general updatage and spoiler-free pirates

[meganbmoore]

Novels Read:

"Fitcher's Brides" by Gregory Frost(historical fantasy/fairy tale)  Part of Terri Windling's fairy tale series(which I've been meaning to get for years) this one retells Bluebeard as part cult/part 1840s American society.  It takes a bit too long to get going, but was quite interesting and managed to be creepy without being weird or hard to follow(except a teensy bit at the end)

"A Fistful of Charms" by Kim Harrison(urban fantasy)  I was a teensy bit worried about this one, as I tend to get when the "ex the heroine is still hung up on even though she's moved on" reappears.  I think, though, that it was my favorite of the series so far, despite the complete absence of Trent(and near complete abscence of some other supporting characters) partly due to how well that was handled, and partly due to some plot bunnies that were laid, and others that were resolved.

"Myrren's Gift" by Fiona McIntosh(fantasy)  Aside from being one of the bigger fantasty-butchery name offenders I've encountered in a while, this one was a quite good "loyalty vs justice" book, with a pretty interesting spin.  It continued a trend I've noticed recently-killing off some of the more interesting characters right off the bat-but kept the best ones.  I'm not too sure about a development near the end, but it should be ok as long as it doesn't last too long.

"Nightlife" by Rob Thurman(urban fantasy) Take supernatural and have one of the brothers be a half "demon"  with daddy's hordes after him and the entirety of season 2 of Buffy shown through Angel/Angelus's eyes, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect with this book.  Which was quite good.

Trades/Manga:

Bleach Vol 1:  Pretty interesting ghost/demon hunters story, though the art is only ok and I'm not big on the less-straightforward designs.  Still, one of the more interesting storylines I've come across in a while.

Full Metal Alchemist Vol 1:  Finally got around to checking this out due to recs, despite the obnoxious trailers I was forced to watch before the first few Spiral DVDs.  While I'm not as...ah..."involved" with it as others of my acquaintance(who are likely still squeeing after seeing that I'd read it) it was pretty good.  Storyline is interesting and entertaining and the characters are likable, though the sort I prefer as supporting characters, as opposed to leads, though one with notable potential showed up at the end.  Like Bleach, I'll be checking out more.

Naruto Vol 3-10:  *shakes fist @ James*  Hopelessly addicted, though not as badly as a few others of my acquaintance.  It's currently engaged in the managa tendency to drag out storylines for as long as possible, but the main thing is the characters, with the storylines being an excuse to write about them.  It oddly reminds me of Blade of the Immortal, largely due to a few of the characters reminding me of some BotI characters.

Superman/Shazam: First Thunder TPB:  *twitch*  On the one hand, Winnick didn't make it a political platform, which is a plus.  On the other, it's like he went out of his way to make it dull.  I'd be swearing off his stuff outside of Green Arrow trades, except that he's writing "Trials of Shazam," IIRC.  Ah well...

Wallflower Vol 8:  FINALLY!  Not nearly Enough Kyohei and Sunako(separate or apart) but good as always.

Stuff Watched:

Miss Marple: The Classic Mysteries Collection: Not quite as good as Poirot, but more than good enough.  I would have liked fewer road trips and more of Marple being a busybody pulling the "poor old aunt" routine and one-upping the chief inspector, but those are little things.  DVDs aren't going anywhere.

Princess Bride: Dread Pirate Edition: Loverly movie as always, and the extras were pretty good.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest:  About what I'd expected from all I've heard, which is not quite as good as the first, but a worthy followup.  I do rather wish they'd made 2  full sequels, as opposed to one long sequel in 2 parts with only the necessary stuff wrapped up between parts, but it was never advertised as anything else.  As far as the whole Will/Elizabeth/Jack stuff I've been seeing...well, there's never been any indication that Jack ranks anywhere near Will on Elizabeth's list or priorities.  In fact, the only thing that comes close to Will as a priority for her is her father, and he's nearly equal, at best.  As far as Jack goes, I think her feelings for him are half oddly fond revulsion and half intrigue, with the intrigue more for his way of life than Jack himself.  I think that what she wants most is the freedom of his lifestyle and the gateway to it that he represents, but she knows that while it would be a great, wild ride, it would eventually leave her miserable and alone(especially if Jack remained part of the equation, as he'd never be able to stay with one person)  While life with Will would be less exciting, it's the life that will make her happier in the long run, and she knows it, despite her desire for adventure.  Jack, I think, cares for both of them as much as he's capable, it's just not the kind of caring that makes for a reliable friend or partner.  The only way I can see Jack/Elizabeth happening is if Will dies and the 3rd movie ends with Jack and Elizabeth as a possibility, after much growing up on Jack's part.  Oh, and on the subject of Norrington, his actions were understandable, and he still strikes me as a good man who life dealt a sucky hand to.  Hopefully, he'll get to come full circle in the 3rd movie.

Comments

[drealkulit.livejournal.com]

*thumbs up on FMA and Bleach* (anime for me, though)

And heeee.. Pirates! 2 days! You know, intrigue is a dangerous dangerous thing... ;)