the Twilight Shifters series. The story opens as Aein, a young girl, begins her new position in Lord Arnkell’s guard. She is being sent on her new assignment to the eastern borders. Unfortunately, something strange happens when she arrives to the border and she is sent back to Lord Arnkell by her partner, Lars, to raise the alarm of a new threat. Lord Arnkell seems unconcerned but sends reinforcements to the eastern border. Some time later, at a great feast, something terrible happens. The people have fallen under a trouble curse and now it is up to Aein to find a cure before it is too late. Will she be able to find a cure? Is there someone or something behind this terrible curse?

The Dark of Twilight was an enjoyable yet simplistic story. It was an easy read as the story moved along quickly, moving from action to action without much downtime. Unfortunately, I doubt I will continue the trilogy. I did not care for the main character, Aein, as she acts more like a lovesick teenager than a warrior in a royal guard. As a villain, Lord Arnkell is weak. Aein has two potential love interests and the attempts at a love triangle is also weak. Maybe the love triangle will get more intense with the other books, but I have no interest to read further. However, I see teen readers enjoying it and those who enjoy fantasy stories.

The Dark of Twilight

is available in paperback and eBook

Onward: a brother adventure in a magical land

Onward is the newest Pixar film directed by Dan Scanlon, written by Scanlon with Jason Headley and Keith Bunn. The film stars Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer. Set in a suburban fantasy world, the film follows two elf brothers who set out on a quest to find a rare artifact that well bring back their deceased father for one day. Released on March 6, 2020 in the US, the film received generally positive reviews and grossed $104 million worldwide before the coronavirus pandemic shut down theaters. It was released on Disney+ and other screaming services on April 3.

In a world of mythical creatures, magic was once commonplace. After technological advances over the years, magic became obsolete and was largely discarded. It is now modern day, Ian Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland), an elf socially awkward high schooler who lacks self-confidence. His older brother, Barley (voiced by Chris Pratt), is a history and role-playing game fanatic. They live with their widowed mother, Laurel (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in New Mushroomton. Their father, Wilden Lightfoot, died shortly before Ian born. As the story opens, it is Ian’s 16^th birthday and Laurel gives the brothers a gift from Wilden: a magical staff, a rare gem, and a letter describing a visitation spell so the boys can resurrect their father for one day. When Ian accidently only resurrects their father’s lower half, the brothers are now in a race against time to fully resurrect their father. 

Onward is a funny and heartwarming adventure that audiences have come to expect from Pixar. Although, a few reviewers have pointed out that it has become a bit too cliched. For me, it was an emotional as it deals with death, loss and trying to capture experiences one never had a chance to have as Ian never had the memories of his father that Barley did. I also liked the musical score. I especially liked the song that Barley played plays in his van. It suggests Vikings and great battles. The end credit song, “Carried Me With You,” performed by Brandi Carlile, is an emotionally charged song about not taking love for granted and accepting love even when you don’t feel its deserved. One of my favorite lyrics is “To the darkness of the blue/I was just too blind to see/Like a lighthouse in a storm/You were always guiding me.” I like the lesson Ian learns along way as he gains confidence in himself, although it is a theme used quite often.

As no movie is without faults, there are a few things about the film I did not like. While I did enjoy the film, it felt like a Frozen II film for boys. A sibling adventure story for brothers rather than sisters. Also, the use of mythical creatures didn’t really add to the story. The filmmakers could have used human characters and the movie would have been just as good. It is also a film that I wasn’t overly excited to watch for the story concept didn’t grab my attention. I only watched it because my eight-year-old daughter wanted to when it was released on Disney+. She thoroughly enjoyed it and watched again the next day and watched it a third time with her dad. The animation is as expected from Pixar; however, it does not have the stunning beauty of Coco or the heart of Toy Story or Finding Nemo.

Overall, Onward is a good movie with magic, mythical creatures and a theme that we all could relate to. It may be hard to watch for individuals have lost a parent, especially early in life, as it may be too relatable. However, I wouldn’t say it was a reason not to see this film. While it had a few flaws and may be the adventure story we’ve all seen before, it is still an entertaining movie that I think families will enjoy. I recommend watching Onward as the heartwarming and funny adventure story that is expected from Disney and Pixar. 

Monsterland Reanimated: the monsters return!

Monsterland Reanimated by Michael Okon is the sequel to Monsterland. The story picks up the night after the events of the Monsterland Catastrophe. The protagonist of Monsterland, Wyatt, tries to pick up the pieces from the events he experienced in Monsterland. Little does he know but someone is still in Monsterland, trying to complete the mission and reanimate the monsters. Communication is still down, and the world is on chaos. Wyatt decides he needs to go to Los Angeles to get news, supplies and find any other survivors. He, along with a group of friends, start on the journey and soon realizes that he is being followed. There is a bigger threat out there than just vampires, mummies, and werewolves. Oh my! Can Wyatt and his friends defeat the new threat and shut down Monsterland for good? Will it really be the end?

Monsterland: Reanimated is a fast-paced sequel to Monsterland with a new villain and new monsters. Each step of their journey brings new scares and threats which culminates into the battle of Monsterland. The ending of the book suggests a third adventure is coming. I would like to see how the author ends this story with a third story. Will the humans win? Or will the monsters take over once and for all? If you enjoyed Monsterland, you will enjoy Monsterland: Reanimated. If you haven’t read Monsterland yet, I recommend you do so before reading Monsterland: Reanimated.

Monsterland: Reanimated

is available in hardcover, paperback and eBook

Bloodline: another great adventure in the Star Wars universe

Bloodline by Claudia Gray is a Star Wars story which takes place in the years leading up to the events of Episode VII The Force Awakens. Leia Organa Solo is now a senator in the New Republic which is in trouble. The Senate is made up of two political parties. The Populists who want to keep the power within the individual planets instead of in a central leader and the Centrists who has a strong powerful leader to control the different systems. And she wants to quit and join her husband on his space travels. First, she needs to investigate accusations made by the representative from Ryloth about criminal activity oppressing his people. She is joined by Senator Ransolm Casterfo, a Centrists who collects memorabilia of the Empire. Leia soon discovers that a larger criminal organization is at work who poses a threat to the already weakening New Republic. Will she be able to gathering enough evidence to convince the Senate to put aside their difference and act for the good of the New Republic? Or will she be too late and watch the fragile government fall apart?

I loved Bloodline! It was exciting as well as nostalgic as Leia thinks back to events which occurred in the original trilogy as well as people and events from the prequels. There are so many twists and turns and clues as to the rise of the First Order who we see in full force in The Force Awakens. With the knowledge that I know of the movie and now reading the books, I realized that many of the confusion on part of the fans have been because they didn’t read the books. There is a whole list of books and tv series which help give details about what happens between films. I highly recommend Bloodline and I will read the other books and review those as well to see if my theory is correct.

Bloodline

is now available in paperback and eBook

If you are interested in reading the books and watching the tv series, here’s the list in which to read them and where they fit in the timeline of the films.

Episode I The Phantom Menace

Episode II Attack of the Clones

            The Clone Wars (tv series 2008-2015 available on DVD and Blu-ray)

            Dark Disciple (book) by Christie Golden

Episode III The Revenge of the Sith

            Catalyst: Rogue One Story (book) by James Luceno

            Lord of the Sith (book) by Paul S. Kemp

            Tarkin (book) by James Luceno

            Thrawn (book) by Timothy Zahn

            A New Dawn (book) by Joan Jackson Miller and Dave Filoni

            Rebels (tv series 2014- seasons 1-3 are available on DVD and Blu-ray and the 4^th and        final season is currently airing on Disney XD)

Episode IV A New Hope

            Battlefront: Inferno Squad (book) by Christie Golden

            Heir to the Jedi (book) by Kevin Hearne

            Battlefront: Twilight Company (book) by Alexander Freed

Episode V The Empire Strikes Back

Episode VI Return of the Jedi

            Aftermath (book) by Chuck Wendig

            Aftermath: Life Debt (book) by Chuck Wendig

            Aftermath: Empire’s End (book) by Chuck Wendig

            Bloodline (book) by Claudia Gray

            Phasma (book) by Delilah S. Dawson

            Canto Bight (book) by Saladin Ahmed and Rae Carson

Episode VII The Force Awakens

Episode VIII The Last Jedi      

Right Handed Lefty: a coming of age story about finding one's identity in this world

Right Handed Lefty by Ryan Coughlin is the coming of age story in 1983, in the small town of Boscobel, Wisconsin, as a boy with no real identity in his family history discovers you are much more than your bloodline. Ellis Sayre has had a crazy life. Orphaned as a baby, adopted then return. He spent much of his early years in an orphanage until he is adopted by Marty and Suzanne Sayre after the tragic death of their only son. When the story opens, Ellis is 12 years old and trying to figure out where he fits in with his new family, his classmates and his friends. Until one day when he, along with his friends George and Mason, witness a crime. The authorities and their parents don’t believe them. Fearing for their lives, the three boys run away and have an adventure along the Mississippi River. The search begins for the boys. One group, the concerned parents who become increasingly aware the boys were telling the truth, and one man who wants to make sure the boys never tell their story again. The stories of Ellis Abbot, a World War II vet, and an orphaned Native American boy, Two Right Feet, in the 1800s, are key to helping Ellis come to terms who he is.

The beginning of the story hooked me in. I felt a connection to Ellis and his uncertainly as he life has been anything but stable. However, when the side stories of Ellis Abbot and Two Right Feet start to intertwine with Ellis Sayre’s story, I got lost and seemed to lose interest. It reminded me of the 1986 film, Stand by Me, as a group of boys leave on an adventure innocent and return with a new perspective on life and their own identity. The story picked up again once the boys were on their adventure and the adults were on their trail to find them. It is a decent coming of age story about finding your true identity and place in the world. Right Handed Lefty is marketed as a Young Adult book and this may be its main audience; however, I feel adults would enjoy this story as well.

Right Handed Lefty

is available in paperback and eBook

The Girl in the Tower: the exciting sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale and second book in the Winternight Trilogy. It picks up right after the first book ended with the aftermath of the final events. A band of bandits are terrorizes villages, burning them to the ground and taking young girls. Dmitrii, Grand Prince of Moscow sets out to investigate along with Sasha, the priest. At the same time, Vasya is starting to blaze her own trail, determined to make a life on the road as a Traveler. She is continually visited by Morozko, the frost demon. His help comes at a cost as the people will view her as a witch. When events puts her in the path and favor of Dmitrii, she must tread lightly to avoid being discovered as a girl as she is taken to Moscow. Little does she know that someone is plotting against her and each day she gets closer to discovery or escape. Will Vasya be discovered? Who is behind the plot against her?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bear and the Nightingale and I eagerly waited for the chance to read The Girl in the Tower. This book did not disappoint. From page one, it was a nonstop adventure, with a bit of romance mixed with the thrill of the mystery surrounding Vasya. My favorite quote from the book is spoken by Morozko. He tells Vasya “Every time you take one path, you must live with the memory of the other: of a life left unchosen. Decide as seems best, one course or the other; each way will have its bitter with its sweet.” It is a very poetic statement about the ‘what ifs’ in life. I also eagerly await book three. I highly recommend The Girl in the Tower. A rich adventure story that you cannot miss. If you haven’t checked out The Bear and the Nightingale yet, I highly recommend that you do, you will not regret immersing yourself in this beauty story.

The Girl in the Tower

will be available on December 5, 2017

in hardcover and eBook

The Bear and the Nightingale

is currently available

in hardcover, paperback and eBook

The Huntsman: Winter's War: a review

The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016) is a fantasy adventure prequel/sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman (2012). The movie begins as Queen Ravenna (played by Charlize Theron) plays chess with her sister, Freya (played by Emily Blunt), whose powers have not yet emerged. When tragedy strikes, Freya’s powers sudden appear as ice powers. She flees and builds her own kingdom as the Ice Queen. She trains children to be her fearsome huntsmen. She has forbidden love in her kingdom. Despite her decree, two of her best huntsmen, Eric (played by Chris Hemsworth) and Sara (played by Jessica Chastain) fall in love, secretly marry and plan to escape. Their plans is thwarted and Eric is cast out of the kingdom. Seven years later, it is after the events of Snow White and the Huntsman, Queen Snow White has taken ill due to the influence of Ravenna’s evil mirror. The mirror is ordered to be hidden so its dark magic can be contained. On the trip, the mirror disappears and it is feared that Freya is after it. Eric is sent to investigate and recover the mirror. Can Eric find the mirror before Freya? What evil will be released if she gets it?

First, my review will be based on viewing the extended version of this film. There are a few things I liked. First, Chris Hemsworth is great as he returns to the role of the Huntsman. The only reason I wanted to see this film was Chris Hemsworth’s Huntsman. I enjoyed this character in the first film and I looked forward to seeing him again. Hemsworth has proven he is capable with an action film. And I have yet to see a movie he’s in that I didn’t like. Granted I haven’t seen all of his films yet, so there may be a film or two I won’t like. I also loved his Scottish accent. Although I’ve read comments that the accent was horrible but it works for me and sounds like many Scottish accents I’ve heard. Second, the action was good and entertaining. Jessica Chastain was great in the action sequences and she and Chris Hemsworth worked well together. I thought their characters’ love story was very moving and believable. Third, there were moments of humor that made me smile or chuckle especially with the dwarves. Nion (played by Nick Frost) and Gryff (played by Rob Brydon) join Eric on his search for the mirror. Along the way, they are joined by Doreena (played by Alexandra Roach) and Bromwyn (played by Sheridan Smith). The interaction between the four dwarves add humor to the story. They aren’t just there for comic relief. The dwarves are in the thick of the action too.

The main issue I had about this film was how it was advertised. The movie was billed as “the story before Snow White” and the first part of the movie takes place before her story. However, the majority of the story and action takes place AFTER the events of Snow White’s story. So how can this be “the story before Snow White?” It reminds me of the movie 300: Rise of an Empire (2014) which takes place before, during and after the events of 300 (2007). If I remember correctly 300: Rise of an Empire was billed as a before, during and after movie unlike Winter’s War which was billed as a prequel. And it’s only a prequel for the first 25 minutes or so. I think the movie fully intended to be a sequel but when the affair scandal between Kristin Stewart and the director Rupert Sanders broke out and Kristin Stewart refusing to do the sequel, I think the producers scrambled about what to do next. Although, in my opinion, I think they could have recast Snow White and the fans would have applauded. There was also a mentioned that Disney may not have allowed the producers to use the name “Snow White” as they have the rights to the name and character. I’m not sure how true that it because she is mentioned in the movie several times and seen in a few scenes.

This movie was heavily criticized by critics and audiences alike. First, many critics and moviegoers pointed out that Freya was similar to Disney’s Elsa in Frozen (2013). They are similar because they were both inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s story, The Snow Queen. Was it smart to create a character who was inspired by the same story as a widely popular Disney film? Probably not, because even through Freya is closer to the cruelty of the Snow Queen, Elsa is still the image of the queen with ice powers. Second, many critics hated that the narrator in the film gives away the story before the movie has a chance to start. There was narration in Snow White and the Huntsman, so it would make sense that there would be narration with this film too. When I watched the film again, I paid more attention to the narration and I don’t think it gave anything away that the audience could already anticipate from just the description of the film. In the movie poster, you see Freya dressed as the ice queen but when you first see her in the film, she hasn’t gotten her ice powers yet. So you would anticipate something happening in order for her to transform into the ice queen. Third, many comments I read had a problem with the prequel/sequel premise and I can see why because I had an issue with it too as I stated above. I think a straight forward sequel would have been better. The Freya character could have introduced to the story without having to explain her backstory as they did. Or her backstory could have been shown as part of an exposition from another character.

Overall, I have watched the film three times now and each time I enjoy it more and more. It is a fun adventure story. It is a great Saturday afternoon popcorn movie. I think so many people now want movies which require you to think and contemplate the great questions of our lives and our world. However, sometimes you need a simple straight forward adventure story which leaves you pumped up and victorious. A movie which you cheer for the heroes and you cheer at the demise of the villains. The Huntsman: Winter’s War is such a movie. In my opinion, you don’t even need to see Snow White and the Huntsman first. You can get enough of the story which happens before in Winter’s War without being lost or confused. So if you have the chance and want to watch an adventure story with humor and great action sequences, I recommend The Huntsman: Winter’s War. It is available now on Blue-ray, DVD and On Demand. 

Moana: another Disney adventure with a great message

Moana is the story about an Ancient Polynesian girl who must save her island from a curse. Moana (voiced by Auli’I Cravalho) is the daughter of the chief and has felt the call of the ocean. But her father, Chief Tui (voiced by Temuera Morrison) has forbidden anyone to sail past the reef. Her grandmother, Gramma Tala (voiced by Rachel House) tells her the story of Te Fiti, the mother island who created the islands and life. One day, a demigod, Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) took the heart of Te Fiti. With the heart gone, a demon of fire and earth, Te Ká, seeks the heart and spreads death to island after island. Gramma Tala tells Moana that one day someone will journey across the sea, find Maui and restore the heart of Te Fiti. That day comes when Moana’s island suffers as the food supply dies. Moana finds a boat and defies her father and sails past the reef. She finds Maui who tries to trick her out of her boat but Moana is resourceful and finds a way to compel Maui to help her. The two journey together and battle pirates and mythical monsters. They finally reach Te Fiti, they must battle Te Ká to restore the heart.

I enjoyed the movie. It was uplifting and adventurous as any Disney film would be. I enjoyed seeing a tale which featured a people other than the more commonly told stories. The music was good. The song “How Far I’ll Go,” (written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, performed by Auli’i Cravalho) is a great uplifting song. I loved the songs which featured the native language of the Polynesian people. The only song I didn’t care for was “You’re Welcome” (written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, performed by Dwayne Johnson) was a little awkward at first but then develops into a fun song. Second, I enjoyed how nature and the ocean is a character in the movie. The ocean helps Moana, guides her on each step of her journey. It reminds me of Grandmother Willow in Pocahontas, although the ocean doesn’t speak in Moana. Third, I loved how the movie gives the message that its ok to have second thoughts and doubts. When the journey proves too difficult and there seems no nope to continue, Moana actually gives up and is ready to return home. She is visited by a person who helps her overcome those doubts. She’s very relatable this way. We’ve all had second thoughts and doubts and through Moana, audiences can be encouraged to keep trying.  

There are a few things I didn’t like. First, some of the humor falls flat for me. There is a scene where Moana thinks the ocean has not helped her find Maui and she’s on a desert island, she yells insults at the ocean including a line about fish pee. Then another scene where Maui is teaching Moana how to sail and he tells her to feel the current, if it’s warm you are going in the right direction. She feels the water and it’s cold, then suddenly warm. You see Moana react and you realize that Maui has peed in the water. I know the main audience is children but why does the humor how to usually center on bathroom jokes and gross humor. Second, Moana’s animal sidesick, a chicken named Heihei, seems to be outplace. I know he’s supposed to be the comedic relief during many scenes but sometimes the humor didn’t add to the scene. It was just awkward.

There were a lot of criticisms surrounding Moana and its story. First, a group of Polynesian people criticized Disney for making Maui overweight as an insult to the people and to Maui who is revered as a hero in oral traditions. Osnat Shurer, producer on the film, said they worked closely with different Polynesian groups in the South Pacific and found that each group had a different interpretation and image of Maui. So which one to depict in the film? Overall, I do not see overweight or even obese. He is bigger than life, muscular. There are many images of Polynesian people as fit and muscular. Second, many have called Moana as “cultural theft” which “inaccurately depicts Polynesian culture.” The problem is Polynesia isn’t a singular group but has hundreds of different languages with millions of people with different versions of these stories. So Disney took different aspects of the stories and created a fantasy world. I understand their concern and want the culture and stories accurately depicted. Unfortunately, many stories which Disney has told in the past were changed for the audience. For instance, Hercules (1997) depicts the hero as the son of Zeus and Hera. According to Greek mythology, he’s not the son of Hera. In fact, Hera tries to kill him as an infant. Many Disney stories do not resemble the original story: Pinocchio (1940), Sleeping Beauty (1959), and Cinderella (1950), Mulan (1998), to name a few. Does that mean these movies aren’t enjoyable? No, it doesn’t. If Moana encourages children to read about, explore and experience the Polynesian culture through their stories, to be introduced to the Polynesian people in the world today, what is the harm in that?

Moana is a fun adventure about a people that many do not much about. I enjoyed the music and the look into Ancient Polynesian life and the people who bravely sailed across the ocean and populated the South Pacific. A people who did it long before many thought it was possible. Moana is a great character filled with a desire to help her people that she will brave the open ocean. I loved the message of continuing on your journey despite your second thoughts and doubts. I understand the cultural concerns of a group in the Polynesian community; however, with such a broad area that is Polynesia that even within the area there is a diversity that no movie could accurately depict. Overall, I enjoyed Moana. It is a great addition to the vast Disney movie library. If you haven’t already seen the film, I highly recommend it. It’s available now on Blu-ray and DVD. Check it out. 

The Bone Witch: a fantasy world of magic and monsters

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco is a story in a mystical world where bone witches are feared for they can raise the dead and have very powerful magic. Tea is a young girl who lives with her parents in Knightscross, a small village in the kingdom of Odalia. Her older sisters are respected witches of water and forest. One day, without meaning to, Tea raised her brother, Fox, from his grave. Another bone witch, Mykaela, comes to see Tea and informs her that she needs to leave her home and train with other ashas or witches. When Tea arrives in Ankyo, the capital of the kingdom of Kion and enters The Willows, the home of the most powerful asha, Mistress Parmina, she is thrown in a world of lessons and intense training. During her training, she visits an oracle who tells her she is hovers between being a force of good and a source of evil. She will change the world. Will Tea heed the oracle’s warning? Will she strive to be a force of good? Or will she turn to darkness?

The Bone Witch is an interesting premise and story which certainly opens itself to multiple books. It was a bit slow at points with no real action until about 75% into the book. However, the descriptions of this world draws you in. The reader learns with Tea as she deciphers the oracle’s message. I can't discuss too much of the events as it would give away too much information, If you enjoy fantasy worlds and the realms of magic and adventure, I recommend The Bone Witch.

The Bone Witch

Is available on Amazon

In hardcover and on the Kindle 

The Hammer of Thor: Book 2 of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series

The next book in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard is here! Book 2, The Hammer of Thor, opens six weeks after the events in Book 1, The Sword of Summer, take place. Magnus is given a clue as to the whereabouts of Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, which is missing again. Magnus and his friends are soon on the trail to find the hammer before a looming deadline. Magnus’ adventures takes him to Alfheim, the kingdom of air and light, and deep underground of Midgard as he must find the tools to stop the evil plans of Thrym, the Frost Giant, the God of Ice and king of Jotunheim. Along the way, he meets important figures of Norse mythology who help him along the way. Will Magnus and his friends be able to thwart Thrym’s plans before it’s too late?

Rick Riordan has opened up the world of mythology in an exciting and brilliant manner. I thoroughly enjoyed his Percy Jackson series as well as The Heroes of Olympus series. While the Magnus Chase series isn’t on the same caliper of the first two series, I love seeing the Norse gods in their mythological images (and not the common Marvel ones where Thor is a gorgeous superhero). The Hammer of Thor further expands the world of Norse mythology where the reader is introduce to the common and not-so-common Norse gods. I look forward to future books in this series (book 3 is set to be released in October 2017). If you enjoyed the Percy Jackson and The Heroes of Olympus series, you should give Magnus Chase a try, especially if you are unfamiliar with the Norse mythology.

The Hammer of Thor

is available at major booksellers

The Story Traveler: an adventure between reality and stories

The Story Traveler by Max Candee is a fantastical adventure set at a boarding school with a very dark history. After the sudden death of her parents, Haley Spade’s reluctant grandparents send her to the George Hamilton Academy. There she makes quick friends who dare her to spend the night in the main hall after she refuses to believe in ghosts. She does and she quickly learns that her friends set her up to see the ghosts. After she caught her friend, Oliver Slater, in the building, they are both soon whisked away to many different amazing worlds and met extraordinary characters. But there is a monster who is trying to get to their world and they need to stop him. Will Haley and Oliver be able to return to their world?

The Story Traveler is a fun adventure across worlds of mythical and magical origins. With twists and turns, suspense and wonder, this story opens itself to many more adventures. I can’t give too many details without giving away the surprise when new characters are introduced but I found each character to be fun and fitting to their place in the adventure. I recommend The Story Traveler for young adults and any reader who enjoys adventures in strange new worlds.

The Story Traveler

Is available on the Kindle

For $2.99 or free with KindleUnlimited