Author: jmcneel2

Those who know me well enough will know that I am a HUGE fan of movies. The movies are one of things that I use as an escape route. Those who know me will also know that my all-time favorite actress is the late Audrey Hepburn. It’s a weird fascination, but ever since I first saw her in the 1964 film adaptation of My Fair Lady, I have been fascinated with her. What started off as a love for her movies, turned into a love for the woman herself. Her story is an incredible one and what she did along side or in place of her movie career is amazing. Most people remember Audrey just for her looks, as she recognized as one of the most beautiful (though in my eyes, she is the MOST beautiful) actress in Hollywood history. But I remember her for other reasons.

Not only was she a phenomenal actor, but she was also a tremendous person in general. Her personality, her story, the way she treated others, she set the gold standard for what people should be like. So, on what would have been her 91st birthday, I wanted to do a sort of tribute to Audrey. Talking about her famous roles a little bit about her life and why I admire so much.

Born on May 4th 1929 in Ixelles, Belgium, Audrey’s early life was sheltered and privileged. Her parents were fairly wealthy and due to her father’s various jobs, the family traveled quite a bit. In part because of her multinational background (her mother was Dutch and her father was a British subject born in Hungary and served in the Dutch East Indies), Hepburn would go on to learn five languages. English and Dutch from her parents, but also Spanish, French and Italian.

But it was during the Second World War that Audrey’s story becomes fascinating. Her parents had officially divorced in June of 1939 and Audrey and her mother had been living in England. When Germany declared war on England, Audrey and her mother moved back to the Netherlands. The thinking was that like the First World War, the Netherlands would remain neutral, thus being spared a Nazi attack. That would not be the case, as in 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands, beginning one of the worst occupations of the Second World War.

During this time, Audrey attended the Arnhem Conservatory and began receiving ballet lessons, under the tutelage of Winja Marova, becoming her star pupil. These ballet lessons would come in very handy during the war years.

Audrey and her family were deeply affected by the Nazi occupation. As she would recount many years later “had we known that we were going to be occupied for five years, we might have all shot ourselves. We thought it might be over next week….six months….next year…..that’s how we got through.” In addition, her uncle was was executed in retaliation for an act of sabotage by the resistance.

This prompted Audrey and her mother to stay with her grandfather in Velp. And it was at this point that Audrey began putting those ballet lessons to good use as she performed silent dance performances that raised money for the Dutch resistance. There has been much debate about Audrey’s role in the resistance effort during the war. But a recent book called Dutch Girl by Robert Maltzen (a book which I am currently reading) provided evidence of her involvement. Audrey delivered “underground concerts” to raise money, served as a deliverer for the underground newspaper and taking messages and food to downed allied airman hiding in the woods. There is story that states if Audrey was ever stopped German patrols, she would do one of her ballet dances and they would promptly send her on her way.

It really is quite extraordinary that even as a child, Audrey was willing to go out of her way to help others. Of course as the war progressed, conditions became worse and worse in the country. Day after day, Audrey watched as more Jewish citizens get loaded onto trains and taken away to concentration camps. In her own words “more than once I was at the station seeing trainloads of Jews being transported, seeing all these faces over the top of the wagon. I remember, very sharply, one little boy standing with his parents on the platform, very pale, very blond, wearing a coat that was much too big for him, and he stepped on the train. I was a child observing a child.”

With the eventual invasion of Northern France by the allies, food shortages became a real problem for Audrey and her family. Like many, they resorted to making flour out of tulip bulbs so that they could bake cakes and biscuits. Because of this, Audrey developed acute anaemia, respiratory problems and oedema as a result of malnutrition. Her family also suffered greatly financially. Their main estate in Arnhem suffered great damage because of the war.

Despite all of this, Audrey persevered. After the war, she originally wanted to continue her ballet lessons and pursue that as a potential career. But, because of her frame, her weight, and her constitution brought by the malnutrition that she had suffered, she was told that that wasn’t a possibility. So, she decided to pursue acting and as they say, the rest is history.

Her first staring role was the 1953 film Roman Holiday and her famous works include the 1954 film Sabrina, the 1956 adaptation of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, the 1957 film Funny Face and the two roles she is most well known for. The 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the 1964 film My Fair Lady. She also had roles on Broadway including GiGi and Ondine. She was nominated for 5 Oscars, 5 BAFTA awards, 10 Golden Globes, 1 Tony and an Emmy among many others. She won one Academy Award, one Emmy, one Golden Globe and one Tony making her one of the few entertainers to win them all.

But is was after her acting career that, to me, Audrey once again showed her true class. Audrey retired from acting so that she could spend more time with her family, particularly, her children. But, she also served as a UNICEF Ambassador. She traveled the world, trying to bring attention to impoverished children around the world. Of a 1988 field mission to Ethiopia, Audrey said, “I have a broken heart. I feel desperate. I can’t stand the idea that two million people are in imminent danger of starving to death, many of them children, [and] not because there isn’t tons of food sitting in the northern port of Shoa. It can’t distributed. Last spring, Red Cross and UNICEF workers were ordered out of the northern provinces because of two simultaneous civil wars… I went into rebel country and saw mothers and children who had walked for ten days, even three weeks, looking for food, settling onto the desert floor into makeshift camps where they may die. Horrible. That image is too much for me. The “Third World” is a term I don’t like very much, because we’re all one world. I want people to know that the largest part of humanity is suffering.”

From 1988 till the end of 1992, Audrey would travel the world with UNICEF, attempting to bring to light the plight of those in need. All the while however, Audrey was battling cancer that would ultimately claim her life in early 1993. Audrey put aside her own life so that others could potentially have a better one. And that to me is what Audrey was all about. Putting aside her own life so that she could bring attention to the plight of others.

There is SOOOOOO much more about Audrey that I could talk about. He movies in general, her place as a fashion icon, but that is not what this blog post is about. This is tribute to the woman she truly was. One who was caring, graceful and a true Queen above all else. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from her. Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible!

In recent years, the historical fiction genre has ascended to the top as one of the most read genres in literature. The popularity of the genre, combined with the large amount of books written in the genre have all played in the recent influx of historical fiction novels. And what’s not to like in terms of the genre? You get exposure to a historical time period or historical figure and yet, the author can take creative liberties. All in the name of “fiction”.

And yet, the biggest problems with this genre is to not over saturate a particular time period and trying to come up with an original story. The more original the historical story is, the more likely you are to capture the attention of the audience. All of this, while keeping some sense of historical accuracy. But, when done properly, a good historical fiction can be one of the best books you read. And the book I’m reviewing this time around definitely fits that category.

Leila Mecham’s Dragonfly was one of the BEST books I read last year and it wasn’t even close. This book is, as the title of the post suggests, a true work of genius. It’s smart, emotional, tense, full of interesting characters and a story that leaves you on the edge of your seat.

The story revolves around a group of American young people who are sent to Paris to spy on the Nazis during World War. It seems a simple task on the surface. Well, as simple as any spy mission can be. That is until you realize that these young people have no military training and receive quick spy training. Then, they can’t communicate with each other whatsoever, unless they use a special meeting. They each have their own assignments and their own person to spy on. These five missions entangle with each other, creating a brilliant story

The story is tense, full of action, intrigue and each chapter leaves you on the edge of your seat. The chapters are told from the perspectives of the various characters, although in the third person narration. It can be a little jarring and confusing at first when trying to remember each American’s code name and  their working name. But you soon adjust and follow along with story quite easily. As with most spy stories, the mission goes off without a hitch until the inevitable crisis moment. It’s at this point where I think the story shines. The genuine presence of tension makes you really feel for the characters and worry about their safety.

As for the characters, they are the true strength of this book. The five American spies, Samuel Barton, Bridgette Loring, Christoph Brandt, Brad Hudson and Victoria Grayson, all have their own unique personalities that really allows you to connect with them. The bonds that they form with each other and the real concern that they feel for each other is clear to see and it truly is breathtaking to see these five strangers go from strangers to nearly inseparable friends. Not only that, but you feel for their handler, Alistair. Alistair’s love for his spies and full blooded concern is reminiscent of a father figure. And the trust he has in them allows you to fully believe that they can succeed as well.

But it’s not just the Americans that have outstanding characters. The Nazis have some outstanding characters as well, led by Derrick Albrecht. Some of the Germans are shown not to be monsters and the twist that books throws out is incredible. The cat and mouse game that is played by all sides really lets you get to know the characters and root for whoever you want. Albrecht is a character that you will come to love, just take my word for it.

Overall, Dragonfly is a superb work of historical fiction. The story, the characters and the attention to historical detail are all second to none. The tense story will leave you on the edge of your seat and you will truly root for the survival of the young American spies. For a book that I picked up just because of the cover, I was fully blown away.

Verdict- 5 stars. One of the easiest five stars that I can hand out. One of the best books that came out in 2019 and I encourage everyone to read it.

Series finales can be devilishly tricky to get right. You can try and pack so much into the finale that the book feels bloated and confusing (Cassandra Clare’s Dark Artifices series is a prime example.) Or, you can just have an incredibly unsatisfying and open-ended conclusion that leaves the fans wanting more (Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen is a prime example.) And then, there is the rare occasion where the finale is satisfying not open-ended and not rushed (Sarah J Maas’ Throne of Glass series is a prime example.) And then are the finales that feel rushed, with little detail, plenty of eye rolling moments and unsurprising moments.

What I’m trying to say here is that there are many ways to conclude a series and not all conclusions are good ones. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth talking about. Even the worst of finales have their good moments. And that’s the theme of the two books I’m reviewing here. Both Holly Black’s Folk of the Air and Kendare Blake’s Three Dark Crowns have been solid series. They have had their great moments, and they have had there poor moments. And like the series as a whole, the conclusions, Queen of Nothing and Five Dark Fates respectively, are solid, but with flaws.

Five Dark Fates is the conclusion that bothered me the most. And not because of the conclusions itself, but because of how predictable it was. Which is a shame, because this series, more than any other, kept me guessing. The story was unpredictable and the characters themselves made choices that defied conventional wisdom. That is, right up until this book.

The story concludes a tumultuous path, not only for our sisters Katherine, Arisnoe and Mirabella, but also for Jules and Billy. And while there a few surprises, the book ends seemingly in a predictable manner. Following the chaotic ending to the previous book, the characters struggle to recoup, rebuild and plan once more. Katherine struggles to hold her rule together, Mirabella struggles with her destiny, Arisnoe struggles with Jules’ Legion Curse and together, they all struggle with the open rebellion that marks the climax of this book.

And unlike some of conclusions, this book is not light on the body count. Blake is not afraid to kill off characters and the ones that are left standing are both surprising and unsurprising.

And I think that’s my biggest issue with this book. That it is both surprising and easily predictable in it’s outcome. When a queen is eventually crowned, it’s unsurprising who ends up on the throne. And it’s worst of all of the choices in my opinion.

But for all of the criticisms I have, the book is still a solid conclusion. everything is wrapped up, the story is a satisfying, albeit predictable outcome and it felt perfectly paced. I just wished I hadn’t been able to guess the outcome from page 1.

All in all, Five Dark Fates is a good, albeit flawed conclusion to a good, if flawed series. The story while predictable ending nicely, there was a real body count and the author wasn’t afraid to take risks.

Verdict- 4 stars. A good read, if predictable.

We move on from a predictable and well paced book, to what felt like a rushed conclusion that was light on story. And yet, it still managed to be a worthwhile conclusion.

Holly Black’s Queen of Nothing had the tall task of picking up from the shocking ending of The Wicked King. Thrown into exile, Jules must somehow find her place once more as her entire world crumbles around her.

As with the previous two books, this entry is very much centered on the intrigue. And it does it phenomenally well. You are kept on your toes and the tension is very much real, especially early on and towards the end. The middle part drags a bit, but it is tolerable.

The character development is mostly on the sisters as Jules and Carden remain pretty much the same time. While those inside the court and the rebels are focused on to great degree, you get a plethora of names that can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed.

But for me, the biggest flaw is the story. The story seems to fly by, despite the true lack of large action scenes. It’s a testament to how little there seemed to be when I can hardly remember the true story without giving spoilers. And when that happens, you have a problem.

And yet, I still enjoyed the book. The intrigue, the twists and turns and the shadow of a prophecy hanging over Carden’s head do keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the short length of this book. The tension is very real and you are generally worried about the characters, which is dramatically overblown come the end.

Overall, this is a tricky one to review. The fast pace and intrigue focused story leaves little for true development and it moves at breakneck pace towards the climax. With a true lack memorable story moments, the plot could be excused as dull. Yet the definite presence of intrigue and tension adds weight the book. And, it is at least a fully closed conclusion, with no holes in the ending.

Verdict- 4 stars. Again, the decent read, just be prepared to remember much

Once a year, a new series emerges that captures your attention. You slog through the hundreds of new releases and find a handful of series that are good. But most of those series fall flat with each sequel. And yet, there is always that one series that retains your interest. It becomes your new obsession. You agonize over the fate of each character, you impatiently wait for a title, cover and released date to be announced. You get the book day one and it instantly becomes the book you’re reading. You finish it right away and instantly need the book.

We’ve all been in this position. For me, this is usually how I am when it comes to books written by Sarah J Maas. But there is one other series that has grabbed my attention like no other series has. That would be the Empirium Trilogy, written by Claire Legrand. This series captivated me from the moment I read opening chapters of book 1, Furyborn, The world building, the story and characters captured my attention and I was hooked. I raved about Furyborn in a previous blog post and I put in on par with books by SJM. So I obviously had incredibly high hopes for the sequel, Kingsbane. And boy oh boy did this book deliver. The story, the tension, the atmosphere, everything is improved upon in this beautiful and well written sequel

As with Furyborn, Kingsbane bounces between viewpoints. For the most part, Eliana and Rielle are the two viewpoints we see, although we see the occasional different viewpoint as the story progresses. And just like the first book, the transition always feels seamless. Each chapter is clearly marked with the perspective that the chapter it is told from. Each chapter feels like its own mini cliffhanger which just adds to the tension that books builds. Plus, each chapter comes with the snippet of history as part of the chapter heading. This just adds to the excellent lore that book has.

As for the story itself, it is one of the most tense and soul crushing stories I’ve read in quite a long time. The story picks up right at the end of Furyborn and continues to wind its way through towards a very violent and inevitable outcome. Rielle continues to struggle being anointed the Sun Queen and everything that comes with it, while at the same time, trying to stave of Corien’s influence. All she has by her side is Ludivine and Audric. It is these two characters who have to keep Rielle on the straight path and it is both fascinating and gut wrenching to watch this story play out.

As for Eliana, she is also struggling in her new role. With her true lineage as Rielle’s daughter revealed, Eliana must decide if she will accept her fate as the Sun Queen, or run away from the power that ultimately doomed her mother. With Simon beside her, Eliana must try and stop the resurgent angels from seizing even more power and before they find her. Much like her mother’s story, Eliana’s is gut wrenching to read at points, especially as the books shocking final scenes play out.

And I think that is the true beauty of this book. The story is tense, unpredictable and soul crushing all at the same time. While Rielle’s story reaches a conclusion we knew was coming, it is still hard to read and you’re shocked by how it plays out. And as for Eliana, the shocking end to her story leaves you breathless and furious all at the same time. You are left feeling as betrayed as Eliana feels and quite frankly, that’s a hard thing to accomplish. The book is a roller coaster of emotions and you’re left with an empty feeling inside when you finish.

Like its predecessor, Kingsbane is a work of literary genius. It’s smart, tense, heart wrenching and leaves you begging for more once you finish it. You feel for the characters and you want to see Eliana succeed and you want to see Rielle stay true. You’re rooting for these two queens the entire book, but the book leaves you guessing the entire way. I can not wait for fall of 2020 for the final book, Lightbringer, to be released. Seriously people, if you haven’t read Kingsbane or Furyborn yet, you own it to yourself to get a copy and read them. You won’t be disappointed.

Verdict- 5 stars. Easily one the best series I have read and one I recommend to everyone I meet.

As a disclaimer right up front, I did not write this particular post. My best friend and writer in crime happened to write this particular post. We each decided to write a post regarding which Disney character we thought each other were. It was a fun and enjoyable little experiment and one I hope to repeat in the future. As a side note, if you are interested, she does have a blog of her own, link down below. Check it out if you are so interested.

https://honestyisnotextinct.wordpress.com/

 

Buzzfeed Quizzes…. Don’t deny it we are guilty of taking them. Whether we find them on Pinterest, Buzzfeed.com, or Facebook, sober or drunk, we all do it. Sometimes they are personality quizzes or tests to find out which character we are. EIther way, we are genuinely hoping for a certain answer as we go through the quiz. There are times that we even want a certain answer so badly that we will answer in a way that will ensure that we get the answer we most desire. And, that’s totally fair because we all have characters or answers in mind that we feel we relate to more than others.

However, because life sucks sometimes, we don’t always get the answers we were hoping for. And, sometimes that is because these quizzes have a mind of their own… or our answers lead to a much different final result than we thought they would. Either way, it happens to all of us, in such a meaning that we don’t ALWAYS get the answer we were hoping for or we aren’t satisfied with our given results. In most cases we will even retake the quiz just to try for a different end result, but in that case it’s hard to pick different answers to the questions, because they don’t make as much sense as our original choices.
While we all know what characters we are most similar to, those friends that know us best also have a pretty good idea. This is because they know us almost as well as we know ourselves. That, my dear readers is the point of this post. From me to you, one best friend to another, it’s time to accurately share who I think you are and MY reasons why I have selected these four. For you I have chosen two princesses (though you are a guy), one sidekick, and one villain.

My first choice for you, my dear friend, is one of the main stars of the hit Disney movies; Frozen and Frozen 2. I am starting this post with the so very energetic Princess of Arendelle, Anna. The only REAL difference I see between you and the younger sister is the fact that you are male and she is obviously a female. However, our firey red head is known to be; optimistic, goofy, loyal, and a hopeless romantic. Of course she has many other things about her that make her the perfect first topic at hand, but this is where I’ll start. Like I said, I know it’s odd to compare a guy to a Princess, but I full heartedly believe she is the one who best fits your personality and captures your inner self the best.

You are without a doubt and truly the most optimistic person I have EVER met. Like, I don’t know anyone else who wakes up and is instantly singing or smiling. And, before the whole virus thing, you had/have one of the most positive outlooks on life. It’s inspiring beyond belief. Like Anna, you know that there is always a “right next thing” to be done in any situation. And, though it may be hard to find or figure out sometimes you never give up on finding that next right step. She has such a positive outlook on how things will turn out, as do you. You never want to look on the negative side of things, just as Anna did in the Enchanted Forest.

Goofy is also a definite characteristic relation between the two of you. This also has to do with your constant singing and dancing. But, sometimes it’s just the things you say, like I never know what you’re going to say when we hang out. One thing is for sure, I’m always surprised and I’m always laughing. You may not be as clumsy (in a goofy sense) as Anna, but you definitely have her humorous sense within you. This also comes into play with the facial expressions and the different voices, I notice this relation between the princess and you ALL the time.

Next on the list is how truly loyal Anna is. I have many loyal friends, but you are loyal to a T and without a doubt of mind. I know that I can count on you to be there for me through rain or shine, 24/7. Which makes you one of the better best friends I’ve ever had. No, we haven’t been friends for very long, but from the moment we became friends I saw this in you. Like Elsa, I make many crazy, rash, and unexpected decisions… But, like Anna, you are always there to support me and to follow me (sometimes blindly) into whatever decision I am making.

Lastly, Anna is a hopeless romantic, and my dear friend… so are you. Some may see this a weakness or a bad trait, but I don’t and I know you don’t either. Of course I don’t see you as someone who would try to marry someone you just met. You are smart enough to take time to get to know someone. But, you do wear your heart on your sleeve as I believe Anna does. It’s not a bad thing by any means, it’s just something I have always noticed about you. I don’t really have much to say on this topic, unfortunately, it’s just something I notice that is similar between the two of you, so I felt it needed to be mentioned.

My second choice for you is whom I believe is your favorite princess, she also comes from your favorite Disney movie (and one that I know you will never watch the same ever again)… she is Rapunzel from Tangled. You and Raps definitely share many many characteristics. However, the main three that I believe you share would be; how spirited you both are, the kindness I see in both of you, and the naiveness… sorry not sorry lol.

When I think of the word spirited I also think of the word passionate. Like Raps, you are SO SO passionate about many things. Like if I tried to list everything, this blog would go on forever, so I will only list the things I believe you are both passionate about. For one, you are passionate about following your dreams. Though Rapunzel simply dreams about leaving the tower and seeing the world beyond her walls, you also have dreams. Obviously, your dreams are a bit different, but you are so passionate about following them and doing what needs to be done to get to where you want to be. Like Rapunzel you are also passionate about seeing things you haven’t seen yet… I know that like her, you will one day see everything you want to see in life, just as she did.

Kindness… wow, you and Rapunzel are both so unbelievably kind. This is also something that people may see as a weakness or a bad trait. But, I view your kindness as inspiring. Like Rapunzel, you always want to help those in need, though it may be in different ways. You are also always there for your friends or family when they need you most in whatever way you can be, I can personally attest to this fact… as you have shown me kindness and been there for me more times than I can count. Your kind heart and soul is one of the best things that makes you, you. Don’t ever change that or lose that part of yourself best friend.

When it comes to being naive, you and Rapunzel are also similar, but not as much and not in the same way. This can also be viewed as a bad trait or weakness, but sometimes it’s the best thing to be. I say this because, then you aren’t aware of the all the terribleness of the world we live in. While Raps was truly just naive about the world in general, because she had never been outside her tower, you are a bit naive about different things. Again, I don’t have much to say on this topic because you aren’t the most naive person. I think it more so has to do with how kind and trusting you are and the fact that you want to see the good in everyone. Sometimes that makes everyone, especially you in this case, a bit naive…

My third choice for you, Joseph, is someone or something you actually played in High School, this character choice will NOT be a shock to anyone who reads this or simply knows you… This character comes from a “tale as old as time”… he is Cogsworth of Beauty and the Beast. Cogsworth is a clock, plain and simple. But, he is one with a personality, obviously. Joseph, you and Cogsworth are both extremely smart and very serious “characters” so to speak. While he may not be your biggest relation or “familiar”, you are both quite similar.

While Cogsworth’s intelligence isn’t the most obvious thing that one notices about him, it’s still there. He was the Beasts’ (Adam’s) right hand man/clock, so to say. He knows everything there is to know about the castle, how things should go, what everyone should be doing, etc… Your intelligence is way more obvious. It’s also on many different and vast topics, mostly History crap that I’ll never understand. Either way, intelligence is something you both share.

As goofy as you can be, you are very good at being serious when you need to be. Unlike me, you are good at knowing when you need to be serious. I think this is a big part of who you are and how you grew up or were raised. It’s another big part of what makes you, you. You are very serious when you talk about certain topics, just as Cogsworth was very serious about Belle not going into the West Wing.

When it comes to Cogsworth though, there are just little things I notice about you and how you relate to him in general. I don’t think they deserve their own paragraph each, so I will throw them here. But, when Lumiere first began to sing, “Be Our Guest”, Cogsworth was NOT ABOUT THAT LIFE at all, although as anyone who has seen the movie knows, he does join in and eventually enjoys himself. I mention this because I know you, whenever someone is singing a song, whether you know it right off the bat or not, you can’t help but join in and you always end up enjoying yourself… because well, music! Also, Cogsworth is a bit skittish and paranoid at times… mostly about things in the castle. I know it’s mostly due to anxiety (and how it’s a real B*T*H) you are also very skittish and paranoid about things in life, though your issues differ from the clock’s…

My last character choice for you, the villain, is a bit of an odd one I know, but because of your kind nature choosing a villain for you was VERY DIFFICULT (to say the least). But, thanks to one main thing I know about this villain, I have chosen Scar from the Lion King. This will be the shortest part of this blog post, because you don’t relate to him in every aspect or very much, but like I said I see one major similarity.
First of all, I don’t think that you are someone who would or could kill their brother or nephew just to get ahead in life, lol. And, I don’t see you as commanding or ruling over a bunch of idiots, just to make them do your work for you… or for anything else.

However, I do see you as not having been given everything he felt that he deserved in life, someone who was looked over or passed up for the wrong reasons. Although, you wouldn’t go to the extreme lengths that Scar did, I do feel that you are someone who would do just about anything to get what he deserves in life. I see you as someone who does deserve the best and most out of life. Scar also felt that he deserved the best (though we know he actually didn’t… or maybe he did, but we couldn’t see it, because he went about getting those things in the wrong way.) For many reasons, most of them unfair or unjust, you and Scar both were looked over for things that you both clearly (or might) deserve or should have been chosen for. This doesn’t make either of you a villain (because you REALLY are not meant to be seen as a villain), it just means that no one gave you guys a fair chance when it came to many things in life.

A last random thought and add on… one that literally just came to mind, Hercules. You and Hercules also relate to each other in a way or two. For one, neither of you feel like you are where you’re meant to be, although you ARE both willing to “Go the Distance”, to find out where you belong and to become the hero of your own story. Also, you guys both dream of far off places, and I know that like Hercules, you will also find those places and see them by any means necessary. Also, you both have the overwhelming (not a bad thing) need to help those you feel are deserving or in need of your assistance. And, finally, you both, in a way, feel like you have something to prove to either one specific person or the whole world in general. Sorry not sorry for the add on, and I know it’s quite short, but I felt like that also needed to be said…

We continue on our week of musical reviews with another Broadway classic that is one of the most popular and most performed of all Broadway shows. I of course am talking about Meredith Wilson’s all-time classic, The Music Man.

Whenever a list of top Broadway shows is composed, The Music Man is usually on that list. Its characters, story and music are all timeless classics. The production has seen multiple revivals on Broadway, as well as abroad. Like many popular shows of the time, The Music Man also received a film adaptation. Despite releasing three months after West Side Story, The Music Man was a smash hit, capturing 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Leading Actor for Robert Preston as Harold Hill. The film received a film adaptation in 1962, with Preston reprising the role as Harold Hill. The film won widespread acclaim and went on to become one the biggest earners at the box office that year.

What makes this show special for me is that this is the show that helped me discover my love of theater. My father played this show for me and I was instantly hooked. Dancing around my house, singing every song along the way. It was with The Music Man that I learned that I loved the theater and wanted to be a part of it.

As for the show itself, the story is a classic. Con man Harold Hill arrives in River City Iowa, where he plans on continuing the scheme that has earned him the ire of every traveling salesman in the business. The scheme is to sell boys bands to each city he goes, collect money for instruments, books and now uniforms, and then skip town once he collects the money and before he teaches a single note.

It seems a simple enough proposition, especially when Hill meets his old buddy Marcellus Washburn. But Hill quickly discovers that Iowa is a very different place then anywhere else he has visited. It is going to take all of his talents if he is to achieve success.

The first part of his plan goes off without a hitch. He is able to convince the town that they have “trouble” in the shape of the pool table that has just arrived. It is just after this however, that Hill runs into his first problem. That problem being Marian Paroo, the local librarian who also happens to give piano lessons. Realizing that she could ruin his plans, Hill decides to flirt with her but, but his advances are turned down. Marian deduces very quickly Hills motives with her and resolves to fall to his charms.

It is during the Independence Day exercises that Hill makes his move. As the festivities are interrupted by a local trouble maker, Hill whips the assembled crowd into a frenzy by again mentioning the pool table. As the crowd becomes agitated, Hill takes this opportunity to convince the town that he can “save” them from the trouble by bringing a boys band to River City. What follows is one of the most stirring numbers of the show, 76 Trombones. Hill captivates the crowd. He has everyone under his spell, the school board, the mayor and any common folk. However one person is not convinced, Marian. She quickly realizes that the entire town has fallen for him and she is not about to one of them. The mayor snaps out of it and instructs the members of the school board to “get that mans credentials”.

Time passes and Hill continues to work his magic. People are ordering instruments, Hill has avoided scrutiny in clever ways and soon he’ll be able to skip town. He has the school board off his case by turning them into a quick barbershop quartet whenever he is around them. As for the prying eyes and ears of the mayors wife and her circle of friends, Hill convinces them that they have the makings of dance group. However, one person remains impervious to his charms, Marian. Hill realizes that to succeed, Marian has to be convinced. He concentrate all of his efforts on that, even as the uniforms and instruments begin to arrive.

There is one unintended consequence of his pursuit of Marian, he begins to fall for her. Likewise, Marian begins to fall for Hill which complicates matters even further. The show reaches in inevitable conclusion when one of the traveling salesman who has been chasing Hill for some time finally catches up with him. His lies exposed, Hill is ready to make his escape but there is a problem. He wants to stay for Marian’s sake and as he puts it, “I got caught with my foot in the door.” The ending of the show is brilliant and it’s an ending I will not give away. Suffice to say, the payoff is well worth it.

The story is a beautiful blend of charm, humor, romance and even tension. Anytime it appears Hill may be discovered a fraud, he weasels his way out of it, even though you know it is going to catch up with him at some point.

The characters are true classics and include dream roles for me. Harold Hill is the ideal con man. He is charismatic, charming, has a plan for everything and yet is incredibly believable. Robert Preston played the part both on Broadway and in the film version and truly delivered a magnificent performance.  Marian Paroo is an ideal foil. No nonsense, your typical librarian and yet afraid that she’ll never fall in love. The characters dovetail so well with each other and it is easily one of the best romantic pairings I have ever seen in a Broadway show.

The side characters prop up this show as well. Marcellus Washburn, Mayor Shinn are easily some of the best secondary characters a Broadway show has to offer. Shinn goes from being spellbound one minute, to nonbeliever the next. There is also the members of the school board, Eulalie Shinn the mayors wife, Mrs. Paroo and many others. This memorable cast of characters delivers heart, wit, humor and everything in between to go alongside the leads.

Then there is the music numbers themselves, which are some of the most memorable and well known in the catalog. Iowa Stubborn, Ya Got Trouble, the aforementioned 76 Trombones, Marian the Librarian, Shipoopi and many, MANY more. These numbers are fantastic and it shows just how long they have stood the test of time when they are being used in pop culture shows like the Simpsons. A song resembling Ya Got Trouble appeared in the episode Marge vs the Monorail and a character even resembles Harold Hill. This musical has stood the test of time, much like any great musical. A testament to its endurance is the fact that it is receiving a Broadway revival this fall, with famed actor Hugh Jackman playing the part of Harold Hill and acclaimed actress Sutton Foster in the role of Marian.

Overall, The Music Man is one of the great Broadway shows that will never lose its popularity.  The story, the characters, the music, all are some of the most memorable that Broadway has ever seen and I can not wait to see it this fall (fingers crossed). This show holds a special place in my heart and it is one that I will watch over and over again.

Verdict: an easy 5 stars. lands in the top three of my favorite musicals list.

When I started this blog, I was determined that while books would be the primary focuses of my reviews, I also wanted to review other things that I loved. These include movies, TV shows and Broadway musicals. And while I will get back to the books soon, I wanted to take the rest of this week to talk about some of my favorite shows.

Broadway musicals are very different when  it comes to reviewing them and understanding them. . Unlike books, which you can judge on their own or as part of a series, Broadway shows have to be judged on their own merit. And while they  are still judged on characters and plot, new elements are added to the review. Elements such as music, set design and costumes. All of these add a different layer to the story and each show is filled with their own blend of charm,  style and sophistication.

Now some of the shows I plan on reviewing have also been turned into movies which makes the review process more intriguing. Movie adaptations have a very mixed history. There have been those that have achieved rousing success, adaptations such as the Academy Award winner My Fair Lady. Others, such as the recent adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Cats, have failed spectacularly.  But regardless, comparing the movie versions to their stage versions is unavoidable.

The first show that I will review is one of my favorites, even  if I have only seen the movie version. My Fair Lady is one of the most famous and acclaimed shows in the Broadway catalog. The show originally opened in 1956, with Julie Andrews staring as Eliza Doolittle and Rex Harrison as Professor Henry Higgins. The show went on the become one of the highest grossing shows of all time. The show was nominated for 10 Tony Awards (the theater equivalent of the Oscars) and won 6, including Best Musical and Best Performance by a Leading Actor. In 1964, Warner Bros. decided to make a film adaptation of the film. The film drew criticism for a couple of reasons. First, Warner’s decision to cast Audrey Hepburn in the role of Eliza instead of Julie Andrews was the biggest. Warner wanted a big name star and since Andrews had never had a film role before, he was wary. Much to the displeasure of Hepburn, Marnie Nixon ended being the singing voice of Eliza. Ironically, Andrews would go onto win the Oscar for Best Actress or her role in Mary Poppins that same year, beating out Hepburn. Despite all of that, the film won 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director. The musical received a Broadway revival that again won good praise. The revival received 10 Tony Award nominations although it only won one. Now with the history lesson out of the way, onto to the show itself.

The plot of show centers around professor Henry Higgins, a noted phonetician, and his attempts to turn Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl with unintelligible accent, into a high society girl. Alongside Colonel Pickering, another linguist, Higgins makes the bet that he can pass Eliza off as a Duchess at an upcoming Embassy Ball. Eliza is for this because she sees this an opportunity to escape the streets where she sells her flowers. What follows is a heartwarming, emotional and at times hysterical journey for Higgins, Eliza and Pickering. At first, Eliza struggles with the adjustment and the lessons in general. Higgins is rough, brash and incredibly harsh on Eliza early on which causes Eliza to hate Higgins. Pickering on the other hand, treat Eliza with a much gentler hand.

But as Eliza begins to make progress, even Higgins lightens up on her. But the more Eliza grows into her new place as a Lady, she begins to question many things. After the penultimate scene at the Embassy Ball, Eliza comes to realize she was just a pawn. What follows is the true heart of both the film and the musical. Higgins realizes Eliza meant far more to him than he first realized. I course will  not give away the end but let’s just say the finale is truly worth it.

As with most musicals, there are side stories that go hand in hand with the main story. Chief among these is the story of Eliza’s father, Alfred Doolittle. Alfred spends his days drinking and getting money from Eliza. But when Eliza goes to live with Higgins for the duration of the experiment, Alfred sees an opportunity to have more money than ever. However, when Alfred goes to retrieve Eliza, he finds himself nominated as a great philosopher by Higgins. Higgins does it more as joke than anything, but it turns out in a surprising manner for Alfred. Again, I will not spoil that outcome.

The story is one of the great strengths of the show and movie version, but the music is also a massive plus. A musical is defined chiefly by its music and My Fair Lady has some of the best music around. Songs such Wouldn’t It Be Lovely, I Could Have Dance All Night, A Hymn To Him and others are some of the best compositions in the Broadway catalog.

As for the characters, again they are some of the best. Eliza is funny, determined and charming all at once. Higgins is at first an unlikable character, but really turns into a character you love by the end of the show.  The rest of the characters are lovable and charming in their own right. Pickering, Freddy, Mrs. Higgins, Alfred Doolittle, all of them are charming, unique and excellent foils to the leads of Higgins and Eliza.

There is so much more that could be talked about regarding this show. The scenes of the Embassy Ball, the scene at the racetrack and many other scenes help to make this musical truly one of a kind.

Everything about this show is truly fabulous. Weather it is the original production with Julie Andrews, the 1964 film version with Audrey Hepburn, the new revival or another production in between, My Fair Lady truly stands out in the annals of Broadway history. There is a reason that it has been called the perfect musical.

Verdict: The highest of 5 stars. A truly great musical and one of the best in the history of the stage.

Often times, a series starts out promising with t he first book but then fizzles out in book 2. The goodwill that the first book is quickly lost when the sequel comes out that and often times the series is left unread. Or if I do finish the series, I find it unenjoyable and only finish it to see how the story ends and nothing more. I don’t feel invested in the  characters. I have had this problem many times in a series and am always wary when it comes to series.

Laura Sebastian’s Ash Princess trilogy was one of those series that had a good start and a good premise, but it was also one of those series that had the potential to crash and burn very easily. The first book, Ash Princess was enjoyable and provided a solid platform for a series. A solid heroine in Theodosia, good supporting characters, a solid story and a solid world. The next two books, Lady Smoke and Ember Queen, are very good books in their own right and build on the promise of the first book. I am going to issue a SPOILER WARNING because I will be recapping some events in Ash Princess.

 

Lady Smoke picks up right where Ash Princess left off. Theo, on the run after killing the Kaiser, is now in desperate need of an army to fight back against the Kalovaxians and regain her home. But, as she did in the previous book, Theo faces plenty of obstacles. And her journey in this second installment is quite a fascinating one and sets up the third and final act quite nicely.

The story revolves heavily around the fact that Theo is needing an army. Her aunt, the pirate Dragonsbane, advocates that  Theo  take a husband in order to secure a military alliance. The problem for Theo is that no Astrean has ever taken a husband and it’s something that  Theo isn’t willing to do. And that is one of the most interesting parts of this book. Theo doesn’t want a relationship thrust upon her and yet, she is willing to do whatever it takes for her people’s sake. Theo is very headstrong in this second act, but also quite conflicted. She is torn between what is best for her people and what is best for her in her own personal life.

That brings us to one of the focal points of this book, the continued development of the romance between Theo and Prinz Soren. The romance was hinted at in book one, but it continues to develop here. But, it is a slow moving relationship. Theo is unwilling to let the relationship go far because of the potential commitment to a husband for a military alliance. Soren for his part is patient and is willing to wait, while also being determined to help Theo.

New characters also emerge as the story progresses. More allies for Theo and her growing band of rebels. There is Erik, a relative of Soren and whose mother was once in service to the Kaiser. A ruler in exile himself, Erik lends yet another voice to the rebels and is a good foil to the prim and proper Soren.

There are many more characters that are introduced here, almost too many to remember. But Sebastian does an excellent job of weaving the tale of all of the characters and the story as well. And speaking of the story, Cress’s rise as the villain of this story is a good one. Her motivations aren’t really well known, but her rage and the lengths she is willing to go to is extraordinary.  I enjoy this shift in the character that was hinted in book one.

Overall, this was a book, that while slow throughout the majority, is a worthy successor to Ash Princess. The book does carry emotion, tension and heap of story building. The book takes what was good in Ash Princess and makes it better. A truly worthwhile read.

Verdict- 4 out of 5 stars. A worthy successor and continuing the themes set in the first book.

 

 

 

The final entry in the series, Ember Queen brings the the story of Theo and her band of rebels full circle. After devastating events at the end of Lady Smoke, Theo emerges from the mine ready to fully secure her throne and take back her land. This is my opinion, the best of the three books. It emotional, tense, has plenty of charm and character building, even if the ending leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

In this book, Theo clearly becomes the Queen she was meant to be. no longer is she the scared prisoner she was in Ash Princess. She is confident, assertive and most of all, ready to lead. While she does heed the advice of those around her, Soren, Erik and Artemisia among them, she is more than willing to take things into her own hands.

The other big character that has changed is Cress. Gone is the wide eyed girl who was looking for love, a sister and a future. In her place is a girl who is tired of having men run her world. She now seeks the destruction of Theo and her group and securing a future for women just like her. And she is willing to whatever it takes to achieve her goal. Her rage, sense of betrayal and disdain for the rebels is clear and obvious.

The other big character development is between Soren and Theo. The relationship that has been buiding for two books finally comes to fruition in this final installment. But what makes this relationship different is that they part at the end of the book. They agree to see each  other, but don’t remain together. It fits with Theo’s character of wanting to carve her own path forward. But that is the one thing that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This open ended finale is not to my liking, not one bit.

The story itself is a fast paced ride from one gem mine to the next. Guided by desire to free more people and get more Guardians on their side, Theo and her army never wastes time, which lends to the books fast pace. The interesting part with this story is the dreams that guide Theo and link her to Cress. These dreams are a fascinating side story that continue to emphasize the link that Cress and Theo once shared.

The book does not play it safe with its cast of characters. There are surprises, tears, deaths, everything you want in a finale. Although I will say when the inevitable character death does occur, it isn’t surprising who dies.

Overall, this book is a fitting finale for Theo and her story. There is charm, laughs, tears, heartache,  everything you want to wrap up a book. Sebastian does a wonderful job in wrapping up the trilogy. Easily the best of the three.

Verdict: 5 stars. A worthy read and a good outcome for those who stuck with the series.