Author: slfreviews

All things books, tv, film and theatre. I have a Masters in literature but that doesn’t mean you have to listen to me.

The Shadow and Bone Trilogy

Yes, I am late to the party on this one! I’ve been making my way through my YA fantasy TBR list during quarantine, and this trilogy felt like a good starting place.

This review will include spoilers!

Overall, I enjoyed this series. It definitely feels like one complete story, but at the same time it also feels like it is setting up future stories. Bardugo does both things very well. If this were the end of the story, it had a definite ending. As we know, however, we see other characters and their journey beyond this trilogy.

Certain aspects of SaB embrace YA cliches. Such as the ‘dull/plain’ female protagonist who goes through a transformation and the love triangle (or quadrangle?). I don’t think these were handled in a bad way, but, for me, they added layers to Alina’s character that made her less relatable and less likeable. That is just my opinion and there were times in the novels where I really warmed to Alina and sympathised with her, despite the cliches.

Alina and her love interests are where the big cliches end. Bardugo has created a really unique universe, which is bleak and beautiful. You get a real sense, even in this early trilogy, that she knows every inch of the whole world she created. The Grisha and their powers are detailed so wonderfully, and of course made far more immersive by the use of a ‘fish-out-of-water’ protagonist, who experiences it all with the reader.

Character is something I will explore more when discussing Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology but there are some great characters in Shadow and Bone. I found Alina unlikeable at times, but she is an interesting protagonist. I particularly liked her pull to power, I would have liked this to have been explored further. Alina believes it’s Morozova’s amplifiers that give her that want for more power, but I would suggest it stems from childhood feelings of powerlessness and weakness. Which is totally relatable! Each character holds some duality in them. Tolyar and Tamar are fiercely loyal but deceive Alina. Genya was Alina’s only ‘real’ friend but betrayed her. David did the Darkling’s bidding but then aided Alina. Not one character is wholly good or bad. This duality is highlighted by the two stand-out characters. Nikolai literally has two personas. The prince and the privateer. And like Alina, I could never quite decide what I made of the Darkling. He had such polarising moments that had me hating him and then wanting to root for him.

The ending, I felt was a little underwhelming. I really wanted to see Alina all-powerful but perhaps that was just me. Mal’s sacrifice had me all sorts of emotional, which was a little unexpected as I didn’t really warm to him as a character. It was also made a little less significant when he came back to life. But I don’t dislike that and it plays nicely into the religious theme running throughout. It was a bittersweet ending altogether, it just felt a little lack-lustre to me.

It’s a good story and a great introduction to the Grishaverse, and I am excited to see the Netflix adaptation.

Just my humble opinion.

Submarine

In this series of reviews so far, I (think I) have reviewed well-known, widely read/watched teen books/films. This one is a little different. In 2010 there was a filmed released of which a large part of it was shot in the town where I lived.  Submarine was a teen comedy set in Wales. I remember thinking it was very funny, very welsh and I remember wanting the coats.

Time to re-watch!           

Right off the bat, I forgot how ‘indie’ this film is. The shots are beautiful, set to the hilarious voice-over of Oliver Tate gives the whole film an ironic tone. Similar to many teenage films, this protagonist makes some terrible choices. I think one of the most relatable things about this story, however, is the inner-monologue justifying all the selfish actions. I love how bleak the parents seem. Even down to their haircuts. One thing I love about the film is that it’s quite difficult to tell when it’s set. I mean it’s modern obviously, but it’s not stuck in a specific time, which I always like. Googling it, it’s set in the 80s which makes a lot of scene looking at the décor, the fashion and the lack of technology. Although this is a highly personal comment, I enjoy seeing the scenes set in my town. The dated buildings give me a huge sense of nostalgia. The soundtrack is something to be marvelled at too. Most of the songs written by Alex Turner. They hazy tone of the songs heighten the hyperbolic teenage love at hand. It also works with the filtered shots during the montages. I haven’t read the book in a long time, but I think the underwater/fish trope is stronger in the book. There are only about three mentions of the dad’s career and oceans in the film, so I was left searching for the meaning of the title. This did not affect my enjoyment watching it however. Overall, I think this is a very realistic storyline set in an indie hue of Richard Ayoade’s direction giving this teenage story a heightened irony, reflecting the original text on which it’s based. Remember that’s just my humble opinion and I still want all the coats.

Favourite Quote: My mother is worried I have mental problems. I found a book about teenage paranoid delusion during a routine search of my parents’ bedroom.

The Princess Diaries

A seminal classic to this day! The Princess Diaries had been seen by almost everyone I knew. The combination of Hathaway and the Queen of Genovia herself Julie Andrews, was a match made in teenage-girl heaven. Plus, the story itself is so appealing to most people of that age. That someone comes into their lives and tells them they are heir to a throne. Most teenagers deal with feelings of unimportance as you grow and begin to realise that it isn’t all about you. So, The Princess Diaries presents a most appealing idea that someday someone will tell you, you are important. Perhaps that’s a slightly dim take on it.

On that note, time to re-watch!

Although I can tell she is younger, Anne Hathaway honestly hasn’t changed that much, looks wise. I completely forgot Mandy Moore was in this! All I can see is Rapunzel now. I am struggling with this make-over scene. I understand the importance of posture and such, but it feels a little like it could verge on the wrong message. That in order to be successful you must look a certain way. I suppose it is true in essence, I mean we never see the Royal Fam with unkempt hair and eyebrows. I’m pretty sure I heard that the slip Mia has on the steps was a real blooper they just decided to keep in. That’s a nice element to the film. All of the people in her school kind of suck. Even her best friend, Lily, is pretty self-involved. I know it’s a comedy, so the teachers/adults can be a little out-there, but they could have made her friend more likeable. I suppose the love interest, Michael not the other guy, is a nice character. During the beach party scene Mia is dressed in a purple top, green skirt and has red flip flops which are giving me major Ariel vibes. I’m not sure if this is intentional, I don’t know why it would be, but it is Disney and she is a princess. I may start some kind of conspiracy theory here. Maybe her Dad isn’t really dead, maybe he’s ruling the sea. Anyway, back to earth brain. I am fairly sure when I first watched this I thought Genovia was a real country. Upon a quick Google search, it appears I was not alone! I really like the speech Mia gives upon accepting her role. It does go back to what I said in the introduction, before I re-watched, about the part of growing up that is realising you’re not the only person that matters. I feel like that would have been a stronger ending than the completion of the love interest story-line but it’s a teen film so it’s to be expected. Overall, this film is still highly enjoyable despite some clichés. Remember, this is all just my humble opinion.

Favourite quote: No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging

A staple found upon the shelf of many British teenage girls many years ago, including my own. There was nothing better than getting hold of the next book in the series, finding out what Georgia had gotten up to and gossiping about it with friends. Well, at least this is what me and my friends did.

Before we get into the book review I’m going to recall the things I remembered about this series from when I first read it. I remember obsessing over the snogging scale and giggling every time I read ‘The Full Monty’. You were either Team Dave the Laugh or Team Robbie. It was the original Edward/Jacob some may say. I also remember being scandalised by the ending. I’m excited to pick these books back up!

Time to re-read!

My immediate thought was, how did I completely forget this was a diary? It is written as a pretty realistic teenage diary as well. With Georgia checking in, sometimes minuets after the previous entry, due to boredom, with a random thought. Some of the cultural references definitely date this book. I’m not even sure what ‘Noel’s House Party’ was? To Google! Oh, it’s Noel Edmunds with Mr Blobby. Duhhh! (That’s right, I’m bringing back ‘duhhh’!) Wow, there are a lot of references to Nazi Germany in this book. I’m not even sure I would have picked up on those as a thirteen-year old. Rennison’s use of slang, over-generalisations and hyperbole are perfect for creating a realistic teenage character. I know at the time I originally read this, I would have agreed with a lot of what Georgia was saying/worrying about. As an adult it all seems quite pitifully funny, like reading your younger cousins diary and saying ‘aw honey’ in an extremely condescending manner.  Overall, the books are still very funny, light reading but not something I see myself reading again. The teenage aspect is quite intense and that’s just not for me at this stage in my life! However, I can fully understand why these were my favourite books when I was thirteen. The way Rennison writes is so inclusive, the reader understands the inside jokes and you feel as though you’re part of the ‘Ace Gang’.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging: film.

With a slightly altered title, Angus came to the big screen. Thirteen-year-old me was THRILLED. I remember going to watch it in the cinema with my friends and cringing hard when the snogging/saliva scene came on. A slightly embarrassing truth here is that until about the age of sixteen, I used to get up extra early before school and watch this film. Everyday. I can still quote most of it now. To say I was obsessed is a fair judgement, to say I was insane is probably quite fair as well. It was one of the first films I ever watched the director’s commentary for. (I think the very first was Nanny McPhee) This is perhaps what began my obsession with films and film-making. One piece of useless trivia I remember from my many viewings of this was that seagulls would not co-operate, so the props department bought a very realistic fake seagull and it ended up being one of the most expensive props.

Time to re-watch!

One of my immediate thoughts is how awesome the soundtrack is! I also forgot how funny the parents are in this film! I mean they are both comedians, but they play slightly embarrassing parents very well. These girls, the Ace Gang, are creepier than I remember. Stalking and watching someone in their house with binoculars. I don’t remember ever doing anything like that as a teen! I love the setting of Eastbourne, it is very ascetically pleasing as a backdrop throughout. Robbie does not hold back on telling Georgia off! I think that’s one of the best parts of the film. The protagonist getting her comeuppance, though only for a short time. The overall story arch of this film, though differing from the books, is fairly predictable but still satisfying. Georgia learns her lesson, has a great birthday party and gets a boyfriend. The ultimate happy ending for fifteen-year-olds I guess. I suppose one of the main reasons the plot differs to much from the first book is that, due to the diary format, there’s not a satisfying story arch that is needed for screen.

Favourite Quote: I wrote a song about you. It’s called ‘Bitch in a Uniform’.

Wild Child

I would like to confess something before we get into this one. I do not like Emma Roberts. I don’t know why, and I’ve never met her so it’s a totally unfair judgement. I used to watch her old Nickelodeon show, Unfabulous, back when I was about eleven and I didn’t like her then either. However, I do enjoy things she is in. Such as Scream Queens, American Horror Story and Wild Child. When thinking of films that sum up my teenage years, this was one of the first that sprung to mind. I remember thinking this film made England look miserable, I mean, it’s not totally inaccurate in terms of weather anyway! I also remember thinking it was a far more realistic portrayal of boarding school compared to St. Trinian’s or Zoey 101.

Time to re-watch!

Okay, so the film starts with the change that is Poppy’s Dad forcing her to go to boarding school in England. It’s interesting that, with the character of Poppy’s best LA friend, the audience can see the fake-ness of her life here. Aside from her family, and the weather, there’s not actually much to keep Poppy in LA. I feel as though that could have added an interesting layer to the story, if Poppy was conflicted about where to live, but the film eliminates any plausibility of this in making her LA life seem so fake and having her make friends and a romantic interest so fast. The contrast in colour from LA to England is obvious, it’s a nice little detail to add to the feeling that Poppy has for feeling out of place. Her walking around the school in a ‘designer’ uniform and having a strange eating routine seem like fairly stereotypical things to assume with people from LA. Maybe if I were from LA I’d think this was funnier? Or perhaps the jokes are just slightly dated. I get that they’re trying to appeal to both sides of the audience though, which is clever. I didn’t go to a posh boarding school, but I am so happy with this representation of ‘mean girl’. Honestly, I think she’s my favourite character. Another small detail that I liked was Poppy saying: ‘What is this place, Hogwarts?’ Then the camera pans to the matron, who also played Moaning Myrtle. Nice. Do you remember the ‘Snog, Marry, Avoid’ make-under show? That’s what the salon scene feels like. I forgot about the mention of Alice in Wonderland in this. I understand the connection; a girl growing in a world far from her own, but the way it’s introduced feels a little random. I love the scene where they are trying to buy wine! It’s very relatable as a fifteen-year old, especially the part where Drippy ruins it by asking for two creme eggs as well. I feel like I completely missed the hangover scene as a child! That’s a good thing, I guess. Ah yes, it ends with the weird student trial thing, another nod to Alice in Wonderland. Honestly, this end could have been more moving if they had spent more time on her relationship with her father and feelings about her mother and less time on the romantic relationship. Overall, I don’t think it quite lives up to my expectations/memories of it. However, the script is not bad, there are funny moments and the actors are all fairly strong. In my humble opinion, Wild Child is not a ground-breaking teen film, but it’s fun and quite unique.

Favourite Quote: “She was a grade one a-hole with a severe attitudinal problem.”

A Series of Unfortunate Events

In celebration of me just finishing the new Netflix version of ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ I decided my first post would be of Lemony Snicket’s book series. These books were the first real series I read. Previously I mainly read Roald Dahl and Jacqueline Wilson, but as I got to age eleven I wanted more intricate stories, and Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) delivered. I was always a fan of stories that felt as though the had a real conflict, like life or death situations. Therefore ‘The Witches’ was my favourite of Roald Dahls. When I found ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ I could not put it down. I remember thinking the plot was so clever, the writing style was awesome, and I loved how the author became a character in the story. I also remember thinking book eight was my favourite, so it’ll be interesting to see whether that is still the case!

Time to re-read!

Now, I must confess I did not fully re-read all these books (there’s thirteen altogether)! Starting at the beginning, the writing style is as amazing as I remember. It’s so engaging, especially for someone aged ten/eleven who is furthering their reading ability. The inclusion of more complicated words, along with a usually witty explanation makes me wonder if these books are used in schools. Because they should be! I think one clever element of the actual story is that the Baudelaire orphans begin with Count Olaf as a guardian. It would perhaps be easier, although lazier, to simply have him chase them from place to place. However, in having him be the first guardian the reader gets so well acquainted with the antagonist to the point where, and apologies for skipping ahead, the ending of the series feels quite moving! I’d forgotten about the ‘Dear Editor’ notes at the end of each book. These are very effective ways of increasing the readers want to read the next book. Always styled differently to suit the themes of the following chapter, they work so well with the overall tone of someone researching these events. I can see why book eight would have been my favourite as a twelve-year-old as it is the first book in which the Baudelaires venture out alone without Mr Poe and in hiding from the world, as they are suspected murderers. As a ‘tween’ there is nothing more appealing than freedom and out-smarting adults! As an adult reader, the stylised writing and the repetition of tropes and themes does become some-what tedious toward the end. These things are understandably needed with the target audience, however, as it allows the plot to stay directly in the readers mind and the pace to remain snappy, for the shorter attention spans. Upon reading it again, I relate much more to Klaus than Violet, who I related to upon first reading it. This is not surprising to me, Klaus’s methods for problem solving and his interest in books fit my personality far more than the hands-on approach of Violet.

This is a side note comparing the book series to the Netflix series and the 2004 film adaptation. The film, although focuses only on the first three books and changes the plot quite significantly to fit, is very entertaining. The cast is great, and Jim Carrey does an excellent job of undercutting the evilness of Olaf with comedic moments. I also love the inclusion of Jude Law as Lemony, his voice is perfect for narration and, as a Brit myself, it is much more how I imagined the character to sound. I’m not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but I prefer the Netflix series overall. Not only because it covered the entire plot of all thirteen books, but I think it is a much more accurate representation. The cartoon-like style of the set reflects the hyperbolic language used throughout the books, while also being very visually appealing. Neil Patrick Harris’ version of Olaf is far more what I imagined from the books also. He brings the theatricality of the role more into play, of course. Furthermore, his Olaf is more pitiful than the films portrayal. A key aspect of Olaf that the books included making him a more layered and interesting antagonist.

Overall, these books are as great as I remember them to be! I would recommend them to all ages, but with a reminder that they are written for a younger reader. I think there should be more children’s fiction that is willing to be this dark, because it holds so many important messages, without spoon-feeding them. I’d say my favourite, upon re-reading, is book seven. ‘The Vile Village’ is a turning point in the series. It also introduces the Snicket family into the story, and the whole plot just becomes more intricate. I also love the whole visual of town run by idiotic adults and the images of the crows and the couplet clues from two of the triplets. This book just helps cement the series in the mystery genre. In my humble opinion, these books allow their plot to grow alongside their characters and their audience (usually), making them perfect for any young readers.

Favourite Quote: “Well-read people are less likely to be evil.” (The Slippery Slope)

Second Favourite Quote: “If you are allergic to a thing, it is best not to put that thing in your mouth, particularly if the thing is cats.” (The Wide Window)

(I am indecisive, sorry.)

Rewind Reviews

Hello there. I wanted to start my blog page off with a selection of reviews on books or films I enjoyed/hated/are synonymous with my teenage years. Journey back with me to a time of flip phones, dream matte mousse and Avril Lavigne. I’ll be reviewing some of the most infamous books/series/films from the noughties.

After re-watching ‘Friends’ recently, and grimacing at more than a few moments, I wondered what other beloved shows perhaps don’t hold up well today? Is ‘Mean Girls’ still funny? Is ‘Twilight’ as awful as I remember? Is ‘Harry Potter’ overrated? All questions I may answer.

So, coat your lips in thick lip gloss, feed your tamagotchi and join me as I delve back in time. Please keep your arms, legs and Uggs inside the Delorean at all times and remember, this is all just my humble opinion.