Tag Archives: Fantasy

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Valerian Complete Colllection Vol 1 Review

Title:  Valerian Complete Collection Vol 1

Author:  Pierre Christin, Jean-Claude Mezieres, Luc Besson, Stan Barets

Rating:  5/5 stars

Page Count: 160 pages

Genre:  Comic, SCI-FI, Fantasy

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33255584-valerian?ac=1&from_search=true

If you are looking for a SPOILER-FREE REVIEW check out this video on my Youtube channel:

 

Interview:

I loved that the collaboration between the creators and director is such a great relationship. It was so interesting to hear their different interpretations of each question and I love that they don’t always agree. The most intriguing point is the fact that Laureline was one of the first strong female characters in French comics as most were ‘bimbos’ as Pierre states. Not only that but their discussion of their relationship with the characters which was fascinating as one is easier to writer than the other. I love that there is more of this interview coming can’t wait for more!

History:

The history is written by Stan Barets it is very interesting and he writes it as a story which is a joy to read. It was very interesting to hear about the substaintial similarities in Star Wars from Valerian well inspiration has to come from somewhere I guess. I love that they went to America to escape the dullness of France how hilarious. I enjoyed the fact that there are so many people who have called their children Laureline and Valerian. Some fantastic points in this mini history of the comic and creators I hope there is more to coming!

Bad Dreams:

I loved this comic it was witty and hilarious with an amazingly imaginative world. The artwork was beautiful so detailed and defined I really enjoyed it because every box looked like a cinematic scene. I loved that the colours of the comic worked beautifully and made the drawings come to life even more. The palette of colours throughout drew you more into the comic.

There was lots of dialogue in this comic which I’m not used in other comics I read, but I loved it because I started out with books first. The length of the dialogue really helped bring the wittiness to life. I love how the dialogue is about weirdest things ever but the conversations sounds so normal. Superintendent has the best lines he’s just so irritated all the time which makes his lines hilarious.

In terms of the plot for the first issue, I loved it almost taking the mic out of the middle ages with a serious mission. The mission was fantastic a combination of wizardry and taking over the galaxy what more do you want. I liked that Laureline came later in the plot as you got to see the start of their relationship which I enjoyed. I loved the ending as it was settled but you also had lots of questions on how Laureline would fit in.

In terms of characters the superintendent was a typical angry boss but so funny you just loved him by the end. Valerian was quite cocky but also kind so I was a bit on the fence about him. Laureline I loved she was stunning, strong, independent and fiesty. Jirad was so sweet and nice you felt a bit sorry for him being pushed around. Xombul was such a typical greedy villain but also quite funny mainly because he really didn’t know what he was doing so a bit of a farcical villain. Overall, a great start to the volume with great characters and an imaginative story.

The City of Shifting Waters:

I love the colours in this issue the blues are stunning especially in the scenes in downtown New York. The colours throughout the comic are so beautiful its like looking at a sunset for the whole story. The artwork is mostly very dark in the sense of the colour, the people and buildings have a lot less colour in them and also less detailed which gave it a mysterious look.

The dialogue in this issue is more serious which works well with the plot as Xombul is back and causing havoc. My favourite dialogue is between Valerian and Sun Rae such a bolshie and funny character.

The plot of this issue as it is only half finished because it is in two parts. The first half was thrilling and exciting on how Xombul was connected to this post apocolyptic New York. I loved that Laureline swept in and rescued Valerian mainly because she is from the eleventh century and is super badass now. I really enjoyed that Sun Rae and crew played such a major role in the development of the plot as either badies or goodies.

Sun Rae was so weird and hilarious I really liked his character. Valerian was less cocky in first part of the issue which I liked plus his alone dialogue was funny. Valerian although not huge part in the first part of this issue was badass but also she is the conscious to Valerian. Overall, this first part was mysterious and thrilling with stunning artwork of storm scenes.

Earth in Flames:

What a fabulous ending to the story the second part was thriling and revealed some interesting information. The range of colours in this second part were beautiful and gave a lot of those landscapes a breathtaking look to them. I especially loved the artwork in Yellowstone it was so beautiful to look at the rocky mountains. I also really liked the space artwork its just so spacey and pretty I just don’t have any intelligent descriptive words today lol!

I felt there was more dialogue than usual which I found a bit too much at times but the dialogue is so witty I just ignored my eyes being overwhelmed. I hope Laureline has more dialogue in the next issue as I think she doesn’t have enough in this one but I guess thats the way her personality is. I really enjoyed the dialogue of Scheoder he is sweet, so intelligent and quite funny.

In terms of the plot it had a fast pace which was great as it made the build up to the end battle so exciting. Lots of twists and turns where you thought yes they did it, then no something else goes wrong which kept you interested throughout. Then the ending was satisfying but I felt like Xombul could have gone out with more of a bang. I also felt that instead of somber moment with Valerian at the end I wanted a wise crack from Valerian.

Valerian I enjoyed more in this issue as he developed more as a character. Laureline was funny in this issue especially with her shrinking incident but I still wanted more development from her character as a whole. Schroeder was such an interesting character and quite funny a great addition to this issue. Xombul was not as powerful as I was expecting him to be, he felt quite defeated which was interesting to see from a Villain. The ranch guy (he doesn’t have a name or at least not that I could find!) he was so cool, calm and always said the right thing I would love it if he was going to come back. Overall, a fantastic second part to this issue exciting, kept you on your toes and a great adventure with stunning landscapes!

 

The Empire of A Thousand Planets:

This was my favourite issue yet I think it is because it had so much relatability to the issues going on in our earth. The artwork OMG even more stunning than the last two issues. I loved that there was more full page artwork in this issue it really made the battle scenes dramatic and stunning. I loved the artwork on the first page it was so simple and effective. Every artwork throughout this issue was so colourful and bright I loved it. Marcyam what an awesome sea creature kind of reminded me of Chinese New Year dragon which is why I liked it so much. The Enligtened were so creepy and a bit scary looking which made them great villains.

The ice storm was so beautiful and sharp such a fantastic addition to the plot. The battle scene were drawn with such epicness and looked so action packed which kept that thrill of the story. When the Enlightened were revealed their true selves wow so horrible to look at but also quite intriguing to look at.

There was less dialogue in this issue which worked well as there was a lot more action in it. The dialogue at the end between the Enlightened and Valerian was sad but also had this important humaritarian message which I liked. The dialogue between Valerian and Laureline was a lot better as it had more wit and teasing to it.

The plot was fantastic kept you gripped to your seat the whole time and I did not put it down at all. The epicness of the conflict between the Enlightened and Syrte residents was very much in connection to a lot of our history which made the story so much more intriguing towards the end. I liked the ending I thought it was very poignant.

Valerian was much more get up and go on this mission compared to other mission which I liked. Laureline had a lot more involvement and development which made me like her character evenmore. Elimir was interesting as you kind of didn’t know what his end game was in terms leadership and the future of Syrte. The Enlightened were intriguing and at first awful creatures but by the end you understood them and at a point felt sorry for them. Overall, the best issue yet with a thrilling plot, fabulous artwork and a surprising ending!

Let me know if you have read this collection what you thought of it or if you are fan of Valerian or Cinebook let me know!

Keep Geeking!

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Railhead by Philip Reeve Review

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Title: Railhead

Author: Philip Reeve

Rating: 5/5 stars

Page Count: 312 pages

Genre: SCI-FI, Middle Grade/ YA, Adventure, Fantasy

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23532981-railhead?ac=1&from_search=true

Synopsis:

Zen Starling is a kid who lives in the future and is not understood by anyone at least that’s what he thinks. But when he gets in trouble and he meets Raven. Who will give him a way out that will change his life forever. Will he take that chance and ride the royal train to find the ultimate piece of the puzzle to the universe?

If you are looking for a SPOILER-FREE REVIEW check out my review on my Youtube channel.

 

Style of Writing:

I really liked that it was in third person instead of first because with Railhead the world is so much of the story and a character in itself that it worked to its advantage. I loved that all the parts of the world whether it is the trains or the Guardians they were explained just enough to grasp the concept but also to let your imagination completely run wild with possibilities of what it looked like in your head.

Themes:

I love the theme of trains when I was a kid my parents used to take me on those steam train rides so awesome! So this is the book I have wanted since I was a kid and now I have it! It is traintastic! I loved the SCI-FI future theme in this book because it was not fantastical but quite realistic in terms of the fact that this could be a possible future. The theme of friendship was beautifully written especially between Zen and Nova.

Characters:

Zen Starling was a great character. He was just a lost kid at the start then he develops throughout the story into this strong character. Nova I absolutely loved as a character because she was so loyal to Zen and quite human in her personality. Raven I didn’t like as a person but as a villain he was really good. Threnody for me was too annoying in the beginning but I grew to like her at the end of the book. The trains were epic; Damask Rose and Thought Fox such fantastic characters with their own bolshie personalities. Also I loved Uncle Bugs.

Plot:

The plot was fantastic so thrilling and exciting loved every minute of it. I was always waiting and wondering what was round the corner on the next page in the adventure. I really like that you didn’t always know if Zen and Nova were going to make it which kept the suspense going throughout. The ending was great because it felt like you ended a chapter but there was so much more to explore so you didn’t feel like there was nothing to look forward to.

 

My Thoughts:

I can’t do this book justice in a few words its just absolutely amazingly and fantastically traintastic! It is just fun and thrilling story filled with great story of friendship and finding yourself and your place in your world. Great for children’s fiction, SCI-FI and train lovers.

 

Comment below if you have read Railhead or interested in reading it or to let me know what you thought of the review!

 

KEEP GEEKING!

 

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Washington Square

So this year I vowed to myself that I would read more classics because I miss the language of classic books. I’m sure we all went through that teenage phase where we went through every classic novel written just to look smart. Ok maybe just me!

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So this is my introduction to Henry James’ writing. Well my mother is a big fan of Henry James so growing up I watched the Bostonians and loads of other classics. I just picked this one up and couldn’t stop reading it at first. Without giving too much away its a story  of love, loss and inheritance. I know as soon as you hear the word inheritance you run away because  it’s the boring part of classic novels but it is in just about everyone. But I promise you in this novel it focuses more how it effects the relationships and interactions between people.

So it starts off unlike most classic novels about a non-pretty girl who is in the prime of her life and meets a charming young man and falls in love. But will it last is the question which rests on her father.

The characters in this short novel you go from loving to hating by the end of the novel but you do have a deep understanding for them and their situation. I have to say I loved the character of Catherine mainly because she reminded me of a real independent woman. Those characters are rare in classics usually they are prim princesses and a bit too high and mighty for me I like down to earth characters which is strange cause I read a lot of fantasy.

A huge concentration of the book is the relationship between the father, Dr Sloper and Catherine. I found this interesting most of the time but at times it felt a bit too rigid and lacking depth to it. Its a hard to imagine how the dynamic would have worked as relationships between men and women were not as relaxed as they are now.

The dynamic between the two lovers was limited in terms of the development of the relationship and at times it felt almost fake. I guess that was his point can love manifest itself so quickly. You feel sorry for them because everyone believes in true love. However, by the end of the book I felt so frustrated by the two of them I wanted to knock their heads together.

James’ writing style is interesting it was not about the description of sorroundings or even the characters that much. He put so much focus on dynamics of relationships, how people felt and what they were thinking. It was nice change from the usual focus on the surroundings in immense detail. Not much dialogue throughout which left a lot of discussions open to interpretation of the imagination which allowed me to picture the characters more easily.

Overall, it was an enjoyable and interesting read. However, the middle section felt as if it died in terms of developement of the characters and plot especially in regards to Catherine. It is a good read but not an essential classic as it felt it went nowhere and the ending reminded me a lot of Persausion.

If you have read it let me know what you think or if you have another classic suggestion for my classics binge reading?

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Kindle Unlimited

So recently Amazon have released Kindle Unlimited which is a Netflix/ Now TV like library service. But is it worth it?

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It was released in the US first and is gradual coming out in certain countries and has recently come to the UK. So the idea is you get access to over 1 million titles and 2,000 audiobooks for £7.99 a month there is also a 30 day free trial available. Like a library you can only read 10 books at a time.

There is a lot to choose from and allows you to discover new authors out there. It also had good selection in my opinion of YA and fantasy. Some of the big names on there include the whole Harry Potter series and the complete Hunger Games series as well. It also had some big names in crime for instance M.RC Kasasian, P.D. James, Jane Holland and Ed James.

However, there are some issues with the service not directly but an issue with publishers and authors over royalities. I don’t know the specifics of the issue but I do know there is an a dispute between Amazon and Hachette and some authors have sent complaints in.

Overall, I really like the idea of the service and at the moment I am reading Smoke Rising by Craig Halloran and throughly enjoying it. I am concerned about the royalities issue as I believe authors should get a fair royalty from services like these which are becoming very popular nowadays. I am not sure if I will continue with this service but I would like to as it is good idea for a service as long as they sort the royalities issues out NOW!

Let me know if you have signed up and what you think of the service or know more about the royalities issue!