I don’t think 3 stars is quite right. It might be closer to 3.5. The book gives me a very “Umbrella Academy” feel. The story of an adopted family of children who all gain some kind of special abilities. A minor difference / quibble there being that the children don’t naturally have any of their abilities, they study to gain them.
The world building here was interesting. I say interesting because normally the “real world” as a basis for your story allows for a great many short cuts, but the author managed to give the feeling of things being ever so slightly ‘off’ with the descriptions of time. I had a thorn stuck in my head by this story via the use of a military character. The total time in service for the stated rank and exit from service for Erwin just did NOT ring true. It was really my biggest complaint about the world building – if you’re using the real world army, talk to somebody about it and pick up the details.
The characters were interesting. Some grew to be irritating more than anything by the later stages of the book, but the main ones kept things fresh as the story progressed. I knew the person behind the plot fairly early on, but did not see nor expect what the author did with the ending.
In all it kept me reading to the end. I look forward to our book group’s discussion on this one.
As this week winds down we’re closing in on the end of the nomination period for the Hugo awards. For the past 20 years Watch The Skies has been publishing a fanzine that is eligible for the award. For each of those fanzines, cover art is needed. I’ve done a bunch of them.
Lately I’ve started to move back toward creating art that is NOT strictly digital. The cover art for this month’s edition actually started as an acrylic painting. Yes, I needed to get a picture of it and add some digital things like a border and title, but the base is still a painting.
When I say in my bio that I’m a fan, author and artist… it’s not always in that order. I know I’ll never win any awards, but it’s still important to create. Here’s the painting with out the border or text (high res photos do my no favors – this actually looks better in person).
I will restate that I really like this author’s work. I have a bias, know this going in.
At first glance more than 600 pages looked daunting. Then I remembered who wrote it. I’ve plunged through some of his other works at very rapid pace. Then I hit right about the 40% mark of this one and it really slowed down. It was all politics and wrangling of people and just slow. It was all part of building to an ending that made sense and it all fit, but I struggled. I know I generally like what he writes, so I pushed through. I’m glad I pushed ahead. Once I got past the slow bit I dashed across the finish line.
I enjoyed the characters in this story. The world building and magic system was a very big deal in this and it came through. I am still chewing on implications in my head for various aspects of the world.
Was there negative stuff? Yeah, actually there was. This was his first book and there were aspects of the flow and the narrative that felt that way. Perhaps it’s unfair to say that, but I’ve read a number of his other works first so coming back to this made the small things stand out more. One thing that I always find a bit… I don’t know if ‘cringy’ is the right word, but it seems to fit, is when authors give numbers to troops. There’s a non zero number of authors I’ve read where it just doesn’t feel like they’ve got a good handle on how big the army of an entire nation should be. This is one of those books. It’s generally vague, but there are a few mentions in there about troop numbers and they feel like they were just made up. I chalk that one up to my own pet peeve.
This book does a lot of good things too. It avoids certain tropes, and gives real thought to what variations in magic and politics do to the people in the world. The hero isn’t “the chosen one” or “destined to be” or anything like that. He’s a guy that gets handed crap circumstances. The other characters are a priest who questions his faith and a woman that doesn’t like being told what role she’s allowed to have in society. In general I would recommend reading this book if you’re into fantasy. Very enjoyable!
This was previously published in Watch The Skies fanzine – February 2021 – Dust.
I attempt to keep the recommendations for this article series away from one specific network or subscription service. Focus that lands entirely on Netflix would rapidly exclude and push away any reader that didn’t have, or didn’t want a subscription to that particular service. In that spirit, this particular article covers one short film individually, but I want to highly recommend going to the channel itself. Dust is on YouTube. It features dozens of films ranging in length between two and twenty minutes. They’re great for a quick hit of science fiction. As long as you can get to YouTube, you can watch them all for free. As I scrolled the various videos available there I realized I’d seen at least one of them before, some years ago. The short film “The Black Hole” lasts just under three minutes and is just as good now as it was four years ago. There’s a lot to see and recommend this channel to science fiction fans.
I was spurred on to writing this by a recent article over at IO9 pointing out the short film “Avarya”. I won’t go into depth on this film because it is certainly short and I don’t want to give too much away. I will say that as science fiction fans, and particularly those familiar with the three laws of robotics, this one is really well done. Fantastic animation, great voices and just the right length (coming in at 19:31) to fill a quick lunch time bump or give some inspiration between binge watches. It does take a bit of a dark turn as the article title suggests, so be warned!
Go and subscribe to Dust and see all the excellent films available there!
This was previously published in Watch The Skies fanzine – January 2021
The lost Star Wars film.
A very Star Wars look, right?
Diving into 2021 does not mean we’re charging forward and looking at something new. In fact, this is a retro view that I had somehow missed along the way. Like 40 years missed along the way. I admit I’m not a super fan when it comes to all things Star Wars. Yes, I saw the original films when they came out. Yes, I had a ton of the toys. No, I’m not a member of the Jedi church. I love them and they hold a place within me even if I don’t keep up with every single release. It’s a film (and TV show and book and toy…) franchise like no other and it turns out that something really interesting was tacked onto it. Fantasy.
That’s right, fantasy. George Lucas commissioned a fantasy film. He wanted this fantasy film to be shown before or in association with Empire Strikes Back. You read that right. Empire Strikes Back – tied directly to a swords and horses fantasy film. It was made, it was shown, then it was lost.
Recently, during the preparation for a discussion about the influence of films on fantasy gaming I was digging for clips and information about various movies I’ve watched or heard about over the years. There are a lot of excellent films out there is you love fantasy. Then I stumbled onto a thread about fantasy and Empire. That’s how I came to know about Black Angel.
The age of Black Angel is part of why I wanted to put it here, along with the story of how it was made, lost and subsequently recovered. It is a very moody piece. The scenery is amazing. The background music is haunting. There is a look and feel to this film that is undeniable. In the notes about the film it was revealed that parts of the crew for the movie Excalibur watched this and took copious notes. The look and feel of Excalibur and Black Angel are quite similar. Some of the techniques used in Black Angel were picked up and used in Empire as well.
As a fan of the history of science fiction and fantasy it’s a neat treasure that’s available for free. The mood, the look, the sound all make Black Angel worth the short run time.
This article was originally published in the November issue of the Watch The Skies Fanzine.
It’s a mind blowing number when I sit and really think about it. I have taxed my brain and attempted to remember how exactly I heard about the science fiction reading group at the big book store down the road from my house and I don’t recall. One of the clearest early memories I have of the group was getting the opportunity to chat with the author of a book called Red Moon. He had an endlessly fascinating set of stories about Soviet era space medals and theories on that program. That was way back in May of 2001. Red Moon stands out, but I still have physical copies of all the books from that year and I remember reading all of them. I can give details about what was in them and tell you if I enjoyed them. Not too shabby for something that started so long ago, but that’s not all.
20! Almost old enough to drink!
Over the years WTS has grown and changed and had manner of excitement. The books have been our constant. The good, the bad, the ugly we read and discussed our random (or not so random) selection each month, and then dove into whatever other subject struck our fancy from the world of fandom. We’ve had authors, artists, editors, cosplayers and actors stop in to visit with us. Live readings, staged events, book signings and parties. We’ve gone to the movies and watched old movies at members’ houses. Myriad members have come and gone, but many have stuck around and have become long time friends. We have helped at conventions and worked at charity events. We have celebrated and we have mourned. Our group has stuck together.
When trying to decide what to write about and how that sense of togetherness was the stand out piece. The most important thing I have found is my tribe. My people. I go out of my way to be at every meeting I can. I am upset and out of sorts if I can’t actually get to a meeting to see and hear from my friends… my science fiction family. It means a lot to me.
We’ve moved locations. Severing ties with the book store of origin we’ve relocated two (maybe three?) times. We’ve landed at a library now, and that seems fitting. We’re in the middle of a pandemic as I write this. Our group is undeterred and meets virtually now. It lacks some of the more personal aspects of meeting in person, but it sustains us. I suspect that even when we are able to meet in person again we will attempt to keep some form of virtual presence available.
We publish a fanzine. This is one of my favorite aspects of the things we do. It gives us a place to put our news, celebrate the work of friends of the group, talk space science, recommend movies or even get some advice. The fanzine has provided me with valuable lessons on working to a deadline and given me the confidence to put my art forward. Not all of my cover art for the fanzine is display worthy, but I am proud of having produced more than 140 pieces of art for it. That experience gave me a supply of work to display as part of a convention art show and helped me get one of my pieces published. We have an archive that allows us to look back on all of this.
Looking back is not the only thing I want to do here. I also want to look forward. We have a lot of history, but we also have a mountain of potential. Being part of the library book club groups gives us new channels to attract more members. We’re still hunting up amazing works of fiction to read and discuss every month AND still getting out there in the fandom community. I’ve thrown a couple of suggestions out there to extend our reach in the coming year. I’ve got requests out for new voices to join the fanzine. Hopefully we’ll get to return to in person meetings. I really hope we get to return to in person conventions as next summer the World Science Fiction Convention will be in our back yard when it takes place in Washington DC. I look forward to another twenty years of this crazy, awesome family we call a fan group.
Finally, but most importantly, Watch The Skies would not be the same without the true foundation of it all. I want to put a special thank you here for Jeff Young. Jeff is the leader, editor and book seller extraordinaire who is our anchor point. Without Jeff this group does not survive, and I for one am delighted that he hasn’t chucked me yet. Jeff, thank you for all you do. It matters.
This was previously published in Watch The Skies fanzine – November 2020
As we wrap up our final fanzine of 2020 I wanted to move away from some of the things I have been recommending lately that definitely skew younger and generally more positive. Saying you ‘should’ be watching this one will be considered a stretch by more than a few folks.
The Titan is a cerebral science fiction film that appeared under the radar back in 2018. Starring Sam Worthington, Taylor Schilling and Tom Wilkinson. The film, set in the relatively near future of 2048, is the story of scientific research to save the human race by expanding into space. Normally when you see this theme it involves either finding a Goldilocks planet (and getting there) or going to a distant planet and changing it to meet our physical needs. This film does neither of those things, but rather comes at the problem of adaptability by attempting to change the biological function of the people going to the planet.
The characters in the film are all forced to look at and deal with what physical adaptation means, how that effects many of the aspects of life and how to change their lives here before departing the planet. There are a number of times where one could draw comparisons to somebody like Frankenstein attempting to manipulate the core of what makes us live. There are also a number of questions about what actually makes us human. Do humans have to breath oxygen? Are you still human if you can’t speak? If you can’t see the way others do? If you can’t remember the people you love?
The movie is not action based. The characters are diverse. The special effects and body prosthetics toward the end of the film are very well done. Yes, there are a number of plot holes and unanswered questions when we get to the end of the film. I can’t say that this was one of the best films I’ve seen, but it certainly meets the criteria of giving a lot of things to talk about. If you have access to Netflix, you should be watching The Titan.
This was previously published in Watch The Skies fanzine – October 2020
It’s October and ‘spooky’ season is here. This year is looking like it’s going to play out differently than years past. I suspect there will be a greater number of folks than normal staying in and looking for some entertainment that matches the spirit of the season.
I happily recommend the horror / comedy Vampires vs. the Bronx. This movie is the story of three friends living in a neighborhood that is rapidly changing. They’re faced with routine challenges of daily life combined with the encroachment of a corporation that is trying to buy out all the business and people they know. The heroes are attempting to save the local shop they’ve grown up in from being pushed out. While canvasing for an upcoming party they discover the truth – vampires are behind the big business and need to be stopped!
The story is a fun romp. The villains are clearly the villains, the hero is clearly the hero. The issues kids deal with are part of the story as well. It’s nice to see a horror story that doesn’t immediately discount the use of cell phones and their place in our current society. It is reminiscent of Stranger Things, but on a lighter, shorter story arc. There is danger not just from the vampires, but also from day to day life. If you’ve got a tween or an early teen this is definitely a film that should be checked out for the Halloween season.
I would not have picked this book up if it were not a book club pick. I am glad that I read it. It was an interesting mix of urban fantasy and mystery novel, with a bent toward noir. A non-magic private investigator is called in to figure out the murder of a staff member at a prestigious school for wizards.
It’s a good idea. The characters are a mix of adults and students. It is unlike another, well known wizarding school in that the students aren’t the ones solving the mystery. The students don’t outwit the adults. They don’t “luck” into clues and dash about like a Scooby-Doo cartoon (in one door and out another). There is a real feel of grit in here ~ thus the “noir” part. Kids use their gifts to do the sort of things that kids do – love notes, graffiti, pranks… and it adds to the mix.
Ivy is the main character / non-magical investigator. She makes a lot of bad choices. I would have been on board with her… until. I’m not going to spoil any parts of the plot here in the review, but there’s a singular time in the story that I can point to when I was “bumped away” from this character. Up to that point I was fine, after that I was just disappointed. What it does is show a very real and believable character, so I understand that it’s my own desire to read characters that are somehow slightly more heroic than ordinary folks that caused me to dislike her.
This is also a murder mystery. I don’t read enough of the mystery genre to have figured this one out early on in the book, but there were many clues. There were also a fair number of red herrings along the way – some of which I totally went for, so that part was well done.
In all, I’m glad I read it but I don’t suspect I’d be rushing back for more.
Something I didn’t add to my review over on Goodreads is any commentary about the cover art. Since this was a book club choice I was also aware of imagery in the text. I frequently look for scenes that inspire a look or a view that would make great art. I usually attempt to use that inspiration to create a piece of art that relates to the book that we can use for the cover of our fanzine. This book had very, very little in the way of imagery. There was maybe one scene that could have been used and it was a little bit of a spoiler for the story. I stayed away. I think that lack of image, the dull visual if you will that was a part of making the story less appealing to me than it could have been. I like watching the “movie” of the story in my head while I read and this book just didn’t have as much to offer there as a number of other things we’ve read did.
This article was originally published in Watch The Skies fanzine – September 2020
I gave sincere consideration to putting the Netflix movie Project Power in here this month. It seemed like pandering to me. Diversity is extremely important. Representation in science fiction, fantasy and comic book based stories matters. Project Power is a great science fiction action movie – go watch it – but it’s not what I’m going to emphasize today. Today we talk about the Spanish movie Unknown Origins.
Unknown Origins is the story of a detective who must find a serial killer. The serial killer is recreating comic book origin stories as his murder scenes. The detective’s best hope in cracking the case comes from the nerdy comic book loving son of a fellow officer. It’s part buddy cop film and part love letter to comics and cosplay. As the story unfolds we get to dig deeper in to the lives and relationships that drive each of the people involved in this case while trying to solve the mystery.
This movie has a lot of very fun moments in it. I’m not going to give any specific examples as I don’t want to give any of the best lines away – and there are a couple of very good lines in there. It’s not a long movie, clocking in just around an hour and a half, but it packs a lot of stuff into a very short time. The creators have a few bits that land in the area of stereotype, but then they knock the edges off of them and give a few touching moments in the film. It definitely has a viewpoint that could be called ‘defensive’ as far as comics and cosplay goes.
The mystery itself is very, very well written. I thought I had it all figured out and was completely wrong. I had used some of the clues laid out in the movie, but I didn’t pick the right ones. I asked my wife to tell me her theory as soon as she thought she had it figured out. She used a different set of clues that were laid out in the background and came up with an incorrect answer as well. I have seen at least one other review out there that said they’d figured out the mystery right away, essentially as soon as they saw that one character. Perhaps I need to watch more mysteries, but to me it was refreshing to have a mystery that kept us guessing right up to the big reveal.
I recommend watching this movie in the original Spanish with subtitles. I watched the trailer with English dub and it just lost something in the translation. I also recommend hanging around until the very end. There’s a post credits scene, just as there is with any good comic book film!
