Mass Effect: The Complete Comics by Walters, Miller et al - Book Recommendation

Mass Effect: The Complete Comics is a collection of all Mass Effect comics into one huge volume. The stories here adds a bit of flesh to the narratives in the video games (Mass Effect 2 and 3). This volume gives us the background to the grand conflicts in the Mass Effect universe and how some characters came to be who they are. 

The tales here range from the origins of Illusive Man to Garrus' adventures while Shepard's body is with Ceberus. We are able to also catch a glimpse of what it took for Liara to recover Shepard's body and Aria's bust-up with Ceberus, right before she enlists Shepard's help.

THINGS I LOVE
These stories adds much colour to the franchise. It gives an opportunity to reconnect with favourite characters as well as glean some insights into their backgrounds and motives.

DISLIKES
None.

WHO IS IT FOR
Fans of the franchise will enjoy the story so much as to play the games again.

Many thanks to Dark Horse Books for review copy.

Sea of Stars Volume 1: Lost in the Wild Heavens - A Review

"Being a space-trucker sounds like a cool job, but the reality is can be boring as hell. So when recently-widowed Gil gets a long-haul gig across the universe, he figures it’s safe enough to bring his young son Kadyn along for the ride — that is until their “big rig” gets bitten in half by a gigantic Space Leviathan! Now separated from his young son — with a breached suit that’s venting oxygen at an alarming rate — Gil must defy the odds and stay alive long enough to rescue Kadyn."

WHY I LOVE THE BOOK
Sea of Stars: Lost in the Wild Heavens is a pure adventure tale. It has diverse alien characters who are relatable, funny, and believable. From tribal politics to survival to emotional troubles, this book has all the makings of a quirky worldbuilding combined with intelligent writing that is the hallmark of stories like the StarWars.

DISLIKES
The colour scheme is a bit too dark in some areas.

WHO IS IT FOR
Fantasy lovers and sci-fi fans might want to check this out.

Many thanks to Image Comics for a review copy.

Review - The Great Man: The Ogre Gods by Hubert and Gatignol

“Lours is an aging leader of a passionate rebel clan who seeks to defend their traditions and territory from those who would take it from them, including the Chamberlain of the nearby kingdom and the giant Ogre Gods who rule above them. When he comes across a fleeing giant barely taller than a bear, he brings the wounded curiosity into their camp and nurses him back to health with plans that could help them define a new order. But this tiny giant has an agenda of his own -- young Petit has the wellbeing of his human love at the forefront of his priorities, and she has become an unwitting pawn in the Chamberlain's wicked plans…”

The Great Man: The Ogre Gods (Book Three) by Hubert and Gatignol is that kind of book makes you feel smart by just reading it. If you love a book with Game of Thrones-like strategy, both on the battlefield and in politics, then you will love this series.

Also, The Great Man: The Ogre Gods has an unusual attribute for a graphic novel. While the main story is in the normal comic form, all the flashbacks or backstories are done in a prose format. I was surprised at this, but I learned to enjoy the prose. It felt like reading a codex in an RPG game.

The art is a strange one - so simple, yet conveys so much about the landscape. It is a unique component of the story.

All in all, The Great Man: The Ogre Gods, is an interesting read. You do not need to have read the other parts to enjoy this volume. If you have the opportunity, buy it.

The Demonic Bible School For Demons - Lesson VIII

Kentaro Miura's Giganto Maxia

Giganto Maxia will be big. There is no doubt about it.

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Otis Frampton’s - Oddly Normal #2

Oddly Normal #2 is slow-paced compared to #1, but it expands more on how Fignation runs…

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Avatar – The Last Airbender: The Kemurikage Are Back!

Avatar – The Last Airbender: Shadow & Smoke (Part One) is captivating, with good pacing and a natural dialogue style that complements the art.

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The Dark World of Muirwood: The Lost Abbey

Muirwood: The Lost Abbey is a story I enjoyed reading.

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On Being Yourself: Lessons From Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia

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PAT SHAND & SARAH DILL - Family Pets

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Otis Frampton's Oddly Normal & The Tragedy of Normalcy Quests

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SHOTARO ISHINOMORI, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

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What I'm Reading Now - Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines

I am presently reading the Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines. The UK mass market edition was available for sale for the first time across bookstores last week (7th March, 2014).



The book has a nice concept where the "hero" draws out weapons from books. I am enthusiastic about discovering what the author is going to do with this idea and how strictly he'll adhere to the rules he has set.

Cloud Atlas – Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis

It took a while for me to watch Cloud Atlas, the film adaptation of David Mitchell's 500 page novel. Even after listening to Tom Tykwer and the Wachowski brothers (now Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski) talking on the The Nerdist about the challenges they faced making the movie and the ideas behind them making it, I was not convinced it was worth seeking out.

I had the opportunity of watching it this Christmas and was one of the most impactful films I have watched in about four years. You could feel the care and love shine through. You could also see that it was personal. Though they are rumoured to be a closet bunch, the Wachowskis, I do wish they give interviews more.

If you love the Matrix trilogy, as in not just love the special effects or fighting parts but the general theme, then I highly recommend Cloud Atlas. It is a great special effects just like The Matrix but is less actiony. The general theme is interesting and the level of intrigue the story carries is unparallel. It is film you will want to watch twice or thrice to squeeze all the juice you can out of it

Cloud Atlas [DVD + UV Copy] [2013]: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski: Film & TV ASIN: B0095HHBRY

On the Subject of Believing

"We believe what we want to believe; it's what we do. Shut one's eyes tight, or open one's eyes wide. Either way, one's a fool!"

-  Flemeth (Dragons Age – Origins; Bioware).

Dragon Age: Origins (PC): PC & Video Games ASIN: B002BWONIU

Book Review: Origins by R.H. Hughes

The tale is about the creators and the inhabitants of heaven. So it happens that the Masters are the creators. And of all their creation, they extol the characteristics of Lucifer, Michael, Gabriel and a few. The Masters continually give these select archangels greater responsibilities and duties of high honour in heaven. However, the Masters possess a secret knowledge - that Lucifer will betray his brothers and bring a terrible war on the universe. Secretly, the creators begin to plan with trusted angels and set up the defences of heaven in anticipation of the war their enemy will unleash on them.

“Origins” explores the fantasy realm of heaven, the creation of its government, and its ways of life. It also reveals the ties between the rulers and the subjects, though more of the text is dedicated to the development of the relationships among the powerful archangels. We also get to see how these heavenly beings grew into their given roles and how those roles changed them.

The book draws heavily on Christian, Jewish, and Greek mythology as a premise for the story. The style is surprisingly light-hearted and the language is free of fantasy jargons. This fact enables us to bond easily with the characters as we laugh with them, shed tear, and shake our fists in anger at the injustices and sufferings they endure.

Related articles

• Lucifer the 'Covering Angel' (thesalvationtimes.wordpress.com)
• Heavenly Father (versical.wordpress.com)
• His Presence or His Presents: Which Are You Asking More Of? (virtuouswoman73.wordpress.com)

TV Series: Game of Thrones (Season 3) Is Back! - 31/03/13

I am a sucker for good fantasy writing. George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire is an example of this. Though I have gone through the books, the TV series (based on the novel) by D.B. Weiss and David Benioff is a spectacle - a fine representation of when creative directing meets good writing.

Be warned, though, the nudity is a little too much (which a big minus in my book).

The Season 3 premiere appears on the screens on the 31st of March, 2013.

An Underrated Classic – The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Silmarillion Gift Set: J. R. R. Tolkien, Martin Shaw: Books ISBN: 0007120605 ISBN-13: 9780007120604

Just finished listening to the audiobook of The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien. Still enthralled by its scale and grandeur. The fact that Tolkien worked on it throughout his life and loathe to publish it was sad but understandable. Some of the stories were personal to him, no doubt. And the emotions he poured into it still reeked off the pages of the book.
Beren and Luthien, the sons of Noldor, Fingolfin and his brothers, the siege of Angband are few of the tales in The Silmarillion that makes you sigh and meditate on life’s issues. This is a rare feeling that is not common when engaging with most fantasy fiction.
This book is an underrated classic and makes an impactful reading every time I pick it up in whatever form.
Blessed Lord, your gift to the sons of men is lovely. Beautiful is its glory and humbling is its majesty.

 

Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit

So some critics did not like the Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit. Tough luck.
I reckon book readers will appreciate it much more since this is a trilogy that is meant to cover not just The Hobbit’s tale alone but some parts of other Tolkien’s tales.
As for me, I did enjoy seeing Radagast on the screen. He was loony, as I expected. Fervently looking forward to The Desolation of Smaug in December 2013, God willing.

CHRISTIAN ENCOUNTERS–J R R TOLKIEN

J.R.R. Tolkien (Christian Encounters Series)
By Mark Horne
Thomas Nelson (paperback, 176 pages)

Christian Encounters is a series of biographies made by Thomas Nelson. The biographies is based on people whose influences shaped the Church in glaring or understated ways. The books, all fewer than 200 pages, are to give us a glimpse into these peoples’ desires, struggles, and perspectives.

Christian Encounters, JRR Tolkien, was written by Mark Horne. The author book starts from the country of Tolkien’s birth, South Africa, and proceeds to his permanent move to England. The author explores the impact of his environment on him – mostly the climate and the vegetation, which fuels Tolkien’s love for hills, green lands, forests, and his growing distrust of modern machinery.

More prominent is the influence of Tolkien’s mother and the sacrifices she makes so that her children can go to school and attend a catholic church. Even when times are tough, she home-schools Tolkien to make sure he does not lag behind academically.

The author also unmasks the influence of friends on Tolkien’s life, especially during the World War I. Their lives and deaths inspire young Tolkien to follow his love for languages and continue to create myths and stories that will influence millions of readers and writers for many decades. Without Tolkien we might never have seen or read Harry Potter, Dungeons and Dragons, A Game of Thrones, even The Chronicles of Narnia.

Christian Encounters, JRR Tolkien, is priceless for those who want to have a peek into Tolkien’s childhood - his upbringing, trials, and pressures. It shows us how the mind and mentality that crafted The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and Lord of the Rings was fashioned. More importantly, it highlights how the love, discipline, and sacrifice of a parent/guardian/friend go a long way in being a godly influence that sets us in the right way. It’s like Solomon said:

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) The Holy Bible, New International Version.

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20) The Holy Bible, New International Version.

J.R.R. Tolkien (Christian Encounters): Amazon.co.uk: Mark Horne: Books ISBN: 1595551069 ISBN-13: 9781595551061