BOOK REVIEW: DEFENDER BY GX TODD (ADVANCE REVIEW)

 
Defender by G.X. Todd (Advance Review)
Publication Date: 12 Jan 2017
Publisher: Headline
Type: Paperback/Hardback/eBook
Pages:
Reviewed by: Sandra Scholes

Synopsis:
Defender by G X Todd is an imaginative thriller that draws on influences from Stephen King, Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman to create a new world - where the biggest threat mankind faces is from the voices inside your own head. If you loved The Stand, you'll love Defender, the first in a four part series.

BOOK REVIEW: NEW POMPEII BY DANIEL GODFREY

 
New Pompeii by Daniel Godfrey

For readers of Michael Crichton and Robert Harris, this novel, one of a series (the second instalment out on June of 2017) gives thought to the issues of both past and present, gibing them a sense of history, but also as Nick Houghton finds out is room for studying the real Romans he has in a replica of Pompeii dubbed New Pompeii.

BOOK REVIEW: #WHAT IS HYPNOSIS? BY TOM FORBES MAYER

#what is hypnosis? by Tom Forbes Mayer

When we think of hypnosis, we imagine a tall, dark stage presence who somehow manages to get people to do odd things for his own amusement and the amusement of the audience. But here, Mayer inform us there is much more to hypnosis that could benefit people if they could only brush away the preconceptions of what they think hypnosis is.

SCI-FI REVIEW: THE RACE BY NINA ALLEN

 
The Race by Nina Allen

In the future there are many possibilities, this could be one of them. Sapphire is a place, much like the outskirts of London where it had been a beautiful place to live - before the fracking took place. As a once idyllic holiday resort it had been a part of the good old days, ones where Jenna can only see on photographs. Now there is nothing about Sapphire that is great or beautiful. Instead, the land became polluted and no one in their right minds wants to live there unless they are being paid danger money to do so. Jenna only remembers the now, how floods of immigrants were sent there and illegal dog racing took over the town.

CHILDREN'S REVIEW: BOB'S MYTHOLOGICAL GARDEN BY FAIZ KERMANI

 
Bob's Mythological Garden 
Author: Faiz Kermani
Pages: 18
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

Synopsis:
No one believes in unicorns, trolls, elves, pixies, or other imaginary creatures! At least that’s what Bob keeps telling his boss at The International Chronicle. Unfortunately, Bob’s boss remains convinced that Bob’s journalistic talents are best suited to writing about these weird subjects. Why would Bob want to write about politics and economics when readers love his strange articles about dragons and other freaky creatures? One day, Bob finally manages to escape his nightmare of a job—or does he? The charming, relaxing cottage he has found shelter in ends up attracting the oddest visitors. His ridiculous stories might have some truth to them.

HALLOWEEN DESSERT: PUMPKIN FILLED WITH COCONUT CUSTARD

As the other was a main dish, this is your spooky pumpkin dessert for all those who are busy setting up their fun pumpkin faces - maybe you'll want to set one aside for this superb dessert! The idea of mouthwatering custard mixed with pumpkin sounds delicious to finish of a wonderful Thai curry - enjoy!

HALLOWEEN COOKING SECTION: THAI DUCK/CHICKEN & PUMPKIN YELLOW CURRY RECIPE

 
The nights are drawing in and it's getting colder outside - yes, summer has gone and autumn (fall) is finally here, but us otakus love our Halloween fun, so while it is cold out there, get warm indoors with one of two cool recipes guaranteed to keep your spirits up, and as it's Thai, it's still Asian, and in keeping with the manga/anime feel of this blog.

ANIME REVIEW: NARUTO SHIPPUDEN BOX SET 26

Naruto Shippuden Box Set 26
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 12
Running Time: 300 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: 10/10/2016
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes 

Naruto, due to his stamina and use of chakra can be in several places at once thanks to his clones, but his prowess on the battlefield can only accomplish so much; facing Madara, his chakra is fast running out and his options are limited - what can he do against the might of one of the oldest Uchihas?

TRINITY SEVEN COMPLETE COLLECTION

Trinity Seven Complete Collection
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 15
Running Time: 300 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: 10/10/2016
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes 


Everything seems great for high school kid Arata Kasuga, he lives with his cousin, Hiijiri and has friends at school - so life's peachy...except it isn't the world he's been living has been a complete lie - the sun is black and everyone accepts it and he's having strange dreams of him chasing a woman only to find he loses her. He thinks he's happy, but there are things happening in his life that makes him wonder.

ANIME REVIEW: DIGIMON DIGITAL MONSTERS SEASON 1

Digimon Digital Monsters Season 1
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: PG
Running Time: 1095 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: 3/10/2016
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes 

First there was Pokémon, then Digimon reared its head. This is the English anime version of the Japanese one written by RD Chamberlain and John Ludin where there are another set of characters who have their own Digimon characters to work with - it's fun and frolics in a similar Pokémon style universe many have come to know and love...but what's it about?

POKEMON THE MOVIE: HOOPA AND THE CLASH OF AGES

Pokemon The Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: PG
Running Time: 76 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: 24/10/2016
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes

A mysterious spirit comes to earth and threatens mankind with its awesome power - a mage enters to thwart him, and, using his magic he traps him in a large bottle, sealing him away in a temple for a hundred years. Though eternity, it seems isn't as long a time as the mage thought when Baraz finds the temple and unwittingly releases the spirit onto mankind once again.

ANIME REVIEW: ONE PIECE UNCUT COLLECTION VOL:13

One Piece Uncut Collection Vol: 13
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: 12
Running Time: 520.1 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: Out Now!
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes 

Their journey to Skypiea isn't what they imagined it would be as they originally thought they would have the most fun with their friends - instead they get involved in something that could set them back to square one very fast - plus the priests of Upper Yard have a few things to say to them, or more!

ANIME REVIEW: YU-GI-OH! 5DS SEASON 2 COLLECTION

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS Season 2 Collection
Released By: Manga Entertainment
Rating: PG
Running Time: 1298 Mins
Audio: English DD 5.1 Japanese DD 2.0
Release Date: 10/10/2016
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes 

While most kids were knee-deep in Pokemon back in the 90s, there were others who were into Yu-Gi-Oh! as the manga taught us that we had an inner strength no one could take from us. Though the story has moved away from young Yugi Mutou, though there are other character who take on the bad guy duelists.