Movie Review: Beauty and the Beast (2014)

Title: Beauty and the Beast

Length: 1h 52m

Released: 2014

Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Thriller, Historical Fantasy
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Watched at friend's house (I think it was Hulu)

SUMMARY:

An unexpected romance blooms after the the youngest daughter of a merchant who has fallen on hard times offers herself to the mysterious beast to which her father has become indebted.

Trailer

REVIEW:

My friend suggested this as we were having a girl's night. Love B&B so yesssss. Plus made by the French? Okaaaayyyyy!

The story is as old as time, but with some different twists and turns. The youngest daughter of a indebted merchant sacrifices herself to the beast in order to spare her father. There is magic and mystery and Belle is determined to solve it. Little does she know she will fall in love with the beast. 

I would love to go back and re-watch this in the original French. We did the dubbed version and it was fine, but I really do prefer watching foreign films in the original language. But yes, the dubbed was fine. 

The twists and changes to the story were...great. I loved it. The "witch" is not at all what you think. I won't spoil anything because it is the big reveal on how and why he was turned into a beast. I honestly teared up. He wasn't a horrible man, but I get why he and his friends got got. 

OMG the little creature things were adorable!!!! I won't spoil what they are. BUT THOSE BIG OL' EYES! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

My only real issue was the lack of romance. She hated him and hated him and there was barely any warmth or even friendship. And then suddenly she is in love? The beast and I were both shocked at her declaration of love. Oh? Really? Could've fooled me. 

I hate Belle's siblings especially her one dumb brother. Idiot. BUT they really did get what they deserved and it helped them get better. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to change your ways. Look at the beast. Tale as old as time for sure. 

This was a gorgeous movie. Fun changes and I loved the ending. It was so very sweet. I wished we had some more warm moments from Belle though. She was just so mean and cold for so long.

I'll give this 4 stars. Def worth the watch. I want to watch this again in French though.

Audiobook Review: The Colonel and the Bee by Patrick Canning

Author: Patrick Canning 
Narrator: Mil Nicholson

Title: The Colonel and the Bee

Genre: Steampunk, Adventure, Historical Fantasy, SciFi
Pages: Audiobook
Published:  June 1st 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



The Amazing Beatrix works as an acrobat in a 19th Century circus, no home or family to speak of. When a daring escape from her abusive ringleader crosses Beatrix's path with that of the daring adventurer Colonel James Bacchus, the unlikely pair team up, fly to safety aboard the Colonel’s miraculous four-story hot air balloon, and begin a grand quest to find the most precious gem in the world, The Blue Star Sphinx. 

If the heroes can outmaneuver the deadly treasure hunters, escaped convicts, and double-crosses that await them, they may win the treasure they seek, or better yet, a sense of true belonging. 

This book had me hooked from the moment I read the title and then seen the book cover. I knew I had to read/listen to it. 

The story follows Beatrix/Bee. She was an acrobat in a circus with an abusive ringleaders. She decides its time to go after meeting Colonel James Bacchus. They team up and journey the world in the Colonel's amazing hot air balloon. Along with some friends they begin a grand quest to the find the Blue Star Sphnix. 

Normally books that are technically "steampunk" are out of my reading category. Not a huge fan. BUT this did not feel steampunk minus the hot air balloon that is pretty much the size of a house. Other then that I couldn't tell. It was perfect for the likes of me. I can't stand over-the-top steampunk novels. This had a splash of steampunk and it worked well for me. 

I liked Bee and the Colonel. Except the Colonel did have me worried. He seemed SO perfect at first. Smart, classy, funny, brave, adventurous, kind to everyone, proud, handsome, etc. I was worried, but then we got to see the real Colonel after a bit. The outside is perfect, but he has some flaws there. 

This was a fun adventure for sure. I had no idea how it was all going to end. Especially with the big twist and reveal. WOAH. Didn't see that coming! 

I enjoyed the humor and the writing style. I learned some new words for sure in this one! 

The ending was pretty good. It did make me happy how it all ended. 

I think my only complaint was how young Bee was. At first I thought she was older, but then I realized she is barely a teenager! I don't mind young characters, but I guess I assumed she was closer to being an adult. Like 16 or 17 or something of the like. It did work though. She was young and naive in a lot of things. 

The narrator was fun. She was a little old sounding for Bee (maybe this is why I thought she was a touch older). But I did enjoy her voice for the characters. She has an excellent way to bring the accents and the characters to life! Good pick overall there. 

In the end, I really enjoyed this story. It was full of life. I really want more adventures! The characters were a gem. The story was intriguing and fun. The narration was a charm. I adored this novel. And that cover???? Makes me want to go on a hot air balloon and travel the world! This novel was certainly a gem and I highly recommend it. I'll stamp this with 5 stars. 

Book Review: The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick

Author: Nicola Cornick
Title: The Phantom Tree
Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Mystery 
Pages: ebook
Published: December 29th 2016
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Netgalley)



Browsing antiques shops in Wiltshire, Alison Bannister stumbles across a delicate old portrait – supposedly of Anne Boleyn. Except Alison knows better… The woman is Mary Seymour, the daughter of Katherine Parr who was taken to Wolf Hall in 1557 as an unwanted orphan and presumed dead after going missing as a child.

The painting is more than just a beautiful object from Alison’s past – it holds the key to her future, unlocking the mystery surrounding Mary’s disappearance, and the enigma of Alison’s son.

But Alison’s quest soon takes a dark and foreboding turn, as a meeting place called the Phantom Tree harbours secrets in its shadows…

I loved this premise so I had to give this books a try.


Now, the story follows Mary and Allison who were roommates and distant relatives at Wolf Hall. Mary is the daughter of the late Queen Catherine and Allison is pretty much a nobody. A distant relative of the Seymour clan. Things happen and Allison finds her way into the future and has a big mystery on her hands that only Mary, in the past, can help with. 


I liked both Mary and Allison. I’m glad they started out hating each other, but then becoming friends…of sorts. They are those typical frenemies if you will. They give each other a hard time because they are so different, but they are really truly the same at the same time. It really made their relationship special. I will have to say, I did like Allison’s POV the best. I might be biased since she was in the present, but we got to see her past POV as well. Her’s was the most interesting and the one I really wanted to understand. Mary was okay too but it took a long time for things to start getting interesting. 


The fantasy aspect was done well here. I was worried, but it worked well. There were sometimes I was confused, but it worked out well. 


My only complaint about this book was the ending. I had to re-read it a couple of times, especially Mary’s part there. I am still not 100% sure what happened to Mary at the end there. I THINK I know what happened, but do I? Not sure. Maybe someone to explain it to me. I feel dumb. 

Anyways….


I really did enjoy the story, the characters, and the mystery. I actually teared up when the big reveal occurred. It was of joy and sorrow. The author did an amazing job with this. I was pleased. 


In the end, I liked this story a lot. The ending for Mary left me scratching my head even now and I read that a couple of times. If you like historical fictions mixed with some fantasy/paranormal, I recommend this. It is good and maybe if someone who reads it can explain to me the ending. I’ll stamp this with….4 stars. 

Time for TV Tuesday: Salem (Season 2-3)

Recently Finished: 

Salem (Season 2-3)

What the hell did I just watch???????????????????????? WHAT???! HOW...WHY??? HUH?

0_0

Okay..let's backtrack.

Season 1 was really good, so I couldn't wait to watch season 2 and season 3. 

Season 2 was okay. It took me a while to get through it. I enjoyed it, but it was just okay. It wasn't as good as the first season. I did enjoy the new characters especially Lucy Lawless's character. Such a good addition. However, I feel that season 2 was a bridge season for the next season. It was also a gateway to add some extra complexity to the characters and story. 

Now...season 3 was really, really good!! It was also really, really dark. I had no idea what was going to happen next especially with our main character Mary. Poor girl. She got what she wanted...but it was not what she thought it was going to be. I liked the plot twists but I find the whole son/devil thing really odd...but the devil is what the devil is....so it would be his twisted humor do what he did. 

HOLY ending......I.....have no words. Poor everyone. It was a HUGE twist. I liked the ending, but there were pieces of the ending I didn't liked AT all. Can't say what because of spoilers. Let's just say a couple of characters and their fates made me cry and throw a fit. WAH!

Overall, this was a really good show. Season 1 and Season 3 were the best. Season 2 was just okay. It was for sure a bridge season. This was for sure worth the watch even though I had a love-hate relationship with the ending. I hope they leave show as is. I do want someone to save a certain character from a horrible, terrible fate. However, I hope they leave the show as is...I don't think it needs another season.  There really is nowhere to go from here. 

Here are my ratings for each season:

Season 1 - 5 stars
Season 2 - 3 stars
Season 3 - 4 stars

Book Review: Beowulf by Unknown

Author: Unknown
Titles: Beowulf
Genre: Historical Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Poetry, & Classic
Pages: 176
First Published: 900-1000 AD
Where I Got It: My shelf (Used book store)

Part history and part mythology, Beowulf opens in the court of the Danish king where a horrible demon named Grendel devours men in their sleep every night. The hero Beowulf arrives and kills the monster, but joy turns to horror when Grendel’s mother attacks the hall to avenge the death of her son. Ultimately triumphant, Beowulf becomes king himself and rules peacefully for fifty years until, one dark day, a foe more powerful than any he has yet faced is aroused—an ancient dragon guarding a horde of treasure. Once again, Beowulf must summon all his strength and courage to face the beast, but this time victory exacts a terrible price.

This is my second read through of this story/poem. The first one I had read was super, duper long while this version was a shorter version. I honestly feel the shorter version is better since it gets to the heart of the story. The original, longer version was very drawn out and bleh. 

The story of Beowulf is an old, old classic and I feel it is a story everyone should read at least once in their life. It was the catalyst to the stories and poems we have today. It influenced so many works. Plus it’s a fun read as well!

I would like to read this in the original language one day. I feel it would be much better. There is just something missing in the English version. 

It is a very basic story and at times yawn-worthy compared to some other stories that are considered Epics. This basic story is told in a basic way. However, it is still fun and worth the read. Beowulf becomes a mighty warrior, who slays an evil monster. He becomes a great King and then fights an evil dragon. In the end he dies and everyone is sad. 

In the end, this second read was much better than the first time I tackled this story. This version was smaller and done better than the other one I had read. It’s a quick read. Some slow parts, but still nice. My dream is to read this in the original language, but alas, I doubt it will be so. I do recommend any book lover to give this a read since it is the catalyst for many of the stories we know today. I am going to give this 3 stars, which is one more star than last time!

Book Review: The Conjurers by David Waid

Author: David Waid
Titles: The Conjurers
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Pages: ebook
First Published: June 2016
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Given to me by the author/publish for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Orphaned in the year 1380, Eamon and Caitlin flee their home in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. The siblings can pacify savage wolves and control forces of nature, but only the murderers hunting them know why. 

As Eamon and Caitlin fight for survival, Teresa de Borjas, the spirited daughter of a Genovese nobleman, develops an inexplicable ability to move objects with her mind. When her brother is murdered and her father imprisoned through machinations of the reclusive alchemist, Maestro Lodovicetti, her sheltered life changes forever. 

Journeys of discovery and the pursuit of blood vendetta bring Eamon, Caitlin and Teresa together across the stunning backdrop of medieval Europe. The three must master their powers and defeat a cabal of the world’s greatest magi or be killed as the Age of Kings comes to an end and a tyranny of sorcerers begins. 

Ooooh poor kids. I feel bad for them. :/ Eamon, Caitlin, and Teresa randomly have gained gifts that have put them on some major hit lists. Not only have they gained these gifts, but their families have fallen to shambles. Through many events come together to get survive and get revenge.

I go back and forth on which POV I liked the best. I think I liked Teresa's the best. It was a super bummer about her poor brother though....

That Maestro Lodovicetti was certainly an evil, evil dude. He made me angry. The baddies were certainly baddies, but they were entertaining. They certainly made the story really good. Sometimes I was more interested in them then the kids. 

There was certainly a lot going on. Sometimes it was overwhelming and I had to take a breather. Lots of information going on. Granted it is the first book of the series, so this is the groundwork. There were some lulls in the middle, because there were times when there was too much information being spit out. 

The beginning had me hooked from the first sentence. The middle was a lull....and then the ending had me hooked again. What an ending! It was good.

However, it was a fun journey overall! I can't wait for book 2 to come out! Its bound to be good. 

In the end, there were some lulls and there was a lot of information being spit out, so it made it overwhelming at times. But I am excited for the prospect of the next book. The characters were fun and the adventure was entertaining. The ending has me wanting more. I shall stamp this with...ummmmm....3 stars.