Category Archives: Quick Take

Books, Quick Take

Quick Take: Updraft

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Updraft coverI am sorry it’s taken me so long to read this book, but it was worth the wait. The world building was intricate and obviously layered in with great care. At first, I felt like I was thrown in the deep end–as it is quite immersive–but I quickly started to tread water and found a world quite unlike any I’ve encountered in fantasy before, which made it refreshing. It was also an engaging read. The heroine was determined and easy to root for and her penchant for uncovering more and more secrets–and get into trouble because of it–kept up the tension. I was a little distracted by the character named Nat, only because one of the oldest characters I ever created is named Nat. So I kept wondering if the author was inspired by the same fictional Nat as me–the Nathaniel (Nat) from The Witch of Blackbird Pond, a book I absolutely adored when I was in 5th or 6th grade.

I’m looking forward to reading the other books set in the Bone Universe and whatever else Ms. Wilde writes in the future. She was kind enough to sign this copy (tbh, my copy has a different cover, but I like the one shown here better) for me at Balticon a while back and we actually have an acquaintance in common, so I’m definitely rooting for her success. I’m also excited because I think this might be a good comp for my WIP, but by the time I get it ready to go, Updraft might not be recently published enough.

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Quick Take: Black Panther

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I’ve been looking forward to this movie and it didn’t disappoint. More than any Marvel movie, this one felt like a fantasy novel to me, with dynastic struggle, tribal factions and family secrets. And of course there was the struggle between protecting your own and reaching out to help others. The acting was great and I loved how they connected everything to character development. Loved it.

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Quick Take: Star Trek: Discovery

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I admit I have a spotty history with watching Star Trek. I’ve only seen a few episodes of the original series. I never watched any of Enterprise. I watched some (maybe a lot?) of Voyager and Deep Space Nine. I did watch a lot of Next Generation and I remember looking forward to it each week. However, none of those experiences (if I remember correctly) came as close to how I felt watching Star Trek Discovery this season. It truly became one of the shows I most looked forward to every week and made sure I watched as soon as possible. I could go into a lot of detail about what I like about it, but this is supposed to be a Quick Take so I won’t. But I will say that the characters are awesome and I was surprised by a lot of the twists and turns of the season. I also watched After Trek right afterwards. The actors and people involved in the show are delightful and it really added to my experience. And since it wasn’t just fans talking to fans and speculating, but actual conversations with actors, writers, directors and producers, I really felt like I received real insight into the show. In conclusion, I loved this show and can’t wait for next season.

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Quick Take: Mindhunter, Manhunt: The Unabomber, La Mante

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I’m pairing these three programs together because they are all similarly about serial killers, they are all multiple episode tv shows, and are all available on Netflix.

Mindhunter goes back to the beginning of profiling of serial killers and focuses more on the task of developing a system for that rather than any one case, although there is one that is teased throughout. It started off a little slower, but then races forward as the main character, brilliantly played by Jonathan Groff (yes, King George III from Hamilton!), deteriorates. I found the show mesmerizing.

Manhunt: The Unabomber also focuses on one profiler, this time excellently played by Sam Worthington. He also deteriorates over the course of the series. And while this one takes place in the 1990s, and profiling has been around for awhile, he does help develop a new technique. It was a very intriguing story, especially since it was happening when I felt like I should remember stuff about it, but I really don’t.

Finally, La Mante, which is a French production with subtitles. It takes place today and follows a police detective who is convinced to work with his convicted serial-killer mother on copycat case of her crimes. It’s great. Lots of twists and turns. The woman who plays the mother is just amazing. I was really sucked in. If you haven’t you should give some of the subtitled shows on Netflix a try anyway, there are a lot of great options.

Books, Quick Take

Quick Take: Oathbringer

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The latest installment in Brandon Anderson’s epic Stomlight Archives, Oathbringer reliability moves the story forward. I didn’t feel like it was stalling much. The action led up to a great climax, we learned tidbits more of the greater conflict coming, and the characters interact and start to come into their own. All around great read, if long like most fantasy epics.

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Quick Take: The Greatest Showman

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I doubt anyone who knows me will be surprised, but I loved this movie. The music, the spectacle, the themes–all amazing. I appreciate that some people dislike the historical inaccuracies, especially in regards to Barnum’s character, but I don’t think focusing on the reality would have allowed for the same kind of escapist fantasy that is so thrilling and uplifting. The only thing that really threw me was that the opera singer didn’t sound like an opera singer. She sounded basically like everyone else, which is great, but not like an opera singer. Her song is beautiful, though, so once I got over that, I liked that part too. I will be purchasing the soundtrack.

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Quick Take: The Last Jedi

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I really enjoyed this film, although sometimes it was kind of like one of those shows where things just keep going wrong. I told myself before I went that this was the second movie in the trilogy, so like Empire, this is the installment where things get worse before they get better. So overall, that didn’t bother me. And they left it on an uplifting note and the climax was great–and surprising. Finally,  bittersweet watching Carrie Fisher on screen. Sweet because she was so wonderful and bitter because we’ve lost her. Hopefully, I’ll be able to go see it again.

Books, Quick Take

Quick Take: A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

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This is a wonderful historical YA novel by Mackenzie Lee, who I am so happy to have discovered. It’s not something I normally read, but it was absolutely delightful. It actually felt like a fantasy to me. There was a lot of action and general sense of fun, but also exploration of deeper themes, certainly relevant and resonant with the world today. I highly recommend. The characters are layered and the protagonist goes on a wonderful journey of self-discovery  and growth. I am highly anticipating the sequel.

Books, Quick Take

Quick Take: Sorcerer to the Crown

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One of the books I read as a possible comp title, this is the one I enjoyed the most. It definitely felt like a Regency novel to me, which is what I wanted and it was a fun, quick read. That isn’t to say it didn’t touch on some weightier issues. Both the main characters struggle to fit into society and it was interesting to get to know them. They both had layers and a nice arc through the storyline.

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Quick Take: Furious Seven

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furious7If you like the other movies in the Fast and Furious franchise, you’ll like this one. Stunts are crazy. There are moments  so ridiculous, you just have to laugh and love it. Some joking comic relief and lol one-liners, but also moments of quiet intimacy between various characters. For sentimental people, you might cry. I did. I obviously never had a personal relationship with Paul Walker. I haven’t even seen him in many other movies, but I enjoyed his performance in this franchise and I found this move, especially the end, to be a fitting farewell. But don’t let my tender heart make you think it isn’t a fun movie. It is! Fun, exciting movie. Full of badassery!