After pushing back reading this book for so long, I am so glad I finally pulled the trigger. The fast paced structure made it a really quick and fun rAfter pushing back reading this book for so long, I am so glad I finally pulled the trigger. The fast paced structure made it a really quick and fun read, and it really played cinematically. I can definitely see this getting a mini-series. Even the ending of the book felt like a Netflix Original Ending, but I think that owes more to the smart way this is crafted. I can’t stress how much I loved this. Slight spoilers, but Muhtar, and how he was so harsh, was a huge surprise for me when he woke up. While Korede is great, I really do love Ayoola as a character. She’s the one I’d want to see most of they adapted this....more
As a fan for a really long time, I was super excited to pick up this book, even though I admit to being a bit hesitant since I don’t love thinking aboAs a fan for a really long time, I was super excited to pick up this book, even though I admit to being a bit hesitant since I don’t love thinking about birth, pregnancy, etc. This was foolish apprehension. This whole book was an eye-opener. I never knew how much insane bullshit women had to go through, between not being believed when they discuss symptoms to being dismissed and sometimes blatantly lied to. I actually had to put the book down sometimes because I just got MAD at the situation Lucy was put in. But the story is beautiful. As a fan of her work on Instagram, which follows Pal now, this felt like a cool origin story. And the art was phenomenal, even if it took me a second to get used to her work being in color. A really fun and informative book that I can’t stop recommending....more
The very last of the Greek Evslin books I had to read (I may read his two Celtic ones soon) and one that is really interesting, since it didn’t followThe very last of the Greek Evslin books I had to read (I may read his two Celtic ones soon) and one that is really interesting, since it didn’t follow any of the steps the others in this series that I liked did, but I still really enjoyed it. Barely touching upon the actual creature, it instead focuses on the story of young Hercules and Iole, daughter of Iris, the rainbow. In conclusion for this series, I love everything about Evslin’s work, and I really would love to see them adapted someday...more
Ok, first things first, I love the Narnia series, but this book really felt different in tone and everything. Granted, it was one of three Narnia bookOk, first things first, I love the Narnia series, but this book really felt different in tone and everything. Granted, it was one of three Narnia books I'd never read, so who knows how the other half of the series goes? But to me, it was much more "traveling down the road/through the wilderness" than other Narnia books feel to me. It felt more similar to something like Two Towers or Deathly Hallows, where the whole thing is the journey. Secondly, you can tell Lewis and Tolkein were contemproaries, as this book really showed his penchant for description. Granted, I was reading on my iPhone, so the pages were small, but does the description of a pavillion of nobles really have to last two and a half pages? Asking for a friend (me). While I enjoyed the story, and it really lit that fire in me, making me want to read more Narnia, I do have to say the obvious: This book is racist. The non-Narnians are all portrayed as these awful caricatures of something out of Arabian Nights, and it really left a sour taste in my mouth the entire way through. ...more
Wow. Just wow. This was so amazing. The concept was one that I think a lot of us are, sadly, familiar with, being the "expendable" women of the comic Wow. Just wow. This was so amazing. The concept was one that I think a lot of us are, sadly, familiar with, being the "expendable" women of the comic books we all know and love. This story doesn't focus on resentment, although that is touched upon, and more focuses on the way the stories could be misrepresented to show the male heroes as just that, SUPERheroes. This needs to be much more widely read, because it's a point of view EVERYONE needs to look at, especially since it usually gets swept under the rug, or worse, used as "character development" for the main character. A large part of the fun was also recognizing the characters and plots these stories were based on. While most were pretty obvious, it was still fun to sit there going "Oh, that's Gwen Stacey" "Oh cool, I think this is the Lantern Corp." etc. Of particular interest to me where the stories of Bayou, Julia Ash, and Daisy Green. I can't wait to see these characters storm the screen in the upcoming adaptation, and hope that brings this story to even more people, highlighting this issue in comics....more
This may be one of the best Evslin monster books I’ve read! It definitely falls into my wheelhouse, in terms of the ones I lean towards, being that itThis may be one of the best Evslin monster books I’ve read! It definitely falls into my wheelhouse, in terms of the ones I lean towards, being that it features great female characters who feel more well rounded than in some of his other works. This book also featured a lot more information and plot. The inclusion of an Egyptian pantheon subplot was incredibly welcome, as was the large range of action, from war, to great hunts, to stunning betrayals. This book was a really great read, and fleshed out some myths that are usually pushed to the side. Special shout out to the characters of Bast and Buto, the hilarity of the Charybdis plot, and the scenes with Scylla before she was married....more
As someone who grew up as a fan of the old Disney movie, as well as the adventure stories from Verne and Doyle, I was shocked I hadn’t read this at soAs someone who grew up as a fan of the old Disney movie, as well as the adventure stories from Verne and Doyle, I was shocked I hadn’t read this at some point in my childhood. I’ve also been trying to get into audiobooks more, as a lot of actors I like have started recording them. When I saw this one was narrated by Alex Jennings, I decided to give it a try.
All in all, not the biggest fan of the book, which felt like it was meandering a bit, but I will say I was very intrigued by the descriptions of life under the sea, as well as the extent Verne went to describe Nemo’s technology on the Nautilus.
My biggest take away is that I’m shocked we haven’t seen a modern adaptation, as it touches not only on science and adventure, but also the ideas of social justice and accountability, as seen through Nemo’s eyes....more
One of the Evslin’s that I never read as a kid, this one was a really fun read! I’ve always loved the character of Circe, who is a major antagonist inOne of the Evslin’s that I never read as a kid, this one was a really fun read! I’ve always loved the character of Circe, who is a major antagonist in this story, but also appreciated the Butes myth, one I’d never heard before. Particularly interesting was his escape from the goddesses, which was reminiscent of the Judgement of Paris, with Aphrodite winning again. I also enjoyed that, unlike many of the other monster books, this one featured the creatures prominently. I’ve always found the winged monsters (sirens, harpies, furies, etc) to be of particular interest, so I appreciated that immensely. Lastly, tiny shout out to the scene where Butes meets the gods, as I loved the description of them all shining with their own light, from Apollo’s sunny hue to Hephaestus� forge-glow to Aphrodite’s warm pink aura. Really cool to imagine how that would look....more
My biggest takeaway from this book is just how much the show diverges from the book plot at this point. I personally think it’s ridiculous that the shMy biggest takeaway from this book is just how much the show diverges from the book plot at this point. I personally think it’s ridiculous that the show didn’t fully utilize the Arianne Martell plot, as she is such a strong and interesting character. It also amazes me how little of the magic is used in the tv show. The lush world Martin has made is full of such diverse cultures and supernatural elements that really make the world feel fleshed out. In particular, I love the Sansa plot in the Vale, which is much better than her televised journey. And shoutout to the Cersei scenes. There is something about the way he writes her that I love deeply....more
Another Evslin! Again, my biggest complaint is that the story focused less on the creature itself and more on the surrounding myths, but the standoutsAnother Evslin! Again, my biggest complaint is that the story focused less on the creature itself and more on the surrounding myths, but the standouts for me were the depictions of Gaia and Rhea and then the inclusion of all the different Polyphemus translations, showing the different ways he could have been attacked....more
Continuing the tradition of reading through Evslin’s mythology books, this one was a solid “maybe� from me. While happy to see Demeter and Hephaestus,Continuing the tradition of reading through Evslin’s mythology books, this one was a solid “maybe� from me. While happy to see Demeter and Hephaestus, as well as Arachne, the plot felt a bit cramped....more
This should be the Star Wars show. The characters are amazingly well fleshed out, the stakes are high, and the diversity of the cast (gender and speciThis should be the Star Wars show. The characters are amazingly well fleshed out, the stakes are high, and the diversity of the cast (gender and species) would make a top tier show. The arrival of K’Kruhk made me happy, as he’s one of my favorites, and I love the way they portray how different Jedi react to all of this differently. Dass Jennir is also a character I think movie goers would love. The fate of Bomo’s family hits a hard note. The whole slavery plot was tough, from the final fate to Vader’s reminiscing. Can’t wait to read the second half!...more
First and foremost, I love love love the female presence in this film and DEMAND someone adapt this for a film. It plays like the anti-sin city. It’s First and foremost, I love love love the female presence in this film and DEMAND someone adapt this for a film. It plays like the anti-sin city. It’s a noir that doesn’t take itself seriously at all. The big thing that stuck out to me was that the art was so scratchy. It was very pretty, but the hairstyles and squiggly lines made keeping track kind of hard. I really just loved it, and can’t stop fantasizing about the casts I’d have in mind....more
What really attracted me to this play was an interview where Gina McKee spoke about how these roles (coarse, militaristic, violent, and crude) don’t uWhat really attracted me to this play was an interview where Gina McKee spoke about how these roles (coarse, militaristic, violent, and crude) don’t usually appear for women. The story of Boudicca is one that I sort of knew, but it was nice to get a bit more in-depth with it. The language was amazing in here. One of the greatest elements was that every group seemed to speak in a different way, from a more modern speech for the Romans to a fully classical approach for the gods, and something like a mix for the celts. Characters were strong, and I actually found myself yelling at them from time to time, especially Alonna, although she definitely had a point. On a whole, the commentary on purity of race and what it means to be from a certain area felt particularly prescient, given the circumstances we are living through today, so I’m glad I found this one when I did....more
Firstly, I love American Gods, both the show and the novel, which I first read back in early college I think. The story is just so fascinating and oriFirstly, I love American Gods, both the show and the novel, which I first read back in early college I think. The story is just so fascinating and original, it really draws me in. So I was extremely excited to encounter a graphic novel of the work. However, it was not what I expected. More often than not, I felt like the artist was going the safest, least visually dynamic route when showing certain things, primarily the deities. Maybe the flashiness of the tv show has colored this for me, but the art detracted from the adaptation for me here. ...more
Firstly, I love Howl, and I really wanted to like this book, but the art was really off-putting. I didn't realize that it was a movie though, and I'm Firstly, I love Howl, and I really wanted to like this book, but the art was really off-putting. I didn't realize that it was a movie though, and I'm genuinely curious about how that looks. I felt bad that I ended up throwing the towel in on this one. That being said, I was able make it to my favorite line, which is all that matters to me. I follow a twitter that tweets lines from Howl continuously, and I always keep an eye out for "...who broke down crying in white gymnasiums naked and trembling before the machinery of other skeletons."
I can't explain why, but I love that line, and I love Howl, and I'd really like to see more artistic renderings of it. ...more
What a great way to start 2019. I was initially drawn to grab this book because Jessie Cave has a wonderful instagram presence, and did not expect to What a great way to start 2019. I was initially drawn to grab this book because Jessie Cave has a wonderful instagram presence, and did not expect to find myself late for work because I was reading in my space in the parking garage. I couldn't put it down. It shows how crazy and all over the place life can be, and it also made me feel like I wasn't alone, especially when it comes to being neurotic and sometimes getting in your own way. In short, LOVED IT, and making it a bucket list item to see some of Jessie Cave's work live....more
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