LIST: March's Rants & Raves

     Yes, this month is very late but at the same time we are lucky we still made it. My last couple weeks have been a real struggle for me because of my shoulder impingement which caused me a lot of pain and made it impossible to do anything especially write a long LIST like these LISTS have become. Anyhow, while I am still in slight pain I have recovered enough to write my RANTS & RAVES for this month.

21. The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket by Edgar Allan Poe: 6.5 - Okay.

    Edgar Allan Poe was mostly known for his short stories and poetry, The Narrative... is his one true novel... and it was bad y'all. Like really bad. Like almost DNF bad. Even as purely audiobook this was a struggle. Poe is known for his short, impactful, dread-filled work writes this book with the most drab detachment. A mutiny, starvation, cannibalism and a battle against a foreign force is written with as much passion as a history text book.  The story goes on for waaay too long and I feel it didn't need to go into as detail as it did. Top it off with 'it just ends' ending akin to found footage films and I left this very dissatisfied.

    The Narrative... was my top off for a month of Poe which I was really enjoying reading and re-discovering. It is a shame the Poe month ended on such a downer. Also it also fell into a weird trend/ motif of content that is set at sea this month. More on that later.

20. Hellraiser: Bloodline: 7.5 - OKAY

    Unlike Hellraiser 3, I actually remembered Bloodline pretty well. Growing up, I think I recall it was one of the better Hellraiser films I have watched. On a re-watch I still see what I enjoyed about it. This film gets vilified a lot and of course is also the film where the original director disagreed so much with the final product that he asked to be credited as Alan Smithee the pseudonym for when a director has to attach a name to a film but doesn't want their name.

    Objectively, I like the three timelines, I like the original bad guy (in this case a gal) and the boldness of writing a Hellraiser movie without the eponymous 'Pinhead'. I like learning the origin of the puzzle boxes and the hierarchy of Hell. However the studio interfere and the by-product is the stuff of the Hellraiser films I don't like. The needless need to insert Pinhead where he was not needed. Their need to have him do quippy one-liners which feel more like the M.O of Freddy and Chucky and the need to just kill people... just to kill them. I am actually surprised the movie ended as well as it did with a definite ending which seems like it was a miracle with how this film was produced.

19. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger: 7.5 - OKAY

    

    I recall reading this book for school and enjoying it and I decided as part of me exploring modern classics I would do a re-read. I unfortunately did not get any type of satisfaction from this re-read and I can comfortably say I think I might have given this book its flowers too soon and now I am looking for the receipt.

    This book isn't that good y'all. I do not know why but on my second read I do not understand why J.D using Holden as his proxy is so weird with his language and why he is so repetitive. I do not like how judgmental Holden is, calling people 'fake' when he is just as... if not worst. I am not a fan that he is mostly an unlike Main Character until his sister comes into play and then we see some real layers to him and I really, really did not like how it just ended with no real answers. This book actually made me put a pause on 'classics' for me, while I still aim to read a couple classics this year, I definitely won't be doing them back to back or every month anymore which was my original plan.

18. Shakespeare was a Woman and other Heresies by Elizabeth Winkler: 8 - Rave

    Disclaimer, I picked up this book purely on the recommendation of Liene's Library on YouTube. She sold this non-fiction book so well and made me interested in what Elizabeth had to say. I have some small knowledge about the authorship debate of Shakespeare (mainly due to a very under-rated film called 'Anoymous') but this was my first real dive into the discussion/ debate.

    This book was very written and well researched. No surprise because Ms. Winkler is a journalist by-trade. Some of the book read like a thriller even through it was non-fiction. However this book was also very dry at times and I feel it was way longer then it needed to be. While I enjoyed reading it and don't regret that I did, I un-like Liene won't be giving it a glowing recommendation as she did. It was just good and a perfect example of an interesting read but just that, hence its placement on this LIST.

17. Doom Treasury Edition by Jonathan Hickman and Sanford Greene: 8 - Rave

    

    An interesting combination of an artist I am very familiar with (Hickman) and an artist I not (Greene). As always, Doom under Hickman's pen does not miss and will never miss, it also appears Greene also has a good grasp on what makes Victor tick as well. Together, they craft a good story with an impactful (if slightly anti-climatic) ending. This was a fun, out of continuity romp that asks the question, what is Doom faces something no-one else can handle. When the chips are down and our heroes can't save us, can Doom?

    As my first real introduction to Sanford Greene, his artwork really stood out to me, his heroes and villains don't look like they are drawn from the same stock as others BUT it works and it has a unique charm. Half of the 'Treasury Edition' is actually the original script as well as Greene's original pencils which was a nice touch. I will probably never buy this (despite my un-written mantra to buy everything Hickman has created) because I don't think it is worth the full price regardless I did enjoy reading it and discovering more about an artist I was un-familiar with.

16. Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning: 8 - Rave

    This was a long journey and the end of an era for me. When I started my reading journey late last year I was determined to not only read standalones but full series as well. One of the first series was the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. Now at the end I can say while I enjoy it, I also felt this series never got over an 8 for me. There was never a particular novel in this series that blew me away and I felt the last novel showed me what I did not like about the Fever series as a whole.

    I really did not like the slowest of slow burn romances, I feel the character reveals and their motivation reveals were too few and far between and I also did not enjoy how it took so long, especially in this book to get to meat of the matter. This book is bloated, to the point where I feel we could have saved the first 30-40% off it and it'll be a better narrative because of it. Still it was a satisfying conclusion and I like the big final reveals so that saved it from being a complete wash for me. Karen does continue the Fever series for another series but as of now I think I'm good on her world. Maybe in 2027 we will come back to it.

15. Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb: 8 - Rave

        After reading so much about her, this is my first time reading Robin Hobb aka a person who has been described as the queen of fantasy and on the same level as Robert Jordan, G.R.R Martin and Tolkien. While I can definitely see why people enjoy her detailed writing and very well done characterizations where you will literally feel really bad for someone or really hate someone else, Hobb's Ship of Magic was just good for me. I didn't feel the 'magic' that so many other reviewers felt surprisingly and honestly, some of this book was a struggle for me and it only really got good near the end.

    I like the concept, I like the characters (even some of the bad guys) and Hobb's style has a flow to it which I enjoy so I will be continuing with Hobb and The Liveship Traders series but I hope the next book in this series 'Mad Ship' does not take it's time to get to the good stuff as much as this one did. Also this continues the theme of Phil on the seas for this month which I find very funny in hindsight that I started all these nautical content so close to each other.

14. Cross Season 2: 8 - Rave

    A very enjoyable season with some impactful moments (especially in the finale... IYKYK) carried by Aldis still killing it as Alex Cross. This show also introduces us to a dilemma, a likeable villain portrayed by Jeanine Mason (who I remember from So You Think You So Can Dance) who you actually feel is justified in taking down this cocky white collar thieves/ monsters because of what they did or turn their eyes away from.

    However I do have some gripes with this season and it is specifically the lack of direction for one of favorite characters Sampson. This season Sampson is saddled with a do nothing/ no point storyline for a whole season and I low key feel it was purely to keep him and Cross apart so we can get this weird dynamic they wanted for Cross and his FBI friend Kayla. I did not enjoy how 'heavy-handed' some of themes were near the end of the season and I truly felt this season tried too hard to be 'edgy'. I did enjoy the ending though and what type of storylines it can mean for the show going forward but honestly, I prefer season 1 much more over this one.

13. Found Season 2: 8 - Rave

    

    After a strong first season, season 2 of Found has some growing pains for me. The writers and creators knew that after Sir escaped they had to flip the script and find new ways of having him and Gabi interact. They also still had to drive the stories forward and continue to shine the light on cases people ignore. This however is where I have a small gripe with the show. I feel the show did need to always do a 'case of the week' and some episodes could have just continue the main story. Near the end of the season the formulaic 'case of the week' storylines did start wrapping up but having mostly cases of the week in a 22 episode season was a bit much for me especially with some of the cases been wrapped up a bit too conveniently (aka all is forgiven and everyone is a good person now).

    I mentioned in my season one RAVE that Found's biggest strengths was the back and forth between Sir and Gabi and that was lost a bit this season (understandably with Sir's escape and being on the run) however the show was not able to find a new 'hook' as compelling as the two constantly butting heads in the present and the past. They tried with Margaret's missing son's return and reveled what happened in the present and the past which had its moments but it was nowhere as captivating as young Gabi's imprisonment. Also some of these extended back stories became a bit longer winded after a while and Sir constantly breaking into Belle/ Lacey's house with no real consequences suspended our belief one times too many. The end of the season teased a big twist/ reveal but if anyone is paying attention, it was not a surprise at all who the Sir's accomplice was either. 

    Overall, a good season, with some good stories but I still feel season one was stronger and much see TV, while season two was a nice distraction. Also can get an award for who was Shanola Hampton's make-up person? Whoever you are... you are a baddie cause Gabi was never caught lacking.

12. The Night Agent Season 3: 8.5 - RAVE

        The Night Agent continues to go from strength to strength with some tense moments, great set pieces and filled with compelling character. This season was truly a return to form and kept it local especially compared to the divisive Season 2 (which I still enjoyed).

    Filled with dark conspiracy, a unique antagonist and his relationship with his son, played by Stephen Moyer and some jaw-dropping twists (especially at the beginning) this was a strong season. The Night Agent is a great watch and this season proves they still have stories to tell but at the same time, they can also end on a great note, something I feel TV show writers need to learn to do better.

11. The Vision & the Scarlet Witch (full series): 8.5 - RAVE

    Two of my favorite Marvel characters separately and one of my favorite Marvel couples finally get a series worthy of them on the same line as Marvel TV's Wandavision. What starts with a fun jaunt into the complex history of Vision and Wanda and includes their extended family too so yep, The Grim Reaper, Ultron, their twins, Vision's daughter all get to play a role but at the core was a story dedicated to these on/off again lovers.

    And what a ride it is, this book definitely didn't always hit for me but when it did, especially near the end and how earned it was, I won't lie, it really resonated with me and raised its score up, considerably. I love a writer like James Robinson (who has been doing great work building up Wanda) can finally tell the definitive (at least for now) ending for this couple and it was a good one. Well done.

10. Once & Future (full series): 8.5 - RAVE

      It is funny, after loving Kieron Gillen's Wic+Div and absolutely despising his Young Avenger's run, we have Once & Future, a unique story he told with Dan Mora with Boom! Studios. Once & Future falls squarely in the center of Gillen's work for me. I didn't hate but it never hit the marks I wanted to hit like Wic+Div did. I enjoyed this unique take on Arthurian legend (something I have a passing interest in) and I liked how he weaved other mythologies throughout the series. I do feel however this series (which was extended by Boom!) went on a bit longer than it needed. However the conclusion was satisfying and the art by Dan Mora was amazing. I have seen some of the work he does for DC but here, Mora is truly able to spread his artistic wings and his dragons look fierce, his green giants scary and his monsters the things of nightmares. I will definitely be looking into more work by Mora now.

9. The Dark Tower # 3: The Waste Lands by Stephen King: 8.5 - RAVE

    

    Continuing my journey back to The Dark Tower, Book 3, The Waste Lands picks up as Ronald truly finishes building his core team, his ka-tet. I really enjoyed this one, not as much as book 2 but this book still had its moments. King continues to give us very nuanced characters and his world building skills truly begin to shine in this volume.

    My complaints are minor but it still kept the book from being a 9. I just going to come out and say it. We did not need to spend that long in Jake's life before he returned to Roland's world. That sequence just dragged for me and took away from the parts I like the most about The Dark Tower universe. However with a big cliffhanger and what is beginning to feel like a stronger narrative building, I think I will be continuing my journey back to the Tower.

8. The Elenium # 3: The Sapphire Rose by David Eddings: 8.5 - RAVE

    

    Thus, one of the first trilogies and high fantasy books I have read ends. I really enjoyed re-visiting The Elenium and I am happy it ended as well as it did. I am still blown away that a trilogy of books I read as a young teen has still stuck with me as well as this did which is a good sign of a good story. I like the characters, the world and enjoyed the ride. The ending was perfect hitting the sweet spot between bittersweet and a promise of a better tomorrow.

    However, this volume had something I really could not connect with because this volume Eddings was a bit too focus on the political games/ manipulations people play and to be honest, those sections really drag and did nothing for me. I feel with those sections shortened I would like this book even more. As it stands, it was a good revisit and unlike The Fever series, I have no doubt I will re-read the sequel series to this trilogy 'The Tamuli' some time down the road.

7. New Murders in the Rue Morgue by Clive Barker: 8.5 - RAVE

    Since I read the original by Poe previously, I think it was an appropriate time to re-read Clive Barker's spiritual sequel and it did not disappoint. This short story makes so much more sense now with the right context. This also reads like classic Clive which is my favorite. It was filled with gore, mystery and a compelling question. What truly makes us human? All I can say, after reading this I knew I had to review it and speak my piece. This Clive was the Clive that captivated a young Phillip and inspired him to become a writer and I still feel that influence to this day.

6. The Long Walk: 8.5 - RAVE

    This movie was confronting, heartbreaking and at the same time, the story it told is so relevant even many years after it was first written. It tells a story about how a totalitarian government can control us and make us think they are doing to help us and the people who refuse to bend and instead rebel against it. I was surprised that they will able to carry the concept of men just walking for miles without stopping (with the exception of one cut-away for a flashback) and still made it as compelling as it was. I think I mentioned in my previous review of Battle Royale that after a couple deaths, the students dying didn't affect me as much and I thought that was a shame. This film did not have that problem with each death having an appropriate reaction from me.

    Also after seeing him in Alien Romulus and now in this, David Jonnsson is an truly talented actor that should get more work. His facial work is on some next level, like a non problematic Jonathan Majors and he hard carried this film for me.

    

5. Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament by Clive Barker: 8.5 - RAVE

        This is probably one of the most compelling short stories I have read recently and I am not surprise it was by Clive. As I mentioned above, classic Barker had me in a chokehold back in the day. I remember I enjoyed this story when I first read it but on a re-read it really hit me. The imagery, the violence, the story-telling all peak.

4. Clive Barker's Dark Worlds by Phil and Sarah Stokes: 9 - RAVE

    

    Without a doubt my favorite author of all time is Clive Barker (as the numerous entries in this LIST and previous LISTs should tell you) so when I say I really enjoyed this look into the private man that is Mr. Barker I mean it. This intimate, enlightened and extensive look into what makes the man tick written by his archivists and good friends, the Stokes is a great read for anyone who has interest in the man behind Hellraiser, Candyman and all his best selling novels. I also enjoyed the behind the scenes photos, scripts and thoughts behind why he wrote certain stories. I see myself buying a physical copy of this (I borrowed it through Hoopla) just so I can own it and it earns my first 9 of this month.

3. One Piece Season 2: 9 - RAVE

    So full confession. I have not watch one episode of the anime but man I just love the Live Action One Piece tv series. Season one was a ride and Season two keeps it up and does even more. You think they would shy from some of the fantastical elements but nope, the showrunner and writers are like... this is what you signed up for so we are going to give to you... chain-gun monkey and all. I think because they just accept that this is how it is, I accept it too.

    Unlike the early Fox X-men films who was scared to really show the X-men as they are (black leathers vs colorful spandex), the One Piece LA crew do not have that problem and I appreciate them for their full commitment. This respect for the source material as well as a well casted original crew and new additions just makes watching this show a real joy. I will definitely continue looking forward to future seasons. Also yes... the nautical theme is strong in this one as well.

2. A Gathering of Shadows by V.E Schwab: 9 - RAVE

    

    V.E Schwab's 'A Darker Shade of Magic' series continues to thrill me. This one takes a bit of time to get going but when it does, it really, really hits. We are introduced to more characters, newer factions and the tournament was a thrill to read about. Oh and there was some seasons we were at sea so it fits the un-official theme of this month.

    I can admit after reading this (and I'm also reading the final book as I write this) I think I am a big fan of Schwab's style. She reminds me of Cassandra Clare, in the best way. I love how her characters are not perfect beings but tragic people. I love the magic systems. I love the storylines and where its going. I know as soon as I finish this series, I'll definitely keep on reading anything she puts out with a couple of her books already in my TBR. However as good as V.E is (and she is damn good) the invokable champion of this month is...

1. The Dandelion Dynasty # 4: Speaking Bones by Ken Liu: 10 - RAVE

    To no-one who reads this blogs surprise, my favorite book of the month of March is 'Speaking Bones' by Ken Liu. Man this book stick the landing. After the un-evenness of The Veiled Throne, I hope that Speaking Bones would do a course correct and boy did it ever. I consumed this book (just reading too, no audio to help) in record time and each chapter was just peak, compelling story-telling.

    This book (and series by default) has become my whole personality. Even a couple months removed from it, I still think of the complex characters, the cool silk punk technologies, political intrigue done correctly and the epic battles (and yes, some where at sea). By now I am even used to how Ken would write a epic scene and then go... 'sooo how did we get here? I am glad you asked!!" and he will explain it in his endless detailed style but also make it compelling and relevant and you know what, you have now read 3 books of this style, by now you should expect it and love it.

    I have never booed against bad characters and cheered for the good guys as much as when I read this book. Each ending for each character took me on journeys I did not know I need and those final scenes truly shows Ken's mastery of prose and setting a scene. This is an easy 10 for me and now I am sad I have no more Dandelion Dynasty to look forward to. This conclusion has now secured the Dandelion Dynasty as probably my favorite fantasy series of all time and I am going to keep championing it to people who truly want a epic fantasy.

      Sorry for the wait but the great news is, I did not stop rating and reviewing even when I was down. April's Rants & Raves should go up around my normal time I upload these so look forward to that. Until then.

AV