Readers Rambling: The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm by Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Cycle series was a big part of my childhood, so I was super pumped when I learned that Christopher Paolini was coming out with a collection of all new short stories set in the world of Alagaesia!

TV Show Review: Carmen Sandiego

Title: Carmen Sandiego
Genre: Action, Adventure

General Setup: Carmen Sandiego is a thief who steals from other theifs. She uses her morally ambiguous actions to preserve culture and fight back against the evil organization that raised her.

Characters: Based on a learning geography game for younger audiences, Carmen Sandiego is a red-coated theif who commits capers in the far corners of the world, in all sorts of geographical locations. The show gives her a backstory, as well as a bit of a moral compass (stealing hurts people, especially when you're willing to steal lives). By the end of the show the viewer is pretty well acquainted with Carmen and her crew, as well as the villains she fights against. I do wish some more background was given to Zach and Ivy, Carmen's on the scene back-up, as well as Player, their 'man behind the screen.' But I suppose those are problems to be conquered in a 2nd season.

Plot: Within the main plot of the show are several subplots to keep things interesting. Inspector Chase Devineau is always hot on Carmen's heels, but one or two steps behind, adding another element to the main plot. Most of the episodes are fairly self-contained and episodic, with Carmen bouncing around the globe to put a stop to VILE's evil deeds. However, the episodes do continue to build on one another to the climax.

Ending: Throughout the show different threads were brought in, leading up to the climax. This gave the story a feeling of cohesion, which I appreciated. Most of the show is pretty predictable, but there was one major twist that caught me by surprise. While the show ends at a good spot for the story arc, there is still territory to explore for the future. But time will tell.

Things to Watch For: The show is pretty clean, but Carmen's actions can be a little morally ambiguous, similar to Robin Hood.

Sights and Sounds: The animation for the show is extremely well done. It is done in a geometric, cell-shaded style with a fascinating color palette. The sound track was really successful as well, setting the mood for the show and the various geographical locations. However, I wasn't terribly impressed by the echoing sing-song way they handled the catchphrase, "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?" While I appreciated the title drop and reference to the games, I felt it was a little strange and out of place.

Length: 9 episodes

Where to Watch: Netflix

Book Review: Prisoner of PSI by Annabel and Edgar Johnson

Title: Prisoner of PSI
Author: Annabel and Edgar Johnson
Genre: 80's dystopian literature
Pages: 149

General Setup: As with most of their works, PSI is written in the 1980's, set in the near future (early 2000's) and based in Denver, Colorado. The title has a dual meaning as there are actually 2 prisoners in this book. The first is Emory Morgan, a psychic who is captured by terrorists. The second is his son Tristan, who while trying to rescue his father is held captive by his own psychic capabilities.

Characters: The point of view for PSI switches occasionally. Mostly it stays with Tristan, but it also changes to the terrorist's point of view. This allows the reader can see the other side of the coin. Most of Tristan's pov is recorded in the form of a journal. In this way, the reader is able to get inside his head. He is an entertaining and fleshed-out character. Although only 17, he is mature beyond his years and quite self-aware. In addition, the authors do a good job of incorporating the other characters with all their quirks.

Plot: The epistolary nature of the method of storytelling has the chance to be confusing, but the authors have a good handle on the story and avoid this plot hole, for the most part. I paticularly enjoy the Johnsons' way of phrasing things. Their prose is unique and they are creative in coming up with inventive ways of expressing common ideas.

Ending: The end of the book is not entirely what I expected and a few strings are left untied. However, the main points have been resolved and the reader is left with a positive outlook for the character's futures.

Things to Watch Out For: Some language. Some exploration of the psychic realm and supernatural powers.

Other Media: The Johnsons have written other books, such as A Memory of Dragons and The Burning Glass. A lot of their work is set in the Denver area in Colorado, with a futuristic twist.

Mini Manga Review: Fruits Basket Another

I might be a little bit biased, but I love Fruits Basket so much! So I really enjoyed Fruits Basket Another. Also, I was super excited to hear about the new adaptation coming out!

Book Review: A Memory of Dragons by Annabel and Edgar Johnson

Title: A Memory of Dragons
Authors: Annabel and Edgar Johnson
Genre: 80's dystopian literature
Pages: 170

     For as much emphasis put on it in the title, there are surprisingly few dragons in this book, sorry to disappoint. Instead you get a wonderfully written tale set in the present future. This book was written in the 1980's, looking into the future of the early 2000's. It is interesting to compare the world proposed in these pages with the one we have today.

General Setup: In trying to recover his lost memory Paul Killian stumbles into a world of espionage, double agents, and a stage set for war. The only problem is, he doesn't know which side he is on.

Characters: The cast of characters is sizable and varied, but not so large that it is impossible to keep track of everyone. As a main character, Paul is intriguing, with a self-deprecating sense of humor. I liked him, but at only 18 he does seem to be a bit more mature beyond his years than would warrant. This isn't a bad thing necessarily, but it is kind of strange when you think about it. I like Paul and all, but the Bucket of Bolts (Paul's bike) is the true MVP in this story!

Plot: For a spy book, things seem to move rather slowly. This isn't your standard high stake adrenaline rush, although some of that does come in the end. It takes Paul a little bit to figure out what exactly is going on. However, the slower pace allows the authors to explore some interesting sub plots, like the American Civil War and other character developments, as well as Paul rediscovering his own backstory. The prose of the book is really what won me over. The authors have a sense of expressing themselves in ways that are new and fresh, especially in their descriptions. If you have ever watched Orlan Rogers and heard some of his descriptions (For example: He had a head shaped like a vertical watermelon and the agility of a of a hammock....He was odd.) then you might have a sense of what I am talking about.

Ending: The last few chapters of Dragons are exciting and a bit more action-packed, with several plot points coming to resolution. There is a bit of confusion at the very end as to where the ending fits with the rest of the narrative (the book is written in various stages of retrospect, similar to Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley). Despite that, the end feels resolved and polished - there is even a title drop on the last page to bring things full-circle.

Other Media: The Johnsons have written other books, such as Prisoner of PSI and The Burning Glass. A lot of their work is set in the Denver area in Colorado, with a futuristic twist.

Things to Watch For: Deals with war and child abuse.





 

Mini Manga Review: Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess vol. 3 & 4

     I really enjoyed reading these volumes and I think they are a strong addition to the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess content. Listen in for more!

Anime Review: Sakura Quest

Anime: Sakura Quest
Genre: Comedy, drama

General Setup: Yoshino Koharu wants to work and live in the big city of Tokyo. However, even after applying at multiple different companies, she can’t seem to get a job. Yoshino is running out of options when she is offered a job in a rural town. Thinking it to be short term she signs the contract and gets on a train heading away from the city of her dreams. She is surprised to find out that the contract has a year long duration and that she will be playing the part of the Queen of the Kingdom of Chupakabra - a tourism stunt to revitalize the small town.

Characters: One of the things I really liked about this show was how fleshed out the supporting characters were. As Yoshino gets to know them she begins to be accepted into their community. As the viewer, that acceptance is extended to you. I felt like I really connected with all of the eccentric members of Manoyama.

Plot: The story starts off kind of slow, but as you get to know the characters they become the driving force that makes you continue watching. The slower pace is advantageous to the show’s ‘feel-good’ qualities. It is a relaxing show to watch with my different facets.

Ending: The ending is a bit of a surprise, even up to the last few minutes. However, I felt like it was very successful. It showed how far all of the characters had grown and tied everything with a nice bow. I even teared up a bit.

Things to Watch For: Sakura Quest is pretty clean. There is a small amount of fan service.

Sights and Sounds: The animation gets the job done, but is nothing spectacular. Bright colors and pastels are used often and the scenes set at night are well light enough for the viewer to be able to tell what is going on without turning up their brightness. I really enjoyed the music for this anime, especially the first set of opening and ending themes.

Other Media: Sakura Quest is a stand-alone, original series. However, it’s contemporaries include Hanasaku Iroha and Shirobako, other shows that focus on the working life.

Fillers: N/A

Length: This anime is 25 episodes.

Where to Watch: This anime is licensed by Funimation.