SIND WIR DAS ESSEN? NEIN, WIR SIND DIE JÄGER!
(usual apologies for not updating more regularly, so on and so forth)
You may have heard of this anime. It has been HUGE on the internet. My friends told me for months I should watch it, and I eventually decided to give it a try.
My first impressions... THE OPENING. WOW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMXgHfHxKVM
So I kept watching.
Background: humanity has been driven to near extinction by giant, man eating humanoids known as titans. They live behind three giant 50m high walls for safety, with only a brave few venturing out to explore (and almost certainly get massacred in) the world beyond. After 100 years of peace, a 60m tall titan appears, breaks down the walls and breaches humanity's safety. Many are killed and eaten. This includes the main protagonist Eren's mother, causing him to vow to wipe out the titans in revenge.
WARNING
After the first episode I spent around 10mins staring at my computer screen with my mind in shock. One scene in the first episode was so shocking and horrific it left me shaken up and deciding the anime wasn't at all for me.
I mean, I had heard it was gruesome, but I wasn't quite expecting that...
This resolve to not watch it again barely lasted any time at all, mainly due to the opening music, which I couldn't stop listening to.
So I became addicted. I love the complex plot. I love the characters (Hanji Zoe is basically me, but for titans instead of bats). I love the soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGjwsowDDhI). I love the amazing action scenes.
Yes, it IS gruesome. But I found it (mostly) bearable, and if you can deal with that kind of thing then I very highly recommend it. Be warned, however, in true George R R Martin style, nobody is safe and characters you love will sometimes be killed suddenly and without warning.
If you're not sure (fair enough), this trailer is reasonably safe to watch (and has music by Audiomachine, which is always a bonus)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3LHE5U8iOw
I shall leave you with the comment of one youtube reviewer:
"who wouldn't want to see an army of medieval spider men flying around buildings slicing up giant man-eating zombies??"
The mad ramblings of a jewellery maker and palaeontologist.
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Friday, 6 December 2013
Sunday, 26 August 2012
China Mieville
Book review time!!
OK, seriously, if you're a fan of sci fi, fantasy, steampunk, whatever, READ THIS GUY'S BOOKS.
He has the most incredible imagination of any author I've ever read. His worlds are so detailed, so creative, that you are instantly blown away by what you're reading.
I've read four of his books, but I'm only going to review two here (the others are Embassytown and The City And The City, both of which I would really really recommend. TCATC is unlike the rest of his books, more crime/murder mystery, so would appeal to people who would run a mile from his other works).
If you were to say China Mieville to any sci fi fan, chances are the first book that would spring to their mind would be Perdido Street Station. And no wonder - this book deserves all the acolades and awards that have been bestowed on it.
It's set in the incredible, steam-powered metropolis of New Crobuzon (no one writes cities anywhere near as good as Mieville). Its a melting pot of races and cultures - from the scarab beetle-headed khepri and the frog-like vodyanoi, to the Remade criminals who have had their bodies twisted and mutated under the harsh criminal justice system. Parliament and its militia are brutal, but that doesnt hold back a thriving criminal underworld. Every part of the city is described in fantastic detail.
The story revolves around a scientist named Isaac van Der Grimnebulin, who accepts a commission from a member of a bird race (called the Garuda) who has had his wings torn from him. In his search for the secrets of flight, something unthinkable is released. Every single living thing in the city is now in incredible danger from a menace that feeds on your dreams, leaving you a dried-out, soulless husk. And there seems to be nothing that can stand against it.
The book is fast paced and shocking at times. The characters were all well rounded and realistic - likeable, but with their flaws. But dont read it if you dont like insects. Especially moths.
Perdido Street Station is followed by The Scar, which despite being set in the same world is not a direct sequel. Some events and characters from PSS are referenced in the background, but they play virtually no effect on the plot and it is not necessary to know any more about them.
The Scar follows a ship of renegades travelling from New Crobuzon to a far away colony. They are captured by pirates and pressganged into becoming citizens of Armada, a floating city made from the hulls of ships. Here in Armada all are equal, and all are offered jobs and a new life. For many of the ship's inhabitants who were previously slaves (such as Tanner Sack), this change of situation is a miracle and a blessing. But this is not the case for everyone. Bellis Coldwine is a linguist who was only travelling to the colony out of a need to escape the city, although she is intent on returning once the danger has passed. Unable to face the thought of never being able to return to New Crobuzon, she searches for a way to escape Armada, and in doing so becomes dragged into its web of lies, intrigue and secret plans... plans to raise the greatest beast in the sea, plans to harness the power of a tear in the fabric of reality.
The Scar was an excellent book, proving once again that Mieville's imagination knows no bounds. It explores in more detail some of the world (known as Bas Lag) beyond New Crobuzon, and introduces dozens more races and cultures (vampires, grindylow, cray, the list goes on...). I did prefer Perdido Street Station, mostly because I didnt really warm to Bellis as a protagonist, but this book is still incredible and definitely deserves to be read.
The third book in the series is called Iron Council, and I look forwad to being able to read that soon.
What books have you all been reading recently?
OK, seriously, if you're a fan of sci fi, fantasy, steampunk, whatever, READ THIS GUY'S BOOKS.
He has the most incredible imagination of any author I've ever read. His worlds are so detailed, so creative, that you are instantly blown away by what you're reading.
I've read four of his books, but I'm only going to review two here (the others are Embassytown and The City And The City, both of which I would really really recommend. TCATC is unlike the rest of his books, more crime/murder mystery, so would appeal to people who would run a mile from his other works).
If you were to say China Mieville to any sci fi fan, chances are the first book that would spring to their mind would be Perdido Street Station. And no wonder - this book deserves all the acolades and awards that have been bestowed on it.
It's set in the incredible, steam-powered metropolis of New Crobuzon (no one writes cities anywhere near as good as Mieville). Its a melting pot of races and cultures - from the scarab beetle-headed khepri and the frog-like vodyanoi, to the Remade criminals who have had their bodies twisted and mutated under the harsh criminal justice system. Parliament and its militia are brutal, but that doesnt hold back a thriving criminal underworld. Every part of the city is described in fantastic detail.
The story revolves around a scientist named Isaac van Der Grimnebulin, who accepts a commission from a member of a bird race (called the Garuda) who has had his wings torn from him. In his search for the secrets of flight, something unthinkable is released. Every single living thing in the city is now in incredible danger from a menace that feeds on your dreams, leaving you a dried-out, soulless husk. And there seems to be nothing that can stand against it.
Perdido Street Station is followed by The Scar, which despite being set in the same world is not a direct sequel. Some events and characters from PSS are referenced in the background, but they play virtually no effect on the plot and it is not necessary to know any more about them.
The Scar follows a ship of renegades travelling from New Crobuzon to a far away colony. They are captured by pirates and pressganged into becoming citizens of Armada, a floating city made from the hulls of ships. Here in Armada all are equal, and all are offered jobs and a new life. For many of the ship's inhabitants who were previously slaves (such as Tanner Sack), this change of situation is a miracle and a blessing. But this is not the case for everyone. Bellis Coldwine is a linguist who was only travelling to the colony out of a need to escape the city, although she is intent on returning once the danger has passed. Unable to face the thought of never being able to return to New Crobuzon, she searches for a way to escape Armada, and in doing so becomes dragged into its web of lies, intrigue and secret plans... plans to raise the greatest beast in the sea, plans to harness the power of a tear in the fabric of reality.
The Scar was an excellent book, proving once again that Mieville's imagination knows no bounds. It explores in more detail some of the world (known as Bas Lag) beyond New Crobuzon, and introduces dozens more races and cultures (vampires, grindylow, cray, the list goes on...). I did prefer Perdido Street Station, mostly because I didnt really warm to Bellis as a protagonist, but this book is still incredible and definitely deserves to be read.
The third book in the series is called Iron Council, and I look forwad to being able to read that soon.
What books have you all been reading recently?
Even if the
morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return...
Becky x
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Baccano!
I found it by just randomly clicking through interesting youtube links. Because I watch a lot of FFVII crap, this was recommended: http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=uAy8u3IcWZU (seriously, who makes these videos? They're so awesome!!) For those of you who know nothing about either Baccano! or Final Fantasy VII, this is the actual opening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msg8ypnLqaw
The first few episodes are very, very confusing, but once you've got the hang of it its brilliant. The story has a very non linear progression, meaning you see most of the ending in the first episode and most of the series is piecing together the events. There are three main storylines throughout the series (all connected), and one other which is more of a backstory. (I'll try not to spoil it for you...)
The backstory happens aboard the ship Advenna Avis some time in the 1700s, and focuses on a group of alchemists who summon a demon to help them gain immortality. The demon grants them an elixir, which grants them eternal life.
The three stories all cover the crazy events that happen 200 years later when two bottles of the elixir accidentally end up in the hands of New York gangsters and outlaws. There are gang turf wars, train robberies, assassins covered in blood pretending to be monsters, immortals... its completely and utterly insane! The stories are all mixed up and connected, and the way in which the plot plays out is fantastic. Watching the whole thing in one go really pays off.
The characters are all amazing, although a lot of them are psychopaths. This anime is rated 18 for a reason, dont watch it if you're not good with violence. People get dangled from moving trains, their heads blown off, shot to ribbons, beaten to a pulp... There are some scenes which are very gruesome, and some characters who are scarily sadistic. But theres also characters who are ultimately very good people, and their development through the plot is good to watch (Jacuzzi, from cry baby to hero). Theres even some seriously sweet love stories. And the fight scenes are brilliant.
The best character in the whole thing is Claire Stanfield/Vino, who is one of the aforementioned psychopaths (albeit with moral tendencies). He's the most badass character in anything I've ever seen, completely invincible and untouchable in a fight with a mad mad personality. He really comes into his own in the OVAs, which are well worth watching to get a sense of closure on the series.
If he grins like this, you're screwed.Another two brilliant characters are Isaac and Miria, who take eccentricity to a new level. They're a pair of thieves who specialise in robbing people in the silliest ways known to man, and get away with it because people think they're not being serious.
The voice acting here is fantastic. Seriously, regardless of your feelings on English v Japanese dubs, you have to watch the English here. No one does American gangster voices like American actors. The best performance of the series has to be Jason Liebrecht (Train in Black Cat) 's sexy gangster voice as Luck Gandor. Everytime this character opens his mouth I fall in love.
And the soundtrack is so damn cool! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI76wS6tlKs
I really cannot recommend this highly enough!! Go watch it!!
Even if the
morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return...
Becky xx
Monday, 27 February 2012
Revelation Space
I recently finished the trilogy so thought I'd share my thoughts with the world!
Revelation Space
Having read this for the first time a while back it was nice to reread it and pick up on things I'd missed the first time around.
So the plot, in case you don't know... The story centres around archaeologist Dan Sylveste and his team working on the remote planet Resurgam, digging up the remains of the old Amarantin species who were cataclysmically wiped out in The Event a very long time ago. Sylveste thinks there's something serious to be learnt about this for the human settlement, but hardly anyone else agrees with him... turns out, of course, that they're all in a lot of danger. Also to contend with is the crew of the lighthugger Nostalgia for Infinity, who need Sylveste in order to cure their Captain who is dying of a horrific illness called the Melding Plague. And finally there is Ana Khouri, a soldier turned assassin who is employed to infiltrate the crew of the Infinity in order to kill Sylveste.
The scope covered in this book is incredible. Reynolds has a PhD in astrophysics, and you can tell - all the technology and inventions are at least vaguely scientifically plausible.
The plot is fast paced and he has a (slightly annoying but effective) tendency to skip parts of the explanation scenes to keep the tension on the reader - it all does get explained eventually, and fits together very well. The plot twists are many and unexpected which is good, and I felt the ending worked well.
His solution to the Fermi Paradox (the universe is so big, so why havent we found any other life yet??) is simple yet ingenious, although I havent been reading sci fi for very long so I dont know if any other authors have tried something similar before.
My only criticisms would be his characters. Whereas they werent too bad, and some were better than others, he needs to work on making them a little more believable. It seemed to me most of them were shaped from the same mould. Also, he annoyingly doesnt describe them properly at the start, which makes it hard to picture them in your head while reading. I've seen this happen before in books - you get halfway through and the author suddenly tells you that the character you took to be a boy with an androgenous name... is actually a girl. Annoying as hell.
Personally I found this to be the best book in the series, overall, and I would really recommend it to anyone. Although, with most sci fi, a basic knowledge of physics and astrophysics would be useful.
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