#also world on the brink of fantasy wwi

[williamvapespeare]

You know I have to ask about Fae boy romance

omg freckle thank you for asking this because i LOVE this project so much and talking about it makes me so happy. :)

the most basic premise is: a monster hunter tries to banish some faeries and accidentally binds one of them to him instead. (he's in over his head and needs to take a nap, it's a whole thing). the faerie he binds is obviously not pleased; he is also not pleased. the contract includes lots of forced proximity-relevant clauses and the two of them have to travel to the fae realms to undo it. there is a slow burn, enemies to grudging allies to friends to lovers, bdsm undertones and overtones, etc etc

[lunaslittlelibrary]

The disappearing line between fantasy and reality by Victoria E Ellis #YAShot Intern Article

Victoria researched and wrote this article as part of her first year internship with YA Shot, with detailed advice and input from her second-year peer-mentor, Marwa Najah.

“The real world is where the monsters are” writes Rick Riordan in Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. We all have our monsters, though for the most part they are psychological. These psychological monsters tend to feature in contemporary literature, rather than fantasy, where monsters are physical beasts that can be slain.

Contemporary literature tends to be seen as more accessible on account of the familiarity of the setting. However, VE Schwab’s Monsters of Verity duology is set in a world identical to our own – bar the fact that acts of violence breed physical monsters that prey on humans. When the line between genres blur, how does the monster translate? How does the monster remain monstrous enough to make us root for the hero?

When we think of fantasy literature, writers like JRR Tolkien come to mind; a key figure in the fantasy canon, Tolkien made use of Old English stories and a variety of mythic traditions to build his own world. Many other fantasy writers have followed in his footsteps, borrowing from the real world and its history. However, although monsters from Tolkien’s orcs to George RR Martin’s white-walkers are a common tool of the fantasy writer, many writers have also sought to explore their relation to the real world, including through urban fantasy.

In this genre we see ‘the monster’ transfigured into something altogether more human. Early examples, like Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster, combine the monstrous and the human; the former resembles a human but possesses inhuman compulsions, while the latter has a frightening exterior, but yearns for a human life, as exemplified though his search for a companion. While urban fantasy usually implies an urban setting, the term is often informally applied to fictional worlds that seem largely familiar, but with some parts that exist almost separate from the ‘real world’, as in ‘Camp Halfblood’ in Rick Riordan’s series and Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and other wizarding enclaves in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter.

Another genre dealing with fantastical elements in a contemporary setting is magical realism. First used by critic Angel Flores in the 1950s in relation to a tradition of South American fiction, the term originally had different connotations to the ones we attach to it today regarding fiction written in English, where it is often used to refer to novels that combine magical and mundane elements, harking back to older traditions of storytelling that wove mythical and historical elements with greater fluidity than is now the norm.

For instance, like Frankenstein’s monster, VE Schwab’s monster protagonist, August, has very human desires that mark the contrast between his human form and his nature as a monster: his struggle not to feed on humans can be read in many ways, including as an allegory for the struggle against addiction. August’s struggle against his compulsion is charted through counting his days “sober”, a number he is utterly terrified of losing; his goal of maintaining his progress is a driving force in the plot of This Savage Song. In this light, the monster becomes the most human and most relatable of the characters, as his “addiction” lends him a vulnerability and affords an opportunity for empathy on the part of the reader. Schwab’s three other breeds, including the animalistic Corsai, serves as foils to emphasise August’s humanistic qualities. He transcends the barrier separating monster and human, drawing his character more into our world.

The character depth given to this monster is a far cry from Tolkein’s Smaug the Dragon, and far closer to Frankenstein’s monster. The former is merely an evil antagonist; the latter is not wholly unsympathetic, begging the questions ‘what makes us human?’ and ‘where does the line between monster and man lie – or is the idea of such a line a lie itself?’

Our penchant for realistic literature may be fading, possibly due to the changes happening in the world today: just as Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy came about in the post-WWI period, the popularity of fantasy today could be a result of our own wars, physical, ideological and psychological. Fantasy can reflect not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Now we find ourselves on the brink of new intercontinental wars, perhaps the surge in popularity of urban fantasy, a genre on the brink of fantasy and reality, can be ascribed to the fact that it offers us escapism and realism in the same breath.

Victoria is a recent graduate of the University of Reading, with a degree in English Literature, having taken classes in everything from Old English Writing, right up to Contemporary Fiction. She is looking at doing an MA in English Literature in the future.

Twitter: @victoriaeellis2

Book-blog: cartonmanettedarney.wordpress.com

[gamecastlestore]

Sony showed us some amazing titles this year at E3 as well as keeping us on our toes on gnarly Virtual Related games :D 

Highlighting game play and amazing cinematics for some HIGHLY anticipated games, Sony did not dissatisfy this year!

Uncharted “The Lost Legacy”-Critically-acclaimed developer Naughty Dog's standalone Uncharted adventure starring Chloe Frazer. Venture deep into India's Western Ghats as Chloe and Nadine recover an ancient artifact and fight their way through fierce opposition to prevent the region from falling into chaos. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy will come with access to Uncharted 4: A Thief's End Multiplayer and Survival modes. 

Days Gone-  Set in the beautiful, volcanic scarred high-desert of the Pacific Northwest, Days Gone is an open-world action-adventure game where you play as Deacon St. John, a Drifter and bounty hunter who would rather risk the dangers of the broken road than live in one of the "safe" wilderness encampments. The game takes place two years after a global pandemic has killed almost everyone, but transformed millions of others into what survivors call Freakers - mindless, feral creatures, more animal than human but very much alive and quickly evolving. In the demo you saw two types of Freaks - Newts, which were adolescents when infected, are opportunistic hunters, preferring to hit and run from the shadows; and a Horde. Made up of hundreds of individual Freakers, Hordes eat, move and attack together, almost as one. Some Hordes roam the highways at night, while others, like the one in the demo, have found a food source that keeps it in a single location. Skills learned in his prior life as an outlaw biker have given Deacon a slight edge in the seemingly never-ending fight to stay alive. But will it be enough?

Monster Hunter: World-  The latest entry in the critically acclaimed 40 million unit selling action RPG series, Monster Hunter: World introduces a living, breathing ecosystem in which players take on the role of a hunter that seeks and slays ferocious beasts in heart-pounding battles. Venture on quests alone or with up to three other hunters in a newly designed online drop-in multiplayer system which allows cross-region cooperative play between Japan and the West, uniting the global player base for the first time ever. Monster Hunter: World will also be the first game in the series with a worldwide simultaneous launch window and is planned for release on PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One in early 2018. A PC release will follow at a later date. Monster Hunter: World sees players gear up to venture on quests to battle against fearsome monsters, progressively improving their hunting abilities as they play. Loot collected from fallen foes can be used to create new equipment and armor upgrades as players seamlessly move across map areas that comprise the living ecosystems. The landscape and its diverse inhabitants play a critical role as players strategically use the surrounding environment to their advantage. Hunters must use their cunning and abilities to survive the intense and evolving fights as they battle to become the ultimate hunter!

Shadow of the Colossus- Originally launched for PlayStation 2 in 2005 as a spiritual successor to Ico. It was directed by Fumito Ueda, the developer behind The Last Guardian. Shadow of the Colossus is an epic, yet minimalist game that has no dungeons, characters to engage with, or real dialogue. Instead, it plays out through a series of grand battles against giant beasts known as colossi. It’s part adventure, part puzzle as players hunt down colossi and figure out how to best slay these monumental beasts.

Call of Duty WWII-  Tells the story of the unbreakable brotherhood of common men fighting to preserve freedom in a world on the brink of tyranny. Players enlist in a gritty, intense journey through the battlegrounds of war. The Campaign features bold, lifelike visuals with the kind of blockbuster cinematic authenticity that only Call of Duty can deliver. Call of Duty: WWII creates the definitive World War II next generation experience across three different game modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, and Co-Operative. Featuring stunning visuals, the Campaign transports players to the European theater as they engage in an all-new Call of Duty story set in iconic World War II battles. Multiplayer marks a return to original, boots-on-the ground Call of Duty gameplay. Authentic weapons and traditional run-and-gun action immerse you in a vast array of World War II-themed locations. The Co-Operative mode unleashes a new and original story in a standalone game experience full of unexpected, adrenaline-pumping moments.

Spider-Man-  Starring one of the world’s most iconic Super Heroes, Spider-Man features the acrobatic abilities, improvisation and web-slinging that the wall-crawler is famous for, while also introducing elements never-before-seen in a Spider-Man game. From traversing with parkour and unique environmental interactions, to new combat and cinematic blockbuster set pieces, it’s Spider-Man unlike any you’ve played before. This isn’t the Spider-Man you’ve met before, or seen in a movie. This is an experienced Peter Parker who’s more masterful at fighting big crime in New York City. At the same time, he���s struggling to balance his chaotic personal life and career while the fate of millions of New Yorkers rest upon his shoulders.

Vampyr-  London, 1918. You are newly-turned Vampyr Dr. Jonathan Reid. As a doctor, you must find a cure to save the city's flu-ravaged citizens. As a Vampyr, you are cursed to feed on those you vowed to heal. Will you embrace the monster within? Survive and fight against Vampyr hunters, undead skals, and other supernatural creatures. Use your unholy powers to manipulate and delve into the lives of those around you, to decide who will be your next victim. Struggle to live with your decisions. your actions will save or doom London. 

and there’s more !

Marvel vs Capcom Infinite

Horizon Zero Dawn "The Frozen Wilds"

God of War

Detroit Become Human

Destiny 2 (Sony exclusive bonus content XD)

All about that Virtual Reality. Sony showcased a few revised older games and new VR compatible games. Have a VR? Are you Hyped??

Skyrim

Final fantasy xv (Monsters of the Deep)

Star Child

The Inpatient

Bravo Team

MOSS

Thank you Sony for an amazing E3 showcase full of GREAT exclusives :D Stay up to date at your friendly neighborhood Game Castle!