Anime Review: Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash (Winter 2016)

Ranta, Yume, Moguzo, Haruhiro, Shihoru, Manato

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar (Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash)
Episodes 12
Aired: Jan 11, 2016 to Mar 28, 2016
Studios: A-1 Pictures
Producers: Toho Company
My anime list - here
24min per ep. 


I recently watch this series and I must say, so far, is one of my favourite animes. Well I didn't watch that many but I really like it.

This anime, follows a group of people as they arrive from somewhere. It is hinted that maybe they are not from this world and they came from some videogame. The are a lot of movies that deal with this. Log Horizon, Overlord (I've watch the first season, don't know if they are getting a second) or Sword Art Online.

I can only speak for Ovelord and in that anime, it's very focus on action and our main protagonist is almost a god. In this one it's quite the opposite. They have no recollection of memories apart from some words that they don't even understand what they mean...

First battle... They are not fighting material from the start... 6 vs 1 goblin 

So, this big group divides and six of them remain and form a team. Manato, Haruhiro, Ranta, Yume, Mogzo, and Shihoru. In the first few episodes we saw them fight some goblins and barely staying alive and as they defeated them they learn new techniques and such (Imagine a RPG of some sorts). One other interesting thing is that each of them chose a proficient. Haruhiro became a thief,  Yume becomes a hunter (Ranger?), Mogzo becomes a fight, Shihoru a mage and Ranta becomes a dark knight. In the end Manato becomes a priest to heal them.


The 12 episodes focus on the characters. Everything is characterization centered. They all evolve in some way, but mainly Haruhiro and Ranta and Mary (Merry?) that joins the part around 5/6 episode. Of them all the only one I don't see any change was Mogzo. He barely speaks. Shihoru changes but mainly in combat.

About the plot...

The purpose is as they killed and earn money they will be granted a badge of being a soldier.  They start hunting lonely goblins and then two and three. After they learn some more skills they go to a abandoned city full of goblins. There, in episode 4 Manato, their leader & priest die. Most of that episode and the later are fill with memories and their cooping with it. Mary joins the party as a priest (albeit as cold as a ice cube).

Everyone fights...

Later episodes deal with Mary and the reason why she keeps herself at distance from the rest of the party. Later they revenge Manato, some beatiful fighting scenes and move to the mines to fight the kobolds. There Mary must confront a beast that killed most her party.

In the last couple of ep's we see something change in Ranta and most of all of Haruhiro that had become the new leader but didn't had the confidence.
The story ends when Haruhiro, being apart from the rest of the party kills Death Spots (a gigantic kobold) that had killed Mary party.

Mary & Haruhiro

Opinion:
This series weren't made for twelve ep's. I think this series should had 24 at least (a second season). I read a review that adviced that this animes should be seen on ep every week or 3 or 4 days. I did it and I know that if I had seen it in one or two times the series wouldn't have that much impact. No episode ends with a cliffhanger but every episode gives you some adrenaline or at least a almost physical drain. I think I am alergic to it because some of this episodes made my eyes watery... A couple of episodes, for several minutes a piece, there is only music (beautiful music) and some fantastic watercolour images. Visually every episode is an work of art.

About the characters....
As I said before our main protagonist is Haruhiro. Most of the episodes have some monologue of him. His class is Thief. He has some interesting connections with Yume (which we all think of some love interest), Manato who he looks up to, Ranta which he is probably the only one who can talk to him and afterwards Mary who he starts to develop a possible love. After Manato dies he becomes the leader and he has some interesting dialogues with the deceased because he doesn't know what to do or how to behave. Eventually he tries to make Mary part of the group and at the same time he start paying more attention to his companions. The two last episodes he realizes that everyone looks up to him and trust him as a leader.

Manato dies...

Then, you've got Yume. A interesting girl that from the start has some friendship with Haruhiro. At some point it's hinted that maybe Haruhiro and her feel something more but later on when Mary arrives that love interest dissapaer and mainly she gets upset to Ranta.

Shihoru is a Mage and a shy personality. She mainly talks to Yume and later on, right before he dies, to Manato. She was the one who suffered more with her dead. Yume try to make her talk with the group. In battles she is protected by Mary. In the last two episodes she becomes a powerful mage.

Ranta is Dark Knight. He is brash and the first to attack everything that moves. He is a bit perverted and has calls Yume flat-chested but there is a love-hate relantionship there.. (seen in the last episode when he goes missing). He is arrogant but in the last two episodes, after arguing every episode with Haruhiro, becomes a little more relaxed and acknoledges Haruhiro leadership. In one episode when they rest he goes fishing (quite the opposite of always-action-Ranta.

Moguzo is a warrior and has a sword bigger than the other characters. They all upgrade their armor and weapons after Moguzo because he is tank of the team. He is the cook of the team and makes some wooden figurines. He is soft, probably more than Shihoru but in the battle he is a devil screaming "Thank You" before killing some beast.

City

Manato became a priest and leader of the party. He read the rest of the group like noone and become a good strategist. He died in a town infested by goblins after receiving a arrow in the back. Haruhiro says in several episodes that he misses him and because he could be a defensive and offensive tank.

Mary (Merri?)
Joining shortly after Manato's death because every party need a priest to heal wounds. But she had a different approach from Manato. She doesn't heal light wounds saying that she needs to more complicated wounds and she stays in the back protecting Shihoru. There are a lot of friction between her and the rest of the party. After learning what happened to her the party was able to integrate her (well, she lets herself being integrated). Mary and Haruhiro has some close relantionship. We don't see anything romantic BUT....


About ART/OST and Episode...
This anime's art is amazing. Beautiful watercolours/pastel, slow pace - this anime is slow but never dull. At times, in some episodes a music entered with full minutes of nothing happening. Basically do gives us time to think things over - to built up the drama. This series needed a second season...

Haruhiro and Mary... KISSS DAMN YOU!

Some negative points...
- Moguzo dies... I really enjoy him
- It was rush ending that make me think what were they thinking about it. In hollywood before a season one is completed the news of a second season arrives. Here is not that simple. They must do the full season and then if the sales are there a new season is given - which means that every series must end like a possible final end.
- Some repetitive moments...
- From where they came was never explained (the anime ends with the all the bar screaming "Australia".


Good points...
- Besides Mary every single character is clumsy damsel (in the beginning - they later improve and become powerful) In contrast of other animes they have already all the powers the rule.
- It has some interesting slow building pace
- It focus on the characters development 
- It felt a videogame but not as much as Overlord
- Haruhiro develops
- Beautiful crafted art (pastel like)
- Original use of OST
- Interesting fighting scenes
- The girls have breasts but are not OVER breasted :P
- Some of episodes deal with rest (when did you last heard of it?), bought armour and weapons, sleep, baking and most episodes end with them in the inn talking.

This is the most naked you're going to see here... (Haruhiro Teacher) 

12 Named Episodes
1) "Whisper, Chant, Prayer, Awaken"
2) "Long Day of the Trainee Volunteer Soldier"
3) "Are Goblin Pouches Filled with our Dreams?"
4) "Sky Dancing with Ash"
5) "Crying Doesn't Mean You're Weak. Enduring Doesn't Mean You're Strong."
6) "Her Circumstances"
7) "They Were Called Goblin Slayers"
8) "In My Memories with You"
9) "How to Rest"
10) "I'm Not Fit to Be a Leader"
11) "Between Life and Death" 
12) "See You Tomorrow..."

Review: The Death Cure (Third on Maze Runner Trilogy)

The Death Cure by James Dashner
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Reading Time 27 to 31 January 2015

Finally I am done with this series. I did not enjoy the second book and neither did I enjoy the third but in my humble opinion is better than the second.

If I was a new reader I would read the first and stopped there. It would be full of holes but it would be way better than the way Herr Dashner handle the second (which was as pointless as a lifeguard in a pool of Olympic swimmers).

Some spoilers Ahead
After leaving the Scorch Trials the boys and girls are saved by WICKED and they are given a choice to have their memories return. Minho, Newt and Thomas are against it. The first two because they don't trust WICKED but Thomas was just scare of what he would find about him. So, with the help of Brenda and Jorge they escape to Denver where they find that there are people trying to overthrow Wicked. Btw, Newt has the flare and he is capture by some people that take him to some flare haven.

They try and succeeded to save Newt but this guy doesn't want to be saved because he feels his mind failing away. He had previously asked Thomas to kill him if the Flare destroyed his humanity.

As they return to Denver they are capture by the same group that is trying to destroy WICKED. Btw, didn't I say Alby is back? Yeah, he is... and he is not that bad after all.
Well, then Denver is destroyed by the Cranks roaming about and Newt is there. Thomas kills Newt and hides it from Minho and the rest of the gang. Afterwards Thomas infiltrates WICKED facilities where ratman (the one leading WICKED) says that the third and final stage is set. It's simple - they are going to do a brain surgery on Thomas brain, of course he would die, but a cure would be found. Of course Thomas likes his head and declines the plan but this is WICKED and they say nah nah.

Oh, BTW, Wicked had already being busy kidnapping a bunch of immune to restart the trials.

The Right Arm (the guys that hate WICKED) arrive and begin to destroy WICKED failing to see revelant that 500 immune were there to begin with. Thomas and his gang (all of them, even Teresa) try to save them from the maze and escape the blasts. Teresa saves Thomas from some falling ceiling dying in the process (which help the love triangle). With 200 immune they escape to a isolate place starting civilization anew. The Epilogue - we are told that WICKED had two plans: The first was trying to have a cure by putting a bunch of immune and cranks together in a maze or trials and the second was that even if society should die herself out, the immune would survive and repopulate the world.

- Well, there are some problems here.

We know that the plague was released after the Solar flares to control population by some government. OKAY - I get that but why release a virus who had no cure? It's ridiculous.

Why Thomas has a need to know more but refuses to have his memories back? Everyone says he is one of the culprit behind the maze. How? Ignorance is bliss it seems...

Teresa a character that easily could have been a main character in the third book has few that twenty lines and then dies. She is completely in love with Thomas and he to her. In the second book she "betrays" him because she loves him so much and don't want him to be dead. In the second and third book he doesn't understood that and falls in love with Brenda - What a douche/idiot.

Newt had the flare but had no indications the years he was in the maze. He escapes WICKED after learning that he had the flare and a couple of days afterwards he is a full growth Crank. Absurd the timetable.

Ratman is another good example of this.

Why everyone forgets that THOMAS was the one who created the Maze and put all his current friends there (with the exception of Teresa)!!!!

There are so many things that went wrong and could have been so great.

I have some better endings....
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Thomas returns to WICKED where he sacrifices to save humankind - since he was a mass-murderer anyway - Yeah - He created the Maze and the trials!!!
- If a mass-murdered has amnesia - He is guilty or not guilty??
If you liked the ending of this novel - you just saved a Hitler.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Right Arm who starts exploding the maze, where 500 people are trapped - are not the good guys. They are anarchic nihilist bunch who hates the government(WICKED). So, Thomas, helps WICKED!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The governments of the world - start seeing the problems with the cranks and start shooting people with the flare - that way the control the disease. WICKED with the HELP of immunes start investigating in a cure - you can map a guy brain without killing them.
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My Favorite.
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The Right Arm was working with WICKED and send Thomas on purpose back because the escape was another trial and Brenda was leading Thomas throughout those trials, yet again. They make Thomas kill his best friend and hate his love life.

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Book Review: Outlander - Matt Keefe

Outlander by Matt Keefe
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book deserves ZERO stars but I am giving one because that's the minimum amount.

I started reading this book, because I wanted to read something quick and something that I always enjoyed... a Black Library book. When I found a little gem I start swearing out loud... in portuguese but in english it's like this... "ARE YOU FVCK*** KIDDING ME BLACK LIBRARY AND MATT KEEFE? Really? I wouldn't mind a bit of weak plot, or lack of characterization BUT this?

Pag126
"You bastard!" She yelled. "You're one of them, and after all this times you've..."
Durn hurriedly shushed her, pushing his hand over her mouth, and she slumped drunkenly back against the wall of the shaft, cleared exhausted by her outburst"
"You won't get away with this" Scoosne said, more calmly as the man remove his hand. "I'm going to tell every one of them just what you do, just how you like it...""

"Pag142
"You bastard!"She yelled. "You're one of them,and after all this times you've..."
The Cawdor hurriedly shushed her, pushing his hand over her mouth, and she slumped drunkenly back against the wall of the shaft, cleared exhausted by her outburst"
"You won't get away with this" Scoosne said, more calmly as the man remove his hand. "I'm going to tell every one of them just what you do, just how you like it...""

So, what a heck is this? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Copy paste??? Change a name and start over. It's the same action, same thing, only changed a name... Cawdor to Durn. This is wrong Mr Matt Keefe. This is two times wrong for you Black Library. You don't have proofreading?? It's stupid and easy to spot. What a hell? Damn it.

This same thing happens in the course of one single page afterwards that I didn't bother to copy paste.

I want to sent an email to BL to see what they respond. I should do it and maybe I will.

In terms of book - this book is awful. It started ok but it ended predictable as heck. I already knew Jurgen was Lagos as soon as they said his name. It's weak and it has been done elsewhere. There is nothing new and almost nothing that gave a 40K feeling or Necromunda.

I was wondering how Lakatos had two Bolt Pistols...
Not advisable to anyone.

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Review: Cyberman: Scorpius, Fear, Conversion & Telos - Nicholas Briggs

Cyberman: Scorpius by Nicholas Briggs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read between 22 April 2015 to 06 May 2015

I cannot give individual rating, so a complete review is going to be equal to the four parts of this audiobook. The four parts are: Cyberman Scorpius; Fear; Conversion & Telos.

This is a new type of audiobook for me. First of all, the correct term is AudioDrama (very similar to Black Library - or they are similar to these ones).

In the beginning you are inducted into the story in the thick of a battle between humans and androids. Back home, where no conflict is present, there are rallies against the war (imagine the rallies in USA for the Vietnam War). Karen, a military officer, ascends to the presidency with the help of Paul Hunt, a mysterious man that was chief of a investigation called "Scorpius".

After the death of former president by the Cyberman, Paul Hunt tells Karen that only with their help humanity shall triumph. Liam, friend of Karen, now commander in chief of the armed forces is weary of Karen change and don't trust Paul Hunt, now risen to advisor for the president of the world.

First, framed for things he did not, he (Liam) became persecuted and was forced to exile with the help of an android.

It was very interesting to see them work together. Android (Samantha) and Human (Liam) against a common foe - the cybermam. You must understand that from the start there is a palpable aura of mistrust between those two races.

This book has no Doctor Who, as you've imagine and deals with a dimension where cyberman were asleep throughout the galaxy but some were unearthed by archaelogists and now are trying to rule the galaxy once more. With the help (servititude?) of some humans they are trying to get to Telos, where they will activate every cyberman asleep. Millions upon Millions. At the same time, the story travels between earth where Karen advised by Paul is trying to built more cyberman enlisting first refugees and prisoners and then "normal" humans.


Spoilers Ahead:

The final confrontation is quite good with Telos being desactivated, after Karen, now a cyberman, is killed. The open ending give the propose to have a second series. Sam and Liam are stranded in a ship without hyperdrive.


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Review: The Scorch Trials (Second on Maze Runner Trilogy)

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Reading time: 12 to 21 January 2015

Thank Wicked for finishing this book.

My review:
Honestly? What a heck was this book all about? I read it, because, I enjoyed the first and I wanted to know where was Dashner was going with this. Why the Maze? Why the Patterns so important to figure out a cure for the Flare (Crazeness...)? Why the two groups? Why females with one male and vice versa? And so on... There were a lot of questions I wanted sorted out. But, in this book I Got none. This book gave no explanation whatsoever unless you count as an answer "All will be revealed in due time..."

If the third book is going to give some answers, I don't know, I expect them so - probably you will not be needing to read book two. Just go right ahead from the first to the third.

Spoilers Ahead!!!

What happenened here, that was so darn important?
- You've got Brenda and Jose, some people they meet in trials - Cranks
- Also Aris from the other group is now a main character - and a psycher
- Same important characters are alive, like Minho, Newt, Frypan - they didn't died or evolved - just stay there.
- So, after being "saved" in the last book, they are being held in some dormitories, waiting for someone. There, They tell them, that they must travel a desert and so the group of gladers, including Aris and excluding Teresa, travel a desert full of dangerous things and people to arrive to a a safe heaven - fighting cranks, the other all-female group, and arrive to the safe heaven just to be confronted by some mechanical beasts, and leave the premises. In the end of the book they find themselves, yet again, in the same place where they started.

This book gave no hindsight, besides stating the obvious that what they are doing is very important for human race and for that they must die. It was also interesting how the writer portrayed so "well" the male leading character. After being betrayed, stabbed, beaten and mocked the main character still goes to Teresa (even if the writer says that Thomas can never trust her again). I think Thomas is a piece of crap of a friend. Minho and Newt never, doubted him, never betrayed him but when they were fighting in the end, Thomas escaped to a pod leaving Newt and Minho alone. So, he hates Teresa, but hides with her nevertheless. You are a crapy friend Thomas, and only think with your male organ...

I also think, the writer tries to give so much suspense to each plot ending with "tan tan" but most of the times are just plain absurd... Sorry.

I probably will be reading the third book, but just for ending this Saga. I don't know where the writer is going with this...


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Review: The Maze Runner (First on Maze Runner Trilogy)

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Reading - 31/07/2014 to 06/08/2016

This was a fun read. First of all it was my first audiobook. I am not fond of them but since it was given to me I cannot say no. I had no interest in purchasing the book because it didn't appeal to me but since it was free I said what a heck. Let us go ahead. I have now around 100 audiobooks I will read in the future as I work - since reading while working is not that advisable.

First of all - and nothing to do with the book itself I enjoy the narration. Our narrator was experience for what I search and it gave different voices to each character. Some like New sounded a bit fake but what a hell.

Some SPOILERS ahead 
(You are going to see the movie so what a hell... btw the girl in the movie doesn't enter a coma like here) sorry :)


I was so committed to the story that I took notes. More notes than any other book so far. And I enjoy it.

So, we find ourselves in the Glades a haven surrounded by a maze. We are Thomas, a boy that arrived at the glades to revolutionize their "peaceful" existence. Of course he doesn't know he is the bloody messiah. We've got friends like Chuck (a 13ish old boy who immediately fell in awe of us); Newt the british boy I told you about who was the second in command and probably had the weight of the world in his shoulder and you've got Minho the keeper of the runners (the guys who search the maze for clues to leave). Then it appears Theresa who is only important in half the book - the rest of the book she is in coma. And we've got some guys who doesnt like us - namely Gally. Then there is Alby the eldest and leader of the pack.

Of course most these guys have been there for months or years but only you are capable of solving every problem they have, have a telepathic link to the only girl in existence and be the hero. Of course you've got no bad qualities besides caring too much for everyone. I think you were inspired in me.

You are different from everybody else. It took months for someone to be a runner but you've done it in only a couple of days. You broke the first rule of the Glade to save two people so what would you earn? Be banished (killed) or take the place of the keeper of runners (Keepers are the leaders of something).

There are evil things there like insect-alikes that are cameras and some Grievers - Monsters that come out in the Maze at night (or not) and they try two things: One - kill a glader or sting it. The first... well you die and the second you hallucinate and start remember things from the past. Btw - they resemble slugs and have numerous weapons.

So Thomas, because he knows it all, got stung on purpose and voila a light falls on him. He knows how to leave the place but also he knows that he helped created the maze. Well, he is sixteen and there are kids there for two years so at 13 or 14 he help create a maze? Okk...

At around the 30th chapter (there are 61 plus an epilogue) the story starts going on a hot pace (bear in mind that this book is 10:00:00 long) and captivated me to right a phrase for chapter like

33 - The Sun dissapear; I trigger the ending
35 - The Maze is a code; They discover a door near the edge
36 - The Doors to the maze don't close; I know You
37 - Prison
38 - The night. The Plan. Gaby (who I know now is called Gally) Returns
39 - The prohecy - Everyone will die- One per Night - Gally kills himself - Minho leaves the maze
40 - Well, first it took hours to arrive to the abyss - but this time it took minutes
41 - The maps are burned; the maps are not maps
42 - The maps are not burned afterall.
42 - FLOATCATCH
43 - The departure
44 - There are 8 runners but it seems only Minho does anything
FLOAT CATCH BLEED DEATH STIFF PUSH

And so on...

I really enjoy writing like this. It gave me a new perspective on the book. Maybe it will only work on this one.. Don't know..

The ending was strange and it responded some questions giving us some more. It made me itchy to read the second book but for what I read it's not that good...

So at the end they leave the maze to find the creators looking at them and one of the creators with Gally (who supposedly had died) confront them but say nothing special - saying only that it was all a test. Training the best of the best. But suddently Gally tries to kill thomas but killed Chuck. Why? Why kill Thomas then? Chuck sacrifice himself OK I understand that . But why killed Thomas?

Then some armed men arrive and kill some creators escaping and while on a bus they meet a old woman saying that You are going to save everyone from the Flare - then they run over that said old woman. Inside the bus a woman explains to them that supposedly some powerful flares abated earth scorching some parts, killing millions and giving some disease that makes people go crazy and die (probably the sting from the Grievers was that). Supposedly the boys are the last hope from WICKED (World In Catastrophe Killzone Experiment Department) but those man who "saved" them are against WICKED because they think the trials to boys are inhumane.

The epilogue says that other trials are doing OK.

This book If I had to read it I would be bored to dead. It was not that good written. I think the author had in mind a film (or trilogy of films). The characters are not that well portrayed besides one or two characteristics. Newt is always worry about the welfare of everybody or Minho just want to leave and do anything but besides this two characters everyone else is not that well portrayed. Chuck is also a nice fellow. But Thomas was boring. As I said before he is the Messiah and he knows it. Damn.. Let us see the second book if he continues to be boring. And if Theresa is developed.

There are some good aspects in the book - Dashner invented new words to swear so it doesn't sound so bad if a child of ten read it.

Some questions remain... why Theresa has WICKED is GOOD written in her hand?
Why did they put Thomas there in the first place? Why him and Theresa are important?
Why the trials? What is the purpose of it since the boys did menial jobs like farming and butchering animals - how can this help to discover a cure to the plague abating earth?
There are others but my writing in the train was not that good and I cannot read it.

I give this book 3/5 or 6/10 if it was possible. It's not a solid book because of several important flaws like characters and the writing style but the mystery involved made me want read a chapter more and more. And that's what important in a book, no?


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Review: Doctor Who: Trouble in Paradise

Doctor Who: Trouble in Paradise by Nev Fountain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This wasthe sixth audiobook in a story of 10 not conected stories. Well, the only thing connecting is that is from a different doctor (this was the sixth) and every one of them (at least until now) were contacted by the Eleventh Doctor. At least it seems it's him.

This one involved time travel and it's consequences. Dr who and his companion Peri went back in time to 1492 and appear on the lap of Christopher Columbus and some goat. So, the sixth doctor went back in time to retrieve something called Omniparadox - which makes the story a little odd. So an omniparadox if I understood it's a paradox within another paradox (or two time travelers in the same time)... 

Basically and I am going to ruin this story here so... 

..................................................spoilers alert............................. 

yeah lets go.... So the eleventh doctor warns the sixth doctor to retrieve the omniparadox or else it could destroy the universe(s). So he went and met Columbus which is inconsequential to the story and a Goat/bovine mastermind. Yes. It seems bovines rule the earth a long time ago, but then they were supplanted by humans. That bovine awake several millennia afterwards and stole a time travel device from the future to get to the past. And so, he thought the Indians were killing their bufallo kind so he thought he would help Columbus arrive at America and so white man could destroy the red men instead of bovine men.... (yeah that turn out very good for you oh lord of the bovine). As they are confronting the lord bovine it appears another lord bovine from the future (well it was him but a bit older saying that his plan was absurd because white men indeed killed all red men but also bovine men... meanwhile Columbus tries to kill the doctor (jealousy) and destroyed instead the bovine lord traveling machine making the old bovine lord appear. And so the story as you know ... Columbus discovered America - The red men were killed - The Bovine men were killed and USA appeared - Which made the companion of the Doctor born and join the doctor in his travelling, go to the past and warn the doctor and instead Columbus kill the doctor he destroys the lord bovine travelling machine making him disappear and so Columbus discover america - the red men were killed and.... wait I've said that before haven't I???.... Time travel is very confusing I must say...

In the end, it was a fun quick read and as the previous one or two if you read it as a comedy it will be nice. Butt it's not good. Far from it.

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Review: Doctor Who: Smoke and Mirrors (Destiny of the Doctor 5)

Doctor Who: Smoke and Mirrors by Steve Lyons

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I 've now watch the first five stories form Dr Who - Destiny of the Doctor and this one was my least favourite (so far). Well it involves the Fifth Doctor plus three of his companions and they met Harry Houdini. One of my early complains is the lack of interaction between the companions. Apart from one of them the others are cardboard non-existent. Then we've got the Houdini fellow. I never watch the fifth doctor series (but planing to do it) and so it was a little strange but still the conversation between the Doctor and Houdini give me plenty of information of how good friends they are. 

The evil guy on this episode is the Master, one of those characters that have been around since the early 70's (Terror of the Autons) that is strangely enough the series I am beginning to watch. This episode was weak and nothing much happened. It was OK for a Dr Who enthusiastic but not Good. For a person who only watch the new series... don't bother.

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Review: Doctor Who: Vengeance of the Stones (Destiny of the Doctor 3)

Doctor Who: Vengeance of the Stones by Andrew Smith
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Hello friends.
It's me again. I am in a Doctor Who Phase so I am hearing some Doctor who adventures in audiobooks.

Well, for those who do not know, Doctor Who doesn't exist for the past 10 years with the beginning of season 1 in 2005. Well that was a continuation (not REBOOT) of a older series that started in 1963 and went for 26 years. There are 26 Seasons plus 11 from the XXI century.

In my home country Doctor Who never passed on TV and I didn't watch the first years of Doctor Who when it started in 2005. I am late watcher. Being a very strange person I like to have it all and watch it all even if it's impossible and Doctor Who is impossible. There are more than 700 episodes and more than 1000 audiobooks and not counting with the novelzations...

But I started from the First Doctor and went to the Second and stopped at the Third. I will try to restart and learn everything I can.

The third Doctor (my least favourite so far from the two previous ones) is a bit strange duck. He was stranded on Earth because of his actions on time-travel and messing things up. So he is trying to fix Tardis and at the same time helping UNIT with the Brigadier.

In this tale, the setting was very Doctor Who "version" Three - That I have to say. After the dissapearence of a plane in Scotland The Doctor and the Brigadier travel to Scotland to investigate the matter. They are helped by Mike Yates which tells them what is happenning. The Doctor imediately knows that the Recumbent stones they have found have something to do with it.

It's a fun story with the builders of the stone, which turn out to be alien beings, have been on statis for four thousand years. It seems that the inhabitants of the bristish islands messed them up so they went to "sleep" to cure their injuries only to be awaken by humans because of roadwork machines.

They wanted to know if mankind is more "gentle" now or if they are a threat. After the initial confrontation the Doctor says that their world has been lost and they are all that remain from their kind. But it seems the Brigadier doesn't trust the Doctor and the army kill one of the aliens so they make a plot to kill mankind.

But as I said, the Doctor is everywhere and the threat is not that real. That ruined the story for me. I felt no danger whatsoever. Enfin. A fun one-hour story but unless you watch the series don't bother.

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Review: Doctor Who: Shadow of Death (Destiny of the Doctor 2)

Doctor Who: Shadow of Death by Simon Guerrier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well this second tale focus on the Second Doctor (and a brief appearance of the Eleventh Doctor) and the main companions were Jamie (one of my favourites) and Zoe.

I remember watching the episodes of the Second
Doctor and one thing I would love to see more often would be the differences of the upbringing of Jamie (from the XVIII century) and Zoe (XXI).

There was some instances where Jamie was clueless and it was funny. But I think at that time they didn't take more advantage of it.

As they are traveling with the Tardis they came abrutly to a planet orbiting a stange star. It has a gravitaional force that warp time. They discover an human outpost where scienties were studing an deserted ancient city. Imediately they are almost besieged by something dark.

One of the scientists upon entering this dark light of some sort immediately is turn old and bones crumbling in dust.

As they took refuge on the Outpost the Doctor who was trying to help everyone else escape receives a strange note from the future self (Eleventh Doctor) saying that the study they are doing it's very important.

Soon after, the Doctor understands that this dark things are the once inhabitants of the City that traveled through the space but being stranded on this planet made them turn from physical body to a energy one.

Afterwards the Doctor appears with his friends and what was just minutes to them to the Doctor was years.

They leave the scientists to their work, now knowing that these beings are willing to talk to them but it takes a long time for their message arrive to them since they are in different timespace.

The Doctor and the Companions leave the place.

This story unlike the previous one, focus more on the Second Doctor. I Thought being read by the actor that portrayed Jamie that it would be focus on him but alas it was not so.

Nevertheless a quick audiodrama and a good one.

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Book Review: Scratch - Brian Keene

Scratch by Brian Keene
My rating: 3 of 10 stars

Another Brian Keene's story I've read this last week.
"Scratch" - was not to my liking. It felt disappointing that this tale didn't developed a bit more on the characters and the monster.

The Second story "Halves" was another thing. I really enjoy this one. For cat lovers this one is a must. I will not say much because it will spoil the story. With only 10 pages it's small but compact. Probably this one if it had more pages would be repetitive.

This is not a book I would recommend. It less than 100 pages for a price of full lightened novel it's too much and don't give much info either on Brian Keene potential or his excellent Mythos.

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Boardgame: A Touch of Evil - A Story and Playthrough - The Gargoyle - Chapter Five (final)

Diary of Captain Hawkins (Day five)

I learn that Heinrich is the Inn and discovered the lair of the beast. Since last night a perpetual fog is over Shadowbrook. Everyone is scared. I can feel it.. I can taste it.

In the village I saw Katarina give some speech to the militia and villagers. I must say it held the darkness... We killed another Grotesque.. They are in the borderlands of the village...

But later in the afternoon Darkness fell on this land (Darkness Falls - 5 Wounds to give the heroes). We later learn that we were poisoned by Lady Hanbrook, someone saw her put something in our glasses, and she is evil. I cannot believe her. Maybe she was the one who kill Sophie. We follow her rapidly and we later learn that the Evil One is the monastery.

We bought some weapons and Heinrich in front of us entered the damnable place. This place is fully of statues. Some of them are truly ugly. One of them more than the rest... It is a Gargoyle. We all look at it but... IT'S ALIVE!

This is the beast and we must fight it.
Lord Hanbrook travelled with us. He is being most elusive since we learn of Lady Hanbrook betrayal. Reverant Harding came with us. I didn't enjoy it but he is a priest and supposedly a man of God. The Magistrate stay behind to rally the militia in case of need...


(Showdown) 
- Gargoyle 26 wounds and 6 attack dice (two from the Doctor & Lady)
- Captain Hawkins with 3 wounds , 4 combat dice and a Relic that prevent wounds one time...
- Katarina with 4 wounds, 4 attack dice with 4,5,6 hits and 6 count as two. With 3 investigation I can add 4 cunning dice.
- Heinrich with 4 wounds and 4 attacks (he bought a flail...)

We have also Reverend Harding + 3 dice and Lord Hanbrook with 1 fight dice.

I also have some event cards to help prevent wounds and one of it that deals damage to another person instead. 

Diary of Captain Hawkins (Last Entry)

I stroke first at the beast (3 wounds) but barely escape it. Then I saw something amazing happening... Katarina fought bravely (11 dice - 4 attack plus 3 cunning plus 3 Harding plus 1 Handbrook) and stroke the beast viciously (6 wounds) and I must say I saw something awful... Lord Hanbrook killed his wife. As he stay there with the blood in his hand she got a last grasp striking him painfully in the ribs. I don't believe is is escaping this fight... At the same time the Reverend killed the Doctor. As he grab the Doctor he said something but I only heard the word "Crimson"... What does that mean? 

Heinrich bravely step behind the beast and hit it his flail but the beast stroke him with his wings cutting him (3 wounds to the beast and 2 to Heinrich) 

Then I hit him and he it me back with such strength that I am trying hardly to get up... (2 wounds to the beast and 3 to Captain) 

Seeing me down Katarina, the Reverend and Hanbrook stroke back. The beast was unstopable and stroke down the Reverend and Lord Hanbrook. It seems I was mistaken by Reverend. Or maybe we were two sides of the coin with the same enemy... (only one wound to the beast)

Next strike Heinrich attacked striking deep but to my dismay he died, turning to stone... The beast stroke down the Stone Statue to a thousand pieces... (3 Wounds on the Beast and 2 on Heinrich)

Yet again I found out strength and stroke the beast dealing damage to him (2 wounds). He stroke back but I didn't get hurt but lost my axe.

Katarina moved forward striking a hit but as the beast is striking I protect her. I have no more life... I cannot be saved from these wounds...

I hear Katarina scream and with tears in her eyes, with gashes in all her body she stroke with her dagger but the beast in her dying breath hit her breast drawing blood in her lungs. She gaspes and fell to her knees...

As my eyes are becoming blurring I see the Gargoyle falling down...  I see Katarina on her knees with a weak smile on her face... I watch the field around us... Heinrich smashed to bits, Lady Hanbrook killed by her Husband only to be killed by the Gargoyle. Reverend killed the Doctor but died some seconds later.

I have no strenght but managed to say in a barely inaudible whisper... "I always loved you..." 
Katarina says "I know... Me too" and I hear falling down and drawn her last breath with me....

Both the Gargoyle and Katarina had two life left...She dealt 3 wounds (two because of the 6 plus another strike) and Gargyole dealt two wounds. With not save... They both died...

That's a first no?

Boardgame: A Touch of Evil - A Story and Playthrough - The Gargoyle - Chapter Four

Diary of Captain Hawkins (Day four in them morning)

Sophie the Midwife

I am getting very worried about this town... Lady Hanbrooke is not dead after all (rolled 12 in the cooperative chart) but soon afterwards Sophie the Midwife, the whisperer of secrets died (Those damn mystery cards). Who killed her? I doubt it was Katarina because at the same time she was in Church. I was never this in doubt before... Katarina is not evil? I don't know what do believe of it. I must find her. 

Diary of Captain Hawkins (Day four in the afternoon)
First she purchase bullets and then a Gun? Why? Strangely enough she was attacked by the Crimson Hand but managed to kill the adversary. Why is the Crimson Hand trying to kill both Heinrich and Katarina? Mayhaps I am not being told everything... I must confront her.

Diary of Captain Hawkins (Day four in the evening)
I finally encountered her in the Blacksmith. I confronted her with some militia... I will try to transcribe what happened before us...

"We finally meet Katarina the Outlaw" - I said with some pride I must say...
"Finally? As you been following me I was everytime one step ahead of you" - Katarina said haughtily  "You are very tiresome dog of war Captain Hawkins. How do you feel being my father's dog?"

I raised my axe ready to strike, and to give her some credit and admiration she didn't back down.
"I do this because your father is my superior officer and because of the... secretive mission." - I said with shame in my voice... 
"Secretive mission? Is that what I am to him? Because I want to be a free woman? I am just a shame to him... But at least I think for myself" She retorted.

Arrogant little brat...

"Why did you kill all those villagers and Sophie?" - I asked

"I thought better of you Hawkins. You are dumb and now blind? How can I turn people to stone? I have been following leads and investigate, something apparently you are not, to find what is happening here. It seems some beasts are roaming the land. Even you killed them twice. So, are you dumb or are blind? Or both?"

For a moment I hated her, embarrassing me in front of these militia. I turn my back to her to think it over. Yes, there are been some killings, she was every time there albeit before or after. My good friend the Doctor start to killed people. Lady Hanbrook disappearance just to appear and Sophie statue... And those Grotesques... Yes, she is not the killer I grant her that. Maybe she is trying to help me...

"Okay Katarina. Let us say I believe you. What can we do?"
"Well we should investigate and discover the lair of that beast. It's not something alive like me and you.. It's something else. And don't trust those villagers... Some of them are evil..." whispered Katarina.
"Yes I am aware of it. But we need the help of some of them. I believe in the Magister and Lord Hanbrook. But not the Reverend... Let us wait to decide which ones we shall ask for help."

"Very Well, let us go our separate ways and meet in the end." - said Katarina
"Be careful Katarina..."
"You too Captain..."

My feelings towards her are there. I don't know about her... I loved her since before the war but after I was gone she became elusive and cunning... I don't know what happened to her...