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chrissyslittleartwork · 4 years ago

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Heads up, this is MY personal opinion. I'm sorry if one of your favorite Disney princess is not in the place you feel like they should be. But again, these are my personal ranking of where I feel each Disney Princess lies. Let's go down the list... 1) Belle: Out of all the Disney Princesses and their moves in general, Belle is by far my top favorite. And Beauty and the Beast is my top favorite in the Disney Princess movies. It was my childhood. I loved it so much and I loved how strong Belle was. She is certainly my idol and I will always love her. (Not going to mention that stupid live action one. Ugh...) 2) Tiana: Princess and the Frog comes in second for my favorite movies and Tiana is awesome. I also like how she is focused on trying to achieve her goals but in the end, she learns that it's also good to embrace the little things. Otherwise, you will miss it. This is a really good lesson to learn. 3) Rapunzel: Rapunzel reminds me of myself when I was younger. Creative and also naive. She will always be in the top three for me. I really do love Tangled. It's a fun adventure and the songs are great. 4) Mulan: Rewatching Mulan has made me love her even more. I can understand why people enjoy the movie so much and I do too. Mulan is a great role model. She isn't perfect but that's fine. And it's not also because she's Asian like me. (Again...gonna ignore the horrible live action remake.) 5) Pocahontas: Okay unpopular opinion, but, I really love Pocahontas. Both the first and second. I guess I can see why people didn't like the movies in general, but for me, it's like with the Don Bluth Anastasia. I like historical fiction. And I feel both did great with these two. I love Pocahontas's spirit and how she fights for her people. I do think the one drawback I have is John Smith. It really boggles my mind people prefer him over John Rolfe when Smith is still a freaking racist sexist guy who only liked Pochontas for her pretty face and wanted to change her. Rolfe loved her for her who she is. Yeah, Rolfe all the way for me! 6) Kida: Ah yes, the forgotten queen. Recently I have watched Atlantis the Lost Empire and I really enjoyed it. The characters were great and I also liked the story. Kida is really kickass and able to look it while doing it. So yeah, awesome queen. 7) Moana: I really love Moana. Both her and her movie. Moana is a great character. Love the songs and I love how Disney went all out in doing their research to make such a beautiful movie. And of course, let's not forget The Rock playing Maui. XD 8) Megera: I have always enjoyed the sassy types and Meg is no different. I loved her no nonsense and then turning into a better person in the end. Plus Hercules is one of my favorite movies too. I love the style and I love coming back to rewatch it. The songs are seriously catchy too. 9) Elsa: Elsa is an older sister like me, so I can see where she comes from. I have seen people stating she is a horrible sister in Frozen 2, but honestly, I just don't see that way. Yes she should have told Anna about the voice, but let's be real, she grew up pushing Anna away because she was forced to. She's not used to being so open. And honestly, I know Anna is allowed to worry for her but um...I always felt she was too clingy. Frozen 2 I feel has some major issues, but I will explain that a bit more when I get to Anna. Bottom line, I prefer Elsa and her songs Show Yourself and Let it Go are still my favorites. 10) Esmeralda: In my childhood, I have never seen the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Reason why is that I just never was able to get the movie. But it did look awesome. I remember having a Esmeralda shirt when I was little and it was one of my favorite shirts. She is one of my favorites and I love how she never judged anyone until after she got to know them. 11) Ariel: Okay, we're kinda in the neutral zone right now. While I did enjoy The Little Mermaid for the most part, Ariel wasn't exactly my favorite. But don't get me wrong, I didn't hate her either. I guess I didn't know what to feel for her. Though I do like her singing and her voice actress Jodi Benson. 12) Jasmine: Again, like with The Little Mermaid, while I did enjoy Aladdin, Jasmine is just neutral to me. I do admire her for not wanting to marry just for the sake of it. And having a pet tiger is awesome. But she doesn't really stick out so much for me. So yeah... 13) Aurora: Considering Aurora doesn't have the biggest screen time compared to the other princesses, I seriously can't be too harsh on her. Sleeping Beauty is a nice movie and I love the art in it. But I felt the movie was more about the good fairies than Aurora herself. So it's why she falls in the D category. She didn't have enough screen time to give us a proper characterization. 14) Cinderella: This was kinda tough...Cinderella wasn't exactly my favorite movie. Though the character herself is fine. She doesn't have the most unique personality but I do admire for her staying kind and hopeful despite living with such an abusive family. I also feel bad that most people misinterpret her character who has to be saved all the time. 15) Merida: Ah yes, now to finally tell my real thoughts on Merida. Honest truth, she is really not my favorite. Far from it. If it wasn't for the Big Four fandom, I would have cared less about Merida. Her actions in her movie were...seriously selfish. And I know, she doesn't want to be married, I get that. And I have see her fans act like it's her mother's fault for doing that. But, keep in mind, her mother was doing it because she wanted to keep peace with the clans. Merida's actions almost sent them into an all out war. But I also feel Brave has some major issues. It could have been an awesome movie but it wasn't. It was one of Pixar's weakest and Merida isn't really all that great. 16) Anna: I don't know why, but Anna falls low on this list too. I have never been the biggest fan of her and she did not do herself well in Frozen 2. I know she loves Elsa, but she put herself in danger by running into the fire. Elsa didn't run into it, ANNA DID. And she treated Kristoff not so well either. She was more tolerable in the first because I know she just wanted to reconnect with Elsa. I feel like Disney tried to give Anna way too make quirks that...meh, I don't think I can really put up with her. Again, if it wasn't for me liking the idea of her being the daughter of Jack Frost and Rapunzel, I would care less about Anna. 17) Snow White: I know she's the very first Disney Princess and the fact she is in the first movie ever. But honestly, she's my least favorite due to her being kinda bland and forgettable. Though I did like her interactions with the Dwarfs. All in all, she's meh to me. So there you have it. My real thoughts on the Disney princesses and where they fall under for me. I'm sure people will have different opinions on this and that's fine. For me, this is what I truly think of them.

#chrissyslittlememes #disney princesses #belle #tiana #elsa #rapunzel #anna

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snowbellewells · 5 years ago

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“Over the Realms and Through the Woods, to Arendelle We Go”

A @cssecretsanta2k19 gift for @xhookswenchx

“Over the Realms and Through the Woods, to Arendelle We Go”

By: @snowbellewells

This is my belated @cssecretsanta2k19 gift for @xhookswenchx ~ and I truly am sorry for making you wait extra days, Lovely. It was such a busy December, then I traveled home, had family engagements, and so on. But talking with you and learning different things about the show and the holidays that you enjoyed, put this idea in my head early. I just needed the time to write it down. I have very much enjoyed being your Secret Santa. I hope that your Christmas was Merry, that you will have a Happy and Blessed New Year. Please enjoy this story gift just for you!

Summary: Emma and Killian take their crew on a holiday road trip to visit old friends and make new Christmas memories… A CS canon divergent in which the realms have been joined as they were in Season 7’s finale, but Henry has not left the Land Without Magic as he did in Season 7. I always imagined him going out into the non-magical world for college, to write books, and so on (at least once it became clear they weren’t all going to make a permanent move back to the Enchanted Forest). So for the purposes of this fic, he is home for the holidays from college, and Emma and Killian also have two little ones of their own. I used the daughter of my fictional invention, Morgan Ruth Jones, rather than Hope. She’s appeared in some of my other fics, and I’m kinda attached to her. I’ve gathered you enjoy original CS kids in your writing and reading as well, so I hope you won’t mind that liberty taken. I know that Westley Graham is not as completely original as I thought it was when I dreamed it up, but I love it too (especially since the show gave us so many Liams to keep track of already without naming a son of Emma and Killian’s Liam David as I once would have done). Westley for the character in “Princess Bride” (‘As you wish’ makes that seem appropriate) and Graham for the hero they should have been naming baby boys after in canon. You also said you really enjoyed the “Frozen” characters in 4a, so I have tried to incorporate them - and found it to be a fun new character writing stretch. I truly do hope you will find this fun to read!

*************

“Papa, how much longer?” a tiny voice piped up from the backseat over Killian and Emma Jones’ shoulders with the wheedling tone only a four-year-old’s impatience could muster. “Are we almost there?”

Emma glanced over at her husband with bland exasperation and humor mixed together before swiveling in her seat as much as possible to look back at their daughter Morgan where she sat in her car seat behind Killian, idly alternating between swinging her feet and singing little nonsense songs she made up for herself, staring out the window at the changing scenery as they traveled from one united realm to another, heading ever steadily north toward Arendelle to visit Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Morgan’s best friend Sonja, Princess Anna and her husband’s little girl.

Henry, comfortably on his long winter break from his senior year at Boudoin College, had his nose buried in a detective whodunit, and though he was usually quite patient with his much-younger sister, he seemed to be craving some reading time to himself that Emma was willing to humor. She would like to keep them both fairly quiet so that Westley Graham, their youngest at just barely five months, didn’t wake up quite yet from where he was peacefully sleeping in his own backward-facing car seat between his two siblings and where Emma could reach him if needed.

Killian, for his part, chuckled indulgently, his sparkling blue gaze sliding back over to return Emma’s look before answering his little girl, seeming infinitely patient and making Emma love him even more all over again “We are getting closer, little Love,” he assured calmly. “You’ve been very good - and we should be there within the hour now.”

For a moment, Morgan merely nodded and hummed to herself in satisfaction as she watched the scenery pass by out the window. Once they had left Storybrooke behind, the buildings had given way to the forest, thicker and more wild as they had passed through the land of Emma’s birthright rule - the Enchanted Forest. Since then, the forest had thinned out, and slowly the flatter land became foothills, which then turned into snow capped mountains - something which really did seem to almost sparkle before their eyes - not to mention the imaginative view of a toddler. But it wasn’t long before she piped up again, still obviously a bit impatient and unable to hold it in. “Papa? Can you sing a song? … Please?”

Emma snort-laughed at the way her husband’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, not expecting that particular request if his expression could be any indication. Shaking his head, he admitted defeat rather easily for a once-fearsome pirate of the Seven Seas, especially when she playfully jostled his shoulder, egging Morgan on and adding the she would like to hear him as well.

It wasn’t long before Killian’s clear, strong voice was ringing out within the walls of their newer smallish SUV, having left the Bug at home in favorite of more passenger leg room and space for the wealth of presents they were bringing along, both from their immediate family and her parents and other Storybrooke folks who had come to know the Arendellian visitors when they were in the Land Without Magic some years back. The tune her pirate had selected was a rollicking sea shanty - one of their daughter’s favorites - that he and his crew had once sung on the Jolly Roger many years ago as they circled the waters of Neverland endlessly. His song and its playful, raucous melody seemed practically bouncing around the interior of the vehicle, swaying with the rolling buoyancy of its rhythm and pulling Henry from his reading to grin at the song he had heard countless times before. Thankfully Westley didn’t seem in the least disturbed, sleeping right through the impromptu serenade, and Morgan was giggling and clapping her little hands along with her papa’s song. Emma soon found herself singing along as well, watching her family in their joyous uproar, and marveling at the reality that this was the sort of cozy Christmas journey she could have now.

Killian seemed so into his song, and his children’s entertainment, that Emma couldn’t help checking to be certain he was still paying attention to the road ahead. It hadn’t really been until the last couple of years that Killian had begun to take over some driving duties for them on longer trips; having learned to drive capably well before that, but never fully becoming comfortable with - or trusting - their “horseless death traps”, as he often called them. Modern automobiles still seemed smoky, loud, and entirely too unpredictable to a person long used to ships on the sea or riding horseback and in carriages - not to mention one whose first experience with them had been being run down on the road and seriously injured.

All the same, he shot her a look of exaggerated affront as he finished singing, waggling those wildly expressive eyebrows of his at her and pressing his hooked arm to his chest in further drama. “Honestly, Wife? Don’t you trust me more than that by now?” Taking his hook from where it covered his heart, he gestured out the window to indicate the lane beside them. “I may not be as old a hand at driving as most, but I won’t drive us under a semi trailer like that Griswold fellow on the magic box.”

It was Henry who snorted his laughter then, at the reference to National Lampoon’s which they had watched the night before, prior to setting off on their journey. Shaking his head at his stepdad’s odd way of reassuring him, and humored in spite of himself, Henry placed a marker in his book and more fully joined their antics, now that they were drawing nearer to their friend’s kingdom anyway. Danger and adventure, or just taking a family trip; be it Christmas or some random everyday in between, there was never a dull moment with their little crew.

~~~~~***~~~~~***~~~~~

When they entered the Arendelle borders and pulled up to the palace’s front gates, within 45 minutes’ time just as Killian had promised Morgan, the sense of awed anticipation settled over all of them, the air inside the car going quiet at the stunning beauty that met their eyes. Somewhere within the last half hour or so, light flurries of snow had begun to fall around them, looping and twirling through the slowly purpling sky as afternoon inched closer to evening. The ground had already been covered in a picturesque light dusting of white, but it was growing deeper as the additional fluffy flakes continued.

Thankfully, ice didn’t seem to be a part of this particular snowy scene; the roads had remained safely passable and they had made good time. Four uniformed guards two on either side of the wide, silvery sparkling arch and gates of the front entrance to the Queen’s castle and grounds, bowed respectfully as the passageway opened for them. Emma had spoken to her dear friend via magic mirror that morning before they set out, and their arrival had clearly been anticipated.

Despite having been there several times before by that point, all over them sat in openmouthed adoration that overcame them for a few breathless instants. The setting sun hit the gate and front of the castle, sending glitter and sparks of light out to dazzle their eyes. It was as if the whole structure were indeed beautifully coated in ice - and yet there was none of the frigid austerity one might once have feared. Queen Elsa of Arendelle has long since found her equilibrium, allowing her the self-acceptance and open understanding to balance the cold with genuine warmth. She learned to love every part of herself - including her powers - just as she had once helped Emma to do, and as Killian had reminded her ever since.

Their vehicle had barely parked, and they were just stepping out and stretching their tired limbs when they heard familiar voices calling their names, a childish squeal of delight yelping Morgan’s in particular, the sound of several pairs of feet hurrying over freshly fallen snow (well, feet and one set of reindeer hooves) and then they were engulfed in a flurry of hugs and handshakes by the royal family themselves. Anna was predictably firing questions at them as quickly as she could voice them, about their trips, the rest of their family, Belle and the library, without even allowing them time to answer. Kristoff was shaking Killian’s hand and accepting baggage and gift wrapped boxes to lead them inside. Sven snuffled around Henry’s pockets and Morgan’s hair seeking out carrots and other treats as well as providing his own animal greeting. But through the melee, Elsa pressed through to wrap Emma in a fiercely tight hug for several long moments. When she did pull back, it was with a watery smile and unshed tears in her eyes to match those which started in Emma’s.

“I’m so glad all of you have come,” she stated fervently, that sweet, melodious voice trembling with sincerity beyond its usual poise. “Come in, come in. We’ll get you warm and settled, then we can get caught up.”

Emma nodded, pressing the queen’s hand tightly in her own, before turning to grab more luggage and unfasten Westley from his car seat to do as Elsa suggested.

“Let me help you,” her friend offered, holding out her arms to take the still-sleepy child so Emma could reach the suitcase behind. “May I?”

Emma didn’t hesitate for even a second, easily passing her just-barely-stirring-to-wakefulness infant into her friend’s arms, moving her hand gently so Elsa could cradle Westley’s head and crooning lowly to him until he settled again, rooting deeper into the young queen’s arms as a pleased and rosy smile pinked her cheeks.

Throwing a surreptitious glance over to Killian, only to find him watching her with a comforting smile that already knew where her mind had gone and wished he could undo the old hurt, Emma shook her head to clear the memory as best she could and send her husband a small grin as reassurance that she would be fine. As much as she had tried to banish the moment from her mind, and as much as the sharpest stinging slap of betrayal had faded, Emma still saw her own mother pulling little Neal away from her, protectively fearing her magic and not letting Emma hold her younger brother. Intellectually, Emma knew her mother loved her, magic or no, realized that the knee-jerk reaction had not been aimed to hurt her… and yet… it had.

Watching Elsa as various emotions flitted across her face while cradling her friend’s youngest in her arms, gazing down at the drowsy babe adoringly, Emma knew Elsa had felt that same fear and suspicion she had, and that perhaps Elsa had almost resignedly expected her request to be denied, knew that parental protectiveness all too well, and had been thrilled when she was granted trust instead.

Little Westley Graham did nothing more than flutter his eyelids briefly without fully rousing and gave a slight coo of contentment as the Queen bowed her head to press a light kiss to the top of his downy, sandy-colored hair. “Come on then everyone,” she suggested cheerfully, looking as merry and confident as they had ever seen her and leaving Emma blessedly assured of her friend’s happiness. “There’s hot chocolate with plenty of marshmallows in the large sitting room.”

She led the way, with Killian, Henry, and Kristoff bringing up the rear to make sure no overexcited little girls, snowmen, or reindeer were left behind. It didn’t take long to find their luggage placed in their rooms, their coats and snow boots shucked off, and all of them seated comfortably scattered around the large open room full of soft chairs and sofas, a roaring fire in the hearth at one end, and plates of toast and jam, cookies, doughnuts, scones and a whole pot of rich hot chocolate with marshmallows set out for the taking.

Conversation hummed warmly throughout the room as the kids played; Henry showing Olaf, Sonja, and his little sister how to make a chain of snow angels for the tree while the four adults caught up on all that had happened since they were last together. Westley had woken up, but to everyone’s surprise, the little boy had not cried or fussed for his mother, and so Elsa still held him gladly. His guileless blue eyes, the mirrored hue of his pirate father’s, blinked up at her curiously, looked more enthralled that concerned by the less familiar person holding him. One pudgy little hand unclenched to reach up toward her almost startlingly white braid and wrapped around the end of it, tugging gently with his tiny fist, and burbling happily as he did.

Elsa practically giggled, a musical, enchanting sound that the rest of them had rarely heard, and a light carefree look graced her face beautifully. “You really are quite a sweetheart, aren’t you?” she whispered to the little one softly.

She did eventually hand Westley back to Emma when he began to wiggle and wanted to eat. Once Emma returned with him after his feeding, she found the Queen of Arendelle seated cross-legged on the floor with Morgan and her niece watching wide-eyed beside her as Elsa effortlessly shaped and reshaped whorls and twists of ice into glittering ornaments she handed them to place on a tree they had left bare for that very entertainment. The girls let out little ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of excitement and surprise with each shape that seemed to bloom from Elsa’s hands into thin air. Each new creation brough exclamations of delight, and the two children then ran to their papas at the tree to lift them up to place them high on the branches, then hurried back to see what ‘Auntie Elsa’ would create next.

As the decorating eventually wound down, the two little whirlwinds huffing and puffing from all their trips back and forth over the length of the room, and Elsa lightly chuckling at their theatrics, Killian came to sit near them as well, gathering Morgan into his lap and nodding encouraging at Sonja until she scooted up close to his side as well. Soon he was telling them a story of the first time he saw snow fall at sea as a young lad. He remembered how it looked trailing down to rest on nearly frozen arctic water, where their captain had unwisely taken them too far north for the season.

He was relating how his older brother Liam had distracted him by encouraging his wonder at the beauty of the sight. Killian himself had not realized until much later - a similar instance on his own ship facing the very real danger of ice floes in the water and the precarious travel a ship must make in the depths of winter driving the memory home - just how much danger they had been in that night as he had simply marveled at what seemed to his young mind cold falling stars of sparkling light. “He said each one was unique - no other could exactly take the place of the one before. Like people, Liam said they were…” Killian nearly whispered this last over the sudden lump in his throat, seemingly lost in another time and place. Emma reached out a hand to rest upon his knee, and he came back to them with a bit of a start, the faroff gaze clearing from his eyes. “Like us even,” he added. “We might have been expendable slaves to most - but we mattered, at least to each other, and he always made sure I knew that.”

Both of their daughters had drifted off to sleep by then; the excitement of the day overtaking them once they had settled in to listen to Killian’s quiet, lilting voice. Kristoff came to lift Sonja from Killian’s side to carry her to her room, wishing the rest of them goodnight. Anna followed with a contented wave as Sven trailed behind, headed outside to his barn to bed down for the night.

Queen Elsa’s gaze remained on Killian, though the story had finished. There was a melancholy, almost wistful, look within her light eyes as she seemed to consider the story yet. “He sounds like the best sort of big brother,” she finally said to Killian softly, and gentle and a bit sad smile curving her lips. “I wish I could have met him….” This last was said almost hesitantly, as if she herself did not quite know why it had slipped out, and yet she nodded determinedly after, as if confirming the sentiment.

“I wish you could have met him too, Milady,” Killian answered fervently, his voice a bit hoarse and husky with the regret and pain of still missing his elder sibling, even after ages had passed. “Maybe it’s just something about the way a younger sibling sees a beloved older one, but at times I can see something of Liam in you.”

Elsa smiled once more, gratefully accepting what for Killian must be the highest compliment he could give someone. The three of them settled into a sort of peaceful remembrance of those no longer with them - bittersweet but not unpleasant, as they were reminiscing of good times and not just their loss - before she rose as well to retire for the night.

Her exit left Emma and Killian seated cozily before the fire together, one last mug of hot chocolate in each of their hands and the silent beauty of the room around them, still decked out for Christmas, and snow still falling outside, weaving a lovely spell. Tilting her head up, Emma found Killian’s lips waiting to capture hers tenderly, sipping from them as if they were even more delicious than the chocolate and twice as precious. “I love you, my Darling,” he murmured against her cheek as his kisses trailed back to the spot behind her ear that made her melt on the spot.

Practically keening back that she loved him too, Emma held her husband even tighter, wanting nothing else she could possibly imagine in that moment. As she gazed into Killian’s blue, blue eyes she could see the future of them, and their family, together, and she knew the coming year would be their best one yet.

Tagging: @cssecretsanta2k19 @xhookswenchx @searchingwardrobes @kmomof4 @jennjenn615 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @thisonesatellite @profdanglaisstuff @resident-of-storybrooke @revanmeetra87 @teamhook @hollyethecurious@winterbaby89 @darkcolinodonorgasm @hollyethecurious @gingerchangeling @spartanguard @lfh1226-linda

#cssecretsanta2k19 #cs canon divergence #cs holiday oneshot #ouat holiday au

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sifshoney-notactive · 5 years ago

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Aurora Rising and why it didn't work for me

(Spoilers for The Illuminae Files and the first 100 pages of Aurora Rising)

Okay, I LOVE The Illuminae Files, it's my favourite trilogy ever and I admit, even though I was trying not to, I let my expectations rise for Aurora Rising due to me loving so much TIF.

But I think that, even without those expectations, I would have DNFed this book anyways.

The first thing that disappointed me was the start. Strong starts are fine, really (I mean do you all remember Ezra and Kady having to fight Beitech from page one? I don't mind them), but the start did feel like being dumped in something and in every confusing way. The going backwards part didn't really help so I was left confused and weirded out, but I still hang on because I mean... its Jay Kristoff and Amie Kauffmen, I was SURE I was going to love the book. Then we got to know better the characters and I mean... the only thing I know is that Tyler is Rhys Lindstrom with Nik Malikov's dimples and a killer smile, and that he rescued Aurora and is the first ranked in Aurora Academy.

Secondly: every character talks and speaks the same. I wouldn't be able to discern them from each other even trying, from their speech. Why do I think originality in character is important? Take Illuminae. In Illuminae, at some point, Ezra's speech sounded different. It didn't change much and he could still pass as himself, but there was still something off. Maybe the choice of wording, or the way he behaved with Kady, but you could sense something was weird. Then it is revealed that AIDAN, for at least ten of the last convos, was actually pretending to be him. Now, was it still a surprise? Oh hell yes, it got me so well, but still you could sense it because you knew Ezra. You knew why he was different from Kady. What made his wit differ from, to name one, Byron or McNulty's. And even in the other books, you could sense why Nik was different from Ezra or why Ezra was different from Rhys. Like... each character felt real and their own person. When it comes to Aurora Rising, the only characters I could actually make out fully were Finian (love and protect him please) and Kal. Cat and Scarlett pretty much sounded the same and Aurora's story was so interesting at first, but her bland characterization pierced through that layer of interest as soon as the events started to pile up, because piling up is what they were doing.

Thirdly: AURORA. I was so happy to finally have a half Asian character, and I couldn't wait to finally know more about her story, her thoughts and the way she got there but CHUUUM. She didn't even sound real. She didn't try to cope in any way, the only thing I know about her as a person is that she is a cryogenically frozen girl who was the only survivor of the Hadfield disaster, that she obviously misses her family and that she thinks Tyler and Kal are hot. Yes, this is Aurora.

Fourth point and last: the pacing. With inconsistent character, a decent worldbuilding that was 60% infodump, you'd think they gave us time to at least bond with the whole thing right? Nope. NOPITY NOPE. We were thrown here and there, and when Aurora had an interesting turning point it she was suddenly thrown in a battle against the Unbroken and it literally happened in the span of a page. Like...

Also: ZILA!!! I wanted to know more about her, I instantly adopted her (as I did with Finian) when I was reading but the authors didn't even give her pov the same importance other characters pov's were given, and that disappointed me to no end. I guess you could take the excuse of her being quite as an excuse for this, but Kal himself isn't one to speak much, and yet his POV was huge. I just think this was a disservice to her character and I didn't like the choice.

Ezra Mason: I mean chuuuum...

Ella Malikova: WHAT A MESS.

Nik Malikov: _-_-_-_-_-_-_ALL CAPS!!!

Final opinion

I think the authors took what we loved about the Illuminae files (the wit, hot MCs, friendships and love stories) forgetting to take a good witten storyline too. We wouldn't love TIF if they weren't set, written and paced the way they were. We wouldn't love the characters if they were all the same and had no distinction between each other.

Aurora Rising had a good premise but it developed in a messy way, and while I tried my best I just couldn't continue.

Stars: 2/5 ☆☆

#aurora rising #jay kristoff #amie kaufman #the illuminae files #review #spoiler review #booklr #book review #bookaholic #bookish

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ladyherenya · 4 years ago

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Books read in July

With one or two exceptions, these were books were sources of FEELINGS.

Favourite cover: The Enigma Game, nut most of these covers are a good fit for the stories they represent.

Reread: “The Marriage of Mary Russell” by Laurie R. King, “Something Worth Doing” by Elizabeth and I also listened to quite a bit of Code Name Verity (by the same).

Also read: “Monster” by Naomi Kritzer.

Still reading: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher.

Next up: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer.

(Longer reviews on LibraryThing and Dreamwidth.)

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He (narrated by Nancy Wu): Princess Hesina of Yan, believing her father to be murdered, opens an investigation into his death. She’s driven by her aching grief and by her fierce desire for truth and justice -- for all her people, as well as in this matter of her father’s death. But the truth is much harder than she expects. I thought this was incredible, but sometimes stressful! Compelling characters, complex family dynamics (I especially liked the sibling relationships), intricate prose and worldbuilding, and startling twists that turned out to slot neatly in with the other puzzle pieces.

Riviera Gold by Laurie R. King: This takes place in July 1925, immediately after Island of the Mad. Mary Russell leaves Venice for Monaco, hoping to see her former housekeeper -- and discovers that Mrs Hudson has been accused of murder. As always, I love Russell's first person narration and her observations of the world around her. The historical scenery is particularly vivid: cliffs and ocean views, the Monte Carlo casino, expats with questionable pasts and connections, smugglers, Jazz Age artists, bronze casting. Moreover, it’s all relevant to the mystery Russell is unravelling. I also liked the indications that Russell and Holmes’ unconventional marriage works for them.

Fireweed by Jill Paton Walsh: A short bittersweet novel from 1969 about two runaway evacuees living on the streets of London during the Blitz. It’s very vivid, particularly the details about wartime London -- but there’s also a thread of ambiguity, because the narrator is looking back on a time he doesn’t fully remember and didn’t always understand. In the end, that becomes a bit unsatisfying, yet I like how the story allows one to fill in some of the gaps for oneself. I wish I had discovered this at thirteen -- I’d have appreciated it even more and been fascinated by the experience of fending for oneself.

Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff: After everything that happened in Aurora Rising, Squad 312 have been labelled traitors but they are not going to let that stop them from saving the world. This is fast-paced, with some excellent twists and frustrating developments. Sometimes the action was engaging; other times my eyes glazed over. Sometimes the multiple POV was a strength; other times I felt it hindered me from becoming really attached to anyone. Sometimes I was amused by the characters, and other times the qualities which make them amusing became irritating. I think the things I liked outweighed the things I didn’t care for?

The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole: Trinity is working from home after a traumatic accident when she meets her neighbour’s strange nephew, Li Wei. This science-fiction romance has mystery, humour and moments of very pointed commentary. I enjoyed Li Wei working out how to act like a human again, and the interactions with Penny, the Home AI assistant. There is more going on here than either Trinity or Li Wei initially realises, which is great --- but that reveal indicates that some important, interesting parts of this story have been glossed over. I might have liked this more if the flashbacks had been expanded.

“Monster” by Naomi Kritzer (from Clarkesworld Magazine, issue 160): This alternates between Cecily’s time in China, looking for an old school friend, and the history of that particular friendship. I don’t regret reading (well, listening to) this, but I don’t know if I liked it. It is tense and uneasy, and left me wishing I had someone with whom I could discuss interpretations of the ending’s implications.

Gravity is the Thing by Jaclyn Moriarty (narrated by Aimee Horne): This grew on me. In the end, I loved it. For twenty years, Abigail’s been sent chapters of a mysterious self-help book. The story alternates between the present, as Abigail learns more about The Guidebook, and her reflections about her past -- particularly her brother, her marriage, being a single mother. At times this story is uncomfortable but the way everything is drawn together -- and seeing Abigail make sense of her life -- was unexpectedly satisfying. Compelling. I also liked the Australian setting, the Aussie audiobook narrator, some of the whimsical parts and how Maybe The Real Treasure Was the Friends We Made Along the Way.

The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein: Like The Pearl Thief, this is a prequel/companion novel to Code Name Verity. In late 1940, nineteen year old Jamie is an RAF pilot in northern Scotland. His friend Ellen, a driver for the aerodrome, is staying at the same pub as Louisa (newly-orphaned, half-Jamaican), who is caring for an elderly German woman. Together they discover a way to keep Jamie’s squadron ahead of the Germans. I loved this. A powerful exploration of identity, secrets and the problems of prejudice. I was delighted (and also devastated) by how this story fits in with Code Name Verity. The bits about flying are lovely.

Hamster Princess: Giant Trouble by Ursula Vernon (aka T. Kingfisher): After Ratpunzel, Harriet’s next adventure involves magic beans, a giant bunny and a hamster who wants to form a band. There is something very soothing about making tea. You have to concentrate on the whole process, and then you have tea. Even someone as decisive as Harriet had to make tea sometimes and think things through.

Kind of Cursed by Stephanie Fournet: Millie has been dealing with a lot -- losing her parents, gaining guardianship of her younger siblings, a miscarriage and a relationship break-up. She’s decided to avoid men for the next decade. But it’s hard to avoid Luc, who is overseeing the renovation of Millie’s kitchen. Watching Millie find the support, comfort and happiness she so desperately needs gave me warm fuzzy feelings. This has the right I-need-a-hug-vibe, the right ratio of emotional hurt/comfort, for me. In another story, I might have had issues with how quickly the romance becomes a serious relationship, but the characters’ choices made sense in context.

Fall Semester by Stephanie Fournet: This romance between a depressed literature professor and a graduate student with a terminally-ill father was an interesting experience because I was aware of its weaknesses and yet it was such a compelling dose of FEELINGS that I really enjoyed reading it. I also have something of a soft spot for stories about universities -- and perhaps was feeling tolerant, knowing it was the author’s first novel. (Weaknesses included: the prose style is serviceable but bland, an odd fit for protagonists with backgrounds in literature/poetry; their serious issues deserved more focus; and some of Malcolm’s reactions have uncomfortable overtones of entitlement.)

You First by Stephanie Fournet: More compelling feelings, which kept me reading, but in hindsight, didn’t completely sell me on the age-gap or the short time-frame. If only it hadn’t largely skipped over showing the characters navigating an interesting challenge introduced in the final act in favour of an epilogue which picks up some time later! Seriously, if you’re going to throw in that particular complication, then I at least want to watch them deal with it. I’m not grumbling too much. I cared enough about seeing the characters’ situations improve, which counts for something. And what did I expect, reading three romance novels in a row?

Like No Other by Una LaMarche: Two teenagers meet in a New York hospital elevator during a blackout. Devorah is a Hasidic Jew, Jaxon is black. Devorah is not allowed to socialise with boys outside of her family, let alone anyone outside her community, but she and Jaxon keep finding ways to see each other. This was fascinating, but also frustrating -- I was frustrated with Devorah’s culture for making her feel like she would be disowned if she put a foot wrong, and also frustrated, perhaps unfairly, with Jaxon for not fully appreciating the risks Devorah faces. However I liked the ending a lot.

#Herenya reviews books #Joan He #Laurie R. King #Jill Paton Walsh #Amie Kaufman #Jaclyn Moriarty #Elizabeth Wein #Ursula Vernon #Stephanie Fournet #Una LaMarche

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piscesplz · 5 years ago

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thoughts on f2 !

dear anon, I think you might wanted an answer like “I think it’s cute! :)” or something but here I am writing an essay you didn’t ask for ALRIGHT LET’S GO LESBIANS LET’S GO

1. about overall

tbh I felt like the movie ended too soon...! I think after everything is solved, there should be one more climax that the sisters will join forces to solve. (or I just wanted to see more of elsa riding a water horse with her hair down?? maybe?? :)))) )

OR we’re getting used to movies with 2 hrs runtime while this one is only 1.5 hrs ? hmmm

The movie didn’t satisfy me like the 1st one did, probably because they didn’t focus on internal conflict like the first (love/door/fear) , but more to external one (finding out about her power) and gosh im a sucker for INTERNAL CONFLICT BABEY

I know the internal conflict is there, but they could have talked more about it if they cut Kristoff’s song out :)))))) gotta take one for the team Kris!

2. about the songs

at first I thought the songs weren’t catchy but I was wrong, my head’s been looping “SHOW YOUR SELF” / “where the north wind.........meets the sea...”/ “INTO THE UNKNOOOOOWN” aight good job you did it again!!!!

definitely love the musical vibes in lyrics (I can hear you... but I won’t! part) but but but maybe it’s the staging/ setting or not enough amount of internal conflict that didn’t push the sequence to its full potential.

For frozen 1 it broke my heart to see Anna at the end of “do you want to build a snowman” yeah after their parents died, that’s the one :( comparing to the 2nd one with Anna in the cave.... not so much...(for me)

3. about the characters

BOY IM SO PROUD OF ANNA. She really punched those who said “Anna only rely on Elsa” in the face. She saved the day even knowing Elsa’s gone! BABY GIRL! BABY!!!

and I’m happy for Elsa that she has more room to evolve! I thought her “braid down- ice gown” was her final form but here we are :)))) she’s gone full feral! good for her!

for kristoff, tbh now I understand why he’s so bland, his character was to take Anna from point A to point B. Like a fucking uber. An uber driver that got caught up in this kingdom drama from the first movie.

But I can SENSE a chemical between him and Ryder! they are perfect for each other...... (really Disney? really? you once again accidentally created gay characters?)

also honeymaren & elsa am I right hahahaI think that’s all my thoughts on Frozen 2! Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk!!!!!

#frozen 2 #spoilers #frozen 2 spoilers #wow this looks like shit on mobile! thanks tumblr!

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manuscripts-dontburn · 5 years ago

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

First published: 2017

Pages: 400

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 5 days

A book that EXPLODED in the bookish internet community. And I could easily see the reasons why. It is immenselly readable, the main character is complex and intriguing, and as someone who is yet to really figure out my sexuality, I was thrilled about the representation. The hype, however, made me anticipate something utterly mindblowing and it was just unrealistic for the book to reach my expectations in the end.

Heinovské noci (The Heine Nights)

Author: Karel Šiktanc

First published: 1962

Pages: 44

Rating: ★★★★★

How long did it take: 15 minutes

An epic poem capturing the devastating horror of the destruction of Lidice during the WW2. Still painful. Still heart-wretching.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

Author: Judith Kerr

First published: 1971

Pages: 195

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 5 days

A sweet book of childhood memories, proving that if you are a child, the simple joys are always there, even if the world is wrapped in a war conflict. It was extremely interesting to read about a child of a German refugee writer, because we are so used to war stories to be about nothing but horror.

The Romanovs: Autocrats of All the Russias

Author: Bruce W. Lincoln

First published: 1981

Pages: 864

Rating: ★★★★★

How long did it take: 5 and a half months

Excellent, readable, thorough (even if I have made some other deductions concerning some people).

Before the Devil Breaks You

Author: Libba Bray

First published: 2017

Pages: 546

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 8 days

This whole series is a wild ride of enjoyment. Cannot wait for the last book now!

Days of Blood and Starlight

Author: Laini Taylor

First published: 2012

Pages: 517

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 7 days

I don´t have many thoughts on this series... except that I find it pleasant to read.

Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields

Author: Wendy Lower

First published: 2013

Pages: 352

Rating: ★★★☆☆

How long did it take: 12 days

Interesting topic, which, I felt, was only superficialy touched in this scholarly study. The author chooses to make general assumptions based on just a few concerete persons. If she had found more evidence (which I personally think is the case), it would have been better if she wrote a bigger book. Like this I felt a bit...cheated.

The Handmaid's Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood

First published: 1985

Pages:

348

Rating: ★★★★★

How long did it take: 6 days

There is hardly anything I can add to contribute to the ongoing discussion about this book. It has been analyzed to the tiniest bits and read by millions of people. All I can do is repeat what I have already said: The terrifying thing is.... nothing in this book sounds unrealistic or far fetched.

Obsidio

Author: Amy Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

First published: 2018

Pages: 628

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 2 days

Another one of those YA hyped series that I read simply to enjoy myself. Though I would have like the impact of this book to be more emotional. Maybe by killing off a character or two?

A Sparrow in Terezín

Author: Kristy Cambron

First published: 2015

Pages: 368

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

How long did it take: 3 days

How is it that I find myself most eloqient when it comes to books I did NOT like? I disliked the first book. So why I read the second? Because I have already bought it. And because so few books written by foreigners are set in my country. So I was curious. And now I am sorry I lost time reading this superficial, boring and inaccurate book. First of all: there are over 10 million Czechs in the world. Maybe you should ask one to check your usage of our language???? From the fact that "Kája" is actually a nickname used for "Karolína", NOT "Kateřina", to the usage of extremely formal "matka" (mother) as an ENDEARMENT (Nobody uses it that way. Nobody.) there are so many mistakes it just made me roll my Czech eyes. If you cannot use the language properly... maybe just stick to yours??? By the way, one of the facts of the Czech language is that the female variation of surnames differs from male. This was blatantly ignored as well. The research of history and geography both was half-assed. Just one example: It is stated that Krakow is "not far from Prague". In fact it is over 460 kms. In later chapter Kája is transported from Prague to Terezín and they ride "for days". The actual distance between the two places in this case is.... 60 kms. To top it off, the modern day bits of the book are so boring I could not bring myself to care one bit, and the "historical" ones were bland and improbable. I gave Kristy Cambron two chances now. No more. Would absolutely not recommend.

#booklr #wrap up #June 2019

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kbrown78 · 6 years ago

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Monthly Wrap Up: June

June wasn't as good of reading month as May. I only read 6 books as compared the 11 books from last month and while I didn't have as many books that I hated, most of the books were just mediocre, so I didn't have as many highs either. I will say that was a good month for expanding the genres I've read and the diversity of the authors, but next month I will be doing Tome Topple and reading books over 500 pages for the first two weeks, then the rest of the month will be dedicated to doing rereads and revisiting some old favorites of mine and see if I love them just as much now.

The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu: I loved this book! It's a little hard to do a full review for this one because it's a collection of short stories by Ken Liu, but I'll do my best. First I love all of the stories, I honestly couldn't pick one favorite. Even ones that weren't one of my favorites were still very well written. The mesh of multiple Asian cultures and histories with American culture and history is so well done, and I liked the references and dedications a the end of some of them. All the stories were very touching, some darker than others but they all had a sort of bittersweet tone to them. I also loved how all the stories were varying degrees of science fiction, some having technology so similar to today's that it could have almost been a literary fiction story. The themes were all amazing (especially how the complexity of each one was written), the characters were all well written in each story. There's really nothing bad I can say about any of it. I also liked how in many, if not all, the stories had a theme of storytelling in theme and how that identifies a person or brings people together. The Paper Menagerie received 5 out 5 stars from me.

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman: This is going to be my full, spoiler review because I tried to tag the book as I read it but I really struggled with that. In part because of the format. It is unlike anything I have ever read, and in hindsight I probably should have done this one on audiobook. It is a compilation of interviews, military reports, surveillance videos, data from the AI, online messages, and more. It's a unique format, that can work well, and at times it did, but there were too many names just dropped that I could not remember, and with about 600 pages in this format, the plot dragged. I think this book should have honestly been 100 to 200 pages shorter, to keep the fast pace going. The first tenth of the book I was really invested in and flew through it, but then nothing happened and I just got bored with the story. Once the virus became more of an issue and AIDAN's POV was introduced then I became reinvested. Speaking of AIDAN, the ships AI, that was without a doubt the best part of the book, with Kady coming in a close second. Any AI can bring up the question of what it means to be human, and AIDAN contributed an interesting perspective to that discussion. No, I haven't seen 2001: A Space Odyssey, but it sounds like there are similarities to that AI and AIDAN. Over the course of the book, AIDAN killed thousands of people, and is rather remorseless about it because it believes it did that for the greater good. AIDAN keeps up this cold, mechanical behavior until it starts to interact directly with Kady. In fact their “relationship” was what revived the book for me. The more time AIDAN spends interacting with Kady, they start to almost become friends and Kady definitely humanizes AIDAN and gets it to question everything it's done. Ezra and Kady's relationship was cute, since they just broke up but when the cards are down they need each other for emotional support, and Ezra was a decent guy, but he was a little generic for me and I also felt he wasn't as well developed as Kady. Kady I really liked, which is funny because she's that hard person with a heart of gold and I don't usually like that type. She doesn't deal with authority well and is absolutely willing to go rogue to help save lives, which is good in this book because most of the people in charge just make things worse (even if they don't mean to) and cause more death. So real quick the highlights of this book were: AIDAN, Kady, the unique format, the first and last 10% where the action was fast pace. The things I didn't like about this book were: how long this book dragged for, too many characters to keep track of , very few relationships (platonic or romantic) that I was invested in, didn't get to learn more about the world, Ezra's mother being the big bad (kind of tired of family drama being the plot driver in media). All in all I didn't love this book, it was okay, but I'm not sure if I want to continue with the next book (fortunately its a companion series so I don't have to read the next one). Illuminae received 3 out of 5 stars, and was pick for the PopSugar promt “book with two authors.”

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco: This was one of the very few books that comes as close to a cover buy as possible. The cover is stunning and I do think reflects the personality and power of Tea, the protagonist. I did look at some reviews and the worst thing I can find was that this book has a lack of plot, which is something that I'm willing to overlook, particularly in first books. But this book really didn't have any plot. It started out interesting with a resurrection through dark magic, but then that story was pushed to the side until the last few chapters. The book has two separate story lines one being Tea's origin story which takes up the majority of the book, the other takes place in the present with Tea having gone dark, but the end of the book still doesn't explain why Tea was in exile. So more back story is needed which will only be in the second book, which makes the first book feel incomplete. I liked Tea, but she felt a bit naive at times and didn't drive the action forward but I could still believe that the powerful, morally gray character in the future was also this little girl. The side characters were okay, a little bland aside from Likah who was barley in the story. I did not like the romance at all because it was very sudden and one sided. The readers also see in the future how obsessed Tea still is with the guy she was in love with, which was actually kind of creepy. Most of the story was boring and I strongly disliked how similar many scenes were to Memoirs of a Geisha. The general aesthetic of the story and the imagery and symbolism was amazing. The end conflict in Tea, the old in power serving themselves and only themselves, was interesting in itself but the fact that it came in only at the very end made it feel like it was just a plot device to explain partly why Tea is so angry in the future. The Bone Witch received 2. 5 out of 5 stars because the aspects I liked were well done, but there wasn't much about this story that I liked.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Partick Ness: This was a book I had been looking forward to reading, because I loved A Monster Calls but this was something completely different. Unfortunately, I didn't like it. This story is from an uneducated 13 year old boys point of view, and it reads like that. Had I read this book when it first came out and I was still in junior high, I probably would have liked it better, but reading it as an adult I find it to be a little immature and simple. So while the writing itself was good and the world was kind of a unique science fiction/ dystopian blend, I didn't love any of the characters, I wasn't invested in the story and there was so much unnecessary drama because no one tells Todd or Viola anything. Also there was a death in this book, that I didn't cry at, but it made me want to throw up my arms and go “Why!” I do think Patrick Ness is a good writer and I still want to read other books by him, but because of how basic the whole story was I'm not sure if I'll continue with the rest of the series. The Knife of Never Letting Go received 2 out 5 stars from me.

The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh: For me this book was a fairly mediocre read. I knew I was going to read it at some point but it was an unexpected buy this month and I started getting excited for it and decided to pick it up immediately. I was hoping that it would be a sort of Snow Like Ashes, where I didn't expect much in the first book but would be pleasantly surprised. I also thought that since it's just two books that I would get more in the first book. Unfortunately neither of those happened. This story is a 1001 Arabian Nights retelling and places a heavy emphasis on the romance between Shahrzad, the protagonist, and Khalid, the man Shahrzad marries in the hopes that she kills him. For the romance being a hate to love one, it wasn't bad. I personally have a very hard time enjoying hate to love ships, but this one I think was done well because I felt like the evolution of the romance felt natural and the reason these two start out at odds with each other wasn't based off contrived drama. That being said I didn't like the lack of communication these two had and I don't get attached to cold characters and Khalid was definitely that. The side characters were decent, although the male character all felt similar (actually come to think of it the female ones did to), but I am fascinated by the transformation Shahrzad's father underwent and I wish I could have seen more of that. The friendships in here were decent, but were never the center of attention and I was never invested enough in the side character to be invested in their relationships. As for the world building, that was actually sub par for me because I thought there was going to be some magic, but there was hardly any in the story at all. In fact magic is discussed, so the readers know it exists, but never shown any performance of magic. The rest of the world I barley know anything about, so that all was disappointing. The pacing of the story was good, loved the tie ins for the retelling parts and incorporation of story telling, until the end when everything was just rushed and a bit confusing. It was decent and I'll probably read the sequel since it's just one book but I haven't read anything that motivates me to read it, so I'm not in any rush to read it. The Wrath and The Dawn received 3 out 5 stars from me.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: Like The Paper Menagerie I had a difficult time doing a wrap up for this one, but for very different reasons. I rarely read books that are set entirely in our reality, and also don't read historical fiction, so I can't approach reviewing this book quite the same way that I usually do. Also it's difficult to review this book without giving away any spoilers. This novel is broken into two different parts, each one in a different POV identified by their code names. This is an emotional and powerful story about the friendship between two girls that takes place during WWII. One is a pilot and one is, for lack of a better term, a spy. The emotions and relationships were fleshed and well delivered in this story but there were parts that dragged the story a bit for me, so I was going to give this book 3 stars but the last 15% really got to me so I had to boost up the rating. I will say this is a very character driven story, again focusing on the two girls and their experiences in the war effort and some of the harsh realities of being involved in that. I would recommend this one to people looking to read a fictional WWII story, and Code Name Verity received 4 out 5 stars.

#monthly wrap up #book review #ken liu #the paper menagerie #chaos walking #patrick ness #the illuminae files #the bone witch #twatd #renee adhieh #code name verity #elizabeth wein

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flynnspeaks · 7 years ago

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“Frozen” Thoughts

Just got back from my trip and can finish this up from my drafts. Spoilers abound:

So tl;dr thought: Script is basically good, production bad. I think the show, script-wise, is 80% there but it needs some major changes to work effectively as a piece of theatre.

General stuff: - The only things outright cut from the film are Marshmallow, the icepickers, “Heimr Arnadalr” (replaced with a new coronation hymn) and “Frozen Heart” (which is still quoted in the show?? Like at one point a character literally says “born of cold and winter air”, so I don’t know why it’s missing). Every other song and character is represented. - The trolls are changed into sorta mystical ‘mountain folk’, and made into the narrators of the piece (I kinda felt this would happen--the movie has two options for a sort of greek chorus, the icepickers and the trolls. IMO they picked the wrong one). - Lots of new songs - Heavy ensemble--several new numbers incorporate them heavily, and they’re added to “Let it Go” (offstage voices) and “First Time in Forever”

The Good: - Two new songs are excellent additions to the score--a poppy Kristoff/Anna duet called “What Do You Know About Love” and an Act II solo for Elsa called “Monster” (insert Nicki Minaj joke here). The rest of the score isn’t nearly as memorable and there are times where it feels like you’re waiting for a movie number to happen, but it’s still for the most part good. - The score feels a lot more unified than the film--I know people complained about the songs in the film feeling sorta disjointed stylistically, and though that’s not a complaint I subscribed to the whole thing is a lot more cohesive here, both in terms of orchestration, in what the linking material is able to do, and the use of the ensemble. - Speaking of improvements over the film, “Fixer Upper” is vastly better. It loses a verse, and they’ve reorchestrated it to be more rhythmic, fitting with the other musical material the mountain folk get in the show. It’s far less jarring and far less annoying than in the film. - Both Hans and Kristoff get a lot more to do, which is good--less so for Hans, but we’ll talk about that later. - Sven is accomplished really well in an elaborate costume that sorta recalls Lion King but in a more ‘realistic’ vein. It’s very fun to watch, with one drawback--he blinks, and it’s really creepy for some reason. - The climax is really well-staged. It is also the only moment in the show that’s really well-staged, but we’ll get to that. - There were two families on either side of me both with little girls who seemed to be really enjoying the show. That doesn’t actually have anything to do with the show but it was nice. The Eh: - I was actually expecting some of the cut songs featured on the album would be used (”We Know Better”, “Spring Pageant”, “Life’s Too Short”), and they ended up not utilizing any of them. Which wouldn’t be a bad thing except that it often felt like those would’ve functioned better in the show than the songs they actually used--like, the opening number isn’t bad by any means, but it’s probably the weakest number in Act I and isn’t anywhere near as good as what a rewritten “We Know Better” probably would’ve been. “Life’s Too Short” is an interesting one, because I think it was definitely wrong for the moment in the film, but something about where the Anna/Elsa confrontation happens in the stage version feels like it desperately needed that number instead of the “Forever” reprise. - There’s dance breaks added to “Love is an Open Door” and “Fixer Upper”, and they’re not, like, awful, but they’re just sorta there. Here’s a thought: why not dance during the song? - The tone is really slippery in the first half of Act I. I’m probably misremembering, but I don’t remember Anna being this jokey as a kid in the film. It gets better as it goes on (either that or I’m Stockholmed into it by then), but they never quite reconcile the classic fairy-tale stuff with the more modern sensibility, and it jars constantly. - The finale is ok, but also just sort of there. They end on “Love is an Open Door”, which works better than it sounds but is also a really odd song to end on (like, why not just close with a “Vuelie” reprise?) - They try and justify the title of the show in one of the lyrics and it kinda really doesn’t work

The Bad: - Okay, let’s get the worst out of the way: The Act II opening number is the absolute worst piece of garbage I have ever seen committed to the musical stage. It’s an extended comic setpiece called “Hygge” featuring Kevin del Aguila as Oaken (the “Yoo Hoo!” guy, who only appears in this scene) explaining what ‘hygge’ means to the audience, done as a polka. With a chorus in the nude. The entire song exists only to get Anna out of the winter gear she’s wearing into the recognizable winter gear from the film. The audience clearly lost patience with the number halfway through. The song ends with the chorus doing a kickline in the nude with fig leaves covering their privates. It had better fucking be cut before Broadway. - Olaf. Olaf Olaf Olaf. Starting with the script, he’s for some reason far more grating here than in the film, and I think it’s because he’s being written as an iconic character rather than the simply sweet innocent he was in the film. “In Summer” is towards the end of Act I, which is absolutely the wrong place for it--by this point the show becomes a waiting game for “Let it Go” and the song is only an irritating distraction in that context (it clearly needs to open Act II, but we saw how that went). Olaf also gets a second comedic number in Act II that just doesn’t work. It’s not “Hygge” levels of awfulness, but it just falls flat and again feels like a distraction. And then there’s the performance. - Okay, this is gonna be its own bullet point. So the actor himself is fine, but he’s stuck doing a Josh Gad impersonation and can’t really make it his own. But they have Olaf be a puppet, Avenue Q-style with the actor operating him from behind, and it is awful. First off he’s designed to look exactly like the CGI model, which jars immensely with the look of the entire rest of the show. And the puppet itself is actively bad--horribly inexpressive, and the mouth doesn’t appear to actually be able to close all the way??? At first I thought the actor just wasn’t a very good puppeteer but at some point in the show the actress playing Anna has to operate the puppet and the issue persists, so you’re left with this mouth that can only close partway and it looks baaaaaaaad. - Hans. Okay, so I was actually expecting them to do something with the twist--the thing is that worked immensely well in the film, but is also kind of a one-trick pony and in all likelihood the entire audience of the show is going to know the twist going in. So with that I was expecting them to either reveal it a lot sooner, so the audience knows what’s up before Anna does, or else reverse it entirely. Instead it plays out exactly as it does in the film, with the added wrinkle that a considerable amount of material has been added to make Hans more trustworthy and likeable, which makes the twist feel facile and contrived. More than anywhere else this is the spot that needed to be different from the film, and the fact it stayed the same reveals a lot about the show’s priorities. - The set is actually awful. All projections and drops, and very little in the way of actual interactive pieces. It honestly felt like a national tour set--not something you would put together for Broadway. And the “special effects” are laughable--a few moments where they have actual ice shards in the set that are kinda cool, but for the most part Elsa does elaborate hand gestures and they project a swirl of ice on the set. The dress transformation is fun, but the rest of it feels honestly cheap as hell (especially since this really feels like a show that would sell itself on special effects work). - The set being bad impacts the direction, which often has no idea what to do with its actors and leaves the ensemble aimlessly wandering in the background. The staging is bland and lifeless--occasionally enlivened when it’s able to copy directly from the film, but usually staid (”Love is an Open Door” is literally, like, walking. It’s bad). - More than anything you get the feeling this is a production that aims for little more than slavishly recreating the film, and it ends up feeling like something you’d see at Disneyland rather than actually on Broadway. I don’t think the script is bad--it’s got really bad moments, but will probably be fixed pretty well in time for Bway--but this needed a director like Taymor that could make it feel like its own thing. As is...I mean, it’s a Disney show. Maybe it’s expecting too much for it to be theatrically interesting, but damn I really wish it was.

Ultimately this isn’t a show that’s going to change your mind about the film. If you liked the film, you’ll likely at least enjoy the show (though I loved the film and thought this was merely allright, so YMMV), if you don’t like the movie you probably won’t enjoy this very much. Hopefully the script issues that exist will be fixed by Bway, and with luck it won’t be long after that when the licensing opens up--honestly the best possible production of this would be with a smaller company that wouldn’t be obligated to recreate the film but could do their own thing, treating the material seriously on its own. Until then, it looks like this is what we got, and I can’t say right now that it’s gonna be worth your time outside of what will probably be a pretty great cast album.

#i won't tag this but feel free to reblog

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chicagoindiecritics · 5 years ago

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New from A Reel of One’s Own by Andrea Thompson: Disney’s Latest Sequel ‘Frozen 2’ Can’t Seem to Let It Go

By Andrea Thompson

There’s a certain kind of feeling films like “Frozen 2” instill, and it creeps up regardless of the great characters and CGI wonders. This problem can be pretty much embodied in a rather simple question: haven’t we seen this before?

It’s so obvious that even Elsa (Idina Menze) can’t help but wonder why she needs to go on another journey. “I’ve had my adventure,” she says as she tries to resist a literal call to another. “I don’t need something new.” Too bad the disembodied voice that only she can hear, not to mention the arbitrary sequelization of any all Disney products, says otherwise.

Disney does try its best to sell this, with “Frozen 2” taking place in autumn rather than the relatively static winter or summer, along with a song which reminds us that change is constant, regardless of how much we’d rather resist it. That Elsa would be reluctant to risk the happy life she and her sister Anna (Kristen Bell) have built for themselves is understandable, but that she will answer the call to a new adventure is never in doubt. And of course, both her blood and chosen family are determined to follow.

Walt Disney Studios

So once again, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Olaf (Josh Gad), and Sven are off, this time to a mysterious forest in an enchanted land, which holds the key to both Elsa’s powers and saving their kingdom. As their adventures continue, “Frozen 2” actually does manage an interesting if not exactly praiseworthy accomplishment, that of combining maturity with a certain shallowness.

There’s no doubt that the messages the movie conveys, which revolve around not only accepting but embracing change, mystery, righting past wrongs, and perhaps the most adult thing of all, just finding the strength to take another step when you find yourself coping with your darkest moments alone. It’s a riskier message to champion, one that could’ve gone over better had “Frozen 2” followed the pattern set by the first film, which conveyed its themes through a strong story, great characters, and fun songs, one of which will never fully leave our ears.

Too bad “Frozen 2” doesn’t so much chart a new path as echo the one previously laid out. Once again, Elsa is struggling to cope with her magic, running alone into situations Anna puts herself in danger following her sister into, with Elsa once again isolating herself in order to protect her loved ones, which backfires as such things tend to do. Perhaps what the movie really suffers from is a kind of overpopulation, as any novelty, be it new characters or themes ripe for exploration (including several issues involving the treatment of indigenous peoples), are introduced and discarded just as quickly.

Walt Disney Studios

Kristoff bears the brunt of this, and given the kind of treatment female love interests tend to receive. His arc is more of a running gag, as he keeps attempting to propose to Anna, only for her to get distracted by Elsa’s issues. He deserves better than the movie transforming him into a kind of bland doormat by having him just show up and offer unconditional support even though Anna previously departed with her sister without much thought for him. At least he gets a song that’s also a fun tribute to 80s music videos, even it’s still all about wanting to propose.

Elsa is the one who really shines, with her journey remaining the most interesting, along with some spectacular new outfits which will remain style goals for quite some time. Before, Elsa’s transformation entailed a new kind of self-acceptance, but this time she literally lets her hair down as she embarks on a new phase in her life. It’s not accompanied by a new earworm, since the songs this time around are situational, more driven by the characters’ surroundings rather than their emotional state. That said, the magical horse Elsa manages to tame will resonate forever for all the kids watching.

Normally something like this would be akin to a direct-do-DVD sequel with better effects, but in our new monopolistic market, it’s more worthy of a Disney+ debut, such as the recent critically disappointing live-action remake “Lady and the Tramp.”

Grade: C+

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thesffcorner · 7 years ago

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Unpopular Opinions Tag

This was created now over 3 years ago by the Book Archer, and I don’t know why, but I really felt like I wanted to do it. So without further ado, let’s get into the questions.

A popular book or series that you didn’t like:

I think the most popular of the books I haven’t liked is Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. I just found this book excruciating to read, I thought the premise was underutilized, I hated the main character and all the supporting characters and the ending was convenient in a way that really annoyed me.

A popular book or series you like that everyone else hated

Hate is a strong word; I think polarizing is a better descriptor for both of these, which are the Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff and the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. I love both of these series, but they are rather polarizing. Nevernight is a book about a teen assassin full of violence, gore, explicit sex and murder so I guess if you don’t like any or all of these stay far far away. But it’s also a book full of humor, an interesting plot and magic system and one of the most interesting and fascinating fantasy worlds, I’ve ever read. Inheritance is a classic fantasy dealing with dragons and words of power, written before Skyrim was a thing, which has one of the most likable protagonists I’ve ever read. I love Eragon and Safira they are an amazingly cute pair and I liked how much the series expanded after the second book, though I think that’s where most people take issue with the series in that it expands maybe too much for the scope of the first book.

A love triangle where you hated who the main character ended up with/ least favorite OTP:

Otherwise I’m pretty easy to please. If there is a love triangle, it’s usually pretty clear and simple to tell who will be endgame, and I tend to agree with the author. This is an easy one: Katniss and Peeta. I always, always preferred Gale. Katniss cares for Peeta, sure but I never got the sense that she loved him romantically. And I hated how in order to get rid of Gale, Collins had to make him literary commit a war crime, that’s how far she had to go to make him unlikable, because he was nothing but supportive, caring and loving to Katniss and her family the entire series. I still get heated to this day about how much I didn’t like this ending.

A popular book genre you rarely if ever reach for:

Contemporary, both YA and adult. Unless it’s a thriller or deals with a very specific topic, I don’t like contemporary books. I live in the real world I don’t need more of it in my reading too.

A popular character that you don’t like:

Rhy Maresh. I just... He’s literary just a damsel in distress. He constantly gets kidnapped, killed, stabbed, wounded or threatened, and 90% of the time it’s so he can be a hurdle for Kell and keep him in the palace. I am halfway through the third book and I need him to develop some personality ASAP that isn’t just hot, promiscuous, drunk prince who gets put in danger near constantly and has to be rescued by Kell, because I swear, he is the most annoying trope of a character, the only difference being that he’s a dude.

Popular author that you just can’t get into:

Blake Crouch, and William Gibson. Blake Crouch I’m sad because I really wanted to read the Pines trilogy since I love that type of Twin Peaks, X-Files, Deadly Premonition vibe, but after Dark Matter which sucked in all the worst ways for me, I don’t think I will be. William Gibson is basically the father of cyberpunk along with Ridley Scott and Shirow Masamune, and I love cyberpunk. But Gibson’s writing style, characters and especially way he treats and describes his female characters turned me off forever. The only other book I’d be willing to try by him is Pattern Recognition, because the premise sounds amazing, but I doubt I’d like it, just because of the way he writes.

Popular book trope that you are just tired of:

I have two for this and unfortunately they both seem to be more prominent wit female protagonists: the plain, unattractive protagonist who is really just a bombshell but they don’t know it; and obligatory romance if the protagonist is a girl. Both of these tropes are present in book I really like! With the first trope, I hated it even with Katniss, and Alina, and even Mia Corvere. It’s fine for the protagonist to be insecure in their appearance, but why do you have to tell me, every 10 pages that they look plain or ordinary, or unassuming, when every character of the opposite gender they meet will fall in love with them in literary less than a page? This is especially true of Alina, who out of the three I mentioned has the most people falling in love with her despite her being supposedly actually ugly (like that’s how she’s described, not me being mean). The other one actually annoys me even more. How many books have we read where the male protagonist doesn’t get a love interest or gets one halfway through the series? And now compare that to how many we’ve read where the love interest for the female protagonist has been introduced in literary the first 50 pages. Jace and Simon, Mal and the Darkling, Gale and Peeta, Tric, Gansey and Adam. And the protagonist has to end up with at least one of them by the end, they can never stay single. It’s not the individual books that bother me, it’s the prevalence of it.

Popular series that you have no interest in reading:

There are a few, but I’ll mention 3: Throne of Glass, Red Queen, and Falling Kingdoms. Red Queen is the one that has the highest chance I’d change my mind about, since it’s the one I know the least about. It has to do with the color of your blood determining magical affinity, which is a cool concept and I know it has a lot of court intrigue and a love triangle. Lots of people don’t like it, but I know people who do, so for now it’s a no, though not a firm no. Falling Kingdoms I was going to try, but then I lost interest. I don’t need a teen version of Game of Thrones; I have the ASoIaF books if I wanted to read Game of Thrones. Especially because it seems that most people like this series for the romance, which... I don’t want to read a 5 book high fantasy series for a romance. Throne of Glass is the one I have the least desire to read and a firm no. First off there are 8 books in this series. Second of all the first 3 seem to be a completely different series than the latter books, to the point where the main character changes names and identities. If you followed an assassin just trying to survive in a world where everyone hates them, then maybe, but when she is also a faye and a lost princess and there is another love triangle.... I’ll pass thanks.

Book or TV adaptation that you prefer more than the book:

READY PLAYER ONE. I can’t stress enough how annoying and obnoxious the book is to me, but the movie is great. Yes it still has some of the confused world building, bland main character and the insta-love romance, but the challenges, the visuals and even Halliday himself is improves tenfold. I would rewatch that movie no questions, but I wouldn’t reread the book even if it was the only thing I had to read on a 12 h flight.

#unpopular opinions book tag #book tag #books #reading #moni talks

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