Movie Review: Fallen Kingdom unleashes chaos

Wow. It's been forever since I did a post. Well, today I'm reviewing the movie Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Story:

It’s been three years since the Indominus Rex caused Jurassic World to be shut down, and across the world a heated debate rages on about whether or not dinosaurs should be granted the same rights as other endangered species. Claire Dearing, now running a dinosaur rights activist group, is approached by a stranger who offers a sanctuary for the dinosaurs in exchange for help locating Blue, who is the last Velociraptor on the planet. Putting together a team that includes Owen Grady, they return to the island so they can rescue as many dinosaurs as possible before the island blows up. However, all is not as it seems as a sinister plot is put into action that intends on exploiting the dinosaurs for personal gain. 

This movie does a terrific job at setting itself apart from its predecessors. I love the idea of a civil rights group for dinosaurs popping up, and the inclusion of several new species like the Carnotaurus which did appear in Michael Crichton’s second book. It would’ve been easy to make this a standard run-away-from-dinosaurs film, but instead they take what has been established and build up. As the books delve deep into chaos theory, so does this film in showing the consequences of having dinosaurs brought back into a world that is no longer theirs. It was also great to see Jeff Goldblum return as Ian Malcolm, even if it was just for a couple of scenes. This movie, to me, feels like the people took a lot of thought and consideration, and studied the books to get more of the feel and messages of Jurassic Park/World. 

I heard the director was a master of the horror element and that shows. Several times predators are enclosed in shadow, with just enough light at key moments to indicate their presence in the shadows creates a spirit of fear that reminds us several of these animals were apex predators in their time periods, and that just because humans brought them back from extinction doesn’t make them any less dangerous. The eruption of Isla Nublar’s volcano, which the promotional material from the Dinosaur Protection Group website confirmed the name as Mount Sibo, was probably one of the most terrifying moments in the film as it fills you with a sense of being trapped, and near the end led to the saddest scene in the entire film. However, it also brought back an old film trope with dinosaurs as several old dinosaur movies involved a volcano in some form or way. The music also helps with the scenes, evoking a sense of fear around the predators, and sadness for the pain of the animals. 

Overall, I feel this was a well done sequel, and did enjoy the film’s plot overall. I look forward to seeing how they top the events of this film in Jurassic World III. 

Caution:

Mild swearing, including the d-word and the g-word. A character almost says the s-word. The eruption of the volcano may terrify some viewers, and the dinosaurs in peril may sadden others. People shoot each other and adults and children are chased by predators. Dinosaurs are mistreated and abused, and the death of one is heartbreaking. A man has his arm bitten off before he is killed, and several people are killed offscreen. Blood is seen several times.

Lessons:

We have a duty and responsibility to care for our world and the plants and animals that inhabit it. Our actions and choices will have consequences, and we will have to accept them. 

Double Book Review: Son of Neptune and The Mark of Athena

Sorry for the delay. Today I'm going to be doing a double book review in Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series: The Son of Neptune and The Mark of Athena.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
Percy Jackson, while on the run from monsters, finds himself at a camp that is modeled after Rome on a smaller scale. While settling in, some of his new friends are assigned a quest to head north to find a lost relic that could save the camp from an incoming invasion of Gaea's forces.
It was interesting to see a camp that was modeled after Rome instead of our own camps. The author clearly did his research in the lifestyles of Ancient Rome, and managed to bring them successfully into the twenty-first century. The term for the location of the quest, The Land Beyond The Gods, reminded me of Hadrian's Wall in Britain, as the Romans were never able to push their way into Scotland. When reading this, I felt like Riordan took that piece of history, and added a mythological twist to it. I did enjoy how he took the traditional descriptions of some monsters, and managed to make them work in this story. He has successfully expanded his mythology universe to include the influences of Rome, and that will continue to build as the series progresses.
Caution:
A girl is skewered, but doesn't die. Monsters attack the characters, and many are injured. Some action sequences may be intense.
Lessons:
If we ignore the counsels and teachings of the prophets, we may find ourselves in spiritual and physical danger. People deserve a second chance to do the right thing. We can learn a lot about ourselves by learning about our ancestors.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
When it seems like everything's going smoothly, they go wrong. Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood end up preparing for war while Percy and his friends have to flee across the sea to Rome in order to stop Gaea. Annabeth is forced on a side quest by her mother to right a wrong committed to the goddess centuries ago, and she may not survive it. No one in the team is going to walk away from this unscathed.
I really enjoyed how the characters are leaving the New World and heading back east, to the lands of ancient myth. It adds more to these modern myths by having them retrace the roots of the ancient heroes. My biggest pain with this book was Athena, and the quest she gives her daughter just screamed "suicide" to me. However, upon thinking about it, I saw things differently, and while my initial shock has abated, I still gained one lesson, one that several adaptations seemed to forget: the gods of Greece and Rome were petty, and cared nothing for humanity. I did enjoy the history and archaeology involved with this story, and waiting for the next book will be torture.
Lessons:
We should learn what we can about our heritage and learn from the mistakes of the past. There will come a time when we will be tried and tested, and it will be painful and difficult times for us, but if we have faith and persevere, we will emerge better than before.

Book review: The Cataclysm shows hope lives in dark times

Hallo. I am back, and today I am review another Dragonlance book, The Cataclysm:

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Plot:
The Cataclysm. The event when the gods of Krynn threw a fiery mountain (or meteor, if you want to get technical) upon, the world, shattering it and ending Istar forever, and ushering in The Age of Despair. Here, we are given a series of short stories depicting how the people of the world survived the aftermath, surviving in a world that has been changed. With darkness reigning not only in the corners of the world, but in the hearts of the people as well, it will take special, strong heroes to find the light in a world without gods, a world without faith, a world of despair.
Like The Reign of Istar, this book has multiple plots from containing different stories written by different authors. Some where humorous and well written, while others were touching. The highlight of this book has to be the novella depicting the rise of Lord Soth, and how in a surprising twist he shows how darkness isn't a physical manifestation but an inward choice.
Caution:
Characters in peril, with some blood and broken limbs. Uses of h-word and d-word.
Lessons:
A person's true worth isn't found in their outer appearance, their rank, or their nationality, but in their heart and soul. We should strive to have faith even when those around us choose not to. Even when it doesn't appear so, light and goodness still abound.

Book Review: Ruins of Gorlan is a fantastic series start

Good evening. For those who are still awake, I have chosen to do a review for a book I just finished: The Ruins of Gorlan, the first book of the Ranger's Apprentice series.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Story:
Will is a ward of Baron Arald, who is chosen to be an apprentice for the ranger Halt. As his training progresses, he learns not only skills for his new trade, but of the threat of a defeated baron called Morgarath, who has been amassing forces from beyond the kingdom, and now is ready to make his move. Will the rangers be able to stop him before it is too late?
I was recommended this series by a friend, and I'm glad I picked it up. It is a good book for a person starting to get into fantasy series. What helps this book stand out is the focus on what it takes for a person to be a ranger, and the training they go through. The exclusion of traditional fantasy races also helps it stand out on its own, and shows creativity on the author's side as he crafts two original races for this world of his. The story isn't drawn out, and while it's too the point, you can still get a lot is happening. Definitely a series worth the read.
Caution
A few uses of the d-word and h-word, and one person uses God's name in an exclamation of shock. Some fights break out, and blood is seen. The description of a monster might be terrifying.
Lessons:
Every one of us is given special skills that we must learn to develop. Knowledge can overcome suspicions.

Book Review: The Reign of Istar shows life before Krynn's darkest moment

Good day everyone. I'm back with another book to review. Today I'm reviewing The Reign of Istar:

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Story:
This is actually a collection of various tales instead of a single plot, but each one shows what was going on in the world of Krynn while the city of Istar was in power. It was not the best of times, for the Kingpriest of Istar was ruthlessly persecuting the people and races of the world, trying to force them to his way of thinking. Intolerance reigned throughout the land, with some races being looked down by the rulers of Istar as pestilences that should be exterminated. Not just races, but people of certain professions, from the robed wizards of Wayreth to the Knights of Solamnia, all faced problems with Istar. Through the different stories we can see just how deadly and dangerous persecution and intolerance can be, and how everyone had to deal with it before the wrath of the gods fell upon the world.
After reading about the days preceding the Cataclysm in Time of the Twins, it was interesting to see more of how difficult life was for other races and people at the time. Often it could be hard to continue with certain stories because of the different characters being followed, but it's good because it shows that things that go on in the world affect many different people instead of a select few. Often I could see similarities between the events of this book with times of religious intolerance and persecution in our world, and people managing to overcome them. If you enjoyed the War of the Lance or the Dragonlance Legends trilogy, you might want to consider picking up this book.
Caution
Blood and gore appear in some of the stories, and some are killed. Some uses of the d-word.
Lessons
When men are proud, they distance themselves from God. Just because someone is different or thinks differently than we do doesn't mean that they are wrong or bad. The world is full of diversity, and we should take the time to appreciate how wonderful our world is because of it.

Book review: Dragons of Summer Flame signals beginning of the end

Hi everyone. I know it's bee a while, but I'm back. To signal the advance, I'm going to be doing a review for a book I finished this morning: Dragonlance: Dragons of Summer Flame.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Story:
The War of the Lance is over. The heroes who have survived have moved on with their lives, started families of their own. However, things aren't peaceful in Krynn. Takhisis, the Queen of Darkness is still at work trying to rule the world and is sending her forces out to find strategic points. Among these locations are the island of the Irda, a race of beautiful beings who want nothing to be left alone. To do so, they turn to a mysterious item called the Greygem, believing that by cracking it open they will be able to keep themselves from being conquered by anyone. That turns out to be a huge mistake, as they end up releasing Chaos, the Father of All and None. Angry at having been imprisoned for so long, Chaos decides he will punish all his children by destroying the world of Krynn, pulling it back into the void from whence it came. Stopping Chaos will require something that has not happened in the history of the world: The complete alliance of everything. Good and evil. Light and dark. Every nation, every race, they must all put aside their differences and work together or the entire world will be erased from existence.
I've been enjoying reading the Dragonlance series ever since I picked up Dragons of Autumn Twilight. I did enjoy the story and the plot because it was an interesting idea to bring everyone together to fight against something that will destroy all of them. I did enjoy reading about how many of the characters I had spent the last few books reading about moved on with their lives. However, I had to deduct a star because I found the ending lacking. I just wasn't pleased with it like I was with the other books. I won't give away spoilers, but I'm not sure I'll be continuing the series into the new age of Krynn.
Caution:
Some uses of the d-word and h-word. One use of the g-word. The appearance of Chaos may be in written word, but the description given to fuel the imagination might create the stuff of nightmares. People are killed, and blood is mentioned.
Lessons:
We must honor our parents, but we must also be allowed to choose our own paths in life. Learning from the examples of our ancestors can help us make tough decisions. People can still be redeemed from poor choices they made in life.

Started a Patreon

Hi everyone,

As you know, I started a Patreon last week. The patreon I do is not only for art I do, but I also feature works done by other artists that I commissioned. As a result, the money I earn from Patreon will go to supporting other artists in their endeavors through paid commissions. Here are the rewards you can get on my Patreon. 

$2 - access to my black and white sketches. Also, give suggestions for the names of some made-up beasts for my works. Possible access to pictures of non-Dymos characters that I commissioned other artists. 

$5 - Access to colored versions of my sketches, plus maps of locations of fiction, and access to previous rewards. Access to comics, and can give suggestions as to what comics I commission next.

$10 - Access to previous rewards, plus a say when polls are put up. Also, fully colored maps and other pieces of work revolving around the world of Dymos, and access to the works in progress for comics.

So if you want to help the circle go round, please become a patron. Your donations will go to helping other aspiring artists gain recognition and work, so everyone wins. If you're interested, then click the link and choose your reward tier. However, no one is under any obligation to support me. If you can't afford it, then that's okay. 

www.patreon.com/DinoArt65

Designs for Wild Tribes

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't been posting, but I've been busy. I have been working hard at the world of Dymos, and one of the things I've been doing is developing the Wild Tribes. I even commissioned an artist on DeviantArt to do these pictures.

Yes, there are people in my world who live in the wilderness. I thought it would be a good way to nod the stories written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I know often that when it comes to crafting worlds with prehistoric animals that people stereotypically dress people who are supposed to be primitive in fur bikinis and loincloths. However, there are several reasons why I chose not to do that.

1. Those outfits are impractical. In my world, there are still massive ice caps akin to those that were supposed to have existed during the Ice Ages. That means that the winters in my world will be cold, and a person running around in furry underwear would freeze to death. The outfits here are more for spring and summer, but they also have outfits for the fall and winter. 

2. Historical accuracy. I like to try to make things as scientifically accurate as possible, with the exception of fantasy creatures, and when I came up with ideas for people who live in the wilds of my world I thought that it would be best to model them after the people of the Stone Age and the legends of the Wild Man. According to the artist I commissioned online, these outfits do resemble what people wore during the time, even though I added the blue markings. 

3. Desire to be different. One of the important things an author must remember is that they must find their own way to be unique. Even when people use mystical races like centaurs or elves, each story uses them differently from one another. I decided if I was going to have people who live in the wilds, that I would be different, and go more with what science would say they looked like rather than what people stereotype. 

Book Review: Death Weavers weaves an intricate tale of excitement and hope

Good day everyone. Today I am here with a review for the most recent book by one of my favorite authors. The book is Five Kingdoms: Death Weavers. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story: 
Cole Randolph and his friends are continuing their mission to find Mira's lost sisters and restore their powers while trying to find the kids who were sold as slaves and get them back to Earth. This time, their adventures take them to the haunting land of Necronum, where echoes of people who have died can still interact with the mortal world. Here they hope to find Mira's youngest sister, Destiny, who had the power to know of things that were going to happen. While there, they lose their way of finding out which sister is in trouble and where to look for them, and they run into trouble with high consequences. In an effort to save his friends, Cole must use the weaving powers of Necronum to travel to the mysterious Echolands, where he will face foes with the power of shapecraft and make new friends with echoes of deceased heroes. In the process, a dangerous entity known as Nazeem is threatening to escape the Echolands and return to the mortal realm of the Outskirts. Will Cole be able to fulfill his mission and save the Outskirts? Or will he and his friends be doomed? 
I am a big fan of Brandon Mull, and whatever he writes ends up being good. This book is no exception as it takes the story of the Five Kingdoms series to the next level. Mull has shown expertise in world building and here we get a new take on the concept of the afterlife that hasn't been done before. Instead of the gloom and doom prospect, readers are treated to an afterlife that offers more hope and goodness. We also get to see familiar faces from previous series return, but I won't say who because of potential spoilers. Not only are we treated to a fantastic new take on the afterlife, but we also get to learn more about the mysterious creatures known as the torivors. Given how they seem to keep popping up I am beginning to wonder if we're going to see more of them, not just in the Five Kingdoms, but in future works of Brandon Mull. 
The story itself is also a fun and wild roller coaster ride, full of twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Mull has also incorporated some ideas that can help with philosophical thinking, and even given us a look into the origins of the Outskirts themselves. But what I found really impressive what how he has worked with the system of shaping, essentially the force of magic in this world. Brandon Mull has a very clear idea on how it works, and the way he explains it in the novel makes it work really well. It's used in ways that tests his characters, and helps them grow into great heroes worthy of this genre. If you have not journeyed into the Five Kingdoms yet, don't hesitate. This is an adventure you do not want to miss. 
Caution:
People interact with ghosts, some of whom capture and threaten characters. A horse kills some soldiers. A battle against a demonic creature occurs. Lots of peril. 
Lessons:
Death is not the end. We should be careful of who we deal with, whether on the internet or off, because they may not be as sincere as they claim to be. A strong will and determination can throw off the powers of evil. Even if we cannot see the end or purpose of certain events, we can trust that things will work out for the better in the end. When we help others instead of ourselves, we can achieve great things.

Book Review: The Void of Mist and Thunder is a Shocking Series End

Hallo. Do not be alarmed. We come in peace.

Now that the moment of randomness is out of the way, it's time to get down to business. I'm back with a new book review. The Thirteenth Reality: The Void of Mist and Thunder.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Story:
Reality itself is on the brink of collapse. Not only is each reality branch out of control, the Realitants are trying to find a way to rescue Tick from the Nonex. To make matters worse, the fourth dimension has been breached, and a deadly force known as the Void of Mist and Thunder is entering all the realities, and if not stopped, it will consume all of them. Will they find a way to rescue Tick and save all the realities? Or will all be consumed by the Void of Mist and Thunder?
James Dashner brings science to the idea of parallel realities like no one has managed to do it before. And instead of making it boring, he manages to make it one exciting roller coaster ride. Not only will you find yourself on the edge of your seat, you'll be wanting more. This science fiction series is not to be missed.
Caution:
People in peril. Monsters are consumed and mutated even further. A woman is described as being merged with shrapnel. Battles are fought and people die.
Lessons:
Sometimes our enemies can become our greatest allies. A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes. If you do good, you will be rewarded in time. Even when things seem hopeless, we can believe that everything will work out in the end.

Book Review: Strange Stories, Peculiar Lessons is a new collection of fairy tales

Time for my second review of the day. This one is for a collection of short stories done by Stephen Groll, and it's Strange Stories, Peculiar Lessons.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
This book is actually a collection of short stories which feature kids learning life lessons through a series of strange adventures, or misadventures. Some of those stories involve the characters from his novel Beyond the Dead Forest, continuing their adventures. Several of these stories he's shared in the past, but there are some new tales in the mix as well, such as a Christmas adventure for Carter and Kat. It was good to read each of these tales, and Stephen Groll has shown quite the imagination in crafting all these unique places each character travels to, and comes up with a lot of monsters found nowhere else in fiction. These tales are reminiscent of the Tales of The Brothers Grimm, while combining with the morality of the Tales of Hans Christian Anderson. And just like both collections, these tales can be dark and scary as each character faces the problems they go through. But there is still hope, as there is always hope, in living our lives to help others instead of ourselves.
Caution:
Children in peril. An implied death. Some monsters may be scary sensitive readers.
Lessons:
We find more happiness and joy in living for others instead of ourselves. Bad things sometimes happen to good people. We can learn from our challenges and become better people.

Book Review: Object Lessons for Children's Sermons gives fun ideas for teaching kids

Hallo. I'm back with a couple of new reviews. The first is for Stephen Groll's Object Lessons for Children's Sermons.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
No real story in this book, but the author gives several fun tricks to do for an audience, and how to do them. He does give a caution that some involve fire, and practice will need to be done in order to perfect these tricks. In addition to each trick, an object lesson is tied in to each one, so if you're trying to teach your children about Jesus Christ and what he did, these lessons can be a fun way to reach them. Even if you're not Christian, you can still use this book to learn how to do magic tricks for a talent show, or to just have fun with your friends.
Caution:
Some tricks use fire. Probably a good idea to practice with someone to watch.
Lessons:
We can find goodness in all that we do.

Book review: The Chosen One captures real-life horror

Hello everyone. Back with a new book review. I read this for class, but I'm posting my thoughts on The Chosen One here:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
Kyra is a young girl living in an isolated community. The people there claim to worship God and follow His commandments, living in family communities. Sounds peaceful, right? Wrong. Their community is cut off from the rest of the world, and the women are at the mercy of merciless old men who take as many wives as they can, even when the girls are sixty years younger than they are. Through her life, Kyra has been breaking some of the rules, like reading books and falling in love with a young man close to her age. However, when the man who calls himself the Prophet declares that Kyra is to marry her sixty-year old uncle, who already has six wives, she knows that she has to take a stand and take her own life into her own hands. 
I have read very few books where I encountered characters I ended up hating so much that I wanted to go into the story and beat them to a pulp. This book is now one of those stories. The villains are absolutely despicable, claiming to be Chosen of God when they do NOTHING to live as Christians should. All that community does is stagnate in what they have, refusing to change and seeing everyone else as damned to hell. I also found it insulting that Mark Childs claims to be a prophet, and that Kyra's uncle Hyrum is supposed to be an apostle, but NONE of them are that. It's very clear that these men are only wolves in sheep's clothing, having their own police force to enforce their rules upon the closed community while they make it seem like their ideas and philosophies are the will of God. I know for sure that the men leading this community are NOT holy men. They are criminals and thugs who try to make everyone living in the community into mindless robots who do nothing but what they're told to do. I so wanted to tear them limb from limb. That's how well these antagonists are written in the story. 
If there was anyone who could capture how a thirteen-year old girl must feel in this situation, it was Carol Lynch Williams. She has proven that she can write how a teen would feel, questioning what she knows, seeing evil men for who they are, and realizing that it's not safe for her to stay in the place she's lived all her life. I found myself worrying for her and getting scared that the story might not have a happy ending after all. Whether it does or not... you'll have to read this book to find out. 
Caution:
Old men try to marry teenage girls. Some "hells" and "damns". An old man beats a girl when she disobeys him, and a teenage boy is also beaten. Some deaths are mentioned but not seen. 
Lessons:
Judge people by their actions, and not their words. We should seek out the best books for comfort and education. Wicked men will try to twist the word of God to suit their own ends.

Book Review: A Feast for Crows continues the aftermath

Hi again. Got a book read and ready to review. Today's selections is A Feast for Crows.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Story:
Continuing where A Storm of Swords left off, Westeros is in disarray. Tywin Lannister has been murdered by his son Tyrion, and Cersei is determined to have the head of her brother. Brienne is determined to find the lost Stark girls and bring them to safety to keep the oaths she made with Catelyn Stark and Jaime Lannister. Even though sister and brother have been reunited, Cersei and Jaime grow further and further apart as they see that both of them have changed, and in ways they do not like. As her brother continues to act more like the knight he was supposed to be, Cersei continues to maneuver the politics of the seven kingdoms, using her son Tommen as a puppet king while she tries to put in power people she can control. Meanwhile, Arya arrives in Braavos and starts adopting a new lifestyle while Samwell Tarly travels to Oldtown to learn to be a maester for the Night's Watch. All around, the people struggle to rebuild life after the war of the Five Kings has all but ended. However, events are in motion that cannot be stopped. The Ironborn are moving to conquer the entire land, outlaws continue to plague the people, and ancient customs that were long banned are being brought back. One thing can be certain: all this will mean a feast for crows.
This book, to be honest, was not as well liked as the others were. That does not mean it's not important for the series. It shows the aftermath of a war that was won by the side no one wanted to win, and how the people suffer for it. George R. R. Martin has done a great job showing people desperate for order among all the chaos the war has brought on, from becoming outlaws to turning to religion for comfort. It was interesting to read from Cersei's viewpoint, even though she's one of my least favorite characters, because we get to see her reasoning for doing what she does, and it becomes clear who she truly cares about. Not to mention we learn things about her past that could set in motion the future. It was tedious to read a lot of the chapters because a lot of them felt like filler, but that's life for you. Gotta go through things that don't feel important at the moment, but will undoubtedly be so in the future. It's clear that Martin is setting the stage for something big, and all we can do is wait for the storm to hit.
Caution:
Large amounts of swearing, including use of the F-word. People have sex and discuss it with each other. Blood and gore abound.
Lessons:
The more we try to cover up our sins, the more they come back to haunt us. Nothing stays hidden forever. We must watch what we do and say, for there is a chance that they will be used against us.

Movie Review: BFG deserves more love

Hi everyone. Wow. It's been a while since I posted anything. Well, I do have a movie review for all of you today, and it's based off my favorite book written by Roald Dahl, The BFG.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
Sophie is an orphan girl living in London who generally spends her time reading and staying up way after she's supposed to be asleep. Because she's up at the Witching Hour, she ends up breaking some rules of what not to do at the time, and ends up seeing something unexpected: a giant. Before she knows it, Sophie is whisked off to Giant Country, and ends up becoming friends with the giant who took her, whom she names the BFG, which stands for Big Friendly Giant. However, he's not the only giant there. There are several larger giants who enjoy nothing more than eating people, especially children. Together, Sophie and the BFG come up with a plan to stop the evil giants and save the world.
I was really surprised with how faithful the film adaptation was to the book, and that made me glad. True, there were a few minor points that were changed up, but it wasn't drastic, and overall the film kept the heart and spirit of the book it came from. The use of CGI really helps drive home the magical feeling of Giant Country, and the friendship felt between Sophie and the BFG is truly cute. It has a good balance between light moments and dark moments, and each one was taken care of. It is definitely a fun family film.
Caution:
A girl has a nightmare of being eaten by a giant. A giant gets hit in the groin. Some mild peril and slapstick humor. Some people drink a beverage that causes them to fart.
Lessons:
Kindness and understanding can overcome boundaries. Just because someone's different from us in appearance or behavior doesn't make them bad or deserving of mockery; it means that they are still people and deserve our love and respect. Never be afraid to stand up for what is right.

Book Review: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a delightful read

This review is for a book I read some time ago. It also takes place in Westeros, but it follows different characters. That story is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
This book is actually three books merged into one. Taking place a century before the events of A Song of Ice and Fire, the story follows Ser Duncan, a man who was recently knighted before his master passed away. While traveling to a tourney, he meets a bald boy named Egg who, despite Duncan's efforts to have it otherwise, becomes his squire. Duncan learns some surprising things while at the tourney, but ends up making a name for himself in front of the Targaryans, who are the family of kings and queens in Westeros. Afterwards, he and Egg have several adventures, including trying to help a disgraced lord save his lands and his smallfolk (peasants) from a drought while a rival house is taking all the resources, and participating in a tourney while looking for a performer that is hinted that Duncan might have feelings for. Underneath it all is the threat of the embers of a rebellion that had been beaten years ago, but is struggling to rise to power again. Will Duncan and Egg be able to help the Seven Kingdoms?
I was pleased to see another story that takes place in Westeros, and isn't part of the main series. It helps add to the world's history, and allows us to see characters we read about in The World of Ice and Fire to get some attention. While not as intense as the series A Song of Ice and Fire, it still has that flare of Martin's to explore real people facing real medieval problems. The illustrations done by Gary Gianni also help bring this world and time period to life. It's definitely worth reading.
Caution:
Some swearing, including some uses of the F-word. Some violence and gore. Some people are seen naked in some of the illustrations (though one is the result of a dream and another is part of a marriage ceremony in Westeros).
Lessons:
Honor and nobility are found in the heart. You can find good people in unexpected places. The Devil will try to strike us when we are not expecting it.

Book review: A Storm of Swords is a must-read

Hello everyone. I'm back after a long absence. I've got some books to review with all of you. The first one today is A Storm of Swords.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
War continues to rage across the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Tyron Lannister has managed to repel the forces of Stannis Baratheon, and is left with nothing after his father and nephew take all the credit. Robb Stark continues to work to avenge his father, but his actions are causing problems in the ranks of his own men. Meanwhile, beyond the Wall, Jon Snow is trying to learn the plans of Mance Rayder, the King-Beyond-The-Wall, while he ends up getting too close to the wildling Ygritte. Arya Stark is still trying to get back to her mother and brother, but ends up having to deal with outlaws and bandits who have their own plans for her. Meanwhile, across the sea, Daenerys Targaryan is building an army of slaves and sellswords to sail to Westeros to take back the Iron Throne. In amongst all this conflict there is betrayal, conspiracies, schemes, and assassinations around every corner. Every man is looking out for himself while all around them the Storm of Swords rages on.
This book took me over a month to read, but it was worth every second. George R. R. Martin is a modern-day master of fantasy, stepping on the foundation that both J. R. R. Tolkien and history itself has laid, and combined the two of them to create one of the most realistic worlds in the realm of fantasy. In Westeros things are not black and white. There is a lot of grey in there, and you can see that in the people and the reasons they give for doing what they do. Characters you care about are not safe from the ravages of war and evil, and we see that even good people do bad things. His descriptions are very detailed and he really explores the psychological processes in each of his characters. So pick up a copy and be sure to join the adventure.
Caution:
Heavily language, including multiple use of the F-word. There is explicit sex and nudity, and often you'll have to skip entire pages before you can continue again. There is a lot of gore and violence, which would probably shock your parents if they could see the images your imagination projects with this book. Some terrifying moments.
Lessons:
As soon as men get a little power, they will exercise unrighteous dominion. Be careful of who you trust. Doing what is right sometimes means telling others no, and getting scorned for it.

Book Review: A fun, good introduction to the Celtic myths

Hallo everyone. Sorry it's been a while. I did get done with a new book and thought I should share it with you.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
This book introduces readers to the mythological world of the Celts. From the coming of the Tuatha De Danann, or the gods of the Celtic world, to the exploits of heroes like Cu Chulainn and the brothers Lludd and Llevelys, the Celtic world is shown to be familiar and different to us. It gives a feeling of wonder and awe to the magic of the British Isles, and shows that each part of the world was different in the wonder and magic of the mythological past.
This book is more of an introduction to the Celtic world than anything, but the myths are easy to understand. There are also footnotes provided to help explain some unfamiliar terms and pronunciation guides to some of the names. I picked this up to learn more about the myths of the British Isles, and I was not disappointed. Some elements of these tales present themselves again in later legends, adding to the richness of the heritage of the Celtic lands. I definitely plan to read more Celtic myths and delve further into the legends.
Caution:
People are said to be mutilated, but not shown. Relationship affairs are mentioned, but not described.
Lessons:
Pride can lead to ruin. A good king puts the needs of the people ahead of his own. Families can be a source of strength and comfort.

Book review: Arthur and the Vale of Shadows is an unexpected tale

Time for another review. This is one that I did not expect to exist, but here it is. Arthur and the Vale of Shadows:

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
During the days of Camelot King Arthur and Lancelot were patrolling their kingdom when they came across a place they did not know about. There they found men who had been killed outside of a castle that hadn't been there before. Together Arthur and Lancelot must brave the dangers that lurk within the castle, including the infamous Dracula.
The story itself is short, but the feelings of dread inside the castle are intense. You can feel the fear as if you were walking around the castle with Arthur and Lancelot. I know that technically Dracula was supposed to have come hundreds of years after Arthur, but it's still interesting to see the two in the same time and place. I would've like a bit of a longer story, but Thomas Adams did a great job with the overall plot. Dracula's origin is changed a bit, but the same darkness still resides. This would be a great book for a quick read on a dark night.
Caution:
Dead men are seen impaled. Some jump scares and a frightening villain.
Lessons:
Pray to God for strength to overcome evil.

Book review: Flying Girl and Iron Merchant is a deep fantasy

Hi everyone,
I know it's been a while, but I've got a book review to do today. This review is for the book Flying Girl and Iron Merchant.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Story:
Lu-Mao is a girl living with her family until one day they're taken from her by powerful men. Enraged, Lu-Mao develops the opinion that all aristocrats are evil and dedicates her life to fighting them. While living as a bandit she comes into the possession of a feather that grants her the ability to fly. With her new power she sets out to rescue her family and punish those of high estate. Along the way, Lu-Mao is given a message to seek the one called the Iron Merchant. Captain Liang is a well-to-do merchant who has earned the enmity of several pirates. When their paths cross the two have to work together to stop a coup that could destroy an entire nation.
It was very interesting to read a story that takes place in China. I haven't come across a lot of books like that, but it appears that Joseph R. Ravitts has done great research in recreating the ancient culture of the Middle Kingdom. Not only does he discuss honor in his novel, but he manages to cover and describe the various kung fu moves that some of the characters practice. It's like the reader is there, experiencing the rich culture of China. In addition there are some great morals that the characters have to learn, such as forgiveness and not judging others. Lu-Mao in some ways acts like Robin Hood in stealing from the rich, but Ravitts also shows that such a philosophy isn't always good, and by taking revenge like that people were indirectly hurt by the actions. If you want a fun story with magic powers or to experience an adventure in the orient then be sure to read this book.
Caution:
Characters are in peril. Lives are threatened. A woman is shot in the leg. A man falls to his death.
Lessons:
Save judgement for the Lord. If we want to experience true peace we must forgive those who have wronged us. Pride will be the undoing of men. Do not harden your heart; allow people in.