Storm Front - Wizard PI and His First Case

Jim Butcher has hit a homerun with his Dresden Files series of novels. By his own confession, he wrote the first book, under the name Semiautomagic, at a writing course, trying to prove to his teacher that it would be horrible. It turned out to be completely opposite.

The main character is private investigator and wizard Harry Dresden, the world’s only consulting wizard. He works as a private investigator and police advisor. In the world of The Dresden Files, magic is real, along with vampires, demons, spirits, faeries, werewolves, outsiders, and other monsters. But most of the people still do not believe in the supernatural. When he works with the police, he is engaged by detective Karrin Murphy, head of special investigations unit, the unit that deals with the strange cases.

Firefly - short-lived but never forgotten

I don’t think that since the birth of television, something that lived so short left such a deep and lasting impact in popular culture. 

After a recent Firefly re-watch I decided to write a few words about it. The story of Firefly is all but incredible. It was a show created by Joss Whedon, after his success with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. He said that he had wanted to make a western but since he loved spaceships so much, he decided to place it in space. He described is as a story of nine people looking at the darkness of space and all seeing different things. 14 episodes had been made before the show was canceled by the Fox Network. I often think that the person who made this decision still hides this fact in shame, hoping that it will never be revealed.

Black Mirror - modern day Twilight Zone

 Rarely does it happen that something of this quality and genre-related flies so low under my radar that I completely overlook it. Well, it did happen this time but thanks to a very dear friend who recommended it to me I watched the first two seasons in one sitting and was left with quite an impression. Thank you O.

Black Mirror is created by Charlie Brooker and the first two seasons consist of 6 episodes in total.  Each episode is a separate story with different actors. In this, it is reminiscent of the old series that I loved to watch - The Twilight Zone. I do not know if the young know about this series but it was one of the greatest genre shows and it is good to see that the format is still vital and that it withstood the test of time in this new incarnation.

Warcraft: The Beginning - or just a missed opportunity

This is a rare opportunity for me to be current in my reviews so it would be a pity to waste it. Last night, I went to the cinema with a friend who was dying to see Warcraft, the movie on the big screen, being a huge fan of the game. He said to me, “I have spent so many nights and days playing this game, so what is another two hours.” I knew that he was just downplaying it, but I played along. He needed the company, and I thought that I could write a review for my little blog.

I, myself, have never played the game, but having some idea about it from the media and the trailers, and since I am always for the things fantastic, I was OK with the idea of watching this movie at the theatre. 

Shadows of the Apt - progress update III

I have just finished The War Master's Gate, the penultimate book in the series. Just a few thoughts: I am glad to say that the quality remains high throughout the entire series, and this book is no exception. There are some new characters, and they are well rounded, and reminiscent of the characters from the start of the series. There is a feeling of a circle closing. One more book to go and I feel tingling in my fingers, eagerness to start the last installment in this true epic. I hope to find time to write something more about it when I have finished reading. Until then, keep moving forward!

Werthead's History of Fantasy - fantasy reader's heaven

One of my favorite bloggers has written a fantastic (no pun intended) series of articles on the history of fantasy literature. They represent a great read no matter if you are already well acquainted with the genre or your interest has merely been sparked by the Game of Thrones TV series or Lord of the Rings movies. You can find it here.

Shadows of the Apt - progress update II

I finished The Air War, and loved it. I immediately started reading the next book in the series: The War Master's Gate. It is not disappointing. Far from it. The series is quite long, but worth every moment. I think I will be sad when I finish.

Shadows of the Apt - progress update

I have just finished the 7th book in the series, Heirs of the Blade, and jumped right onto the next one - The Air War. That is one of the biggest compliments that I can give to a series. This is one big, sprawling yet engaging epic. I cannot recommend it enough. Great story, well rounded characters, and that sense of urgency and trepidation that forces the reader to read on. I hope to write a review of the entire series when I have reached the end. Until then, try it, I guarantee that you won't regret it.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Triumph or Disappointment?

I was very excited, to put it mildly, when I sat in my seat, with my 3D glasses on, and waited for the lights to be turned off. It has been a while since I saw a Star Wars movie at the cinema and I was determined not to let anything ruin the experience. I have managed to find a suitable sitter for the boys. The venue was half empty, with no loud teenagers anywhere in sight. The reviews of the film were great - over 90% fresh at the Rotten Tomatoes, and everything was pointing towards a happy ending. 

At the beginning, everything was looking promising. (Warning: Spoilers approaching!) The text with the explanation what happened since episode VI quickly introduced us to the fact that the bad guys are now called the First Order, and that they are opposed by the Republic and Resistance (instead of Rebellion). To tell the truth, I was too excited to think about this, or the disappointment would probably have come much sooner that it had.