The Cruel Prince by Holly Black Short Review

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great start to an intriguing story. I hope the rest of the series will hold up to this opener.
I especially liked the lore building that Black has weaved through the plot. I am not familiar with all the traditional lore of the fae but it felt like she drew on it rather than creating a new tradition that made this new tale feel like it was set in a familiar and loved world. Really enjoyed this and will be recommending it to others.

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Theatre of the Gods by M Suddain Review

Theatre of the Gods by Matt Suddain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was fantastic! The plot jumped all over the place for the first 300 pages with hilarious results and considering the main objective of the Character Fabrigas is to jump to another universe, this works beautifully.
One of the things I loved the most of the pop culture references. I wish the "traditional sea shanties" had continued into the second half of the book because the image of a dirty, disreputable rabble of grisaled sailors singing mixed up versions of pop songs is one of the funniest things I have read...ever!

The second half of the book is where the plot settles down and goes in a more linear fashion. This is where the action really heats up and once the homunculus shows up we're really cooking with gas.
Awesome book really worth the read.
I want more from these universes.

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Long form review of House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

These are the raw notes I took whilst re-reading House of Leaves in January 2018 House of Leaves Chapter IX Opening line goes to first footnote x135129137 and 130 137134 back to x 130 131132133 x120 x refers to “inexplicable wanderings and that seems to be what we are doing until we come to 130, chasing our tale back and forth through the pages where we get the translation referring the Labyrinth and then to centrality and then to gravity. In 120 we find out that Zampano got it all from 1 book and was sending us on a goose chase to look smart according to Johnny Where he rants about truck’s running him over that didn’t, trees falling on him that don’t… Describes yet another sexual partner and then leaves us unsure of where to read next. Why use the german for building plan, the apologise, then give the translation Footnote 136 actually talks about doors opening up as a deceptive way ahead and to force the visitor to go back upon the very same tracks that he has already followed on his wanderings and then sends us back to a k footnote on pg 109 from 114 Footnote 138 sends us back to the end of chapter 6 and forward 150 odd pages Footnote 139 is actually warning us about reading too fast or too slow and not understanding what we have read and becoming tangled in the labyrinth. Then sends us back to 135 on so on through ground already covered Footnote 142 within Johnny’s footnote about drinking too much refers to love fading fast and leads to blank lines? A dead end? Pg 119 the blue boxes begin Footnote 144 is inside the first blue box, can’t tell how many of the words are also blue, contents talked about being piping and ducts and the like are usually in walls, floors etc and are in this case sectioned off in the box is then mirror imaged as if seen from behind on the next page and continues in that style until pg 144 with the struck out line “picture that in your dreams” a house made of nothing. Footnote 146 list buildings that the house is not like runs down the left hand side of the double page from pg 120-134 This is then referred to the opposite side of the page where there is a list of architects but is upside down forcing me to flip the book and work back to pg 121 Once past pg 121 we can read the straight path knowing the other sections exist without having to acknowledge them like the exploration4 Pg 122 we get the first sign that something is in the house with them. The destruction of the food cache and the neon arrow Just when we think we are getting through this literary labyrinth, we have flipped the book upside down to read foot note 166 (film hauntings) and worked back several pages, flipped sideways and worked forward again for 167 (literary hauntings) who’s space grows on its last page we start to read about historical explorations that have resulted in isolation caused mutiny from footnote 169 we are sent back to footnote 155 about the mysterious growl that further sends us back to the start of the chapter with the x footnote. Then directed to the Pelican poems with I feel the only one related being the last about him tapping on the wall of a house and wanting to drink something warm again, reflecting the situation we left Wax an xxx in. This chapter is a mind fuck and a labyrinth with the mirrored words the worst to read. Chapter 10 Navidson brothers and Reston set off the rescue the Holloway team. Navisdon starts his usaual cinematography

Attach on Titan

I had Attach on Titan recommended to me by on of my students a couple of weeks ago and this week I have finally come to the end of the season one only to find that there is not season two in the works. 

Let me just say that I loved this series and I have since gone and told the student that i really don't like them becasue I am now going to have to track down the mangas. Said student laughed.

I loved this series, and the sci fi elements are strong, almost steam punk esque.

Not since Evangelian Neon Genesis (and possibly Ghost in the Shell; Stand Alone Complex) have I been so enthralled in the ethos of an anime. 

Things that I loved:

1. The 3D movement gear is so totally differen't from any other propulsion system as its so incredibly cool. I just know that I am way to clutsy and clumsy to pull it off but i so want to try.

2. Trying to work out where this alternative history would fit in in the timeline of humanity. Horses and carts but 3D gear and guns and flares.

3. Working out were all these Titans come from. I thought it was the people that get eaten transformed but now I don't think that is right, are they aliens? Whats going on?  

4. Mikasa's back story perfectly explains her suicidal protection of Eren.

Things that I need to know (or I will die):

1. That key! What is in the basement, was this whole people transforming into titans and experiment by Eren's father or what?

2. What happened to Eren's father?

3.Arwin's back story?

So if you haven't already, watch it, its awesome but be warned, you are going to have the same question I have and you are going to have to do the same hunt that I am currently performing, find me those mangas. On the up side, I have been informed that there is a small spin off manga dealing with Levi's back story so there is that to comfort me.