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Books read in 2021 - No. 8
Hi fellow readers
Well at last I have finished the final book in David Gemmell's Rigante series!
I started it 16th July 2021, so it has took just over 5 months to read. Although to be fair I hit a reading slump especially as all I'd read was the Rigante series but I don't like breaking off into other series unless I've finished the one I'm on. In that time I also finished a relationship, started a new one, had a few birthdays and started a new job, so I have had a hectic time and most of the time my head hasn't been in a reading or writing place. I hope to rectify that in 2022 as well as get healthy and have more energy.
Stormrider takes place a few years after Ravenheart and the focus switches to Gaise Macon instead of Kaelin Ring. Gaise is being hunted by Walker Kay who has found the evil skull of an old God.
In this book there is more magic and ward spells than previous Rigante books, plus there are more characters and POV. There is a lot going on in this book yet it still connects well to previous books including Sword in the Storm.
Overall - a great book although there is a lot going on and can get confusing. This may be because of the breaks I had reading it. I think in a few years I would like to read it again but in a shorter time. Still enjoyable with good characters and plenty of action.
Score. - 8.5/10 - would have got a 9 if read it quicker.
Rigante Series Score - 9.5/10
The series started strong and introduced great characters and an immersive world. David Gemmell did well connecting books set hundreds of years apart. Think the last book was a bit slower but still enjoyable.
Hi Webheads
Took the daughter to see the latest Tom Holland/MCU Spiderman film and Wow.
This journey for me, started almost 20 years ago in 2002 when loading a disc from a PlayStation magazine onto my PlayStation. On it was a trailer for 2002 Spiderman film with Tobey Maguire and I was blown away. They made a realistic Spiderman swing and climb walls. By those days standards it looked awesome and still holds it's own against some recent films.
I loved the Tobey Magiure trilogy - yes even Spiderman 3. Then just as they were working on a forth film they shut production - I was gutted.
The Amazing Spiderman films came along with Andrew Garfield. I was luke warm to the first film but enjoyed Andrew Garfield as Spiderman. I really like Amazing Spiderman 2. Yet again the follow up was cancelled.
They then announced Tom Holland as the new new Spiderman in Civil War and again he is great in the role, although he has more help with Stark technology. Homecoming was fantastic but Far From Home didn't click with me as much until the bombshell ending of Mystero and J Jonah Jameson outing Peter Parker as Spiderman!
Spiderman - No Way Home - starts immediately afterwards as Spiderman F-bombs. He then swings himself and MJ to the relevant safety of Aunt Mays. His Aunt is oblivious to what's going on as she's breaking up with Happy Hogan.
Eventually when the media helicopters arrive they find out. Peter Parker and his friends and family are taken into custody and quizzed. Luckily this part isn't the main focal point but had a great cameo of Charlie Cox's Daredevil lawyer.
Peter being outed as Spiderman affects his family and friends life so much that him, MJ and Ned can't get into any colleges. This is too much so he hits on the idea of going to Dr Strange to make everyone forget he is Spiderman.
Dr Strange helps out starting the spell when Peter wants his Aunt, Ned etc to remember him but this corrupts the spell and Dr Strange puts the spell in a box.
After this with each entrance of an old school villain the crowd in the cinema went nuts. First up is Doc Ock still brilliantly played by Alfred Molina. He fights Spiderman until he realises it isn't his Spiderman. Green Goblin shows up on his glider as Doc Ock and Spiderman are sent through a portal to Dr Stranges basement where he has already captured Lizard from Amazing Spiderman 1.
Peter is given a magic update to his suit to capture the rest of the villains from other universes and he brings in Electro - Jamie Foxx, Sandman and Willem Dafoe who steals the show as one minute he is a vulnerable Norman Osborn and with a flick of his features becomes the evil Goblin.
Once captured Dr Strange is going to send them back to their respective universe where it is learned most will die at the hands of their Spiderman. Peter can't have this and having trapped Dr Strange in a mirror world sets out to cure the villains so they will go back and not be a threat.
This is going well with some funny banter between the villains. Doc Ock has a new inhibitor chip put on his neck so he controls the tentacles.
Then it all goes sideways as the Green Goblin don't want to go and encourages the others to join him so they all leave. There is a brutal fight with Green Goblin and Spiderman until Aunt May tries to cure him - but she is killed by Green Goblin! This was a heart wrenching scene as you saw her in all 3 Holland films. This is Holland's Uncle Ben moment which has him grow up.
The film goes to Ned and MJ who are waiting with the spell box. MJ wants to activate it to send the villains back. Ned wants to see Peter and accidentally opens a portal using a sling ring Peter took off Dr Strange.
The cinema went mad when in stepped another Spiderman and the mask came off to reveal Andrew Garfield.
After convincing MJ and Ned that he too is Peter Parker they try again. In comes Tobey Maguire. The cinema erupted again. It was great seeing them both onscreen and the banter and chemistry between all 3 Spidermen was great. A funny scene was when Andrew Garfield was grossed out over Tobey Maguire's Spiderman having organic web shooters from his wrist.
After having a talk with Tom Holland's Peter Parker and developing cures for the villains they trap them at the statue of Liberty for the final fight.
Overall - the best of the Tom Holland Spiderman films which has shown the true origin of Spiderman over 3 films instead of the first one. This is the one in which he matures and learns sadly that with great power comes great responsibility. By the end of the film it feels like the Tobey Maguire Spiderman where he is alone in his flat and making his own Spiderman suit which looked more comic accurate and hopefully the darker tone will continue in the next film.
Here's hoping Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield can either come back or get a new Sony Spiderman film. I would love to see an Amazing Spiderman 3 film.
This was a great film with 20 years of history and great performances all round.
Bels Score - 9.5/10 - half a point knocked off for film making her cry.
My Score - 10/10
Hi Folks.
Well we are on December already!! This is another year that's gone quick. Think time speeds up as you get older!
It is also the start of another month where I still haven't done any writing - maybe I should just get back into it in 2022. There is usually too much to do with Xmas around the corner.
Again reading wise has been poor and I'm still reading Stormrider by the brilliant David Gemmell - which I started in July.
Sadly as most readers will know I got hit by a reading slump, then got a new job. But I will definitely finish it this weekend and try and fit book 9 in by end of the year. I was hoping to have read 20 books at least this year!!
Let's hope 2022 brings better luck - no lockdowns - more writing - more reading - published?
Anyway enjoy December and your Xmas shopping.
Cheerio
Neil x
Hi peeps
At the weekend I visited my favourite city, York. Which was packed because of the Christmas Market.
So I dipped into my second favourite Waterstones (twice), for a book browse and tea and scones - yum.
Sadly there wasn't many books I wanted as waiting on newest Joe Abercrombie and John Gwynne books to go to paperback. Plus the sequels to Mark Lawrence Red Sister weren't there either.
There was one book that caught my eye. Plus an old school annual in WHSmiths - so a small haul this trip!
I hope to visit York again in the new year.
Well chat soon folks and what is your favourite Waterstones store?
Neil x
Hi folks
Went to see Marvel's latest film the other weekend - Eternals. A big Marvel CGI explosion.
I have to admit after Avengers: Endgame I'm not as interested in the Marvel movies that come after, except Spiderman - No Way Home and Dr Strange 2. This film was one of those films I wasn't too eager to see as it had characters I'd not heard of before plus it is a big ensemble piece with 9 members in the team you hardly get to know.
With Avengers they introduced you to the characters slowly through they're own movies. This has made the mistake of DC's Justice League and plonking them all in one film together.
The Eternals are sent to Earth by the Celestials -giant godlike beings to protect humans from the monster Deviants. They are immortal and don't age and the film centres on Sersi (Gemma Chan), Ikaris (Richard Madden - who should be the new Bond) and leader Ajak (the beautiful Salma Heyak). Others include the gorgeous Thena (Angelina Jolie).
Overall - I'm not going to give a run through of the film as it is nearly 3 hours long and has many characters and time jumps. It is standard Marvel fare with action set pieces, great CGI, an OK plot which mainly serves to set up most of Stage 4 in the MCU. There were some good stuff here but the middle slowed down and got boring.
Bels Score - 8.5/10
My Score - 7/10
Chat soon peeps!
Hope you are all well on this winter eve.
Just a quick update.
Reading - Still to read Stormrider by David Gemmell! Had a reading slump because when I get home from work I'm knackered. Changes may be needed? I hope to finish it by the weekend as I started it in July!!
Not sure on the next book I will read. Maybe something lighter and sci-fi. It won't be the same as my reading TBR. So will be reading Malice by John Gywnne next year.
Writing - Again with being knackered from work, I've not had chance to write but definitely want to finish "The Cubby-hole" by year end. Then re-start my writing journey in 2022 and write like a demon.
What are your reading and writing goals for November 2021?
Stay safe. Blog soon.
Neil x
