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Daniel Spellbound

3 likes

This is my absolute favorite book series that I always come back to as a comfort read. The action scenes are very good, the story immersive and both main character's, though definitely flawed (one being driven largely by revenge and the other wanting to kill the first), are still relatable and interesting. This background also makes all their interactions very fun and the quality of banter is top notch.

The Amulet of Samarkand

3 likes

This book is set in the same world as the previously written Bartimaeus Trilogy but in Israel, 3,000 years previous to the events in London. This book has plenty of great action sequences and the world building immerses you in this alternate ancient Arabia. The hereditary guard, Asmira, is competent, likeable, and while I found her story arc a little on the nose, has some awesome character development. The villains Khaba and Ammet you love to hate, despite not being as well rounded. But of course, the real reason to read this book is to laugh to the point of tears at the sheer unrelenting gal of the Djinn Bartimaeus. Almost every line of his unreliable narration is laced with unrestrained boasting, sarcasm and dark humor. I have never read any other book, or series in general, that makes me laugh quite as hard and frequently and Bartimaeus is, in my humble opinion, one of the best and most memorable antihero characters in fantasy literature. This book explores the themes of free will since Bartimaeus, Asmira, Khaba, Ammet and even king Solomon are all slaves in some sense. It explores in what ways freedom can be taken away, whether by external enemies internal fears and self doubts or a sense of duty. It also looks at how the way we view the world can change the way we see and deal with these threats, and how that choice affects the people around us.

The Ring of Solomon

I started watching this show on Netflix on my younger brother's advice, and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't nauseating girl glitter, but an actual good show, with interesting characters, engaging plot, and very good world (universe?) building. To start with, the main protagonistic characters (Adora, Bow and Glimmer) are generally likeable, yet all have their own flaws and character arcs throughout the seasons. However, I was more impressed by how the antagonists were written (Catra and Hordak). And I loved how some characters bounced between sides because of following their own independent goals which nonetheless drove the plot. (Entrapta and Double trouble) The way the planet's environment connected to the plot was also awesome. From the first season it is asked "what happened to the stars?" and this oddity is only really answered by the fourth season. This use of environmental story telling makes the world feel very immersive, and the layers of lore and history give the entire background setting deeper meaning despite, the show being quite different from any actual cultures. If you are still reading this comment, I just want to take a moment to appreciate the (best) character Entrapta. The writers wrote her as someone on the autism spectrum, who is obsessed with the magical science on the planet. She was by far the most entertaining character because of her unrestrained joy, quirkiness, and (at the beginning) her distinct lack of morality. One of the questions not always asked in science is "should we". At the beginning of the show, Entrapta is only interested in the "can we", and actively creates dangerous death-robots and reality-ending-portals, which the protagonists have to fight against. However, as the series progresses, she learns to empathize with and love the people around her, focusing her gifts with technology to help them win the day. Honestly, Entrapta is the best reason to watch this show.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

5 likes

This movie is perfect if you are a little nerdy and want to sit down with a bowl of popcorn and enjoy. All the main characters are likable and you actually care whether they succeed. There are enough quirks and minor surprises to keep the plot entertaining and the world of the CGI oasis certainly does give a sense of wonder and succeeds in capturing the video game experience (right down to you feeling super cool while to some one not playing the game you look completely dumb.) The movie is not very thought provoking and does rely on a lot of archetypes and cliches. Solely watch it for entertainment, not mental stimulation, and it is an excellent way to spend the night with family and friends.

Ready Player One

10 likes