Talkie Tuesday: Avatar

 

"I see you."

 

Hello everyone!

 

Welcome back to the blog.

 

This week, we're taking a little break from Bollywood so that I can backtrack to some other favourites I have.

 

To be honest, I'm actually going to be diving into Disney again pretty soon, if I'm looking at some of my scribbled notes correctly, er, reading them I mean, though it does look like chicken scratch.

 

But before that, we have to go back.

 

And I mean, WAY back.

 

Seventeen years back, to be exact, which is ... something. Then again, the LOTR trilogy is hitting those 20 year milestones, and I'm sitting here like WUUUUUT.

 

Without further ado, let's go back in time, back into space, and back into sci-fi, bby!

 

There's more than one movie now but, back then, it was only the one Avatar.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Rebel Moon The Scargiver

 

"To stand and die for a place to call home." 

 

Hello everyone!

 

Welcome back to this next installment in the Rebel Moon saga.

 

I won't say these movies are the best that have ever been made, but they're definitely entertaining - although of course, if you know they were directed by Zack Snyder, there's a good chance there's some director cuts out there ...

 

Like with these.

 

I still need to watch THOSE, and I might just wrap up these blogs with thoughts on those two, but for the time being it's just the regular movies, and what I think about them.

 

Namely, however, my chief thought here is that these NEED to be watched literally one after another, otherwise you'll likely forget what's happened as the second picks up exactly where number one leaves off to begin with ...

 

So let's not dally, and have a look at The Scargiver.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Rebel Moon A Child of Fire

 

"Who among you is willing to die for what we believe in, 

rather than hide behind it?"

 

Hello everyone!

 

Tonight, we're sailing into uncharted waters, or, possibly skies?

 

Skies. Definitely skies.

 

I'll admit that it took me forever to actually sit down and watch this movie, despite the fact that it's been on my list from pretty much the moment it launched. What can I say, I'm a sucker for space opera of any kind, notice that I've been watching Star Wars and Star Trek in every and all iterations since they launched, pretty much?

 

So you could say this is my kind of jam, honestly.

 

And in all fairness, it was actually pretty decent to watch, all things considered.

 

Not that I often listen to what critics are saying, because usually they're miles from what I'll end up watching, but still.

 

Buckle your seatbelts, because tonight we're flying into Rebel Moon's part one: A Child of Fire!

 

Tome Thursday: The Code of Secret Domination

 

Hello everyone!

 

Tonight's choice of review if another one I was very kindly sent.

 

Listen, I don't know how it happened, okay?

 

But all of a sudden these ARCs just started pouring in!

 

And here I am, happily devouring them all and reading through every single one as if it's the last day on planet Earth.

 

I've never been happier.

 

Tonight, we're going into the future, or we're headed into the past, or maybe we're already in the present - who can say?

 

I only know that it's a story worth telling, worth reading, and absolutely worth talking about.

 

So without further ado, let's have a look at The Code of Secret Domination, shall we?

 

Talkie Tuesday: Kalki 2898 AD

 

"For tomorrow."

 

Hello everyone!

 

Welcome back to another Bollywood movie of choice.

 

I'm sure you could all pretty much see this coming, as I tend to be sucked into Bollywood every once in a while over periods of time.

 

What can I say? I thoroughly enjoy the drama haha!

 

That, and there are a few faces across their silver screens that I really enjoy watching, and tonight's would-be heroine is definitely one of them.

 

But considering that this is some sort of weird, dystopian reimagining of the future? Yeah, one could say you need to sit there and pay attention when you actually watch. I had to go back to the beginning to double check because I had a long pause between my sittings.

 

ANYWAY.

 

Without further ado, let's check what the Indians have to say about a not-so-bright future, shall we? In Kalki 2898 AD.

 

Tome Thursday: Echoes of the Tide

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome back to the world under the sea!

 

Or well, that's what I'm calling it in my head haha.

 

Emma Hamm JUST released the third in her Deep Waters series, this one about a fan-favourite, golden retriever-type hero in the shape of one Maketes, who's the jokester of the group we've been getting to meet as our motley crew.

 

... and when you can get your hands on a copy this early, well, what do you do?

 

You read it of course!

 

Read it, then review it, then go back and read it again, because why the heck not.

 

So I'm not going to keep on yapping any longer, because we have some impatient characters who would very much like to have their story told.

 

Allons-y, then into Echoes of the Tide.

 

Tome Thursday: Song of the Abyss

 

Hello everyone!

 

Welcome back to the land of the mermaids.

 

Yep, I said what I said.

 

When you accidentally run into one of the best books you've read this calendar year, you don't just drop it like a hot potato and never look at it again.

 

You probably read it again, and again, and again, which is exactly what I've done with tonight's choice for blog post, honestly.

 

I think I've read this thing about five times since first getting my hands on an e-book copy, and I've since bought it in physical form so that I can skip around pages more easily (yes, you can do it on an e-reader too but, I still find it easier in an actual book, sue me).

 

Since then I've also been reading some other works by Emma Hamm and, let's just put it this way, you'll be seeing them on this blog with the passage of time.

 

But first, let's really return to the deep. Let's check on the guy who was an absolute ass in the first book, but is really just a wounded soldier, and we learn all about that - and more - in Song of the Abyss.

Talkie Tuesday: Brahmastra Shiva

 

"When life gets a bit dark ... find the light."

 

Hello everyone!

 

Welcome to this week's movie of choice, and let me tell you, I had a handful to pick from.

 

I've somehow managed to accumulate a backlog of what I've watched, but haven't reviewed yet, and what I haven't watched but plan to review in future.

 

Listen, I have issues, okay? Moving on.

 

Tonight's choice comes from my spontaneous decision to watch a movie this Sunday afternoon, despite the fact I was busy reading book ARCs and trying to hustle getting THOSE reviews out of the way, as well.

 

I'm a busy bee, what can I say.

 

In any event, I picked this movie because I saw the trailer on accident - it looked like something I'd watch if it were of Hollywood make, and I was right - and ended up really enjoying it! It's a bit cliché, of course, but then superhero movies usually are.

 

So warm up those chakras, we're headed into the Astraverse with Shiva.

 

Tome Thursday: Provenance of Power

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to an exciting addition to this blog post!

 

See a while back, I was approached by an Indie author through Facebook, and she asked me if I'd like to join her ARC team for a novel called Her Latent Charm.

 

Now, considering I read anything and everything that I can possibly get my grubby little mitts on, I said yes, of course. That one never has to be under any kind of question.

 

What I wasn't expecting was to truly ENJOY the book so much.

 

Don't get me wrong, I generally speaking always pick books that I know I'll at the very least like, if not outright love, but every now and then you do run into mishaps and end up, er, disappointed.

 

Not so here.

 

So when emails finally went out regarding the second book of the series, I was STOKED. I signed up immediately, and when the thing arrived in my inbox, I jumped.

Which means that, without further ado, we're looking at the sequel tonight: Provenance of Power!

Tome Thursday: Whispers of the Deep

 

Hello everyone!

 

I know some of you might be anticipating - or I hope you're anticipating! - my review of the second season House of the Dragon just graced us with, but I ended up deciding to type that one on Saturday, so that I have PLENTY of time to do it right.

 

For tonight, we're diving in deep.

 

And I mean DEEP, deep.

 

Because we're about to enter a story about mermaids, and what's more, it's a mermaid story that I REALLY love, or ended up loving in any event.

 

I wasn't expecting that, because recently the books I've been randomly picking up have been a bit on the eh side, but this one? Chef's kiss.

 

This one's basically restored my faith in the paranormal romance genre, so I'm now just working my way through another ARC before I grab the second in this series.

 

So put on your rebreathers and your flippers - it's time for Whispers of the Deep.

 

Tome Thursday: Hunting Harkonnens

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome back to the galaxy that's not really all that far away, but is definitely a ways away in the future, so to speak.

 

I've finally started on the proper journey of this, to chew my way through everything leading up to Dune (and one can hope, beyond).

 

Thus, if you know me, then you'll know I HAVE to begin at the beginning.

 

I would have done so pre-reading Dune, too, but I got swept away and I really wanted to see what the written stuff was all about after watching the two movies, so, here I am.

 

Where it all should have started.

 

Without further yapping from me, let's jump right into it: we're Hunting Harkonnens!

 

Tome Thursday: Dune

 

Hello everyone!

 

In a break from my Bollywood obsession (yes, it's actually an obsession at this point, oops, can't help it!) we're taking a look at a book I SHOULD have read a long while ago.

 

I might have, even, if not for the fact that I needed to be in the right mood for it.

 

Also, I'm fairly certain that it was actually the better option for me to watch the movies first before tackling the book itself, because I understood a lot more going in that way than I possibly would have otherwise.

 

Or, maybe I'm just overthinking everything.

 

In any event! Let's not waste any more time.

 

Because we have to travel far, far into the future, to a point when there are no more computers, but there's definitely a whole lot of reasons for a holy war.

 

And plenty more reasons to wonder how it all goes down, in Dune.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Dune Part 2

 

"The Holy War begins."

 

Hello everyone!

 

DUN DUN DUN.

 

As the saying goes. Because look at the quote at the beginning of the page. Huh? HUH?

 

Yeah, we're headed there baby, and despite the fact we've been actively trying to avoid it since ... well, the start of this all.

 

But some things are apparently actually predestined, so here we are.

 

I'm just a tiny bit late when it comes to the release of this movie, but not TOO late, which is just as well so I can ride the tail end of some of this hype.

 

And there SHOULD be lots and lots of hype, because we're going to be concluding the story in a third one, as already confirmed, although I don't think they'll manage to cover all that Herbert covered in his Dune books to begin with.

 

Without further ado, let's jump right into Dune Part 2.

 

Talkie Tuesday: Tales of the Empire

 

"Long live the Empire." 

Hello everyone!

Let darkness reign, let hearts quiver, and let us take a look at some of what went down during the reign of probably one of the most-known Empires the fictional world has ever seen.

I'm talking, of course, about the GALACTIC Empire, ruled by none other than Darth Sidious.

Back in 2022, Disney graced us with the animated Tales of the Jedi, and everyone around the world rejoiced.

Then they dropped the absolutely spectacular news that in 2024, we'd be seeing the OTHER side of the coin.

Aka, the Dark Side.

As if anyone would need any MORE invitation to watch this May 4th; hide your Force sensitivity, and let's have a look at Tales of the Empire.

Tome Thursday: Abducting Artemis

 

Hello everyone!

 

And welcome to the first installment (or is it prequel?) of a new series that I randomly picked off of BookSirens a little while ago.

 

Oh yes, BookSirens, remember them?

 

That fancy-schmancy online nexus where authors upload their ARCs for readers to then peruse at their leisure and leave free reviews in return?

 

Yes, that BookSirens.

 

Honestly, if you haven't checked it out yet, you totally should. If you're a voracious reader like I am, this is SO going to make your life easier, I can guarantee it.

 

But back to tonight's story, which is all about, er ... Greek Gods.

 

In space.

 

Buckle up, Buttercups, because Abducting Artemis boldly goes where no one has gone before.

 

Talkie Tuesday: The Rise of Skywalker

 

"A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away ..." 

Hello everyone!

Well.

You can get it off your chest right now. I'm pretty sure everyone who's actually wanted to watch these movies has seen this film way, WAY before me.

In my defense, I was so mad after Episode VIII, that when they announced and released the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga, I steadfastly and staunchly refused to touch it with a ten foot pole.

Yep, that's the entire plot and reasoning behind why I'm only reviewing this one now.

But since finishing up the Jurassic movies last week, I realized this would be hanging around my neck like some sort of dead weight, dragging me down, and so here we are.

And I have to admit ... I didn't hate it, nor did I not like it as much as I was afraid I might. 

It's definitely not a masterpiece, though.

The Rise of Skywalker, plagued by the problems of its predecessor, does its best, but ultimately can't fully restore our faith in these movies.

Synopsis Saturday: Tales of the Jedi

 

"Everywhere, there is life. Value it. Honour it."

 

Hello everyone!

 

As I promised when switching things up this past Tuesday, I come bearing gifts this Saturday evening, and they come from a galaxy far, far away.

 

You know we all love returning to it.

 

There are so many stories still to tell in any era to choose from that it's remarkable how there hasn't been even MORE to sustain us, yet here we are, and Dave Filoni seems to be doing something very right yet again.

 

Obviously his Clone Wars went on to become a HUGE success and managed to help fill in the blanks beteween Episode II and III, but these might be even better in some aspects.

 

Because what released just about a week ago were stories that you might have guessed at, but never truly witnessed until now.

 

So it's time to dig out those lightsabers, family. Tales of the Jedi need us to be at our best!

 

Tome Thursday: Coward's Truth

 

Hello everyone!

 

Once more, I bring you a goodie from BookSirens.

 

Honestly, that's probably my favourite place to grab new books from nowadays, I'll admit as much. It's really a fantastic site, and the exchange of free ARC and review works really well if anyone asks me.

 

So tonight we take a look in something that's not too far out of my comfort zone.

 

It's got rulers, kingdoms, politics, gods, assassins, and space warriors for some reason.

 

This last one is probably the most confusing of them all!

 

The author, Christan Warren Freed, served in the military for over twenty years if I remember the biography information correctly, so each of his published stories features some aspect of that. This one's no exception either.

 

As it's the first book in what's going to be a series, naturally it's a set-up and the possibilities of explanation become larger the more you dig deeper, but you'll have to decide for yourself if this kind of story if for you!

Coward's Truth, a novel of the Heart Eternal, is up.

Tome Thursday: Brotherhood

 

Hello there!

 

Yes, we're still knee-deep in the Star Wars universe today.

 

We probably will be for the remainder of the week, actually.

 

I sometimes like taking a theme and running with it throughout the blog posts that I'm doing for a certain period of time, and seeing as I covered the Star Wars Celebration on Tuesday, I figured a Star Wars book wasn't going to go amiss either, right?

 

Right!

 

So I decided to pick a recent release that I'd been looking forward to, given my eternal love for anything Prequel related.

 

And I will say ... I mostly enjoyed it, if I didn't start looking in too deeply.

 

Once I did, it turned a little bit upside down, but you'll see there at the end, so keep reading.

 

Because Mike Chen's Brotherhood is up next.

 

Tome Thursday: The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy

 

Hello everyone!

 

So I really can't believe I haven't put this book up among my reviews yet, or that it took me so long to read it again.

 

I remember reading it for the first time YEARS ago, when I was probably too young to really understand it (appreciation isn't something we'll be talking about), so I'm thankful I found a nice copy in my local bookstore so that I could sit through it.

 

And by sit I mean SUFFER through it for more days than it should take to read a book that short.

 

I don't know what it is about this one that appeals to so many people overall, but it definitely did not appeal to me, and I figured, since Tuesday's review was a rant, I might as well make this Thursday one a disappointed sort of post to top it off.

 

Maybe it's because I'm not in the best frame of mind to truly appreciate this book.

 

Maybe I should have read it at a different point in my life.

 

Or maybe I'd always look at it and go ... wut?

 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is on scene.