Imagine that there’s a way to open up all of your brain’s capacity. What would happen? Would you become a researcher into some of the most hideous diseases that afflict the world? Or become a high-powered politician – able to influence the lives of everyone around you?
Jack The Giant Slayer
26 March 2013 by Leave a Comment
The current Hollywood craze for reimagining fairytales as big budget films has passed me by. The Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland irritated me, it was too much of same old manic faced Johnny Depp and wild eyed Helena Bonham-Carter for my liking…
The Night Circus
19 March 2012 by 4 Comments
The longlist for this year’s Orange Prize for Fiction was announced a few days ago. The twenty books include a number of novels from first time authors as well as more experienced writers…
Romeo Spikes
17 October 2011 by Leave a Comment
When Beautiful Books invited reviewers to read their latest fantasy novel, Romeo Spikes, by Joanne Reay I jumped at the idea. Here was the perfect opportunity to get started on a genre that is a complete mystery to me…
Pottermore launches – greedy people rejoice
3 August 2011 by Leave a Comment
When JK Rowling teased us with news of a website called Pottermore fans went into meltdown. Was this a new story? Were Harry, Ron and Hermione coming back to fight Death Eaters who remained loyal to Voldemort?
Not quite – Pottermore is really not much more than a neat marketing ploy. E-book versions of all seven novels will be available in a number of languages and we’ll get a little more information on the wizarding world and character backgrounds.
Early registration is now open for a limited time, and already some lowlifes are selling account details on Ebay for stupid prices, completely against both the terms and the spirit of the website and Rowling’s wizarding world. The official Pottermore blog has asked that fans don’t purchase details online. I’m know I wouldn’t – I’m happy to wait until October for more information.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two
15 July 2011 by 5 Comments
A fitting finale to an epic series
It’s quarter to three in the morning and I’m just back from the one minute past midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two. I’m exhausted, but also on a bit of a high…
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One
14 July 2011 by 1 Comment
Slow in places but there’s promise of greatness ahead
When it was announced that final film in the Harry Potter series would be split into two parts I was initially in two minds. The first thought was “Oh, they’ll be able to get more of the story in”…
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
14 July 2011 by Leave a Comment
A fitting finale
By the time Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released in 2007 fans of the series, including me, were at fever pitch. It was inconceivable to wait until Saturday morning for the book…
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
13 July 2011 by Leave a Comment
This entry is part 6 of 7 in the series Harry Potter BooksPublished: 2005 Author: J.K. Rowling Penultimate adventure sets up a cracking finale Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince begins in a scary time in the wizarding world. Voldemort’s return is now widely accepted and his desire to regain his position of […]
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
12 July 2011 by Leave a Comment
Rookie director’s amazing accomplishment
For the fifth film in the Harry Potter series we once again have another new director. The fourth man in charge thus far in the franchise and this time it feels just right.