The Art of Thor Ragnarok by Eleni Roussos ~ a Review

by MK French

This art book shows production sketches, comic panels, and includes snippets of interviews by the art team. We have an introduction giving us the comic history for Thor's character, as well as the MCU version. The very different vision for Thor is explained there and in the foreword by director Taika Waititi. Jack Kirby's brightly colored art for the original comics was deliberately brought into the designs for Sakaar,  and the story in the movie was heavily inspired by the 1983-4 comic run.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Serpent & The Dead by Anna Stephens ~ a Review

by MK French

Lady Sif watches a close friend die in battle, but their soul doesn't go to Valhalla. This runs counter to everything she ever knew about the afterlife for Asgardians, and enlists the help of the Valkyrie Brunnhilde to discover why this is happening. As they scour Asgard, they hear rumors of warriors that can't be killed and souls that are stolen. This is a mystery worthy of these two valiant warriors.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Summer Reading, Movies, and Recipes

by Alison DeLuca

Whew, it's hot. Weather like this makes me want to run a 5K and read Anna Karenina, NOT.  Instead, I need fun, frothy novels for the beach or poolside as we face another humid thunderstorm. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

The Ming Storm by Yan Leisheng ~ a Review

by MK French

In sixteenth-century China, the Assassins are gone. Zhang Yong, the leader of the Eight Tigers, eliminated all rivals, allowing the Templars to hold all the power. Shao Jun, the only survivor, vows revenge and travels to Europe to train with the legendary Ezio Auditore. When she returns, she must find allies to defeat the Eight Tigers.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Marvel's Black Panther: Sins of the King by Ira Madison III et al ~ a Review

by MK French

T’Challa strives to be a good and worthy King of Wakanda, as well as a global citizen, Avenger, and brother. He does his best to do this in spite of traditionalists pushing back at home, and his instincts are put to the test when the undead rise and overtake Wakanda. He then relies on his late father for help in restoring the country.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

Quarantine Marathon

by Alison DeLuca

My sincerest hopes that you and your families are safe and well.

Quarantine has been interesting, to say the least. It's like being in a cocoon, and perhaps that has become the time for people to reveal themselves. Have you grown wings by learning how to cook a great curry or brushing up on those sewing-machine basics?

Arc of Triumph

by Ross M. Kitson

Image from MovieWeb

This week marks the release of Avengers 3: Infinity War, which I’m sure everyone with a social media account/ television/ eyes/ ears/ child is aware of. For those with only a passing interest in pumped-up actors fighting through a CGI saturated environment, you’d be forgiven for rolling your eyes and wondering what all the fuss is about. Yet beyond the likely movie profits that’ll rival the GDP of a small third world nation, I think the Avengers 3 marks a key moment in movie history—the culmination of a movie plot.