• Historical Fantasy

    Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes: a Game of Shadows 

    Published on 01-27-2012 01:23 AM  Number of Views: 72 
    Categories:
    1. Historical Fantasy
    2. 3.5 Stars
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    Sherlock Holmes: a Game of Shadows (2011), Rated PG-13
    Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Noomi Rapace, Paul Anderson, Stephen Fry
    Directed by: Guy Ritchie
    Reviewed by Dave Felts
    Rating: (3.5/5)

    I like Robert Downey Jr. I enjoy his acting, and I guess I appreciate the travails he’s overcome. Most of us like to see people make good and bury their demons. I think he was the perfect fit for Iron Man, and he's a good fit for (this version of) Sherlock Holmes.

    I’m hampered here by my lack of knowledge about the ‘real’ Sherlock Holmes, so I’m afraid I can’t offer any assessment of how close Downey’s character, or the other characters, or the movie’s plot, corresponds to the actual stories. Judging by Hollywood’s past track record, my guess would be that the deviation is pretty large. ...
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    Book Review: The Dark Mirror - Book One of The Bridei Chronicles, by Juliet Marillier 

    Published on 06-09-2010 02:34 PM  Number of Views: 863 
    Categories:
    1. Fantasy
    2. Historical Fantasy
    3. 3.5 Stars
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    The Dark Mirror - Book One of The Bridei Chronicles, by Juliet Marillier
    Reviewed by S. J. Higbee

    Publisher:TOR Fantasy
    Year Published: 2007

    Set in the far north of England, in approximately 500AD, this is the story of the embattled Priteni. Marillier based them on the Picts, who were wiped out of history by the end of the Dark Ages. Recent archaeology reveals them to have had a sophisticated society with developed art and a deep religious belief and interest in the animals and plants around them. ...
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    Review: Ffolkes' Medicine: The Adventures of Geoffery Armitage Ffolkes Begin, by B. R. Stateham 

    Published on 05-19-2010 03:25 PM  Number of Views: 421 
    Categories:
    1. Historical Fantasy
    2. 4.0 Stars
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    Ffolkes' Medicine: The Adventures of Geoffery Armitage Ffolkes Begin, by B. R. Stateham
    Reviewed by Paul Weiss

    Publisher: Fireside Mysteries
    Year Published: 2010

    You have to give first-time author, BR Stateham, full marks for creativity and imagination. Geoffery Armitage Ffolkes is a very interesting character, indeed. Imagine if you will a tall, cocky, swaggering, outrageously dandefied 17th century privateer with a love of the puerile; an erstwhile physician well versed in the healing arts of the day; a competent businessman assiduously building his wealth; and an astute observer of the human condition who uses logic to solve puzzles ranging from minor daily life conundrums to murder mysteries with implications at international government levels. ...
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    Review: Red Seas Under Red Skies, by Scott Lynch 

    Published on 05-16-2010 07:40 PM  Number of Views: 547 
    Categories:
    1. Historical Fantasy
    2. 5.0 Stars
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    Red Seas Under Red Skies, by Scott Lynch
    Reviewed by Paul Weiss

    Publisher:Spectra
    Year Published: 2008

    The swashbuckling con games and escapades continue!

    Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen, the two badly beaten and shocked, weary remnants of The Gentlemen Bastards, continue their picaresque fantastical escapades in fine form! ...
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