Fantasy

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

Director:

David Yates

Starring:

Eddie Redmayne

Katherine Waterston

Alison Sudol

Plot:

The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

Review:

I was pretty excited to finally be able to watch this, even though I didn’t get to see it in theaters. Maybe I was too excited? All I had heard was how awesome it was and that it was so fun to be back in the Harry Potter universe, and it was, but…I just didn’t seem to love it as much as everyone else.

I’ve never been a fan of the HP movies, I love the books too much, which is another reason why I was looking forward to this, I wouldn’t have anything to compare it too. Unfortunately, that didn’t help things. I liked seeing all the magic, but I almost feel like the story suffered because of it. Sometimes it wasn’t about what was going on, but what they could do with their powers.

I’m also not the biggest fan of the stars of the show, I never knew what I was supposed to be feeling with them, they were both awkward for me. I loved the two support characters though.

It was a good movie, I didn’t hate it, but I think it was hyped too much for me. I thought the ending was a bit sad too.

3.5/5

Frogkisser! By: Garth Nix

Frogkisser! By: Garth Nix

Plot:

Poor Princess Anya. Forced to live with her evil stepmother’s new husband, her evil stepstepfather. Plagued with an unfortunate ability to break curses with a magic-assisted kiss. And forced to go on the run when her stepstepfather decides to make the kingdom entirely his own.

Aided by a loyal talking dog, a boy thief trapped in the body of a newt, and some extraordinarily mischievous wizards, Anya sets off on a Quest that, if she plays it right, will ultimately free her land—and teach her a thing or two about the use of power, the effectiveness of a well-placed pucker, and the finding of friends in places both high and low.

Review:

I’ve been excited about this book since I saw the cover. How could I not be? That is such an awesome cover. Sadly for me the book didn’t quite live up to it.

It took me two weeks to finish which never should have happened considering it’s a middle school read. I just couldn’t get into it. It was slow up until the end and even then it was light on action.

All the things I like about Garth Nix were missing. The world was kind of interesting, but not really. I liked that Anya was a strong princess that rescued herself, but didn’t really like anything else.

It was a disappointment, but I’m still excited for anything that Garth Nix comes out with.

2/5

Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016)

alice-through-the-looking-glass

Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016)

Director:

James Bobin

Starring:

Mia Wasikowska

Johnny Depp

Helena Bonham Carter

Plot:

Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and travels back in time to help the Mad Hatter.

Review:

If you liked the first movie, I’m not sure why you wouldn’t like this one. Apparently, though, most people didn’t like this movie.

The story wasn’t as strong, but the characters were there and I liked seeing what Alice was getting into. It wasn’t overly realistic for a woman to be captain of a ship at her time, but nothing in the movie is overly realistic.

The score was great and one of the reasons I like these two movies.

Nothing really remarkable or bad about the movie.

3/5

 

Island of Glass (The Guardians Trilogy #3) By: Nora Roberts

island-of-glass

Island of Glass (The Guardians Trilogy #3) By: Nora Roberts

Plot:

As the hunt for the Star of Ice leads the six guardians to Ireland, Doyle, the immortal, must face his tragic past. Three centuries ago, he closed off his heart, yet his warrior spirit is still drawn to the wild. And there’s no one more familiar with the wild than Riley—and the wolf within her…

An archaeologist, Riley is no stranger to the coast of Clare, but now she finds herself on unsure footing, targeted by the dark goddess who wants more than the stars, more than the blood of the guardians. While searching through Irish history for clues that will lead them to the final star and the mysterious Island of Glass, Riley must fight her practical nature and admit her sudden attraction to Doyle is more than just a fling. For it is his strength that will sustain her and give her the power to run towards love—and save them all…

Review:

Very excited to finally read this book, I waited until after my son was born because I didn’t want to have a library book out and then be in the hospital unable to return it.

Anyway, this was a great ending to the series and I would honestly love more in this world and with these characters. Since it’s Nora Roberts I don’t see that happening since she tends to do trilogies and move on, but maybe.

Riley was cool and logical, Doyle was brooding and tragic, and together they made a good couple. Their romance wasn’t very romantic, but it worked for them, plus there was so much going on in the rest of the story that it fit better. They weren’t overlooked at all, but this was the climactic conclusion of the series.

That being said, the end battle was pretty short, but again this isn’t really a fantasy book, it’s a romantic fantasy. Whatever, I loved the series and I’m going to buy it when I can cause I foresee wanting to re-read it.

5/5

No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished (Heartstrikers #3) By: Rachel Aaron

no-good-dragon-goes-unpunished

No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished (Heartstrikers #3) By: Rachel Aaron

Plot:

When Julius overthrew his mother and took control of his clan, he thought he was doing right by everyone. But sharing power isn’t part of any proper dragon’s vocabulary, and with one seat still open on the new ruling Council, all of Heartstriker is ready to do whatever it takes to get their claws on it, including killing the Nice Dragon who got them into this mess in the first place.

To keep his clan together and his skin intact, Julius is going to have to find a way to make his bloodthirsty siblings play fair. But there’s more going on in Heartstriker Mountain than politics. Every family has its secrets, but the skeletons in Bethesda’s closet are dragon sized, and with Algonquin’s war looming over them all, breaking his clan wide open might just be the only hope Julius has of saving it.

Review:

Damnit why is the next book not out already? There is so much still left up in the air that I want answers too. Things that I want characters to realize so that I can see what the big deal is about it.

What the hell Bob? Did he just do what I think he did cause Chelsie is going to kick his ass and rightfully so if he did.

The ending was great, clearly, the rest of the book was good but it took a while to pick up steam. There was a lot of, not build up, but kind of boring stuff. You learned a lot about the Heartstrikers, and it was necessary, I guess, but it made the beginning slow. I wouldn’t quiet say it dragged, but only because at this point I’m emotionally invested in the world and characters so I wanted to know more.

Really excited for the next book.

4/5