Starring Bonnie Wright and Freddie Stroma
Reviewed for MuggleNet.com
While the film has been marketed as an apocalyptic survival story,
the apocalypse in question is really more of a manifestation of a
subplot that will move to the forefront of the film towards the ending
scenes. I also scanned more than ten reviews of the film to see if my
reaction was on target with other viewers, but stunningly, I found
myself in the minority. Is it strange that I actually enjoyed the movie?
I don’t think so.
One could argue that because I’m a fan of the Harry Potter universe and all that inhabit it, I’m likely to support any project that happens to have employed one of the Potter stars. That’s simply not true – I hated The Haunted Airman with Robert Pattinson and couldn’t get behind that film at all no matter how much I tried.
The fact is that After the Dark is a smart film. The premise
is interesting, posing questions of logic and emotion throughout three
apocalyptic scenarios which are posited by the teacher of a philosophy
class for seniors graduating from an international school in Jakarta. As
you and I have never actually been through an apocalypse, we can’t say
for sure how we would react, but writer/director John Huddles allows the
viewer, along with the characters, to ponder how we might react given
specific sets of factors to consider.
Let’s get past the shocking deaths of the poet Toby in two of the
three scenarios. This is window dressing, something to distract you from
the real plot twist that comes at the end. Graphic – yes. Attention
getting – absolutely. They’ve played this portion in the trailers to
pull you in. This story doesn’t belong to Toby. It belongs to someone
else entirely.
The film starts with the idea that humans are flawed in both their
logical and emotional decision-making abilities in life and death
situations. What I found more poignant about this film beyond the
marketed apocalyptic theme is the subtle undercurrent of the true reason
for the given scenarios in the first place. I won’t ruin the movie for
you by actually giving a summary that includes the twist – you need to
see this film for yourself. What I will say is that Sophie Lowe as Petra
and James D’Arcy as Eric give amazing performances in this film,
allowing the finer nuances of their characters to fall into place just
as they should and not a moment before. I wish there had been more of
Bonnie Wright, but her character Georgina took the teacher to task a few
times and allowed the Potter fan in me to see more of what
this young actress is capable of. Lastly, I have to say, I never could
get behind Cormac McLaggen as a character in either of the Potter books and films, and Freddie Stroma’s performance as Cormac made me dislike the character as much as I ever did. His role in After the Dark
is completely the opposite of Cormac and shows a side of this actor I
wasn’t aware of. Freddie is utterly charming in his role as Jack and
provided most of the comic relief the film needed due to the heavier
nature of the storyline.
In truth, the film is a bit of a mind-fuck, but one that can be
thoroughly enjoyable if you allow yourself to go where the story goes
rather than trying to stuff it into a specific categorical box. After the Dark is not what you’re expecting, but it is a film that will make you question everything.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Movie Review: "Separate We Come, Separate We Go"
Written and Directed by Bonnie Wright
Starring David Thewlis
Reviewed for MuggleNet.com
In this ten minute short film, written and directed by Bonnie Wright, a young girl named Thea discovers the power of her imagination with the help of a stranger she meets along the beach in her coastal town.
In the opening of the film, 10-year-old Thea comforts her depressed mother, and when she is sure her mother is on her way out of this episode of depression, takes a walk outside. She briefly explores an old boat that has been left aground, before happening upon a man looking at rocks near an abandoned set of train tracks.
The stranger invites her to have some tea at his house, which is close by. As she waits for the tea, Thea notices how messy the house is, and hiding under the mess on the coffee table is a picture of the man, his wife, and his son. While he doesn’t reveal all, the stranger indicates that he lost them both, and then asks Thea if she has brothers or sisters. When she says it is only herself and her mother, the man stands and invites her to see something. He gives her a coat to keep her warm, and the pair exit the home and head back towards the beach.
The man asks her if she could go anywhere, be anywhere, where would she be? In a very matter-of-fact answer, Thea explains that she is only here, in Dungeness, and can’t be anywhere else. The man laughs, and tries again, stirring her imagination until she says she would love to go to Paris. As seagulls fly overhead, he instructs her to tell the birds to go to Paris since they are flying the right direction. They both run after the flying birds, shouting instructions. It is only then that we finally see the 10-year-old Thea, and not the wise-beyond-her-years Thea, who has been caring for her depressed mother. Finally, the two introduce themselves, both Thea and the stranger named Norman smiling at one another before parting ways.
The short film immediately grabs at the heart strings as we see Thea dealing with more than any child should have to deal with, and then gives the viewer a moment of joy when the little girl emerges, yelling at the birds to go to Paris. Wonderfully, over the final scene of the film, Thea reads for the viewer a letter she has written to Norman, leaving us hopeful that the girl will continue to embrace and retain that child-like wonder and imagination that Norman introduced her to on the beach of Dungeness.
Starring David Thewlis
Reviewed for MuggleNet.com
In this ten minute short film, written and directed by Bonnie Wright, a young girl named Thea discovers the power of her imagination with the help of a stranger she meets along the beach in her coastal town.
In the opening of the film, 10-year-old Thea comforts her depressed mother, and when she is sure her mother is on her way out of this episode of depression, takes a walk outside. She briefly explores an old boat that has been left aground, before happening upon a man looking at rocks near an abandoned set of train tracks.
The stranger invites her to have some tea at his house, which is close by. As she waits for the tea, Thea notices how messy the house is, and hiding under the mess on the coffee table is a picture of the man, his wife, and his son. While he doesn’t reveal all, the stranger indicates that he lost them both, and then asks Thea if she has brothers or sisters. When she says it is only herself and her mother, the man stands and invites her to see something. He gives her a coat to keep her warm, and the pair exit the home and head back towards the beach.
The man asks her if she could go anywhere, be anywhere, where would she be? In a very matter-of-fact answer, Thea explains that she is only here, in Dungeness, and can’t be anywhere else. The man laughs, and tries again, stirring her imagination until she says she would love to go to Paris. As seagulls fly overhead, he instructs her to tell the birds to go to Paris since they are flying the right direction. They both run after the flying birds, shouting instructions. It is only then that we finally see the 10-year-old Thea, and not the wise-beyond-her-years Thea, who has been caring for her depressed mother. Finally, the two introduce themselves, both Thea and the stranger named Norman smiling at one another before parting ways.
The short film immediately grabs at the heart strings as we see Thea dealing with more than any child should have to deal with, and then gives the viewer a moment of joy when the little girl emerges, yelling at the birds to go to Paris. Wonderfully, over the final scene of the film, Thea reads for the viewer a letter she has written to Norman, leaving us hopeful that the girl will continue to embrace and retain that child-like wonder and imagination that Norman introduced her to on the beach of Dungeness.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Movie Review: "About Time" - Starring Domhnall Gleeson and Bill Nighy
Film directed and written by Richard Curtis
Reviewed for MuggleNet.com
From the previews, About Time looks like nothing more than a standard romantic comedy with the obvious obstacles – young love, meeting the parents of the one you love, overcoming embarrassing moments when your significant other meets your friends who have no filter…
About Time is so much more than a romantic comedy. In his first romantic lead role, Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley in Harry Potter) charms the audience with his awkward portrayal of Tim, a pale, ginger-haired young man just waiting for his life to start. When Tim turns 21, his father reveals a secret about the male members of their family, passed down through generations: they can travel through time. Immediately, one begins to think about all that we could do if we had such a power – what would you change about your life if you could? Tim is no exception. He uses his new power to erase his responses to various moments in his life, allowing himself to not only take back the moments that seem to be the most embarrassing, but to also give himself the boldness to react the way he wants to without fear. Unafraid, Tim seeks out opportunities in his life that he might otherwise not have experienced – taking a chance on love, altering history for his loved ones in order to turn negative experiences into positive ones, and along the way he discovers what is truly important in his life.
The entire cast is truly enjoyable – Bill Nighy is always a delight to watch and his role in this film is what grounds the entire premise of the film. The chemistry between Rachel McAdams and Domhnall will give hope to nerdy gingers the world over. I would not be surprised if this movie launches Domhnall permanently into the role of a romantic lead – he comes across as relatable and completely adorable, and I’m not just saying that because I have a thing for gingers.
The guy can act! On a small side note for the Harry Potter fans, Richard Griffiths appears in an uncredited role in the film, one of his last roles before he passed away last March. Now, I can’t go into any more detail about the film itself without spoiling the movie for you, so I won’t. What I will say however, is that the movie is funny, quirky, and deeply emotional. This is a movie, literally and figuratively, about time. It reminds us all that time is fleeting and to make the most of it, even those who secretly have the power to time travel. Most of all, Tim and his time-traveling father reveal to us the ultimate secret to a happy life.
You’ll have to watch the movie to learn what the secret is! Go out and see it today!
Reviewed for MuggleNet.com
From the previews, About Time looks like nothing more than a standard romantic comedy with the obvious obstacles – young love, meeting the parents of the one you love, overcoming embarrassing moments when your significant other meets your friends who have no filter…
About Time is so much more than a romantic comedy. In his first romantic lead role, Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley in Harry Potter) charms the audience with his awkward portrayal of Tim, a pale, ginger-haired young man just waiting for his life to start. When Tim turns 21, his father reveals a secret about the male members of their family, passed down through generations: they can travel through time. Immediately, one begins to think about all that we could do if we had such a power – what would you change about your life if you could? Tim is no exception. He uses his new power to erase his responses to various moments in his life, allowing himself to not only take back the moments that seem to be the most embarrassing, but to also give himself the boldness to react the way he wants to without fear. Unafraid, Tim seeks out opportunities in his life that he might otherwise not have experienced – taking a chance on love, altering history for his loved ones in order to turn negative experiences into positive ones, and along the way he discovers what is truly important in his life.
The entire cast is truly enjoyable – Bill Nighy is always a delight to watch and his role in this film is what grounds the entire premise of the film. The chemistry between Rachel McAdams and Domhnall will give hope to nerdy gingers the world over. I would not be surprised if this movie launches Domhnall permanently into the role of a romantic lead – he comes across as relatable and completely adorable, and I’m not just saying that because I have a thing for gingers.
The guy can act! On a small side note for the Harry Potter fans, Richard Griffiths appears in an uncredited role in the film, one of his last roles before he passed away last March. Now, I can’t go into any more detail about the film itself without spoiling the movie for you, so I won’t. What I will say however, is that the movie is funny, quirky, and deeply emotional. This is a movie, literally and figuratively, about time. It reminds us all that time is fleeting and to make the most of it, even those who secretly have the power to time travel. Most of all, Tim and his time-traveling father reveal to us the ultimate secret to a happy life.
You’ll have to watch the movie to learn what the secret is! Go out and see it today!
Monday, October 21, 2013
Television Review: "Run" starring Katie Leung
Film directed by Charles Martin (episodes 1-2) and Jonathan Pearson (episodes 3-4)
Written by Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan, Marlon Smith
Starring: Olivia Coleman, Katie Leung, Lennie James, Katharina Schuttler
Reviewed for MuggleNet.com
‘Run’ is a four-part dramatic mini-series that aired in the UK this year and is now available for American audiences for free via Hulu. Focusing each episode on the life of one character, the four vignettes intertwine and connect, showing how one person’s decision can affect any random stranger. The timeline of the movie is a bit blurred, but it felt like it should be blurred, considering the different perspectives of the characters. Katie Leung (Cho Chang) is featured in the first two episodes of the mini-series.
The first episode focus is on Carol and her two sons, Dean and Terry, who have just beaten a man to death and try to hide it from their mother. While Carol suspects something is wrong, she goes about her life, including stealing from the company she works for so that she can make extra cash on the side by selling cell phones to an Asian girl she meets at a laundry mat. Carol eventually learns the truth about her sons and despite the anguish it causes her, turns them in to the police.
The second episode continues the story of Ying, the young girl from the laundry mat. Ying has been brought to the country illegally and is forced to sell items on the street in order to pay Gao, the man who made it possible. When an immigration raid takes place, Ying is forced to run and hides out with a man who owns a barber shop. Her past catches up with her when Gao finds the shop and beats up the owner to try to learn her whereabouts. To save herself, and the barbershop owner, Ying goes back to working for Gao.
In the third episode we meet Richard - a heroin addict who is trying to get his life back together so that he can see his daughter. After being falsely arrested, he loses his home and tries to sell a stolen car for cash to give to his daughter. The car is towed before he can make good on his promise to his child. In a last attempt to repair the relationship with his child, he steals items out of a car for cash and leaves it at her house with promises that one day he will be better and they can be together.
The final episode opens with the owner of the stolen car, Katerina, at the morgue, identifying the body of her boyfriend. As she prepares to bury him, she finds out he had an affair and a child was the result of the relationship. While her bills mount, she reaches out to her boyfriend’s shady business partner Peter and agrees to marry a man from India for ten thousand pounds. When she accidentally sees where her potential groom hides his cash, she goes back the next day and steals it. Peter finds out and chases her to get the money, but she narrowly escapes him by sneaking onto the subway, taking a seat next to Carol, who sons are the men responsible for Katerina’s boyfriend’s death.
Final thoughts
The series is well-written, with all of the storylines weaving together to show cause and effect. The viewer’s preconceptions of the characters prior to their specific episodes are really turned on their heads as aspects of the characters troubles are brought to light during the series. The blurred timeline, which I mentioned before, serves its purpose for the stories – providing a real-time feel for each character while still keeping the pace for the audience. The audience is left wondering what happens to all the characters and if there is any resolution to the situations in which they find themselves, but I think that Carol appearing in the final scene tells us what happens to them: Life goes on after bad things happen, just like it does in real life. Until you’ve walked a mile in someone’s shoes, you have no idea the darkness or struggle they may be dealing with. While the series is not a feel-good movie by any means, it is an interesting and thought-provoking film.Thursday, June 13, 2013
I can't believe it's been nearly a year since I posted anything on my book review blog! If you know me at all, you know that writing is a passion, as is reading almost any book I can get my hands on. The last year has been a rough one for me personally as I juggled a full time job, a full college course load, and the death of my grandmother. I know anyone who has had to experience any of these things will understand why my little blog has been left alone so long.
My plate will never be empty, as I still must work for a living and am only a little over halfway through my Bachelor's degree program, but I try to make as much time as I can for things I am passionate about. I still run my fan forum and connected social media sites for my favorite actor, Nathan Fillion, and I also continue to run the social media sites for my other fan forum for Jeffrey Dean Morgan. And while it seems my life could do with a little less stress and responsibility, I have taken on a few other projects because they are such good opportunities for my ultimate goal that it would just be idiotic not to snatch them up as they float past me.
What are these opportunities? Glad you asked! I am still reviewing books of all genres for a wonderful site called Novels Alive, I occasionally do a review for a company called Knox Robinson Publishing, and I recently applied for an unpaid internship for a little site you may have heard of that revolves around the world of Harry Potter called Mugglenet. I honestly didn't think I would get the intern position simply because of the sheer massiveness of the site and how popular it is for HP fans. There are people who would probably literally kill to get a job with Mugglenet. I just found out today that my application and writing examples were considered and found to be kick-ass enough that they offered me a position!
I have to thank everyone who has supported me, in big ways and small - it means the world to me to have you all happy for me and encouraging me, even when you know I probably don't have time to add another thing to my already full plate. This internship could mean big things for me if I play my cards right and do a good job, so I am adding it to my list of things to do and will do so with pleasure.
Now, enough explaining where the hell I've been and why the blog has been treated like a red-headed step-child. On to the reviews!
Wealthy By Design by Kimberly Foss is a thought-provoking read. With her knowledge of the industry, she knows all the right questions to ask of her clients to help them make the most of their investments and shares them in this self-help guide to building wealth.
Foss uses
personal experiences with her clients to demonstrate different goals
and levels of commitment that any reader can relate to. This book,
however, does not appear to be for someone who is just starting out in
the investment world. There are many terms used by Foss during her
anecdotes and examples, but no real explanation of those terms for those
who are unfamiliar with them. However unfamiliar these industry
insider terms are, any reader can take away the feeling of hope in
preparing for their future and having the power to control their money
so that all dreams and goals can be achieved. Foss empowers her
readers, giving sound, practical advice to take into consideration
before moving forward with any investment decisions.
With a plot akin to hit silver screen action thrillers, Daco jumps into the deep end of an international spy love story with her romantic suspense, The Libra Affair.
Daco wastes no time getting right to the point, leaving all character build-up and background to be expertly disbursed among the action and instead choosing to thrust the reader directly into the complicated life of CIA operative and double agent Jordan Jakes.
Jordan must give up the man she falls in love with in order to finish
the job she started with the CIA to pull off a global political power
play. With her life, and Ben’s, on the line, Jordan has to switch gears
when Ben refuses to accept the end of their relationship and follows
her to the Middle East where he unwittingly entangles himself in
Jordan’s secret and dangerous life.
The entire read was entertaining and fast-paced. There were no slow
builds or moments where my attention span wandered. While full of what I
assume is common “spy-speak”, the terms and phrases were explained
immediately and in a way that did not distract me from the story but
instead drew me further into Jordan’s world and all the danger it holds.
This is actually my first suspense novel, and I find, paired with
romance, it’s a genre I could be fan of, as long as Daco is writing them!
My plate will never be empty, as I still must work for a living and am only a little over halfway through my Bachelor's degree program, but I try to make as much time as I can for things I am passionate about. I still run my fan forum and connected social media sites for my favorite actor, Nathan Fillion, and I also continue to run the social media sites for my other fan forum for Jeffrey Dean Morgan. And while it seems my life could do with a little less stress and responsibility, I have taken on a few other projects because they are such good opportunities for my ultimate goal that it would just be idiotic not to snatch them up as they float past me.
What are these opportunities? Glad you asked! I am still reviewing books of all genres for a wonderful site called Novels Alive, I occasionally do a review for a company called Knox Robinson Publishing, and I recently applied for an unpaid internship for a little site you may have heard of that revolves around the world of Harry Potter called Mugglenet. I honestly didn't think I would get the intern position simply because of the sheer massiveness of the site and how popular it is for HP fans. There are people who would probably literally kill to get a job with Mugglenet. I just found out today that my application and writing examples were considered and found to be kick-ass enough that they offered me a position!
I have to thank everyone who has supported me, in big ways and small - it means the world to me to have you all happy for me and encouraging me, even when you know I probably don't have time to add another thing to my already full plate. This internship could mean big things for me if I play my cards right and do a good job, so I am adding it to my list of things to do and will do so with pleasure.
Now, enough explaining where the hell I've been and why the blog has been treated like a red-headed step-child. On to the reviews!
Wealthy By Design
Author: Kimberly Foss
Published by: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Publication Date: June 18, 2013
Available on Amazon in Hardcover
Wealthy By Design by Kimberly Foss is a thought-provoking read. With her knowledge of the industry, she knows all the right questions to ask of her clients to help them make the most of their investments and shares them in this self-help guide to building wealth.
“Drawing upon her twenty-six years of experience as president and founder of Empyrion Wealth Management, where she advises clients of all financial backgrounds and life situations, and her own rise from humble beginnings, Kimberly offers powerful and enlightening stories. Through them, you will learn how to leverage personality, situation, and belief and apply proven wealth-building strategies to fulfill your needs and dreams.”
The Libra Affair
Author: Daco
Published by: Crimson Romance
Publication Date: April 8, 2013
Available on Amazon Kindle
With a plot akin to hit silver screen action thrillers, Daco jumps into the deep end of an international spy love story with her romantic suspense, The Libra Affair.
Daco wastes no time getting right to the point, leaving all character build-up and background to be expertly disbursed among the action and instead choosing to thrust the reader directly into the complicated life of CIA operative and double agent Jordan Jakes.
“Surviving takes more than being one step ahead of their enemies. Jordan and Ben must peel back the layers of their emotional armor to overcome a series of obstacles before they can accomplish Jordan’s mission. If they have any hope of making it out of the Middle East alive and forming a lasting relationship, they must surrender to love.”
Thursday, June 21, 2012
CW Gortner Book Giveaway from Peeking Between The Pages!
For those of you who read my blog, you may have noticed that I am a great fan of CW Gortner. Well, guess what? One of his books is up for grabs at another blogger site, so go check out Peeking Between The Pages and enter to win! Click the link below to enter the giveaway!
http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com/2012/06/book-review-the-queens-vow-by-c-w-gortner-giveaway-uscan.html#comment-52413
GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)
I have one copy of The Queen’s Vow by C. W. Gortner and a painted Spanish fan to share with one of my readers . To enter…
http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com/2012/06/book-review-the-queens-vow-by-c-w-gortner-giveaway-uscan.html#comment-52413
GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)
I have one copy of The Queen’s Vow by C. W. Gortner and a painted Spanish fan to share with one of my readers . To enter…- For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
- For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thanks, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
- For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
May showers .... of books!
May has been a busy month! It seems as though I live and breathe work and school, with only the briefest moments of reading any of the books I am anxious to get to.
Last month, I told you about the invitation to write some book reviews for a great site called Novels Alive TV. I'm happy to announce that I received an ARC (advanced review copy) of a murder mystery by first time author Allan Retzky, titled Vanished in the Dunes: A Hamptons Mystery, and my first review for Novels Alive TV has been published! Please check out the site, and my review, here. I would like to mention that the site isn't simply geared towards book reviews, but also has many interviews with new and well-known authors alike. If, like myself, you'd really like to get into the heads of your favorite authors then you will get a kick out of the interviews and reviews posted on Novels Alive TV.
In addition to my first review for Novels Alive TV, I also read a little series by George R. R. Martin, called Game of Thrones. This I did strictly for my own pleasure, not necessarily for any blogging or reviewing purposes. I started by watching the first season of the HBO series based on the novels and as soon as I heard season 2 was filming, I HAD to go get the book series. My friend Kyle had advised me to do this from the beginning, and I wish I had listened! The first book was so spot on to the television series. The second book, A Clash of Kings, has been the same in comparison to the television series, with only slight deviations that really don't affect the enjoyment of the original work. Let me tell you, George R. R. Martin has a way with words, and a great point of view for all of his characters. His transitions from character to character are so smooth that despite the many different points of view, the reader doesn't get as lost as you might expect.
Game of Thrones is mostly from the point of view of the Stark family, and so I expected the second book to continue with this as well. My loyalty as a reader has, understandably, been with Ned Stark and his family. I was a bit surprised that I was able to catch a glimpse of different characters than just that of the Stark's, and even more insight into characters that had once been only outlying members of the cast when Martin put them front and center in Storm of Swords, the third installment. By the fourth book, A Feast for Crows, I have come to expect the unexpected from Martin, and pleasantly so.
I am, however, a bit OCD when it comes to my books. I simply cannot handle it when you purchase the first of a series in paperback and half way through purchasing the rest of the series, realize that the newest books are only currently out in hardback. So.... I still have yet to read the fifth book, A Dance with Dragons, only because the darn thing doesn't come out in paperback until August. Unless you share my OCD sickness of having all your book series match, you aren't going to get my annoyance and utter impatience with having to wait three months to read the last book!
Moving on to my current read, I decided to FINALLY get started with the Brenda Joyce Deadly series, only to discover about four chapters in that the book I'm reading, Deadly Illusions, is really the middle of the series. I thought the author was referencing material that might come up later in the book, but no. What I thought was book one is actually book seven. The horror of it all is almost too much for my OCD to take on. When I attempted to find the chronological reading order, I found the website for the author VERY difficult to read - full of spelling errors and pages that were undecipherable because of the background the owners have chosen. But I didn't let it stop me, as I'd already begun to enjoy the relationship between our protagonist Francesca Cahill and her fiance' Calder Hart. So my next move is to finish book seven and immediately go out and find the first six books. The good news about the author's website is that they are currently revamping it, so hopefully this will make it easier for new fans to find and experience someone I feel is a great author. I am a huge fan of Brenda after getting my hands on her paranormal romance series, The Masters of Time, featuring some EXTREMELY hot Scottish hunks and beautifully written characters that intermingle with one another across space and time. Check out her Twitter and Facebook pages if you want to learn more about The Deadly series or The Masters of Time series. You'll thank me later!
So there you have it - that was the busy month of May! I hope that June will keep bringing me more novels to enjoy and to tell you about. Keep checking in and I will do my best to continue to bring you new reading adventures!
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Last month, I told you about the invitation to write some book reviews for a great site called Novels Alive TV. I'm happy to announce that I received an ARC (advanced review copy) of a murder mystery by first time author Allan Retzky, titled Vanished in the Dunes: A Hamptons Mystery, and my first review for Novels Alive TV has been published! Please check out the site, and my review, here. I would like to mention that the site isn't simply geared towards book reviews, but also has many interviews with new and well-known authors alike. If, like myself, you'd really like to get into the heads of your favorite authors then you will get a kick out of the interviews and reviews posted on Novels Alive TV.
In addition to my first review for Novels Alive TV, I also read a little series by George R. R. Martin, called Game of Thrones. This I did strictly for my own pleasure, not necessarily for any blogging or reviewing purposes. I started by watching the first season of the HBO series based on the novels and as soon as I heard season 2 was filming, I HAD to go get the book series. My friend Kyle had advised me to do this from the beginning, and I wish I had listened! The first book was so spot on to the television series. The second book, A Clash of Kings, has been the same in comparison to the television series, with only slight deviations that really don't affect the enjoyment of the original work. Let me tell you, George R. R. Martin has a way with words, and a great point of view for all of his characters. His transitions from character to character are so smooth that despite the many different points of view, the reader doesn't get as lost as you might expect. Game of Thrones is mostly from the point of view of the Stark family, and so I expected the second book to continue with this as well. My loyalty as a reader has, understandably, been with Ned Stark and his family. I was a bit surprised that I was able to catch a glimpse of different characters than just that of the Stark's, and even more insight into characters that had once been only outlying members of the cast when Martin put them front and center in Storm of Swords, the third installment. By the fourth book, A Feast for Crows, I have come to expect the unexpected from Martin, and pleasantly so.
I am, however, a bit OCD when it comes to my books. I simply cannot handle it when you purchase the first of a series in paperback and half way through purchasing the rest of the series, realize that the newest books are only currently out in hardback. So.... I still have yet to read the fifth book, A Dance with Dragons, only because the darn thing doesn't come out in paperback until August. Unless you share my OCD sickness of having all your book series match, you aren't going to get my annoyance and utter impatience with having to wait three months to read the last book!
Moving on to my current read, I decided to FINALLY get started with the Brenda Joyce Deadly series, only to discover about four chapters in that the book I'm reading, Deadly Illusions, is really the middle of the series. I thought the author was referencing material that might come up later in the book, but no. What I thought was book one is actually book seven. The horror of it all is almost too much for my OCD to take on. When I attempted to find the chronological reading order, I found the website for the author VERY difficult to read - full of spelling errors and pages that were undecipherable because of the background the owners have chosen. But I didn't let it stop me, as I'd already begun to enjoy the relationship between our protagonist Francesca Cahill and her fiance' Calder Hart. So my next move is to finish book seven and immediately go out and find the first six books. The good news about the author's website is that they are currently revamping it, so hopefully this will make it easier for new fans to find and experience someone I feel is a great author. I am a huge fan of Brenda after getting my hands on her paranormal romance series, The Masters of Time, featuring some EXTREMELY hot Scottish hunks and beautifully written characters that intermingle with one another across space and time. Check out her Twitter and Facebook pages if you want to learn more about The Deadly series or The Masters of Time series. You'll thank me later!
So there you have it - that was the busy month of May! I hope that June will keep bringing me more novels to enjoy and to tell you about. Keep checking in and I will do my best to continue to bring you new reading adventures!
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