Reviews – Samuel Colbran

Is the MCU dead?

Hello, readers of my fabulous blog of a few entries over the last few years. I have just finished watching season 2 of Loki and watched Jeremy Jahns‘ review on the Marvels. I have been wondering about the diminished quality of MCU movies while only sometimes the Disney Plus MCU has a dramatic improvement in writing, acting, and even CGI. I am wondering why, and here are some of my thoughts.

If you haven’t seen Loki season 2 or Ms Marvel, I will try to be vague on the plot while discussing my thoughts on Antman and the Wasp Quantumania and Thor Love and Thunder. There are others I could use, like Hawkeye or Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but I will concentrate on the AWQ and TLT (this is shorthand for the movies about as they are damn too long, I mean, sheesh) as I wasn’t a fan of everything.

Starting with the movies, all MCU movies from phases 1 to 3 were not perfect, but they had more obvious effort put into them. The first Antman movie is one of my favourites as it keeps the plot simple; it is a heist movie. Yes, the nasty guy/massive CGI fight at the end wasn’t great, but it made some sense. While Thor Ragnarok, Dark World and the first had issues, I liked them overall.

AWQ, this might sound strange, but the ending was horrible (spoiler). Antman should have died. It would have hit home more to the overall arc of his movie series. He went from thief to hero in training to finally the hero, sacrificing himself for his family and the world like Ironman in Endgame. It isn’t the only thing in the movie to fix, but stop and think; if you saw everything happen, you might agree or disagree, but I think it was a missed opportunity for the MCU.

Now, TLT, that was a train wreck, took a movie series that was redeemed in the third movie and shat on the work. I wasn’t in Titter WiTekki’s head when he wrote and directed the film, but why make it unlikeable? There were so many cringe scenes that I just stopped and did something else while it was on. I haven’t seen the Marvels, but Jermey (the link below for the review) is a nerd-loving moviegoer like myself, and he hated the movie. His ratings are different, but he would have given it a zero if it weren’t for Ms Marvel’s actress.

Now to the MCU TV shows on Disney Plus. I will not talk about Shehulk or Hawkeye cause I want to talk about the best ones, Loki and Ms Marvel. Starting with Loki and the brilliant season 2 was near perfect. The writing and dialogue between the characters were damn good, and the acting/direction was great, not to talk about the CGI, which I don’t know why this show looks so good compared to the latest movies.

Ms Marvel is the same, my number 4, after seasons 1 and 2 of Loki and Wandervision, but it is more about the characters, acting, writing, and the down-to-earth world-building. (Spoiler) Making Ms Marvel a mutant instead of an Inhuman was a great idea, which could lead to Xmen. Some things on the show weren’t perfect, but it is far beyond the quality of the latest MCU movies.

I am going to paraphrase the great and marvellous Jeremy Jahns:

The overall MCU should take the next two years off and consider what they should do.

I agree with this statement, and the brains at MCU should finish the slate now, take that break, and look at how to get back to their roots from 15 years ago.

Review of He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon

I have been listening to many audiobooks during my time off from writing. I am reviewing a few of the ones I love. The first is by the author, Shirtaloon, and the book’s name is He Who Fights with Monsters. The series just published its tenth book, and I am currently listening/reading it.

This series started on the web series site Royal Road and is currently continuing on said site.

Like most of my reviews, I will avoid spoilers while giving you more of an emotional review over a technical one.

This series is a genre called litrpg, a literary role-playing game to get this out of the way. This is a literary genre combining the conventions of computer RPGs with science-fiction and fantasy novels.

The main character is Jason Asano, a Japanese Australian transported into a world of magic and monsters. Now, if you are Australian, who will love Jason, as Shirtaloon capsulised the larrikin of Australia’s society. From sarcasm to his apparent disregard for social or political conventions, this is only a tiny part of his personality. I cannot tell you how many laugh-out-loud moments I had listening to this series.

Now, MC is only complete with some fantastic supporting characters. These range from the first magic users he meets in the series, Gary, the jolly Lion-man, Rufus, the straight man, and Farrah, his female Gandalf.

Then there is the world, and wow! How to create such a vibrant world is marvellous. The magic system is more akin to cultivation fantasy, as there are tiers in power than levels like other litrpgs. This makes reading more fluid than crunchy, like some heavy stat-based books.

From some other reviews I have read, it can be challenging for people to get into, but I promise you will love this series.

Shirtaloon Website: https://hewhofightswithmonsters.com/
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WF8SB71
Royal Road: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/26294/he-who-fights-with-monsters
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Shirtaloon

12 Days of Bookmas.

It is Christmas time again! Five years ago, I was part of an event called 12 Days of Bookmas, run by the brilliant author of Urban Fantasy, Rose Montague. I had so much fun with it.

I explained how the 12 Days of Bookmas event was run. It started on the 12th of December, and you brought or borrowed a book from the list every day until the 24th. You could register either as an author or a reader. If you are an author, you advertise your books on the readers’ post, and each reader was asked to choose at least 12 books on that list.

I registered both as a reader and author, and I did have a few sales and read some marvellous books. You try to tell people what genre you like, your age range, and other details like language or naughty scenes.

The twelve books I read/brought to this event were:

The Rose Thief by Claire Buss, lin k
Hand and Talon by Melonie Purcell, link; review I gave it 5 stars.
Dawn of Steam by Jeffrey Cook, link
Techromancy Scrolls: Adept by Erik Schubach, link
P.A.W.S by Debbie Manber Kupfer, link
The Stone of the Tenth Realm by Eva Gordon, link
The Coven by Chrissy Lessey, link
Playing with Fire by Cris & Clare Meyers, link
Angel: The Mithista Incident by Scott A. Borgman, link
Light in the Night by Greg Alldredge, link
The Werewolf Whisperer by Camilla Ochlan and Bonita Maria Gutierrez, link
Jade by Rose Montague, link, Review, all books 5 stars!

Each book was terrific, and I bought more of the series with multiple books. If you are an author or love to read, set up your own 12 days of Bookmas and find some new and exciting books to read. Keep an eye out on my blog as I will put up some of my reviews of these books.

Review of Super Powereds by Drew Hayes

This is the second series by the author, Drew Hayes. I, again, listen to this as an audiobook. It makes it easier to do things while I am caring for my mother. I have listened to this four-book series at least fifteen times. I keep coming back to it because how due again to Mr Hayes’ world-building and characterisation.

The genre of the series is superhero fantasy. It is set in a university where heroes get trained for over four years. In this world, there are three types of humans, regular, super and powered. Powered are the people who have super abilities but cannot control them. This is what the story is about, five people who were changed from powered to super.

My hands-down favourite characters are…um, all of them. Nick is smooth, intelligent and has the power of luck. Vince is down to earth, honest with the power of energy absorption. Mary, the ‘adult’ of the group and is a powerful telepath. Herschel, who is a massive nerd (after my own heart), has the power to turn into a different person named Roy, who is more potent, fitter. Roy would put it, ‘all-time more awesome than his brother Herschel.’ Finally, is Alice is a rich daddy’s girl who has the power of flight.

How they grew through the series was brilliant, remarkable and believable. I can’t go into what happens as that would spoil the series, but not at one point did I get bored or confused by the writing. My hat’s off to Drew Hayes in his second five-star book series I have read.

The choice of narrator, Kyle McCarley, was perfect for this story, and I would like to thank you for the fantastic experience that your voice acting gave me.

Again, I would highly recommend this series, and I look forward to seeing more of this world.

You can find all his books and blogs at http://www.drewhayesnovels.com/

Review of Fred, the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes

I haven’t reviewed books lately, so I thought not just reviewing specific series that I have read but four series by one author, Drew Hayes.

To start will be his supernatural series, Fred, the Vampire Accountant. I have listened to this series multiple time on audible. Before I jump into why I love the series, I would like to shout the fantastic narrator, Kirby Helborne. His vocal range brings the series to life, and I am glad for his superb narration.

Now back to the review, Fredrick Frankford Fletcher, also known as Fred to his friends, is about a vampire who is living a ‘normal’ boring life as an accountant. Now you would think, why would that be interesting? This concept comes down to Mr Hayes’ creative mind and how he brings something humdrum into a thrilling and page-turning series.

This series is one of my ‘go to’ series when I am feeling down and depressed. Each book (six in total so far) is a journal-like setting. Each one has an introduction of Mr Fletcher explaining that it is okay to be dull, which give Fred, the Vampire Accountant, such a breath of fresh air on the vampire genre. He isn’t sparkly or super sexy, so no Ms Meyers or Ms Rice for Mr Fred. Drew brings each character to life in his interpretation of the supernatural world, filled with vampires, therianmorphs, mages and even dragons.

What makes this series even more remarkable is the world-building and nod to long histories of lore that these supernatural mythologies.

I would highly recommend this series, as the great Fredrick Frankford Fletcher says:

‘You will eventually discover that under the movie stereotypes, imposed mystique, and overall inflated expectations, each and every one of us is at least a touch more boring than our images would indicate. And that is not a bad thing.’

Amazon Au link here.

Review of Dire series by Andrew Seiple.

I have mixed feeling with this series, listening to the six books in just over three days means introspection. Overall, I think I could give the series 4 out of 5 stars. This is averaging over the six books. As this is a review for the whole series, I will be trying to be as non-spoiler as possible.

Before I dive deep into the review, I would like to comment on the superb and fantastic job by the narrator Amy McFadden. She made the characters come alive with her voice acting work, 5 stars!

My thoughts of the book are that it is a series about the strengths and weaknesses of humankind. This is set in a Teslaverse, where Tesla created superhumans and that his technology runs the world. How did this shift the paradigm of the world? Not much, it seems. Just add people with superpowers in the annals of history and boom this world is created.

I am oversimplifying this, but I am glad Mr Seiple did not have a need to change history dramatically as allowing you to focus on the actual message of the book, that humans are their own worst villains. Which helps the main character goals, strengths, and flaws to shine. The main character is named Dire; she wakes up on an operating table that seems to have herself performed brain surgery to remove all her long-term memories. Then six books later, she is still Dire and one of the best all-round characters I have ever read.

There were many moments of tears, laughing out loud and palm smacks. I did love this series and will go back to reread it.

Occultist by Oliver Mayes Review

I am surprised by how much I enjoyed reading/listening to Occultist by Oliver Mayes, published by Portal Books. This book is in the Litrpg sub-genre, an up and coming category that capitalises on the online gaming and RPG mechanics. It talks about stat points and hit points (hp) and experience (XP) as part of the narrative. Anyone who has either played an RPG on their computer or gone old school with the pen and paper would understand the basis of this fantastic world-building.

As I try to do is not to spoil the book too much while talking about my feeling and emotions that drive my subjective reviews.

Occultist starts in-game with a new Virtual Reality MMO (VR-MMORPG) in the near future with a 16-year-old trying to balance his gaming and real-life stuff. I can’t go to what happened but wow! The roller-coaster ride Mr Mayes takes the reader on is amazing. The rich MMO with a dictatorial feel of an over-corporatized real world and a touch of viral social media sets the stage for many complications for the MC, Damien.

Wraith
Succubus
INCUBUS
Hell Hound

Images from Occultist, Copyright Portal Books and Oliver Mayes

Being taken on a non-stop exciting adventure which spans both realities was brilliant. I could not help yelling my encouragement to Damien as he jumps through the muddy plot created by Mr Mayes.

Two surprising supporting characters are two AI’s in the MMO, Bartholomew and Noigel. I would love to go into why they are both so fabulous, but you will have to read the book (it is a little spoilery).

Just like to also shout out to the narrator, Adam Sims. He gave birth to this amazing book. I had many chuckles as he superbly narrated this book.

All I can say it is, if you love World of Warcraft or Dungeons and Dragons or love a good fantasy novel then this book is for you! 5 Stars!

You can find this book at Amazon or Portal Books!

Servant of the Empire Review

Strangely, one of my all-time read blogs is a review on Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts, and I have not reviewed either of the other books. So here is my review.

One good thing is that I don’t need to refresh my mind to know what this book is about as I have read it at least 20 times. Obviously, it expands on book one, if it didn’t that would be boring. Big win for Mara (spoilers) and she survived another assassination by the hands of her mortal enemies, the Minwanabi. So all in all, not a fun-filled book one for Miss Mara.

I do love this book and series, one that the main character is a woman, and not a Xena, warrior Woman sort of gal throwing men like they are sacks of grain but I would never mess with her. Her skills in politics, business, war and espionage were her strength. Her recognition of the worth of a slave (which is the lowest life form you can be) was a pinnacle of this beautiful story.

In this story, another MC comes into Mara’s life, Kevin, a slave/war prisoner from the dimensional war between two worlds. How he brings a heart to this rigid caste system, showing Mara that the Wheel is corrupt and ignores common sense with humanity to people. He was instrumental in proving there was another path, not this blood-soaked path where her brother and father died to protect their ‘honour’.

There is so much more than I could gush over in this book, but the heart of a story was change, break the status quo. I love this book; I highly recommend reading it! Five stars

Review of Parts, Pieces and Aspects of a Frozen Mouse By AJ Mouse.

One thing I love about AJ Mouse’s novels was experiencing something that you don’t think is common, but it is surprising how her books have a connection to me/my life that spans beyond what we deem as normal.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of her new book; Parts, Pieces and Aspects of a Frozen Mouse. It picks up from the first book, expanding from Alternatives to a Frozen Mouse. I love this series, and each work allows me to see in my mind’s eye of these ten beautiful people.

Again taking up the pen are Jade and Anne, but we had a bit more of an insight into the others. Peter’s survivor spirit, Ray’s dance parties, Jane’s calm and beautiful soul and Lucy’s understanding of passion and touch.

Miss Mouse gives us much warning when the rabbit-hole could be too profound for some, but I would suggest you read even with this advice to skip as you need to see and feel. Monsters are not hiding under the bed but in plain sight.

I adore this book and the series. My love of these ten people makes my heart sing. The honesty and compassion of this book brought me to tears, laughter, anger and joy.

This again has knocked another big-time fantasy author off my top ten #1 books. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to see the world behind that curtain people fear to open, that monster hides behind normality, and a mental disorder does not mean you are an odd duck.

Exceptional and insightful, 5 out of 5 stars!

You can pre-order at the links below, at her website: ajmouse.com or at Ocean Reeve Publishing: oceanreeve.com

P.S. Thank you for sharing your lives with me, Jade, Anne, Lucy, Peter, Neil, Zen, Jane, Nancy, Ray and of course Mouse.

: Mouse and her 9 brothers and sisters. Love you guys!

Review of A Flicker of Steel by Steve McHugh.

Over a short amount of time, I powered through Mr McHugh’s the last three books of Hellequin Chronicles and then straight on to the first book of The Avalon Chronicles. After reading A Glimmer of Hope and seeing that the second book was up for pre-order, I was extremely excited.

So I have finished A Flicker of Steel, and now want to read the next one… but I have to wait until November…

I guess I should start with this review. Where was I? Oh yes, A Flicker of Steel. FoS expanded a lot from the last one, it been two years since the previous book and is set after Scorched Shadows (So now I understand the timeline), we pick up with Layla as a full-time agent. As this expands what happened after the takeover (if you want to know more read Hellequin Chronicles) and catch up Tommy, Oliva, Cassy, Chloe and Harry.

Seeing how they have grown and have been dealing with this new status quo and how they all need desperately need a win. There is not much I can say about this book without spoiling the heck of it.

The growth of Layla from the first book to the end of this one was marvellous to watch. In the first one, she thought she was a monster like her father, in this one she has accepted that darkness exists within herself, but you don’t need to lose yourself.

The book is action-packed and fantastic.

And again my hat goes off to Elizabeth Knowelden’s narration as it allows the humour, excitement, emotion and characters come to life. Her skill to give the listener/reader the full picture from her use different tones, accents and pitch. Miss Knowelden is brilliant and brings the level of the book beyond five stars!

Just like Mr McHugh has written so far, every book builds on the previous books and finally this book it connected to the larger storyline. Which make me want to read the next book, to see what happens!

5 out of 5 stars! (With Miss Knowelden 10 out of 5 stars!)