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An Inspiration to Everyone Trying To Live Their Dream.

Don Bluth lifts the lid on his life and his works of art that includes his time at Disney, the computer game Dragon’s Lair and the masterpieces that is the Secret of Nimth.

 This is an interesting story on how a man who works for Disney and against all odds was able to strike out on his own to start his own animation studio and fight against the grain. Bluth gives us a story that gives us so much more information on the man behind the classics and how a dream can spark a career in the love of what he does.

 Bluth has given us Thumbelina, Anastasia, Land Before Time, An American Tale and of course my own personal favourite Secret of Nimth.  You watch his films and you can see the passion that he has for his projects and this comes through in the narrative of his story.  He is a testament that if you dream it and never take no as an answer you can live your dream and conquer against all odds.

 Interestingly enough, he had no formal training and this gives his story even more pathos.  He is a truly remarkable man who has left behind a great legacy.  He also gives a story that it will not be easy but if you fight and work hard, you can accomplish anything your heart desires.  

 Inspirational, awe inspiring and a truly great book especially if you are a fan.  A man who hides his light under a bushel and it is great to see this light shine even brighter than before.  A true master in his field.    

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Buster Keaton’s biography is a very in depth and provocative biography that leaves no stone unturned.

 This biography is a very interesting read that gives a lot of details from the birth to his death.  It includes almost minute by minute details of his films, stage performances and life.  It is a very comprehensive read that fully immerses itself into the life of Keaton.

 The author has done a phenomenal job giving a comprehensive study of a comic genius from cradle to death and to gather interviews from vaudeville and silent screen is a major feat within itself.  The making of the shorts and how each comedy section in the films in great deal is a treasure trove of information.  The book does jump from the last film Keaton did and back to his birth and forward, but this is very sporadic and does not take away from the rhythm of the book.  

 Curtis traces the growth of Keaton and then we get the downward years which are simply heart-breaking. We follow his decline and how a company did not appreciate the genius that they have and how this would lead to drink and a sense of helplessness.  

 Overall, this is an excellent biography and though it is very lengthy the reader will end up aficionado of all of Keaton work and will start to hunt down his career via his silent films and other work.  I know I did. I liked Keaton but because of this book, I am now a true fan and will be doing a Keaton series on my show in the next season to celebrate the man and his work.  The only bad thing is because of the in-depth writing, I spent weeks and weeks reading this book which put my other reviews on the side but saying that I am glad I did.  Fantastic and a must read.

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Resident Evil: The Umbrella Conspiracy is a novelisation of the Resident Evil 1 which is a fun read and fills in details from the game perspective that adds to the mystique of the overall game play.  Flushing out the characters and their motivations we get a three dimensional version of Jill Valentine, Rebecca Chambers, Chris Redfield and Barry Burton though Albert Wesker is still an enigma and the Bravo and Alpha teams of S.T.A.R.S are still as hollow as their CGI counterparts and it would be nice to have a little bit more pages added to give them some depth like Kenneth and other victims of the T-Virus.

 Spencer mansion is well put together within the narrative pages of the book and this takes up most of the book which is good but it would have been nice to have more of what happens past the Spencer Mansion.  SD Perry does a great job with the puzzles found in the game and bringing them to the novelisation and overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book a lot.  

 It is adequately written with good narrative and even better drawn characters than their computer game counterparts and a must for any fan of Resident Evil.  I kind of wish they used this book for the many bastardised film versions that have been released.  If you are a fan, this is a book you will love.  If you like a book that is a quick read this will also be for you. If you are looking for inner depth and masterful writing then this probably should be a miss.    

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Isaka’s new exciting novel is a thrill ride with its unique characters and situation giving a reader a thrill ride that is both exciting and intriguing.

 The plot deals with a series of diabolical characters that at first seem to be very separated by their ambitions and drive but eventually their paths cross with the realisation that like the train they are on the same track.  The story is well managed and it leaves the reader intrigued to race to the end as intricate storylines and plot devices are masterfully handled to its exciting conclusion.

 The characters are very well developed and although they are despicable characters in their own right, Isaka has given them individual personalities and juggles these brilliantly. The reader is engaged with each and every character and makes you care for them as they carry out their dastardly deeds and murderous intent.  You find yourself routing for each and everyone except for one teenager which you really want to bring back corporal punishment.  This one character is so annoying that you hope he gets what is coming to him which makes this joyride even more engaging.  

 Overall, Bullet Train is a Tarrantino-esque joy ride with each character having their own unique style in language and personality.  A plot that twists faster than a knife, criminal characters with flair and style that makes them likeable.  A thrill ride that once you board, you can’t stop until the exciting conclusion.  The only thing that I hope I don’t regret is the film version and I pray that this will do this excellent thriller justice.

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We are giving away the Anna and the Apocalypse Book to all our UK audience, all you have to do is leave an honest review.  All you have to do is message me or send me an email with your details and I will send you the code.  Don't forget to listen to our special podcast episode with the cast, crew, writers and music writers for this fantastic film that must be seen by all.  

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Donkin’s new book is one of the most brilliant funny and informative book that I have ever read and although I will be chuckling for days afterwards, I have learned so much at the same time.  She is a brilliant force to be reckon with and can’t wait to read more from this author.

 Donkin’s new book is the story of the Greek Gods but instead of a dry story giving us a play by play of the history of the Gods, we get a fun, comedic joyride giving us the stories and histories that helps to put all the many liaisons, family relationships and children in an order that we can finally grasps.  I love the Greek Gods and their stories have always loved since I was a youngster but I found it terribly difficult to put things in order. Donkin does this with a flourish that is all her own.

 This is a must read and one that everyone should at least own or pick up and read.  Funny, intelligent and plan bonkers which is the way that all those ancient Gods were.   I really hope that Donkin explores other books and makes this a series, like the Roman, Norse, Egyptian and even some of the modern religions could use this type of look and feel.  I for one have learned so much and laugh to I cried.  My only complaint is I want more and more and so much more.

 Loved this and this is one that I will be shouting from on my weekly show, my monthly newsletters and anyone who will give me a listen.  This one of the must reads of the year.  Outstanding.  

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Emma Cline’s new novel is a treasure trove of short stories about the darkness of relationships within a family or within a relationship.  Cline ups the ante after her excellent novel The Girls, which was an excellent novel that haunts you long after the last chapter.

 Using eloquence and a subtle style using a modern flourish rivals some of the Shirley Jackson’s domestic short stories.  She places the reader in the middle of the situation and then you get so invested with the characters and Cline enraptures her audience with every nuance and word used to its full maximum emotional punch.  Each narrative is beautifully written and displayed against a tawdry background of shadows and dark emotional centres.

 The characters are all excellently written.  The reader gets involved from the start to the end of each story.  Cline leaves them hungering for more and this is what true great short story telling is.  You hit the mark and when you finish the story, you want more of those characters. This does have a down fall because each story is so well crafted, you do want more and you can see each of these stories becoming their own full length novel.  There is so much hidden depth in each character and passage that Cline only scratches the surface but enough so that you are left so intrigued.  

 Overall, Cline is showing the world that she is a power to be reckoned with and with her previous novel and now this collection of shorts; we are looking at maybe one of the greatest new writers emerging.  Daddy is thought provoking, deeply emotionally enriched tour de force that never falters nor does it ever let off.  Leaving the reader wanting more but given us enough to fully whet our appetite on what is to come.  This is one of my own personal favourites and urges everyone to give this a read to see a new master at work.    

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Barnes new release is a gripping story that sits between young adult fiction and general fiction and delivers on a mystery that is built on slow building of plot without slowing the pace.  This is a feat in its own right.

 The novel starts out with a normal teen going through a hard time when she is notified that she is heir to billions by a man she has never met.  We then start the mystery of why she was selected and her interaction with the heirs left out in the cold, the remaining Hawthorne family.  This is the main plot but Barnes does an incredible job of giving us the hunky brothers straight out of a Twilight series without the fantasy element.  We get a mansion with secret rooms and traps and trip wires that is hungry to be solved. This is a novel that yearns for the reader to get involve and visit.

 The plot is well conceived and well handled.  With its many parts, Barnes masterminds this to fit within the confines of the story. It is very fast paced and very involving.  I for one could not stop reading and was deeply involved with the story.  The mystery and mental games of the story are very well handled and we have a story that

 The characters are well written and very three dimensional with the leading heroine very likable and strong.  The Hawthorne family are interesting with great personality types and traits to keep them shrouded in mystery and intrigued.  This keeps the book going at a good rate and keeps the pages turning to its finale conclusion.

 The first instalment of the Hawthorne series starts out to be a winner and personally, I am keen to see how this pans out.  This is highly recommended as this page turner keeps the reader involved and is a very quick read.  For the most part, the story does finish leaving a few threads that will keep you keen to return for the second instalment.  Excellent book.