Jan Film Reviews - 2 - Bumblebee

Hi guys

Another belated film review.

This time the excellent Bumblebee film which is a prequel/reboot to the other Transformers films.

This time it hasn't Michael Bay directing which is a good thing as you can see the action better plus the story is more coherent.  Travis Knight took over as director.

It involves a fantastic opening scene set on the Transformers planet of Cybertron and the Autobots and Decepticons are in their Generation One glory as they should be.

The Autobots are losing the War so Optimus Prime is sending his troops off world to safety and to find refuge.

He instructs Bumblebee to secure the planet Earth.

Once on Earth he has been followed by Blitzwing who he fights and just wins but loses his memory in the battle transforming into Volkswagen Beetle.

He lays dormant till Charlie Watson played by the hot Hailee Steinfeld finds him and takes Bumblebee to her garage.

Lots of fun ensues as Charlie and Bumblebee evade the Decepticons and the US Military.  This includes Agent Burns played by John Cena.

Overall  - A more straightforward film with no convoluted plots and it would be a good reboot movie.  Plus the best thing is seeing the Transformers in their G1 glory.  All except Megatron which was a shame. 

With plenty of action, laughs and heart this is easily my favourite Transformers movie and I hope they make a sequel to this.

Score   -    10/10

York book haul and York

Hi guys

Recently went on an overnight trip to York.  Had a great time and didn't get too drunk.  More importantly went to a few book shops.  Although ended up buying books in Waterstones.
Although was a bit miffed the fantasy section had no David Gemmell.

Anyway enjoy the pics of books I got and a few York pics.

Book Review - Prince of the Blood by Raymond E Feist

Six fucking months!

Yes that is the amount of time it has taken me to read this 396 page book.  It took me less time to read Lord of the Rings or the Riftwar trilogy that came before it!

Partly I'm to blame as I've been too busy procrastinating again.  Instead of reading I've been watching Booktubes and listening to others talk about books they've read instead of diving into the book, the world of Midkemia.

The book is also to blame.  Set twenty years after the Riftwar trilogy which started with the excellent Magician and ended with A Darkness at Sethanon (the last book I read before this one).
It follows Arutha of Krondor's young sons Borric and Erland who keep getting into trouble.  They use their Princehood as a get out clause too many times so Arutha sends them on a diplomatic trip to neighbouring Kesh.
Kesh is a vast Empire who's Empress is holding birthday celebrations.

As Borric and Erland travel to Kesh along with Duke James (Jimmy the Hand all grown up) and Locklear they are ambushed.
Borric is feared killed and the party continue to Kesh.

Borric is alive and has to warn his brother by travelling to Kesh alone with killers on his heels as there is a conspiracy involving the throne of Kesh.

I think the problem with the book is that it is more small scale than the previous trilogy which covered two worlds and many lands and a huge cast of characters.  Not to mention the previous books had more grand scale action and events which included more magic and dragons.

This is more a political/royal thriller and some parts once I'd got into it were very good with enough twists to keep me going back.
But for me there wasn't enough action or magical elements and we only briefly see Pug one of the main protagonists of the trilogy.
It didn't help that I read this straight after the trilogy and with it being low key lost the grandeur of the world built in previous books.  I feel I should have read something else before this.

The characterisation and writing is fine although the pacing in some parts is slow.  This would have been better as a novella in a collection by the author than a full novel and it's hard to see what will come after.  Although something is being set up as Pug senses a great evil and goes off for answers.

Overall  -  took too long to read for such a small book.  I enjoyed it once I got reading it, but didn't hold my attention as well as the huge trilogy that came before it.  More action would have been better.   The main action is in the last 30 pages.

Score    -    6/10

Next book - back to David Gemmell with Legend of Deathstalker.

March and a mini Book Haul

Hi guys

March 2019 already doesn't time fly when you're having fun?

Well this is the month I get back to writing I can feel it as my head feels right for it so will update on the writing later in the month and may share an extract!

Reading wise - I'm one chapter away from finishing "Prince of the Blood by Raymond E Feist" and yes it's took me six months to read.
A review will follow shortly.
But I also feel I'm in a reading mood so hope to read more books and quicker the rest of the year.

I've been naughty and bought more books which I wasn't going to do until I had read at least five books from my shelves but I thought I needed the new Alastair Reynolds in hardback to match the first book in the Revenger series.
Also two books were cheap from The Works and one I've seen reviewed alot which is Places in the Darkness.

Well chat soon folks x