Time for TV Tuesday: Spartacus - War of the Damned (Season 1)

Recently Finished:

Spartacus: War of the Damned (Season 1)

Another show I have been meaning to watch for a long time. Thank goodness for Netflix and my friend forcing my hand to make me watch it. ;D

Ancient Rome is always fun. Gladiators are always bloody and interesting. This is for sure a rated R show. Lots of blood, cussing, blood, sex, blood, nudity, and did I mention blood? This show is for sure not for the weak-of-heart or for those who cannot handle a wee bit of death and blood.

Now, the show follows a Thracian warrior who is ripped from his home and sold into slavery. He gets bought to be a Gladiator after proving himself in killing his executioners in the arena. Just to prove a point they change his name to Spartacus. 

This was very '300' and 'Gladiator' in style and look. Very cool and a touch cheesy in some of the kills, but very epic. I caught myself going "WOAH!" and sometimes looking away for some of the brutal things like a man getting his face ripped off. BLEH!  Loved every moment of it.

The first couple of episodes were good. There was a chunk of episodes that the story didn't move at all. Yes, there were some character developments and a little bit of plot, but it was so slow moving for a handful of episodes. After a certain event, it got interesting again and I couldn't stop watching. So sad! But I expected something of the sort to happen...because why wouldn't that have happened?

The ending was good. NO, NO...not good...AWESOME! I'm excited to see what happens to our lovely characters next. I'm sad that the main actor died in real life so they had to replace him...but hopefully it will still be good. I will admit I am worried. Luckily the next season is more of a prologue...so I have time to forget my beloved original actor. 

In the end, this was a fun watch especially if you like blood and gore and some feelings mixed in. There were a handful of episodes that had me need to take a break from watching this since there didn't seem to be much going on. However, everything got intense and crazy and kind of worth battling through the episodes that were a bore. I am excited to see what is next. I'll stamp this season with 3 stars. 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Star Wars The Last Jedi

Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.

Director: Rian Johnson

Writers: Rian Johnson, George Lucas 

Stars: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill

2 h 32 min Action Adventure Sci.fi

My thoughts:

Yay, finally, more Star Wars and we got a babysitter so off we went.

I still do not really care for Rey, what? Ok she was not as bloody perfect as in movie 1, it was just too much Mary Sue there. But eh, she still does not have a personality.

Finn, eh, I do not care for him either. He is just there. Like a rock.

Poe, I love him! Haha, and I was glad he got a bigger part in this one and really showed what he was about. He has a well written part.

Luke, eh. Leia, eh. Holdo gets thumbs up. Rose too. I was a bit sad that Kylo was not as Emo but I still liked him.

Right, the movie was good but dang Disney. You have made it so cute! Cute little orphans *coughs slaves*, cute little animals Everything so cute! Just when I thought ok now it will get dark, it did not. That part could have used a death, just saying. Oh even those cute foxes, come on! So many cute things. This is war, give me some blood. But then it is Disney so.... nobody seems to bleed.

I do wonder where the next one will take us. I think a time jump of 10 years would work.

Oh oh, and god, please stop ripping off earlier movies.

Book Review: Shadow by the Bridge by Suzanne Zewan

Author: Suzanne Zewan
Title: Shadow by the Bridge
Genre: Historical Fiction & Mystery
Pages: 368
Published: November 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

11-year-old Fritz Reynolds recalled his father telling him that man is the only creature who can find amusement in killing. Little did he realize that those words would become the theme for his teenage years growing up in the rural hamlet of Linden, New York. In this coming-of-age story, Fritz takes us back to a simpler time when neighbors gathered at the general store to listen to radio shows, drank barrel-aged cider, and worshiped at the Baptist church every Sunday. All was picturesque in his close-knit farming community until terror was unleashed on them. 

Gotta love a good mystery especially a murder mystery in a small town in the middle of nowhere. 

This story follows Fritz who sees a murder happen before his very eyes however he couldn't identify the killer so there was no reason to say anything so he didn't. He kept it to himself. Years pass and Fritz and the town tried to forget that horrible murder. Well...the past repeats itself and murders start haunting the town again. 

This was a good mystery...I was completely in the dark and I had no idea what was going to happen. Yes, this was a true story, but I had no knowledge on this so I was along for the ride. I felt bad for the little town because it is scary to have people you know slaughtered and you have NO idea who did or even why. Scary stuff. I really felt for Fritz that he kept such a dark secret for so long. I think he should've said something. MAYBE he could've helped. IDK. But yes, I get that he was a little kid and was scared to say somthing. 

But yes, this was a fun read. I really enjoyed it. There were some parts that seemed to drag on and on, but those slow parts were worth it in the end. 

I do wish we had more of a closing in the end. But sometimes life doesn't end with a little bow on top. 

If you need a good mystery, this is a good one for you to check out especially since it based off of a real one so it makes it even better. I should do some research and learn about the real deal. Poor Fritz! Poor little town! Poor murder victims...but so good overall. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

  

Book Review: The Tides Between by Elizabeth Jane Corbett

Author: Elizabeth Jane Corbett
Title: The Tides Between
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published: Oct 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

In the year 1841, on the eve of her departure from London, Bridie's mother demands she forget her dead father and prepare for a sensible adult life in Port Phillip. Desperate to save her childhood, fifteen-year-old Bridie is determined to smuggle a notebook filled with her father's fairy tales to the far side of the world.

When Rhys Bevan, a soft-voiced young storyteller and fellow traveller realises Bridie is hiding something, a magical friendship is born. But Rhys has his own secrets and the words written in Bridie’s notebook carry a dark double meaning.

As they inch towards their destination, Rhys's past returns to haunt him. Bridie grapples with the implications of her dad’s final message. The pair take refuge in fairy tales, little expecting the trouble it will cause.

First of all...I love that cover. I was instantly drawn in to it. It is so beautiful! 

The story follows a few people on a journey to the new world to start new lives away from England. There is Bridie who's father just passed away and she is clinging to his memory and fairy-tales. There is Alf who just married Bridie's mom and is trying to show that all he wants is what is best for the family. Then there is Rhys who is traveling with his preggo wife and is trying to escape his past. 

Birdie needed a swift kick in the butt. Yes, yes, her father is passed away and her mom moved on really quickly. I get it, I do, but she was horrible. So horrible. Yes, the mom did seem to move on really quick, but the dad wasn't the best of people. Nice guy, but not good at supporting his family because he was too concerned drinking and the fairy-tales. But yes...I couldn't stand her. I liked the other characters though. They were fun to read about. 

I loved the fairy-tales that are told. It really added to the story honestly and it was really charming.

This was really slow moving in a lot of spots, but I enjoyed the journey that all these characters took. There was a lot of growth and development on that tiny boat and it was interesting to see even Bridie even though she killed me .However, there were some parts that seemed to drag ooooonnnn and oooonnnnn. 

NOW! That ending was intense and sad, but full of hope all wrapped in one. So good. Made everything worth it. 

In the end, this was a good read about people learning and growing while on a journey to start a new life. I do hope there is a sequel...I am curious to see what happens to these characters next. I'll give this 3 stars.