Book: The Silver Dream

“As Walkers, Joey Harker and his fellow InterWorld soldiers can pass between multiple dimensions–a skill they use as part of their mission to maintain peace as rival powers of magic and science threaten to control all worlds.

When a stranger named Acacia Jones does the impossible and follows Joey back to Base Town, things get complicated. No one knows who she is or where she’s from–or how she knows so much about InterWorld.

Dangerous times lie ahead for Joey and the mission. There’s a traitor hidden among them, and if Joey has any hope of saving InterWorld, the Altiverse, and the mission, he’s going to have to rely on his wits–and, just possibly, on the mysterious Acacia Jones.“

This book might say it’s about one thing, but it’s about something else.

Acacia Jones is a red herring, although she does play into the events that unfold in The Silver Dream, she is not as instrumental to the grand design as the book blurb will make you believe.

That warning aside, let us now dive into the sequel for InterWorld:

It’s not as good as the first one. Definitely. By leaps and bounds. And once you’ve come to accept that, you’ll learn to like it for what it is–which is, a good adventure book. That’s how it was for me.

It probably has to do with the diminished participation Neil Gaiman has on this book, but the worlds we visit aren’t as rich as they were in the first novel. Then again, we don’t really dwell too long in any world for any of them to make much impact. The sequel deals more with the interpersonal relationships of the many incarnations of Joseph Harker.

Story-wise, it’s actually very hard to judge the quality of The Silver Dream. Not because it’s not good. It’s just not complete. By the time you finish the novel, it becomes clear that the whole thing is a set-up for something bigger. And you can’t say a book is good, or not good, if the story isn’t finished.

Unless, of course, this was supposed to be a complete story–and then, I must say, it’s really bad. Because it cuts off just as things are about to get interesting. It builds up and builds up, and just cuts off–

Now, if this were a character-driven story, I’d say it’s okay. But our protagonist, while embarking on a journey of self-discovery, is still on the cusp of actually doing something about said self-discovery. His journey has just reached its climax. Or is about to reach it.

So, no. It’s not good in that aspect as well.

Nor is it any good at building up the characters that already exist–or the ones it introduces in this book.

Come to think of it, The Silver Dream isn’t very good at pacing itself either. Things happen. And then something else happens. And midway, yet another thing happens. By the time we reach the latter half of the novel, we see the random things get connected together. But it’s only in the last few pages that we actually see how everything relates together, and by then, it’s being blown up to be bigger than what we thought it to be.

And then the novel ends.

The Silver Dream is a very frustrating book to read, if we’re going to be brutally honest about it. I remember enjoying the adventure aspect of it when I put it down. Going back to it now, I’m questioning what exactly I liked in the book.

I can’t think of a single reason.

I think I have to read the next book, the obvious continuation, to see if this whole thing was worth it.

This begs the question, though, why the publishers (and the writers) thought it would be okay to publish just this part of an obviously bigger story. Why not just release the whole thing as one? Why put in a cliffhanger? This is not television.

Book: The Dragon Factory

“The beautiful but twisted Jakoby Twins are creating transgenic monsters and genetically-enhanced mercenaries for sale to the highest bidder. In addition, their father is using cutting-edge science to complete the Nazi Master Race Programme. Joe Ledger has to elude the National Security Agency who are gunning for him, fight his way past rogue Spetsnaz teams and stop these madmen before the Extinction Clock runs out.

And when the bloodbath claims one of his own, Joe Ledger declares total war on those people who would burn down the world in order to reshape it in their own dark image.“

Okay. So, number one, that synopsis has a spoiler. But since I did not read the synopsis prior to starting the book, I wasn’t spoiled. Unfortunately, by the time things actually start moving in the story, you can already see who is going to bite the bullet. Which wasn’t fun.

To be completely honest, I did not enjoy reading The Dragon Factory. It was too long, too many things were happening, and when the action actually starts, you only have a few pages left to wrap things up. Considering that I was keeping my expectations low after being slightly disappointed by Patient Zero, I must say that not enjoying this book saddens me.

And I go back to the Rot & Ruin series. I don’t understand how the author who wrote those books, full of emotions and anguish and drama readers can relate to–could also be responsible for the Joe Ledger books that are too technical.

I mean, sure, the Joe Ledger books (the two I’ve read so far, anyway) have the right amount of drama in it. But because there’s way too much about the fighting skills of our titular character, and because there’s way too many characters who each have their own agenda, it drowns out the actual plot movements and the character developments.

The Dragon Factory feels like a short story that has encyclopedic explanations for everything that happens. Which makes it not such a light read, which makes it hard to find it fun.

I’m sure there are people who enjoyed reading The Dragon Factory. And I’m just as sure that I’m not one of them. But like with everything else in life, don’t judge something based off one person’s opinions. Let’s see what other people have said about the book:
Fantasy Book Critic
Blogcritics Books
The Novel Bookworm

Movie: Jack the Giant Slayer

“Jack the Giant Slayer tells the story of an ancient war that is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack (Nicholas Hoult) into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend-and gets the chance to become a legend himself.” — (C) Warner Bros

Not a fan.

Okay, so I might be a little tired from all the things I have been doing in real life. But I was well-rested, sort of, before coming in to watch Jack the Giant Slayer. So imagine my surprise when I slept through the opening scenes.

It wasn’t until the beanstalk sprouted from the ground that things started to feel like something was happening. I didn’t fall asleep after that. I did start to wonder though what story the movie was going to tell, because by that point, I realized that the movie was only about one thing: Jack wants to get inside the princess’s pants.

I read somewhere online that the film was very handsome. And it is. Everything looks great. The computer animated bits? Seamless. Well, the giants looked a tiny bit too clean, but that was it. The rest were visually pleasing. The costumes, the sets–everything. Now, if only the people behind the film spent just as much time on the story.

The story of Jack the Giant Slayer really starts on the night the beanstalk shoots up, up to Jack finding a way to stop the giants from killing everyone. The rest of what happens feels like filler, scenes to stuff the film with just so it looks like there’s a lot happening. What it succeeds in doing though is make the film drag.

Seriously. The film takes so long to get anywhere, and by the time it does, everything just suddenly speeds up and before you know it, the movie’s done.

And the worst part is, I wasn’t even entertained. Well, I was a little. Ewan McGregor is a hoot as Elmont, the leader of the King’s elite guard. Stanley Tucci’s Roderick was exceptionally evil. The rest of the cast, I think, took their roles too seriously. And that created a disjoint, I think. A movie that has sight gags and cheeky winks at the audiences shouldn’t allow their leads act like they’re on a sweeping love story.

I think this was the biggest reason why I couldn’t connect with the film. The film couldn’t even connect with itself!

But that’s just how I see it. Have you seen the film? What can you say about the retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk?

Movie: Skyfall

“In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.” — (C) Official Site

I’m not a James Bond fan and I completely hated Quantum of Solace, so I was a little hesitant to watch Skyfall. Even though it’s supposed to be a movie event. I’ve never been one for movie events.

And then friends started seeing it. And loving it.

And then I suddenly had eight hours to kill in a mall.

I watched Skyfall. And I loved it.

Unlike other James Bond movies I’ve seen, Skyfall brings the danger to Bond’s own backyard. While the film features two other countries, the bulk of the action happens in Great Britain–in London and in an unspecified part of Scotland. It’s refreshing.

Of course, no Bond movie is complete without explosions and extended action scenes, and they are present in this movie. But in my opinion, it’s the looming danger at every turn that really pushes the movie into amazing-film territory. Because the movie does its best to reign in the action, the British flavor of the film truly comes alive–and the action becomes welcome and not desensitizing.

I don’t think I need to comment on the acting department as I would only do the wonderful cast a disservice. Instead, I’ll list down the other things I really liked about the film:

There’s the opening sequence, set to the theme song that’s beautifully sung by Adele.

There’s the definitive lack of a Bond girl, with Sévérine appearing in just a number of scenes and Eve Moneypenny effectively friend-zoned by the end of the film.

And there’s the lack of unnecessary twists, and a going-back-to-basics vibe that permeates the whole thing.

Skyfall does for me what Casino Royale did back in 2006. It made me a possible James Bond fan once more. Now, I just hope that the next Bond film isn’t another Quantum of Solace.

Movie: Wreck-It Ralph

“Ralph is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, the good guy star of their game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he’s tired of playing the role of a bad guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a hero. On his quest, he meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun from the first-person action game Hero’s Duty. But it’s the feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz from the candy-coated cart racing game, Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens the entire arcade. Will Ralph realize his dream and save the day before it’s too late?” — (C) Disney

The first time I saw the trailer for Wreck-It Ralph, I knew I was going to be in theaters its first day of release. And I was. And I loved it as much as I loved the trailer. Seriously. Even the really quiet parts.

Wreck-It Ralph has the perfect mix of adventure and heart, with a healthy dose of nostalgia. And by healthy, I mean just enough. The familiar computer game characters that appear on screen don’t take away the spotlight from the main characters–but they don’t feel like tacked-on gimmicks either, with Clyde (the orange Pacman ghost), Zangief (from Street Fighter), and a zombie from House of the Dead playing a part in pushing Ralph into his journey.

The pace of the story could do with some work, but it’s a film. It’s not like we can change channels or tune it out while in the theater, right? It’s not dragging, so it doesn’t really detract from the whole feel of the film. But some parts, I felt, could’ve been more … faster, I guess. Like the whole chunk of sequences that had Ralph and Vanellope working together to make a car.

I know it’s important to build the relationship of the two characters, but–maybe there could’ve been a better way to do it? Or, you know, they could’ve made this part shorter and just added a different scene prior or after to further push the relationship of the two.

Other than that, the only gripe I have about the movie is the first time we see villain King Candy work around the game codes. I felt like it could’ve benefited from a better lead-in scene, as the actual scene of the monarch swimming in codes was a little jarring.

Is that a spoiler? Sorry. It’s a very villain thing to do to cheat though, so it’s not that big of a spoiler…right?

Now, going back to why I loved the film, it’s actually very simple: Wreck-It Ralph is a celebration of who you are. Not who people want you to be, or what you think people want you to be. It celebrates the role you play in life, no matter how other people see it.

It’s a movie about who you are–not what you are.