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Book Review—This Star Won’t Go Out: the Life & Words of Esther Grace Earl by Esther Earl

This_Star_Won't_Go_OutReview reposted from KateKintail’s Book Journal

Title: This Star Won’t Go Out: the Life & Words of Esther Grace Earl
Author: by Esther Earl with Lori and Wayne Earl; Introduction by John Green
Fandom: Nerdfighting in General
My rating: 4.5/5

SPOILERS BELOW!

 

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Recent Marathons (More 50-Word Reviews)

Some recently finished shows to review…

VeronicaMars
Veronica Mars: Definitely worth waiting all this time for. I loved Veronica and enjoyed watching her struggles and adventures. She’s clever and strong and smart in ways others can only dream of being. But things are rarely easy for her; great tension and cast dynamics. Looking forward to the movie!


haven
Haven (S1-S3): Though I’m a Stephen King fan, I think I got about a third of the references—I considered each I got to be a victory, though. Interesting concept and twists, but started going downhill for me in S3. Will have to wait to see where it goes post-barn!


TheFollowing
The Following: Watched because I like Poe’s stories. Concept was dark and terrible (killings/cult based on his stories) but kind of interesting because of that. Kevin Bacon was great. Started losing me about halfway through when it got to be predictable, but I finished the season because I was invested.


DrQuinn
Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (S1) It’s been so long, it was a joy to fall back in love with the show and reacquaint myself with the characters. Go Dr. Mike! There was so much I’d forgotten and many good moments. I still apparently have crushes on Sully, Matthew, and Horace.

Book Review—Torchwood: The Undertaker’s Gift by Trevor Baxendale

Torchwood_undertakers_giftReview reposted from KateKintail’s Book Journal

Title: The Undertaker’s Gift
Author: Trevor Baxendale
Fandom: Torchwood
My rating: 3.5/5

SPOILERS BELOW!

 

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Recent Marathons (More 50-Word Reviews)

A pair of reviews…


House of Cards (S2): I screamed out loud in surprise at least once. It’s interesting and fitting to see that even when characters get what they think they want, things don’t always go right for them. But with great power comes great responsibility… and great manipulation. And great acting too!



666 Park Avenue: a neat concept that doesn’t stick to a formula… but also doesn’t stick to any pattern that a viewer can latch onto. Started strong and finished all right, but the middle just kept going. Easy to buy Terry O’Quinn as a baddie. Hard to buy the “coincidences.”

Recent Marathons (50-Word Reviews)

Every time I finish binge-watching/marathoning another show, I think I should leave my thoughts here when I change the sidebar. And then I just don’t. I’m bad about reviews lately (see my review of the latest Hobbit movie… oh, wait, you can’t ’cause it’s been months and it’s still only in my head).

So I’m giving myself a break and not expecting a long, thoughtful review of any sort. Instead, here’s my review of shows in exactly 50 words each:


Iron Man-Armored Adventures: reimagining of teenage Tony and friends was actually rather adorable. Was neat seeing Tony trying to keep his cover. Was neat learning more about the Iron Man portion of Marvel’s Universe this way. Was neat seeing the complications and drama. Animation style took some getting used to.



Supernatural (through S8): worth rewatching the whole series just to catch up. Remembered why I fell in love with it in the first place. Season 8 was incredibly awesome. I would like to marry it. But it left me so overwhelmed I couldn’t jump into Season 9 without a break.



Queer as Folk US (rewatch): Charmed me all over again, though there’s still no magic in S5. I don’t like it when all of my favorite characters are constantly mad at each other. Otherwise, my full rewatch was a wonderful experience. So many great moments. Excellent acting. Sympathetic, special characters.



Dexter (S5 onward): Loved S5 almost as much as S4. Was broken-hearted regarding Lumen. Show went swiftly, disappointingly downhill. Disliked Hannah. Loved Sean Patrick Flannery in the last season. Am glad I watched all the way to the end; I just wish it had been as good as previous seasons.



Arrow (S1): finally got around to finishing the first season. Oliver has so much wonderful angst. It’s tough to be a vigilante with a secret identity these days. Looking forward to DVRed S2. Could have done with fewer island flashbacks and more John Barrowman. Can always use more John Barrowman.



Touch: the first season was full of impossibly beautiful coincidences that made me feel there was hope in this world and made me cry with happiness. Character development was wonderful, inviting. Great stories. Second season was disappointingly full of corporate conspiracy and trying to hold onto something that slipped away.



Ringer: after twenty-two episodes, I still had trouble thinking of Sarah Michelle Geller as two different characters. Pleasant surprises: Ioan as the male lead and Misha as a guest star. Lots of fun twists and layers of deception. Sad for the cancellation creating an unresolved ending. I’ve already written fanfic.

Book Review—Supernatural: The Roads Not Taken by Tim Waggoner

The Roads Not TakenReview reposted from KateKintail’s Book Journal

Title: The Roads Not Taken
Author: Tim Waggoner
Fandom: Supernatural
My rating: 5/5

SPOILERS BELOW!

 

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Book Review—The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith

cuckoos-callingReview reposted from KateKintail’s Book Journal

Title: The Cuckoo’s Calling
Series: Cormoran Strike
Author: Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
My Rating: 5/5 stars

SPOILERS BELOW!

 

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Book Review—’Twas The Night Before Chrismukkah (The O.C. #7) by Andes Hruby

TwastheNightbeforeChristmukkahReview reposted from KateKintail’s Book Journal

Title: Twas The Night Before Chrismukkah
Series: The O.C. #7
Author: Andes Hruby
My Rating: 3/5 stars

SPOILERS BELOW!

 

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Book Review—Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas by John Scalzi

RedshirtsReview reposted from KateKintail’s Book Journal

Title: Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas
Author: John Scalzi
My Rating: 4/5 stars

SPOILERS BELOW!

 

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Top Ten Things I Loved About The Day of the Doctor

I went to see The Day of the Doctor on November 23, 2013 in 3-D in theaters. I’ve found myself unable to write a review about it, though. I really enjoyed it and I loved the experience of seeing it with a bunch of fellow fans.  But recent spoilers have made my canon-loving and change-hating brain hurt. And I don’t yet know how events in The Day of the Doctor will influence the Whoverse.

DayoftheDoctor

So instead of some review that I may or may not regret one day, I figured I’d turn it into a top ten list.

Spoilers below! Beware!

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