Sunday, July 23, 2017

Just started The Sapphire Rose

Just started The Sapphire Rose, book #3 of The Elenium by David Eddings.


This is the book which taught me that politics is FAR colder than steel. That, along with a solid idea of how the real-world Catholic Church functions. It must be remembered, after all, that the best Fantasies are firmly grounded in reality, for that is what gives life to all the evil gods, Child-Goddesses, and arcane cosmology coupled with blood-mad Sorcerer Kings.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Just finished The Ruby Knight

Just finished The Ruby Knight, book #2 of The Elenium by David Eddings. 

Generally speaking, one does not expect to have contend with evil divine-insects, renegade knights and churchmen, and Trolls in order to find the antidote to a rare poison. But some poisons are rarer than others and life is full of disappointments.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Heartsbane indeed

So begins season 7 of the T.V. series Game of Thrones. Doubtless you are all aware of my opinion regarding GRRM, so I shall strive to keep my rant to a minimum.

Those characters who do best in Westeros and the lands across the Narrow Sea, those who truly thrive, are employers of a sickening combination of murder, betrayal and often rape - all overlaid with a fine golden gilt of heartless cunning. 
The Starks say "Winter is coming," the Targaryens "Fire and Blood," and the old Valyrians "valar morghulis." Well, they are right, and those words will forever pursue those who put their hearts into GRRM's work. Why anybody would invest in such a realm is beyond me and thus I advise all to leave it. 
Winter is over for me – and it ended when I left Westeros.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology



"Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology – It’s been six years since Radiant Historia was released on Nintendo DS in 2011, but it’s time to return to Vainqueur and unlock the time traveling power of the White Chronicle once again in Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology. This beloved classic is an expanded 3DS port of the original game that will contain a great deal of added gameplay/story content, updated presentation, and new ways to experience the adventure! Coming to Nintendo 3DS in early 2018!" - Nintendo

Literally yelling with excitement!! Radiant Historia was and is one of my favorite games period, on par with Fire Emblem, Suikoden Tierkreis and, of course, Golden Sun. 

On a more serious note, though, the new art worries me. The old was perfect - both unique as well as giving an actuate impression of said characters' station and personality. This new stuff is next of kin to generic and I fear what that might mean for the game. Rosch's face frankly pains me as he looks like a sullen, spoiled and/or bitter man rather than the rough yet unfailingly kind veteran we all know him as. 




Still, I actually like Sonja's new look better; she was painfully thin before and, in addition, the new face conveys more of her fire. (And if that last scene in the above video hints at a romantic relationship between Stocke and Eruca I will tear the White Chronicle apart page by page in wrath.)

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Just started The Ruby Knight

Just started The Ruby Knight, book #2 of The Elenium by David Eddings.

Don't you just LOVE having to deal with nefarious local church and royal politics while searching for a divine sapphire while a dark lord masses armies and spies? Not fun in the flesh, probably, but on the page the humor and intrigue is stellar.

(Please note that the cover art is terrible. That scaly creature is supposed to have nine fingers and two thumbs per hand as opposed to three standard claws.)

Monday, July 3, 2017

Just finished The Diamond Throne

Just finished The Diamond Throne, book #1 of The Elenium by David Eddings.

Hello again Sir Sparhawk of the Pandion Knights & friends. Glad to see you have not lost your sharp swords and sardonic tongues since I saw you last.

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Charlotte Sometimes

My father and I just finished Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer.

A delightful children's classic that all ages can love, it shows World War I through the eyes of the every other day inadvertent time-traveler Charlotte Makepeace at a boarding school 40 years before her time living the life of another. The book is short and simply, but so full of heart.


My fondest regards to Charlotte Makepeace, Clare and Emily Moby, Sara Reynolds, Elizabeth, Susannah, Bunty, and Miss Agnes Chisel Brown.