Wicked Melody's Tavern

Review: Ayakashi - Samurai Horror Tales (2006)

2012-01-28T10:02:00.002-05:00

Ayakashi - Samurai Horror Tales (2006) is a Japanese historical horror show. It is a collection of three classic Japanese horror stories. It contains 11 episodes.

Tenshu Monogatari ~The Goddess of Dark Tower~

Tomihime, a Forgotten God princess who lives in the White Castle, meets a young handsome human in the woods. Zushonosuke is searching for a lost falcon for his lord and asks her has she seen the bird. Although humans are forbidden to enter the White Castle, the lord orders Zushonosuke to continue the search and seize the falcon from the tower. Although Tomihime tells him to never return, Zushonosuke falls in love with her. Their forbidden love leads to tragedy as the barrier ruptures between the supernatural and human worlds.

Yotsuya Kaidan ~The Ghost of Yotsuya~

This is a tale of betrayal, murder and ghostly revenge. Oiwa, a beautiful young woman, marries Tamiya Iemon, a masterless samuri. He has a bitter argument with her father, Samon, who urges Iemon to end the marriage even though she is pregnant with his child. Soon afterwards, he kills Samon. Naosuke, who lusts for Oiwa’s sister, Osode, kills her husband, Yomoshichi. The women find their father and husband murdered in cold blood. Iemon and Naosuke then deceive the women and vow to avenge their deaths. Iemon reunites with Oiwa, and Naosuke enters into a common-law marriage with Osode as part of their agreement. In Yotsuya, Iemon is miserable in his marriage to Oiwa. After having given birth, she suffers some signs of post-partum depression. The Ito family disfigures Oiwa with poison, in the guise of medicine, in order to sway Iemon to abandon her. Horrified by the deception, Oiwa cuts her throat on the sword and curses Iemon to her grave, turning into a vengeful spirit. Anyone who mistreated her is haunted by her curse.

Bakeneko ~The Goblin Cat~

In the Edo period, the young daughter of a samurai family is planning to marry, but not for love. The family has financial debts they need to pay off. To save themselves from disgrace and the poor-house, her parents and the head of family decide to sell her marriage to clear these debts. Meanwhile, a strange, nameless medicine peddler arrives and enters the house, its entrance left unguarded in the rush to prepare for the wedding. The moment the bride crosses the threshold of the house to leave, she is struck dead. The medicine peddler, being a stranger and looking rather suspicious, is seized as the culprit and bound. He breaks his bounds, reveals himself to also be a demon-hunter, and claims the true villain is a bakeneko. The medicine peddler sets up a barrier to keep the demon at bay and begins questioning the family and their retainers to learn the shape (katachi), truth (makoto) and reasoning (kotowari) of the demon so that it can be exorcised. As the story continues, he discovers the truth behind the family’s dark past.

A friend recommended this show when I was searching for new anime to watch in 2012. Although I am not well-versed in ancient Japanese folklore, the tales were gratifying to watch and increased my interest in the show. With 11 episodes, it is easy to finish in a few days. The ending theme song, "Haru no Katami" by Chitose Hajime, rich captures the historical time period of the stories. (She also covered the ending songs for popular vampire anime, Blood+). Since this collection comes in three DVDs, I highly recommend the last two tales.

The first tale had the weakest plot because while it had a promising start it ended abruptly without any closure. The script wasn't even close to the original story, so that disappointed me. The second tale, "Yotsuya Kaidan," gave me goosebumps because I wonder if the ghost actually exists in real life. It also brought back flashbacks of the film, The Ring. "Bakeneko" was the best (scariest and story-telling) tale. Due to popular demand, the producers created another anime series exclusively about the medicine peddler. Stay tune for my next review, Mononoke.

Ending Theme: "Haru no Katami" by Chitose Hajime

Nehmes Bastet, Ancient Female Singer's Tomb, Found In Egypt's Valley Of The Kings

2012-01-20T10:42:00.002-05:00

Archaeologists have come across a new discovery in Egypt's Valley of the Kings burial grounds. They have unearthed a roughttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhly 1,100 year-old tomb of a female singer.

It is the only tomb of a woman not related to the ancient Egyptian royal families ever found in the Valley of the Kings, said Mansour Boraiq, the top government official for the Antiquities' Ministry in the city of Luxor,

The Valley of the Kings in Luxor is a major tourist attraction. In 1922, archaeologists there unearthed the gold funerary mask of Tutankhamun and other stunning items in the tomb of the king who ruled more than 3,000 years ago.

Boraiq told The Associated Press that the coffin of the female singer is remarkably intact.

He said that when the coffin is opened this week, archaeologists will likely find a mummy and a cartonnage mask molded to her face and made from layers of linen and plaster.

The singer's name, Nehmes Bastet, means she was believed to be protected by the feline deity Bastet.

You may watch the video of the discovery below.

Film Review: Millenium Actress (2001)

2012-01-17T11:43:00.003-05:00

Millennium Actress (2001) is a biographical anime film about the renowned Japanese actress, Chiyoko Fujiwara. When I heard about this film, I could not wait to rent the DVD and see why this movie by director, Satoshi Kon, was fantastic.

Fujiwara was a famous actress who starred in many Japanese films before her sudden departure and disappearance. What happened to her? Genya Tachibara, who sincerely idolizes Chiyoko as an actress and an individual, seeks to find her and create a documentary about her career. With his camera assistant, Kyoji Ida, they locate her and request that she narrate her autobiography for his upcoming film. At the age of 75, she agrees and presents Genya her with a gift—a key—that will unlock her past.

Her story begins when she is 16 in Imperial Tokyo. Born during the Great Earthquake of Tokyo in 1923, war is looming and national pride is widespread. As a young girl, Chiyoko is shy, innocent and unsure about her future. The thought of becoming an actress, especially to her mother, seems ludicrous because it goes against local customs and traditions of Japanese women. Walking home on a cold, winter night, a mysterious running away from the police bumps into her. She hides the man in her shed, and he gives her a key—a key that holds the most important thing she cherishes in life.

Before she can say goodbye, he runs off before the police can locate him. However, she misses the train before she can board. She promises herself that she will return the man his key. Throughout the movie, Chiyoko travels through space and time, pursuing roles of the heroine trying to find her lost love (i.e. the mysterious man). She acts different roles of women from feudal Japan, the shogunate periods, and modern Japan.

Occasionally, Genya will inexplicably help the actress by saving her as if he was part of the cast. As an avid fan, he watched her movies and learned the characters’ roles. She has two enemies—a rival Japanese actress, Eiko Shimao, and the imperial policeman—whose identities change according to the historical eras. Chiyoko truthfully believes that fate will bring her and the mysterious man together again. In addition, she wants to understand the true meaning of the key.

Not only was Chiyoko an icon of Japanese cinema, but she also portrayed Japanese heroines of Japanese history. Nonetheless, she still remembers the mysterious man—her first true love—whom she promises to find although she is becoming older in her roles. She continues to act through the centuries of Japanese history as if she has lived a thousand years. Where is he now? What happened to him? What will become of her life? These are the questions that she must discover, and Genya and Kyoji offer assistance on her quest.

I really enjoyed this movie because in some ways I could relate to her life. There was always something new, both emotionally and historically. As a novice of Japanese history, I had a glimpse of Japanese customs and traditions in just a matter of minutes! Romantic and tragic, this is a great movie to have in one’s collection with Metropolis, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. However, what irked me the most about this film was the pacing. Since I am a novice of Japanese history, it took me a while to figure out what was happening. I knew these were roles she portrayed in her filmmaking career, but I did not comprehend their significance until later in the film, when they repeat the introduction of the movie. In addition to finding the mysterious man, other common themes in the film included space, time and reincarnation.

Nevertheless, Chiyoko was narrating the story through her own eyes with Genya and Kyoji following along through the stages of time in Japanese history. I noticed the lack of a father figure (in the movie, her father died in the Great Earthquake of Tokyo in 1923) and that this mysterious man could have been an ideal “father figure” to her. Her relationships with men of different personas are also very interesting. Since majority of the characters look indistinguishably from one another (they all resemble Japanese nationals), Satoshi Kon selected a mole for Chiyoko’s face so that the audience can recognize her.

Sometimes, I find it hard to believe this film was only 90 minutes because it definitely felt longer. This is a wonderful film that truly shows the depth and breadth of Japanese anime and storytelling. I highly recommend it.

Review: Dance of Death (Jonathan Barrett #4)

2012-01-14T11:19:00.001-05:00

Dance of Death, by P.N. Elrod, is the fourth novel in the Jonathan Barrett, Gentleman Vampire series. After escaping the Revolutionary War in the New England colonies, Richard and his sister now live in London with their cousin, Oliver. Although he has come to terms with his new condition and supernatural abilities, there is still much he has not learned. Furthermore, his enemies from the previous novel, Death Masque, rise again to cause Jonathan more trouble and angst.

Seemingly invincible since his transformation into a vampire, Jonathan Barrett must admit his own weakness when he unexpectedly meets a four-year-old boy who strangely resembles him. The young boy is actually his mortal bastard son, Richard. Jonathan intends to do right by the lad. When Richard is kidnapped and held for ransom, the only one who can help Jonathan is his long-lost immortal love and creator, Nora Jones.

This is the last novel in the Jonathan Barrett Gentleman Vampires series. It brings me great joy and sadness to finish this series. When I first read the first novel, I could barely understand the language difference. Now, I appreciate Elrod's painstaking efforts in re-creating the word usage and idioms of the English colonists in the late 1700s.

Stay tune for my next review, Omnibus ~Lunch Time Reading~, a collection of (primarily Vampire Files series) short stories, spanning 15 years of publication.

Review: The Mystic Archives of Dantalian (2011)

2012-01-11T10:11:00.003-05:00

The Mystic Archives of Dantalian ~Bibliotheca Mystica De Dantalian~ (2011) is a Japanese supernatural mystery anime. The story takes place in England after World War I (late 1910s). It contains 12 episodes.

After the death of his grandfather, Hugh (Huey) Anthony Disward inherits an old, musty mansion, which contains an entire book collection. In the basement of the mansion, Huey meets a mysterious girl quietly reading among a pile of books -- Dalian. She is a Dantalian (guardian), and the lock on her chest is a gateway to the "Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian", which stores the forbidden books of demonic magic and wisdom.

These "phantom books" endanger the balance of the world, but people are always fascinated by their taboo. Those who misuse the powers of the phantom books often suffer tragic consequences. Huey learns the mysterious key that he carries with him at all times serves a special purpose: he has the ability to ability to access the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian (literal meaning: Dantalian's Bookshelf). Upon agreeding to become Dalian's new keykeeper, they investigate local phantom book cases together. As the keykeeper, Huey uses his power to seal the demonic magic and restore order to the local area.

It was sheer coincidence that I stumbled upon this title when I was searching for another anime. The concept behind the "phantom books" and English setting intrigued me. (I am always looking for anime that remind me of Victorian Romance Emma with a supernatural twist.) After a couple of episodes, I enjoyed the plot as Huey and Dalian work together as expert phantom books detectives to solve unexplainable mysteries. What I also liked about this show was each episode was unpredictable because the characters had different motives and consequences for their actions. As a result, the cases were always amusing.

I also adored the opening and ending music, which matched the dark mystery theme of the show. he opening theme is "Cras numquam scire" (Tomorrow is Never to Know) by Yucca (feat. Daisuke Ono) whilst the ending theme is "yes, prisoner" by maRIONnetTe. The song tracks reminded me of the opening theme, Lillium, of Elfen Lied and Japanese visual kei bands I used to hear when I was a teenager, such as Malice Mizer and Janne da Arc. The songs are catchy and symbolic, especially if you are into neo-classical rock music. I highly recommend this show.

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Review: Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #4)

2012-01-08T08:22:00.000-05:00

Merit soon finds herself int he dark, heady heart of Chicago's supernatural society--a world of vampires who seem ready to fulfill the protesting humans' worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands...

Hard Bitten, by Chloe Neill, is the fourth novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series. The shapeshifters recently announced their existence to the world in the city of Chicago. The novelty of the supernatural is wearing off as more people are no longer thrilled with the idea of vampires and other supernatural as neighbors. Cadogan House is under a lot of pressure when anti-supernatural groups camp out and protest outside their yard. Meanwhile, the relationship between Merit, Sentinel of Cadogan House, and Ethan Sullivan, Master of Cadogan House, remains tense at best.

To make matters worse, news of violent vampire raves and three missing women immediately alert the attention of Cadogan House. Merit calls a friend from the Red Guard, a secret vampire intelligence organization, to help her with the case. As she investigates further, she discovers these raves are not just a blood party -- but someone or something is drugging the vampires to turn aggressive and lose control. With both the Chicago mayor and the Greenwich Presidum (top vampire council) breathing down Ethan's neck to fix the problem, everything around Cadogan House and Chicago becomes tougher to endure.

Warning: This section contains major spoilers.

Oh my goodness. I am at a loss of words. I had high expectations for this novel, but the ending just shocked me. I re-read the last two chapters, but still couldn't believe my eyes. Ethan is dead and gone? How is that possible? The couple were one of the main reasons why I continued to read the series because their chemistry was almost perfect. They worked so well together as partners and lovers. Although I am glad Celina is dead, I am not sure where the author is heading with the story. Nevertheless, this was definitely the climactic moment in the series.

Again, I was at a loss of words, but then I realized it is not over yet. What is next for Merit? How will she live on without Ethan? Can this book series succeed without him? Neill must be a very talented writer if she can pull off this story device and have success with the next novel. Stay tuned for the next novel in the Chicagoland Vampire series, Drink Deep.

SnagFilms: Top 10 UFO Sightings

2012-01-05T09:15:00.000-05:00

SnagFilms has an interesting video about the top 10 most famous UFO sightings. Watch below:

Happy New Year 2012; More Reviews To Come!

2012-01-02T11:22:00.000-05:00

Wicked Melody's Tavern has set another milestone: over 75,500 visits thus far! I am really delighted about the success of my blog these past three years, and I couldn't do it without the support of fans and new and returning guests. I have been busy with graduate school, so it has cut into the amount of time I spend on this blog. Nevertheless, 2012 will be another exciting year filled with supernatural reviews and coverage. Look forward to more novel and anime reviews soon.

For those into the paranormal numbers, today is also 1/2/12!

2012: What Is Really Going to Happen?

2011-12-28T09:43:00.001-05:00

On December 21, 2012, the ancient Mayan "Long Count" Calendar comes to an abrupt end. There are many scientific theories and historic prophecies that claim this will be the end of times (apocalypse), galactic alignment of the planets and stars (cosmic shifting), or the beginning of a new cycle for humanity (genesis). According to USA Today:

But scholars are bristling at attempts to link the ancient Maya with trends in contemporary spirituality. Maya civilization, known for advanced writing, mathematics and astronomy, flourished for centuries in Mesoamerica, especially between A.D. 300 and 900. Its Long Count calendar, which was discontinued under Spanish colonization, tracks more than 5,000 years, then resets at year zero.

Part of the 2012 mystique stems from the stars. On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. This means that "whatever energy typically streams to Earth from the center of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on 12/21/12 at 11:11 p.m. Universal Time."

What is really going to happen at the end of the calendar 2012? Only time will tell.

The buildup to 2012 echoes both excitement and fear. I compiled a short list of websites that discuss the 2012 phenomenon in greater detail below:

Besides the U.S. presidential election, I believe 2012 will be a fascinating year filled with suspense and drama. This is the final post of 2011. Happy New Year!

Family captures 'Ghost of Christmas Past' on cell phone video

2011-12-25T06:09:00.001-05:00

A friend found this video in a town outside South Bend, Indiana. Some people are calling it the Ghost of Christmas Past!

This video demonstrates that our loved ones always visit their families during this special holiday season. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Review: Blue Exorcist (2011)

2011-12-22T23:20:00.001-05:00

Blue Exorcist (2011) is a Japanese fantasy anime about two twin brothers who are the sons of Satan. Unaware of their birth origin, Father Shiro Fujimoto raises the boys as their guardian. The series contains 25 episodes plus an upcoming movie (December 2011 release).

Humans and demons live in two dimensions that are not meant to interfere with each other. Despite this rule, demons from Gehenna (hell) still enter and possess creatures and objects in Assiah (earth). Humans who fight these demons are known as exorcists, professionals trained in the art of combat and holy scripture.

The story revolves around Rin Okumura, the older teen brother who possess abnormal strength. Despite his aggressive behavior and clumsiness, he is a good kid with a strong sense of justice. When his younger brother, Yukio Okumura, leaves the monastery to study at the prestigious True Cross Academy, the monastery is attacked and Rin discovers he bears the curse of Satan (blue flames). Father Fujimoto sacrifices himself to save him from demons. To avenge his guardian's death, Rin ends up doing what his guardian asked him never to do: he draw the demon-slaying blade Kurikara, which restrains his demonic powers, from its scabbard. He not only gains demonic physical features (fangs, pointed ears and a tail), but also the power to ignite himself into blue flames that can destroy anything they touch.

From this moment forward, Rin decides to follow the path of an exorcist in order to defeat his father, Satan. He meets Mephisto Pheles, the preceptor of True Cross Academy, to enroll in the school. Much to his surprise, he finds that Yukio is already a veteran exorcist and will be one of his instructors. Rin will face many trials to control his blue flames and protect those he cherishes.

Initially, I had low expectations about this show because I am generally not a fan of demon shows. However, I became instantly hooked with the plot. Each episode made me more curious; I had to know what would happen next. Rin Okumura is a male protagonist that makes you want to like him for his courage, tenacity, and will-power. He cares deeply for his younger brother (although Yukio does not realize this until the end) and the well-being of his friends. Although he is the son of Satan, he manages to persuade others that he still has a human soul. Other common themes throughout the show were the importance of teamwork and trust.

The plot was invigorating and fun to watch. The action was solid, and the pacing kept me interested for more episodes. In my opinion, Blue Exorcist was one of the best supernatural anime shows in 2011. If you have not watched it, I highly recommend this show. For serious fans, the manga is still ongoing if you desire more stories about the twin brothers.

Review: A.D. Police (1999)

2011-12-19T23:39:00.002-05:00

A.D. Police ~To Protect and Serve~ (1999) is a Japanese science fiction anime about a police squadron who must battle boomers (i.e., robots in rogue) before the entire Genom City (formerly Tokyo) falls to these devastating machines. There are twelve episodes in the two-CD disc case.

Based upon earlier popular police-crime drama shows, such as NYPD Blue and Hill Street Blues, this police squadron use futuristic high-tech weapons to destroy these machines. Genom City, after a major earthquake that shattered almost the entire city, used robots to rebuild its city infrastructure and public works. However, if these robots go in rogue (lose their internal capabilities to function properly), they become psychopathic boomers and destroy/kill anyone or anything in their paths. This is where the A.D. Police come where the traditional police cannot handle these situations.

Genom Corporation, which has a major influence in Genom City, develops military and construction robots, who eerily resemble the Terminator film series. The A.D. police monitors illegal sales of Genom robots and rush to the scenes. Two major characters in this story are Kenji Sasaki, an aloof, quick and ambitious bad-boy cop who always does things his way and his new partner, Hans Kleif, a light-hearted but serious German pretty-boy transfer to help the squadron after Kenji loses his former partner in a boomer accident. Hans has no recollection of his childhood memory and has a bomb fragment in his head. The audience will see the events in this series mostly through Kenji's eyes although the director does consider Hans' perspective as well.

Boomers (rogue robots) were a popular story device back in the 1990s. Many animation producers were creating Bubblegum Crisis investigative spin-offs to ride the hype. The last few episodes reveal a detrimental climax not only for Kenji but also for people close to Hans. This is where viewers would find this series the most interesting. However, It leaves little behind to appreciate once it ends. If you are a Bubblegum Crisis fan, you may want to keep this in your video library. Is it original and innovative? Not really, this is its weakness. However, the soundtrack is very nice to listen. Overall, it is a good show to watch if you have nothing to do. The Bubblegum Crisis series is much better for serious watchers. This show is also available on DVD.

A.D. Police Trailer

Paranormal News Central: Top 10 Signs Your House Is Haunted

2011-12-16T16:08:00.002-05:00

Have you ever wondered if your home was haunted by ghosts? Paranormal News Central lists ten signs everyone should know so that they can take the proper next steps. Sometimes, you may have friendly spirits who are harmless and eventually move on. It is the angry and evil spirits that trouble most people and can cause emotional and physical harm.

10. Strange smells

9. Odd dreams of people or places you don't know

8. Feeling of being watched

7. Heaviness in the Air

6. Noises

5. Changes in air temperature

4. Things moving around

3. Being touched

2. Sudden changes in mood or behavior

1. Seeing is believing

Review: Les Miserables - Shoujo Cosette (2007)

2011-12-13T23:59:00.004-05:00

Les Miserables - Shoujo Cosette (2007) is a Japanese World Masterpiece Theater anime based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. The plot is set in nineteenth century France, and the show contains 52 episodes. Unlike the novel, Cosette is the protagonist in the anime. Through her eyes, the adptation has a more vivid, thrilling and heart-warming take on the nature of good, evil, and law around familial and romantic love.

A young Cosette is traveling with her mother, Fantine, through France as she tries to find stable employment. However, few employers would hire a single mother. When Fantine is promised with the prosperity of working the big city, she hires a caretaker, the Thernadiers, to watch over Cosette while she earns some money. Unfortunately, this arrangement was a trick: the Thernadiers were a couple family who turned Cosette into their own indentured servant. Here, Cosette is exposed to the worst kinds of child labor (see Little Princess Sara). Nevertheless, Cosette has close friends who keep her spirit strong so that one day she can reunite with her mother.

Meanwhile, Fantine’s health and her own lodging debts worsen while the Thénardiers’ letters continue to grow and their financial demands become more costly. Her overworking causes her to become sick with a cough and fever (later diagnosed as tuberculosis). She is fired from her job when news spread that she is an unwed mother. The kind and just mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer discovers her body in the streets, and takes her to the hospital. There, she hears her last wish to reunite with her daughter, Cosette.

As a former ex-convict who lives in secrecy from the law, the mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer, also known as M. Madeleine, feels determined to find and update her daughter. He also realizes that French social norms failed Fantine. He sees how winds of change are so detrimental for disadvantaged children and families, and decides to do something about it. When he discovers Cosette with the Therandiers, he is surprised how badly they have mistreated her. He decides to adopt and raise Cosette as his own daughter so that Cosette can become the educated and beautiful lady that Fantine always desired.

I really enjoyed this adaptation of Les Miserables. The novel is actually written from Jean Valjean's perspective and his struggles with redemption. As a historical fiction, it takes place during the June Rebellion, an unsuccessful, anti-monarchist insurrection of Parisian Republicans—-largely students—-from June 5 to June 6, 1832. It is also a social protest novel because it focuses on major themes, such as justice, morality, self-sacrifice, social transformation, and even the plight of orphans within French society. Nevertheless, many readers will find this anime delightful and thrilling.

The two-disc OST soundtrack is also excellent. The songs sound jovial, mysterious, and revolutionary. For instance, I could sense the students' courage and spirit as they protest the French government in the songs. Overall, I highly recommend this anime to all audiences. The World Masterpiece Theater did a great job with this adaptation, and will always remain one of the most popular novels of all time.

Opening Theme:
"Kaze no Mukou" by Yuki Saito

Ending Theme:
"Ma maman (Watashi no Okasan)" by Yuki Saito

Review: Daddy-Long-Legs (1990)

2011-12-09T10:03:00.001-05:00

Daddy-Long-Legs (1990) is a World Masterpiece Theater Japanese anime based on the 1912 novel by Jean Webster. It follows the young female protagonist, Jerusha "Judy" Abbott, through her high school years. She writes letters to her benefactor, a rich man whom she has never met, and thereafter addresses him as "Dear Daddy-Long-Legs" in the series. It contains 40 episodes.

Judy Abbott is a cheerful and intelligent orphan at the John Grier Home. Her parents died when when she was an infant. The children are wholly dependent on charity and must wear other people's cast-off clothes. She has been given the opportunity to study at the prestigious Lincoln Memorial High School by a mysterious benefactor whom she only knows as "John Smith". She has only seen his shadow once, and because of his long legs, she calls him "Daddy Long Legs". He will pay her tuition and also give her a generous monthly allowance. Judy must write him a monthly letter, because he believes that letter-writing is important to the development of a writer. However, she will never know his identity. The only payment she is to give her benefactor is that she write him letters every month but he will never reply.

In high school, Judy thrives as an imaginative student. Her roommates, Sally McBride and Julia Pendleton, also enjoy her whimsical and sincere nature. She also learns etiquette and social norms among New York high society. However, she never confides with anyone that she is an orphan. Since Daddy Long Legs is the only family she has, she gradually becomes attached to him through her letters.

Daddy-Long-Legs was an entertaining show that delighted me. Set in the early 20th century, young women from elite and well-established backgrounds attended private schools and eventually enrolled in private women's colleges like the Northeast's Seven Sisters (e.g., Wellesley, Smith, Radcliffe, Mount Holyoke, Bryn Mawr, Simmons, Vassar, Barnard). Many young women were exploring their options, and the anime (and novel) discuss typical young adult issues. As a coming-of-age story, Judy knows her orphan status makes her different and isolated from her rich classmates. Nevertheless, she enjoys school and gradually gains self-confidence.

It is also a surprising love story. Judy is intrigued and desperate to know more about this mysterious benefactor who suddenly shows interest in her education and well-being. Over the years, Judy grows up to be a lively and attractive young woman with a vivid imagination who takes delight in the pleasures of ordinary life. It is no wonder that her friends and benefactor (none other than Jervis Pendleton) find her company enjoyable. Jervis, who finds high-society life mundane and unbearable, likes her free-spirited nature and eventually falls in love with her.

Of course, over the years of her study at college Judy grows into a lively and attractive young woman who takes enormous delight in the little pleasures of ordinary life. It's easy to see why Jervis Pendleton, her rich room-mate's uncle, finds her company so enjoyable.

The themes of the book also reflect upon Webster's Progressive-Era interests in social work and women's suffrage. Webster insists that American society pay attention to child welfare issues (in this case, orphans), and access to a quality education should not be reserved to the privileged few. As an early feminist piece, it is also promotes that women can become independent thinkers and their voices should be heard in public. In the anime, Judy Abbott loosely resembles Pippi Longstocking (who, in other children's tales, is also very intelligent and imaginative with a strong sense of justice) as a tease, revealing how both share similar personalities.

Young adults will easily relate to Judy Abbott. I highly recommend this story.

Review: Little Princess Sara (1985)

2011-12-06T00:15:00.000-05:00

Little Princess Sara (1985) is a World Masterpiece Theater Japanese anime based on the popular English classic children's novel, A Little Princess (1904), by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It contains 52 episodes.

Sara Crewe, the daughter of a rich miner from India, is an intelligent, polite, and creative young girl. She is brought all the way to London in Victorian-era England for a formal education. The teachers and students learn she is quite advanced for her age. For instance, she speaks French perfectly and immediately becomes the top student. She helps everybody and loves everybody, from little Lottie who is too young for school and desperately needs a mother, to the child servants, Becky and Peter, who are often ignored and mistreated. But the most important thing is Sara's wealth, which make her Miss Minchin's student representative, evoking the mortal jealousy of Lavinia, the ex-favorite.

When word spreads about her father's death and bankruptcy on her birthday, Sara becomes a penniless orphan. Miss Minchin, scared that throwing the girl out will ruin her school's reputation, lets Sara stay, but makes her life impossible. Sara humbly accepts her new fate and is subjected to servitude of the worst kind. At the upscale boarding school, Sara is forced to tolerate the haughty, disdainful headmistress, Miss Minchin. She has to do the hardest work in the kitchen, sleep in a dilapidated attic, and goes to bed mostly hungry, with all of Lavinia's hatred and Miss Minchin's despisal now released at her. Despite her misfortune, Sara's spirit is not broken and proves that anyone can be a "little princess." She remains proud and imaginative as ever as she masters her new life, and her true friends never let her down.

This is one time I will say that the Victorian era (both American and British) produced many classic novels that are still enjoyed by readers a century later. A Little Princess is one of them. Originally a novella, Burnett was inspired by Charlotte Bronte's unfinished novella, Emma, which features a rich heiress with a mysterious past who is apparently abandoned at a boarding school. Fortunately, Burnett expanded the novella to a full-length novel after much success as a Broadway play. When I first heard of this story, I saw the abridged film version, A Little Princess (1995), which takes place in late nineteenth-century New York City. Although I enjoyed it, I felt the story had to cut many memorable parts of the novel to fit a small two-hour window. Thus, I was so delighted to see how the Japanese brought this story to life which no other film company has been able to accomplish.

Since this novel was written during the Progressive Era, Burnett inserted many social protest moments that would make viewers question societal norms, particularly child labor (servitude). Although we have rules and regulations for minors in the workforce, such laws did not exist in the 19th Century. It is hard to fathom that it was once legal for poor children as young as eight years old to work 12-hour shifts. Poor families were dependent on their children for income, and the working conditions were often unbearable. It would take years of progressive social reforms, both direct and indirect like this novel, to expose the magnitude of the social problems to governments. By the 1930s, most Western nations passed labor protection laws for children.

I love this anime because Nippon Animation did an excellent job highlighting both Sara's tenacity and the child labor practices of the time. Although it is underrated, I recommend anime fans with a taste for historical fiction to watch this show. I will hint that good fortune does come her way in the end. It is definitely worth the entire 52 episodes.

Review: Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3)

2011-12-01T03:13:00.000-05:00

Merit, Chicago's newest vampire, is learning how to play well with others. Other supernaturals, that is.

Twice Bitten, by Chloe Neill, is the third novel in the Chicagoland Vampire series. Shapeshifters from across the nation are convening in Chicago to decide whether they should remain or move back to their ancestral land in Alaska. Cadogan Master vampire, Ethan Sullivan, has offered Gabriel Kenne, the Apex (alpha leader) of the North American Pack, his very special bodyguard, Merit, to protect him during this significant event. Although tensions are high between the shapeshifters and vampires, the two groups ultimately desire peace and alliances.

Merit accepts this important missions even if she lives to regret it. Someone is trying to assassinate the Apex. It is her duty to investigate and track down the culprit -- even if guns are flying. Meanwhile, another Master vampire, an old love whom Ethan created prior to turning Merit, makes a surprise visit to Cadogan House. Moments of jealousy and shame frustrate Merit. Can Ethan and Merit settle their romantic feelings for each other even when their positions come first?

This series continues to become more thrilling. The last half of the novel was excellent. Niell knows how to merge different subplots smoothly into one impeccable ending. I am starting to like Merit (hint: her real name is revealed!) as a protagonist because she is smart, funny, loyal, sexy and, more importantly, badass. This novel officially proves why she is the Sentinel of Cadogan House. I cannot wait to read more adventures about katana-swinging Merit and Chicago's supernatural world.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series, Hard Bitten.

Review: Blood-C (2011)

2011-11-26T00:15:00.005-05:00

Blood-C (2011) is a Japanese supernatural anime based on the popular Blood/Saya series in Japan. It takes place in contemporary Japan. and contains 13 episodes. In the plot, Saya seems like a normal girl living with her father in a shrine. During the day, she is a typical high school student who spends time with her friends. At night, however, she is a hunter who is called upon the sword to protect the village from strange human-eating monsters. Despite her promise to protect people, her kindness leads to misfortune as more innocent people continue to die. As a result, she suffers psychological distress and repetitive flashbacks that she cannot remember. As the story continues to unfold, Saya faces her greatest test. Furthermore, she may finally remember what she promised.

Wow, this show really surprised me. The plot was well calculated and the details of Saya's past came forth in a smooth and mind-boggling way. I loved how everything unraveled at the end of the show. The creators (CLAMP also were the art directors for Tsubasa Chronicle and Code Geass) showed clips of the last episode throughout the plot but you don't know what it means until you watch the entire show. This version is closely related to Blood: The Last Vampire. In some ways, it begins after the army base attack and describes Saya's origins. Ironically, everything about her life is part of a sick and twisted game. In the end, Saya demands vengeance for being used and discarded.

This show is NOT for the faint of heart (especially children). It is very graphic and intense action, especially the second half of the show. Although I am used to horror shows, there were moments where the senseless violence, death and blood (scenes were censored) still rattled my nerves. This show is for serious Saya / Blood fans who do not mind gore and the element of surprise. Otherwise, I recommend Blood: The Last Vampire and Blood+ (both of which I have reviews on this blogs). Both shows contain less violence and are more suitable to most PG-rated audiences.

The good news is there will be a movie that continues this storyline called Blood-C: The Last Dark. It will premiere in Japan in June 2012. The film may finally provide fans solutions to the origins of Saya. I hope it is less graphic than the TV series because the imagery can be horrific in a gore sense.

Opening Song: "Spiral" by DUSTZ

"The Woman In Black" Film Trailer

2011-11-23T23:41:00.002-05:00

I saw this film trailer in the movie theater, and thought this would intrigue many paranormal fans. Finally, a historical, haunted ghost film that seems worth watching. It will premiere in February 2012. Harry Potter fans will enjoy watching Daniel Radcliffe in an investigative role. Here is a short synopsis from IMDB: "Young lawyer Arthur Kipps travels to a remote village to organize a recently deceased client's papers, where he encounters the ghost of a scorned woman set on vengeance."

Review: Blade the Animation (2011)

2011-11-20T22:42:00.004-05:00

Blade the Animation (2011) is a Japanese supernatural anime based on the Marvel Comics. It contains 12 episodes. Erik Brooks a.k.a. Blade is a "Daywalker" vampire hunter who was born with human and vampire genes after a vampire attacked his mother, Carol, in London, England. He sought assistance from Noah Van Helsing. After years of martial arts training and medical breakthroughs to curb his thirst for blood, vampires worldwide fear him. In the beginning, he is visiting Japan on a mission: confront Deacon Frost, the vampire who killed his mother, and uncover the truth about "Existence", a mysterious organization of rogue vampires and creatures in Japan and Southeast Asia. He also makes friends and allies along his journeys.

This is the fourth Marvel Comics series that has become a Japanese anime. I was impressed with Japanese version of the show, which takes place in Asia. The actors did a great job giving the main cast some personality and humor. Blade looks awesome in this version -- he can kick ass and protect others. I am now curious to watch the previous Marvel Comics animes (X-Men, Iron Man, and Wolverine). Blade concludes the four-part Marvel Anime project. In fact, Wolverine makes a cameo appearance in one of the episodes. With intense action and good storytelling, I highly recommend the show.

Snow White and the Huntsman Movie First Trailer

2011-11-17T11:10:00.001-05:00

If you're looking for more fairy-tale action, a teaser trailer has been released for the upcoming film, Snow White and the Huntsman. It will premiere in movie theaters in Spring 2012. It is a darker abridged version of the famous children's story, where the Evil Queen (Charlize Theron) ironically looks more beautiful and amazing than Snow White (sorry Twilight fans, but Kristen Stewart is, at best, average).

Review: Micah's Magick (Elemental Witches Novella)

2011-11-14T11:15:00.001-05:00

Micah's Magick, by Anya Bast, is a novella based on the Elemental Witches series. Micah, a handsome research and development scientist for the Coven, lost his magick after the attack in Witch Fury. Since he can no longer use his own magick to conduct experiments. Emily Randolph, a gifted earth witch, volunteers to assist him with testing spells in the research lab. Although Micah still grieves for his loss, he continues with his work and gradually notices Emily's beauty.

Word spreads that Sefan escaped the palace in Eudae, another dimension where Coven witches have their origins. Although he lost his magick, Stefan is still a threat to all witches on Earth. Four witches -- Claire, Adam, Micah and Emily -- are chosen to capture Stefan alive in Eudae. They must find him before he starts another war with Coven Witches. In addition, Micah may discover another magick precious to him.

I was delighted to find this novella on the Internet because I always wondered when Bast would create another story. The Elemental Witches series is full of dark mystery, paranormal romance, and sexual fantasy. Each witch has a special elements (air, fire, water, and earth). Since this is free, please do not plagarize her work. I hope Bast continues to write more interesting tales about the Coven witches.

Review: Monster (2004-2005)

2011-11-10T17:21:00.000-05:00

Monster (2004-2005) is a Japanese mystery animated series about a Japanese man who is determined to find the true identity of a young boy who later turned into a Monster (serial killer and psychopath) in Germany. Filled with intense mystery and lauded with praise, it contains a breath-taking 74 episodes.

Dr. Kenzou Tenma was a highly-acclaimed Japanese neurosurgeon in Germany that had it all in the 1980s: a rich and beautiful German fiancee and a promising career at Eisler Memorial Hospital in Dusseldorf. However, after becoming disenchanted by hospital politics for treating patients, he choose to save the life of a young boy who got shot in the head over the life of the mayor. His twin sister, Anna Liebert, keeps muttering about killing, and Tenma decides to operate on Johan instead of the mayor of Düsseldorf who arrived afterwards. Johan is saved, but Mayor Roedecker dies. This decision would change his life forever: he lost the support of the hospital director as well as his position in the hospital and his fiance. After his dismissal, the hospital director and the doctors that replaced him were mysteriously murdered. Both children disappear from the hospital soon after. The police suspect Tenma, as he benefits greatly from this turn of events, but they have no evidence and do not further question him.

These events placed Tenma back onto the top of his career. Nine years later, Dr. Tenma is now the Chief of Surgery at Eisler Memorial Hospital. After saving a known criminal named Adolf Junkers after being hit by a car, he hears him muttering about a "monster". Tenma extends kindness to Junkers. But Tenma did not get a easy life. Then one evening, when Dr. Tenma comes back with a clock as a gift for Junkers, he finds the guard in front of Junkers's room dead, and Junkers himself gone. Following the trail to the construction site of a half-finished building near the hospital, Tenma finds Junkers being held at gunpoint. An unknown man warns Tenma against coming closer, and pleads with him to run away. Tenma refuses, however, and the man holding the gun is revealed to be the boy whose life Tenma had saved nine years ago, Johan Liebert. Despite Dr. Tenma's attempt to reason with him, Johan shoots the criminal, tells Tenma that he could never kill the man who had saved his life, and then walks off into the night while Tenma is still too shocked to stop him.

After this incident, Tenma is again suspected by the police, particularly Inspector Runge, and he tries to find more information about this "Johan". He soon discovers that the boy's sister, now named Nina, is happily living the life of an adopted daughter to two caring parents. Tenma discovers her and manages to prevent her from meeting her brother, but comes too late to stop Johan from murdering her foster parents. As the story progresses, the origins of this monster emerge in the former East Germany, using a secret orphanage called 511 Kinderheim (where Johan came from) to create the "perfect soldiers" through "psychological reprogramming." It seems that the boy Tenma saved was much more than he had appeared to be. After learning the scope of the atrocities committed by the Monster, Tenma must clear his name and correct his past mistake: he must investigate the truth of the Monster and end it once and for all.

Monster is one of the few gems in Japanese anime history that is worthy of every praise and excellence. I didn't know what to expect when I watched the first episode, but the suspenseful and puzzling plot drew me closer to the characters. I sympathized with Tenma and Anna Liebert for wanting to end the Monster. I had to know how this series would end. Taking place in Germany and the Czech Republic, this superb investigative drama felt so real that it kept me curious each time. Although it took over a year to finish (74 episodes!), I am grateful that I took a chance on this series. I highly recommend it because it was very entertaining and well-done for the adult mystery genre. I also loved the symbolism in the opening and ending music.

There are discussions in remaking this anime into a live-action Hollywood film. Hopefully, it receives the green light for production.

Opening Song: "Grain" by Kuniaki Haishima

Ending Song #1: "For The Love of Life" by David Sylvian (eps 1-32)

Ending Song #2: "Make It Home" by Fujiko Heming (eps 33-74)

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One Film Trailer

2011-11-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

In less than two weeks, the latest Twilight Saga film, Breaking Dawn Part One, will premiere in movie theaters on Friday, November 18, 2011. Watch the trailer below:

Review: Friday Night Bites (Chicagoland Vampires #2)

2011-11-04T16:16:00.000-04:00

Some things are best left in the dark.

So now my "master" -- centuries-old yet gorgeously well-preserved Ethan Sullivan -- wants me to reconnect with my own upper-class family and act as liaison between humans and vampires...and to keep the more unsavory aspects of our existence out of the media. But someone doesn't want people and vamps to play nicey-nice -- someone with an ancient grudge.

Friday Night Bites, by Chloe Neill, is the second novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series. Several months later, Merit is learning her new role role as Sentinel (guardian) of Cadogan House. She is strong and beautiful with a major appetite for all foods based in Chicago! Vampires are the latest celebrities in the Windy City -- paparazzi and news reporters want the latest buzz about their undead residents. Although the public isn't thrilled about their supernatural residents, anxious and disgruntled feelings have appeared to subside.

However, that will change when news spread about the Raves, mass feeding parties where vampires drink blood excessively from humans. A news reporter from an elite Chicago family has a serious grudge against vampires and wants to publish this information to the public. Meanwhile, Ethan Sullivan, Master of Cadogan House, wants to use Merit to re-connect with the Chicago upper-class to gather intelligence and alliances. To make matters worse, the shifters are convening in Chicago to settle their futures among humans.

Magic is rising, and war may loom on the horizon. Her relationship with Morgan, recently promoted Master of Navvare House, is not working and her friendship with Mallory is on the brink of disaster. Can Merit discover the assailant behind the threats against the supernatural? Can Merit come to terms with her own vampire identity? How will she handle betrayal and loss? Only you can find out in Friday Night Bites.

Finally, another book about Merit! Neill introduces readers with more supernatural characters. The plot was enjoyable with some sneak peaks on Merit's family, childhood friends and new identity as Sullivan's partner a.k.a. vampire investigator and guardian. I believe there is some chemistry between the two, but their relationship will slowly progressed until Ethan recognizes what he desires most. The ending includes a major surprise by an enemy character in the previous novel that Neill may not address until later in the series. Let's just say that Merit finally understands why she must become stronger in mind and body. The next novel will focus on the shape-shifters in Chicago.

A major pet peeve about this novel is that the author criticizes Michigan with references like "No one wants to visit Detroit!". As a Michigan native, that hurt because it came across as if the state is some backwater region (when it has a better quality of life than some states below the Mason-Dixon line). I will let it slide, but sometimes I do wonder where does Neill's loyalties lie (the Midwest or New York).

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series, Twice Bitten.

Michigan's Dogman Coming to Silver Screen in 2012

2011-11-01T09:56:00.001-04:00

The Detroit Free Press describes the Dogman below:

Strong, lean muscles strain under dark fur. Teeth and fangs flash beneath demonic eyes. A growl emerges as he rises to stand on his hind legs, stretching to more than 7 feet tall.

He is the Dogman, a legend of the vast Michigan woods, described with remarkable consistency by hunters, farmers and even the occasional motorist in reported encounters that date back centuries.

You can read more about the legends behind the Michigan Dogman on Absolute Michigan. The upcoming film will hit theatres nationwide in 2012. Stay tuned for more updates.

What do you know about the Michigan Dogman?

Happy Halloween plus Thriller animated video

2011-10-27T10:00:00.001-04:00

A friend found this 3-D animation of the late Michael Jackson's hit music video, "Thriller," on YouTube. All the cast members are animals (Michael Jackson's character resembles a monkey). I thought it was funny and excellent. It also followed the original music video very well. For those of you who are too old to trick-and-treat, make sure you visit your local haunted houses and hit the dance clubs/costume parties! Have a safe and happy Halloween!

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'Grimm' (NBC) Season Premiere

2011-10-23T22:04:00.000-04:00

The second new fairy tale series is Grimm. It is about a Portland, OR police detective, who discovers he is a descendant of the famous Grimm family, special crime fighters responsible for keeping mythological shape-shifting wolves and other creatures from the door of civilized society. With the ability to see their true forms, it is his destiny as a hunter to destroy the creatures before they wreak havoc on society. The first episode will premiere on Friday, October 28, 2011 on NBC. You may watch the preview trailer below.

Huffington Post: Ghost Towns of the World

2011-10-22T06:07:00.001-04:00

The Huffington Post has a photo slideshow about ghost towns around the world. More eerily, two of the towns happen to be in my native state, Michigan.

'Once Upon a Time' Season Premiere

2011-10-19T15:18:00.000-04:00

ABC will launch a new TV series that combines fairy tale magic with contemporary suspense. Personally, I am intrigued by the twist in the plot: In a magical land, Prince Charming saves Snow White. Just before they officially wed, the evil witch appears in the court and curses the kingdom to another time and place where the main characters are ignorant of their past lives. It premiers Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 8:00pm Eastern Time.

Trailer

Pilot Sneak Peak

And here is the rest of it.

Review: Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro (2007-2008)

2011-10-16T22:51:00.001-04:00

Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro (2007-2008) is a Japanese supernatural detective anime about a demon searching for the ultimate mystery. In English, the title translates to "Demonic Detective Nougami Neuro." This series contain 25 episodes.

Yako Katsuragi's father was murdered in a locked room. Then, she meets Neuro Nougami, who is a demon from Hell who feasts on puzzles and riddles. He forces Yako to act as a detective so that he can solve mysteries. He comes to the human world because he has eaten every mystery in the demon world. He featss on mysteries offered by humans who release negative energy from their planned crimes. Yako teams up with Neuro to solve crimes for his appetite and investigate her father's mysterious murder.

After solving many crimes, a new case causes a criminal named X to take an interest in Neuro as a demon. Nonetheless, Neuro accepts his challenges and defeats him easily. Later on, an evil organization of super humans initiate their plans to destroy the human race. Will Neuro and Yako be able to defeat the organization before it is too late?

The anime is awesome to describe it in one word. It is entertaining and it will keep you at the edge of your seat. Although the weekly villains was a nuisance at first, the Arcs shown at each episode will keep you coming back for more. This anime is sure to add a little more flavor to your anime collection. The show will make you shake, scream, laugh and you will get creep out so much that you will just want to re-watch it! I highly recommend this detective series.

Opening Song: "DIRTY" by Nightmare

Ending Song: Kodoku no Hikari" by Kagami Seira

Review: Bloodlines (Vampire Academy #7)

2011-10-13T22:53:00.001-04:00

I wasn't free of my past, not yet.

Sydney's blood is special. That's because she's an alchemist--one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets--and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with her allegiances in question, her future is on the line."

Bloodlines, by Richelle Mead, is the seventh novel in the Vampire Academy series. This is the first book where Rose Hathaway is not the protagonist; it focuses on the other main cast characters (in this case, Sydney ). The story picks up from the previous novel, Last Sacrifice, where Sydney is ordered out of bed in the middle of the night to face Alchemist leaders. At first, she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance and friendship with dhampir, Rose Hathaway. The unexpected occurs instead. Jill Dragomir, the sister of Moroi Queen Vasilisa (Lissa) Dragomir, is in mortal danger and must be sent into hiding far from the Moroi palace compound.

To avoid a civil war, the Alchemists summon Sydney to act as Jill's guardian and sister, posing as a roommate at Amberwood Prep Academy, in Southern California. There, she discovers students wearing strange metallic tattoos similar to the Alchemists. Sydney investigates to find the culprit behind the illegal business when someone nearly loses their life. Meanwhile, the last thing Sydney wants to be accused of is sympathizing with Moroi and dhampirs. Someone is desperate enough to blame and institutionalize her in the dreadful re-education centers if she doesn't watch her back. Before she can balance her loyalties, a sign of threats, distractions and forbidden romance lurk both outside--and within--the school grounds.

First, I was very reluctant to read this novel because I didn't think this series could continue without Rose Hathaway. I read the first six books because I loved her personality and fighting spirit (i.e., she stood for justice and never gave up on her true love and freedom). But Mead amazes me again with the character of Sydney. Although she is naive in social relhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifationships and has a tendency to over-think situations, Sydney is highly intelligent in her studies and very conscious of other people's feelings. Her friendship with Adrian Ivashkov also deepens as he tries to move on with his life beyond Rose. Readers also learn another secret about Sydney's abilities as an Alchemist.

I cannot wait to read more about this fascinating group of supernatural teens. The novel covers typical teenage issues (i.e., crushes, peer pressure, self-confidence). Rose also makes a brief cameo appearance, but Sydney is the star of the novel (and she truly shines!). I am speculating that the next novel will continue to focus on Sydney and Adrian, but a new main character will certainly excite many female fans. Check out the recent interviews with Richelle Mead at Goodreads and MTV (warning: may contain spoilers).

UPDATE (11/18/2011): Richelle Mead will write a six-novel Bloodlines series that takes place in the same universe as the Vampire Academy novels. In future references, I will refer to the next five novels as part of the Bloodlines series.

Stay tuned for the next book in the Bloodlines Series, The Golden Lily.

Music Video: Things That Go Bump in the Night

2011-10-09T00:20:00.000-04:00

A friend found and showed this song to me. I thought it was very fitting to share on this blog. Unfortunately, I am not sure who are the artists. If you know their name, I will be very happy to include their biographical information. I figured it's a perfect melody for Halloween. Enjoy!

Hong Kong girls taken to hospital after seeing ghosts

2011-10-05T10:18:00.000-04:00

This sounds like a haunting. The abandoned school where the two girls fled in terror was once used by WWII-era Japanese soldiers.

Hong Kong - Two Hong Kong schoolgirls were taken to hospital after collapsing in terror claiming they had seen the ghosts of Japanese soldiers from World War II, a news report said Tuesday.

The girls were among a party of 12 exploring the site of an abandoned school in the New Territories, which is rumoured to be haunted, when they claim they saw an apparition of a marching army.

Review: The Devil You Know (Vampire Files Novelette)

2011-10-01T12:43:00.000-04:00

The Devil You Know, by P.N. Elrod, is a special edition novelette that is the sequel to Bloodcircle, the third novel in the Vampire Files series. In post-Prohibition New York, Jack Fleming returns to Long Island to attend a funeral at the request of Jonathan Barrett, a Revolutionary-era vampire with genteel manners. What they did not expect to found was a body of an unknown decomposed man on the property estate. Barrett seeks Jack's help to solve the murder mystery without arousing police attention and public suspicion. When the two find themselves buried alive by intruders who don't like troublemakers, they travel to New York City to investigate the people involved.

Clues lead Jack back to his old stomping grounds in the newspaper world. There, the novel covers his old memories before he migrated to Chicago and became a vampire. Before the investigation hits the ground, Jonathan and Jack find themselves in a dark world of mobsters, guns, and greed. The plot thickens by switching from who is responsible for the decomposed body to who can survive the long, cold night without a bullet in the forehead. There's not much the two vampires can do but discover the prime culprit behind the mayhem.

This limited, signed edition by P.N. Elrod is a like a breath of fresh air. I enjoy the fact she tries to continue the series. I am definitely keeping it as one of my collectibles. I had to re-read my review for Bloodcircle to figure out the exact timeline of the storyline since so many years have passed. Jonathan Barrett, another vampire, makes a cameo appearance as he tries to solve the murder mystery with Jack Fleming. The plot was an enjoyable and suspenseful novelette that I recommend to all Vampire Files and Jonathan Barrett fans.

Stay tuned for the next book of Elrod's favorite short stories, Lunchtime Reading Omnibus.

Strange Roaring Sound in Kiev, Ukraine

2011-09-27T09:55:00.001-04:00

A friend alerted me that a strange and intense roaring sound has been occurring frequently in Kiev, Ukraine. No one knows where the vibration is coming from. Some have mentioned UFOs, angry ghosts, sea monsters, and other paranormal conspiracies. Listen for yourself below:

Music: Cusco (New Age)

2011-09-23T10:37:00.000-04:00

Cusco is a German New Age band named after the Peruvian city of Cusco. Their songs contain influences from music found around the world. Founded in 1979, the band comprises of two members, Michael Holm and Kristian Schultze. Both had long been fascinated with Cusco, once the ancient capital of the Inca empire (present-day Peru). Their music contains influences from music around the world, with a general emphasis on ancient South American flute sounds and melodies. Compared to the music of other new age artists, Cusco's music is quite melodic and usually energetic, and the band focuses on creating a fusion of modern and ethnic styles with classical music influences and solid rock music sensibilities. Most of the ethnic instruments are keyboard-generated, giving the sound a synthetic quality. In the late 1980s, their music received international popularity on the music charts, ultimately being nominated three times for a Grammy award.

The two songs below are "Andes/Inca Dance" (1987) and "Montezuma" (1993).

Review: Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse #11)

2011-09-20T12:03:00.004-04:00

It's spring time in Bon Temps, and for telepathic barmaid Sookie Stackhouse, the season will turn out to be one full of secrets--secrets that will bring major changes in her life...

Dead Reckoning, by Charlaine Haris, is the eleventh novel in the Southern Vampire files. Set in contemporary rural Louisiana, the two-natured have introduced themselves to the world like the vampires earlier in the series. News spread around the town of Bon Temps that Sam Merlotte is a shapeshifter. Sookie is working her shift in Merlotte's when the bar is firebombed, and it doesn't look like the bomber was human. To make matters worse, an old enemy from the past is out for her blood and revenge.

Meanwhile, tension between her vampire lover/husband Eric Northman and his progeny Pam rises when their boss, Victor, is taking over the state of Louisiana. Sookie's great-uncle, Dermot, a handsome fae who eerily resembles her brother Jason needs, temporary shelter, and Sookie uncovers a hidden secret left from her grandmother that holds clues to her telepathic abilities. Caught in complicated political matters of vampire society and fearing for her own survival, the peaceful life Sookie is wishing for seems like a distant dream.

When I first begn this series almost a decade ago, I thought the plot was original and the characters were interesting. However, as others have noticed in the past two years, the storyline of the Southern Vampire series is starting to drag. While I understand the supernatural world is very complicated, I think Harris is running out of innovative ideas. This has left her fan base very disappointed.

The good news is Sookie has uncovered a hidden family history, which means the end of this series is likely near. The next book should test Sookie's relationship with Eric. Will Eric follow orders and marry a vampire queen? Will Sookie return to Bill? How will Sookie find closure to her life? I think those answers will tie up this series nicely. Overall, I would rate this novel 3 stars out of five total.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Southern Vampires series.

Nicolas Cage in Civil-War Era Photo

2011-09-17T09:34:00.003-04:00

A friend showed me this 1870 photo of actor Nicolas Cage, and I could not believe what I saw. It eerily resembles a younger version of him. The starting price is $1 million dollars on eBay. What do you think: Is the actor truly an old vampire, or does he happen to possess strong genes of a distant ancestor?

Finally, concrete evidence that vampires are real. Actor Nicolas Cage has been discovered in a photograph from 1870, and therefore, he is obviously a vampire. A collector of memorial photographs (as in, pictures of dead bodies) found this photo of a man (who appears to be alive) that lived in Bristol, TN around the time of the Civil War. This man is without a doubt Nicolas Cage.

Review: Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires #1)

2011-09-14T12:07:00.000-04:00

They killed me. They healed me. They changed me.

Some Girls Bite, by Chloe Neill, is the first novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series. Set in modern-day Chicago, Merit is a humanities graduate student at the University of Chicago. She lives in Wicker Park with her best friend, Mallory, who works for a big advertising firm. Merit has another secret that she cannot avoid association: she is the daughter of Joshua Merit, one of the most prominent and wealthiest men in Chicago. Nevertheless, she is happy with her life in academia until one fateful evening changes her life for eternity.

Chicago’s vampires announced their existence to the world. Humans became exposed to the supernatural for the first time. When Merit is walking alone one late evening, a rogue vampire attacked her. Dying on the sidewalk, another vampire saves her life by turning her into the walking undead. It turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House, Ethan Sullivan. Located in Hyde Park, the mansion is full of vampires loyal to their lord. Allergic to sunlight, Merit must abandon her former human and learn everything quickly about vampire society.

Despite her independent and inquisitive personality, Merit impresses Ethan with her burgeoning powers -- superhuman strength, agility, sight and ability to withstand glamour -- that she becomes Sentinel of Cadogan House, a honorable title that has not been used in ages. She carries a powerful sword to defend the house against enemies -- and looks sexy in tight black leather too! However, the vampire who killed her is still on the loose. Tensions are already high among the houses. Will Merit survive her initiation or will blood be shed?

This is my first book series by Chloe Neill. I stumbled upon this book when I was searching for a book title by another paranormal writer. As a former Chicago resident during my undergraduate days, the urban fantasy plot was very interesting and appealing. I thought the book was enjoyable and easy to read. The pacing was excellent, and I could relate to the protagonist (since I am also a graduate student but in another city). The only con is the author tries to introduce too many other beings (i.e., sorcerers, nymphs, shapeshifters) that may confuse readers who are not well-versed in the supernatural lingo. Overall, I look forward to reading future Chicagoland Vampire novels.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Chicagoland Vampires series, Friday Night Bites.

10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

2011-09-11T08:50:00.000-04:00

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2011. Meanwhile, there have been reports of a devil-like face in the smoke of the Twin Towers. I will admit it looks real and creepy.

Please take the time to remember those who lost loved ones on this tragic day.

Review: Supernatural the Animation (2011)

2011-09-08T01:14:00.000-04:00

Supernatural the Animation (2011) is a Japanese horror mystery anime based on the popular television live-action series, Spernatural, by Eric Kopke. The fist season consisted of 22 episodes, covering the first two seasons of the original live-action series. The anime explores the Winchester brothers' (Sam and Dean) childhoods and later expands upon secondary characters and anime-only enemies that were not covered previously in the live-action version. Sam and Dean hunt ghosts, creatures, vampires, demons and other supernatural phenomena across the United States.

After watching all 22 episodes, I was very pleased with the anime version. It expanded on the live-action series, exploring more details about the brothers' history and adding more plot development to key live-action events. Dean and Sam are designed exactly like the original live-action actors. I never got bored with the anime, which delivered greater artistic expression during action-packed scenes. The ending theme song (ding Theme: "Carry on my Wayward Son" by Naoki Takao) is sung in English with a very catchy tune. Overall, it made me appreciate why Supernatural has such a huge cult following on the CWTV after six seasons.

In the English dubbed version, Jared Padalecki officially signed on to voice Sam, which makes the anime feel as authentic as the original. Warner Home Video will release the Blu-ray and DVD box sets of the anime series (Japanese and English dubbed) on July 26, 2011 in North America. I highly recommend this series to hardcore fans. Viewers who are new to the show should watch the original live-action version before they start the animated series. Stay tuned for future updates if a second animated series is available in the future.

UPDATE: The seventh season of the live-action version will air on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 9:00pm Easter Time on the CWTV.

Windsor Hum Rattles Residents

2011-09-04T10:45:00.002-04:00

An unexplained mystery has happened in Windsor, Ontario, a city located just south of Detroit, Michigan. For several months, residents have heard and felt a loud vibrating sound, known as the Windsor Hum, that vibrates and throbs the entire community. Strangely enough, Detroit residents do not hear it. Canadian government officials have yet to reach a conclusion.

WINDSOR -- Windsor attorney David Robins first heard the low rumbling while he was watching the NBA Finals on TV. The noise overcame the sound of his TV, so Robins went outside to investigate.

"My whole neighborhood was just rocking with this," he recalled, describing the noise he first heard in May as a deep, resonating vibration. "It went on for about an hour and a half. I'll be honest, I was a little bit scared by it. I wondered what could be so incredibly powerful to generate that deep a noise."

A whole lot of Windsor residents are wondering that. During the last several months, hundreds of people have heard the Windsor Hum, a late-night or early morning sound that vibrates, pulsates, thrums like trucks idling or throbs like the low bass from a car stereo...

The mysterious Windsor Hum of recent months -- officially without any explanation despite months of investigation -- has added Detroit's neighboring city to the ranks of worldwide communities experiencing odd environmental phenomena.

Movie: A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)

2011-09-01T11:32:00.001-04:00

In my chidhood, I was a fan of Hong-Kong action films based in ancient China. I provide plots of two 1980s-1990s films with a supernatural twist. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) is about a young tax collector who falls in love with a female spirit whose soul is bound to a Tree Demon. He seeks the help of a Taoist hunter and both seek to free her from servitude. This film was so groundbreaking that it sparked a trend of folklore ghost films in the Hong Kong film industry, including two sequels, an animated film, a television series and a 2011 remake. Enjoy the theme song below:

Opening of "A Chinese Ghost Story" (Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong)

New Content Coming Soon!

2011-06-22T15:37:00.004-04:00
Don't worry, I have not disappeared! My workplace has kept me extremely busy with new assignments and back-to-back meetings that I have little time to write new posts. I will have new content posted in the fall! Stay tuned. REMINDER: True Blood resumes this Sunday, June 26, 2011 on HBO. I cannot wait!

Review: Hakuouki (2010)

2011-05-07T06:39:00.003-04:00
Hakuouki ~ The Cherry Ghost ~ (2010) is a historical supernatural action romance Japanese anime that takes place during the late Tokugawa Shogunate period (mid-19th century). There is a lot of tension between the old native ways and adoption of Western culture. It features a lot of sword-fighting scenes. There are a total of 22 episodes in both seasons. This series is also available to buy or rent on DVD.

Season 1: Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan (12 episodes)

In ancient Japan, Yukimura Chizuru has come to Kyoto looking for her father, a doctor who has gone missing. She dresses in male attire to hide her true identity. Upon her arrival, she witnesses a fight between an Oni ("demon") and the Shinsengumi soldiers. Taking her into custody, the Shinsengumi debates on what to do with Chizuru when they discover that she is the daughter of the doctor they are also looking for. The Shinsengumi takes Chizuru along on their search after the missing doctor.

Season 2: Hakuouki Hekketsu-roku (10 episodes)

After a resounding defeat and the loss of some comrades, Chizuru and the Shinsengumi head to Ezo to fight the new government's army. However, all does not go well: adoption of Western military technology and supernatural setbacks will forever change the fate of the Shinsengumi. Furthermore, Chizuru learns a dark secret about her family history. Difficult challenges await her as the battles become more complex and deadly.

I unexpectedly came across this anime when I was looking for a new Fall 2010 series to watch. I am not much of a major fan of ancient Japanese martial arts shows, but it included a supernatural twist to the plot (another example of historical fiction). I will admit that I also thought the men looked very handsome in the anime. This show is loosely based on the Shinsengumi, a Japanese special police force of the late shogunate period. The character names match the real-life Shinsengumi members. Overall, I thought the anime was excellent. There is a lot of magic, suspense, comedy and even hints of romance. I will warn that it can become a tearjerker for those who cannot handle tragedies. I highly recommend the show.

Season One Opening Theme: "Izayoi Namida" by Yoshioka Aika

Season Two Opening Theme: "Maikaze" By Yoshioka Aika

May Day in Germany Witches-Style

2011-05-01T00:39:00.001-04:00
I have never heard of this German event, but it sounds very fascinating. he Harz Mountains region is the location of many German fairy tales featuring witches and goblins. This event also occurs six months before Halloween (October 31), marking the end of winter and the beginning of summer in the region:
Berlin - Up to 150,000 self-styled witches and warlocks, New Age practitioners and the simply curious are converging for May Eve revelries on the summit of the highest peak in the Harz Mountains in northern-central Germany Saturday night.

Children in spooky costumes will participate in parades and street fairs in villages on the slopes of the Brocken, the mountain immortalised in Alexander Borodin's 'Night on Bald Mountain' orchestral suite.

Bonfires will light the nighttime skies on mountain tops in the Harz region as local communities held their own May Day Eve festivals marking the end of winter and the coming of summer.

In case you are feeling nostalgic for the song, Night on Bald Mountain (a witches' sabbath theme by Modest Mussorgsky), you can listen to the embedded YouTube video below:

Review: River Marked (Mercy Thompson #6)

2011-04-27T16:41:00.001-04:00
Being a different breed of shape-shifter -- a walker -- Mercy can see ghosts, but the spirit of her long-gone father has never visited her. Until now. An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River -- and innocent people are dying. As other walkers make their presence known to Mercy, she must reconnect with her heritage to exorcise the world of the legend known as the river devil...

River Marked, the sixth novel in the Mercy Thompson series, begins with Mercy visiting the home of her vampire friend, Stefan. She discovers that his menagerie (human hosts for blood) are starved and wasting away. He feels guilty for not protecting them in Bone Crossed. Mercy cheers him up by taking him out for a movie with the werewolves. Meanwhile, the novel shifts to her long-delayed wedding and honeymoon with Alpha werewolf mate, Adam Hauptmann. The couple spends their honeymoon in a campground near the Columbia River Basin.

Meanwhile, an ancient evil lurks in the depths of the river. When Mercy tries to rescue a semi-conscious man in a floating boat, she scratches her legs on rough weeds in the water. According to local legend, she has become "river marked" by the lake. Those who are marked become possessed and later succumbed to their death in the lake. The monster won't stop until it has captured Mercy for good.

Overall, I did not enjoy this installment. First, it was very short (325 pages) and felt more like an extended short story with mundane details. The supernatural activities do not happen until the second-half of the novel where the pacing changes dramatically. Another annoying feature was major characters, such as Stefan, are briefly mentioned only in the first half and never referenced again. I thought this structure was misleading and disappointing. Nevertheless, the plot gradually improves when the story transitions into ancient Native American mythology. Mercy surprisingly meets her ancestor and the other ancient and powerful shape-shifters (e.g., Hawk, Wolf, Thunderbird, etc.). Although this novel focuses more on Adam throughout the novel, his role action-wise is minor because Mercy is the heroine (as usual).

It seems Mercy is always pulled into dangerous situations that are nearly life-threatening! While Briggs adds humor to make this battle less terrifying, Mercy does come across as hopeless and nervous in this novel. In the previous novels, she has a more cunning and courageous personality that I did not sense at all in River Marked. Plus, this novel also felt rushed and ended on an incomplete note. Too bad Mercy and Adam did not have a positive honeymoon! Fans should wait to purchase the paperback edition. I hope Briggs take this as a lesson learned and releases a better novel with a better plot and character development.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Mercy Thompson series!

Abandoned Castles and Chateaux

2011-04-17T00:09:00.000-04:00
I have two weeks left in this semester. As a result, my schedule has become extremely busy in the past four weeks. This explains why I have not posted much on my blog.

If you are interested in history, AOL Travel has a photo gallery of abandoned castles and chateaux in Europe. The buildings look creepy and haunted. If you're a ghost hunter, these places are worth visiting. (Please be cautious at nighttime!)

New CWTV Series: The Secret Circle; Season 7 of Supernatural a Possibility

2011-03-18T19:42:00.003-04:00
Season 6 of Supernatural is on a temporary month-long hiatus. The series will resume on Friday April 15, 2011 at 9:00pm Eastern Time. I know the wait is nerve-wracking! There is good news: producers are considering a season 7. The two-hour season finale of Supernatural will also air on Friday May 20, 2011.

Meanwhile, the CWTV will launch a new witch series, Secret Circle, which looks very good. It is based off the young-adult fantasy romance series by L.J. Smith. It will air in the Fall 2011.
The Secret Circle centers on 16 year old Cassie, who discovers she is a witch, joining a coven in the process. She also may be, per EW, "the key that will unlock a centuries-old battle of good versus evil."

I will update this post when the promotional video and season premiere date are revealed this summer.

New 11th Sookie Stackhouse Novel Available May 2011

2011-03-11T22:51:00.001-05:00
The eleventh novel, Dead Reckoning, of the Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire series will be available for purchase on May 3, 2011. You can find more details about in Charlaine Harris' official website. Stay tuned for an official review of the book this summer! Remember, Season 4 of True Blood will also premiere on HBO in Summer 2011.

The Sun: Ghosts Force Couple from Home

2011-03-01T13:08:00.000-05:00
The Sun Magazine has a poltergeist story that will shock audiences:
French musician Jean Marc Mariole and his former model wife Charlotte have been hounded by scary incidents since moving into their Frodham home.

They heard bumps in the night, saw ghostly orbs and even caught spine tingling poltergeists on CCTV — in scenes similar to horror film Paranormal Activity.

They are so scared they have left the comfort of their home and have had to blow £3,000 staying in a nearby hotel.

And they have now resorted to begging an exorcist to ward off evil spirits.

Wow! This home sounds very haunted! Click here to watch the video.

Review: Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

2011-02-26T11:29:00.003-05:00
Dana, a modern black woman, is celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with her new husband when she is snatched abruptly from her home in California and transported to the antebellum South. Rufus, the white son of a plantation owner, is drowning, and Dana has been summoned across the years to save him. After this first summons, Dana is drawn back again and again to the plantation to protect Rufus and ensure that he will grow to manhood and father the daughter who will become Dana's ancestor. Yet each time the stay grow longer and more dangerous until it is uncertain wehther or not Dana's life will end, long before it has ever begun.

Kindred (1979), by Octavia E. Butler, is a historical science fiction novel about slavery. The setting is 1970s California. Dana, a black 26-year-old woman, and her white husband, Kevin, find themselves in the hospital. Dana has part of her arm missing. How did this unfortunate accident happen to her?

The story begins with the first-person narration of Dana and how she travels back in time to the antebellum American South, Maryland. A red-haired boy is drowning in the river and she magnificently saves him. Suddenly, she is back with her husband. She realizes every time this little boy is in serious trouble, he summons her back into the past. She learns that slavery is legal and the boy lives on a plantation. The more she stays in the past, the more unfamiliar and dangerous it becomes as her ignorance of the culture catches up with her physically and emotionally.

Dana discovers that this boy, Rufus, is her great-great grandfather, the father of Hagar, her own great-grandmother. She must protect him if he is to ever produce Hagar when he becomes a man. She creates friendships with fellow slaves to learn her role in society. She meets Alice Greenwood, a free black woman with whom Rufus has a friendly—and sexual—relationship and resembles Dana in appearance and built. What role does she have that makes her so valuable? When Kevin also travels back in time and stays behind, Dana must find and rescue before anything awful hurts him. Dana must race against time before her own life ends in jeopardy.

I chose Kindred in honor of Black History Month, which coincidentally the 2011 theme is African Americans and the Civil War. Each chapter portrays an important event that happens to Dana and Rufus. In the novel, Butler tries to depict slaves as individuals and attempts to portray the slaveholders with equity, showing not only their cruelty but also their humanity. When you finish the book, you must re-read the first chapter in order to fully grasp the story. I discovered it makes the novel more interesting and admiring. Character development and narration is excellent. It has great compare/contrast examples between characters and events (i.e., Dana/Kevin and Alice/Rufus).

The novel's themes include interracial relationships, slavery’s impact on the past and present, the consequence of time travel and trust. This is not a painless novel and will make you think about your surroundings. I like how it engages readers to reiterate their own cultural history and how interwoven the characters are in the end. Thus, we cannot continue to ignore the legacy of slavery on American history and culture. This novel also made me experiencing what life was like for slaves and white people. This is what makes Kindred more empowering and frightening.

In 2001, this landmark novel was brought to life in an exceptional audio adaptation. Unfortunately, Octavia Butler passed away in 2006, but her memory has not been lost. There have been several fan sites compiling information about her life and accomplishments. There have also been discussions of making a movie based on the novel. It would be fantastic to see the book come to life on screen. However, the funding is not readily available. If there is a potential movie, I will happily update this review!

Overall, I highly recommend this novel.

Tyche: Does Planet X Exist?

2011-02-21T08:25:00.003-05:00
Is there another planet in our system? In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) nixed the idea that Pluto was the ninth planet in our solar system. However, there might be another planet after all -- this one being nearly 15 million miles from the sun! John Matese and Daniel Whitmire of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette are causing a media frenzy with their claim that a gaseous object, estimated to be four times the mass of Jupiter, is within the sun’s gravitational field. The professors say evidence gathered by the NASA space telescope, WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer), will verify whether the planet exists at all. It is believed to be orbiting on the Oort Cloud in the outer reaches of the solar system. They call his planet "Tyche", which means in Greek,"goddess of love and fortune." Nevertheless, the IAU would have the final word on whether Tyche is the ninth planet. If it exists, this will be a major breakthrough in astronomy.

You can learn more about the mysterious planet in the links below:

TIME - A Giant Planet In Our Own Solar System.
MSNBC - 2012 Watch: Don't Fret Over Planet X
Discovery News: Does a Massive Planet Lurk in Our Solar System?

Review: A Touch of Dead - The Complete Sookie Stackhouse Short Stories

2011-02-18T09:50:00.002-05:00
A Touch of Dead (2009) includes every Sookie Stackhouse short story ever written by New York Times Bestselling author, Charlaine Harris, in one edition.

In Fairy Dust, Claude and Claudine seek Sookie's telepathic abilities to determine who murdered their sibling, Claudette.

In Dracula Night, The Area Five vampires celebrate the return of Count Dracula. While Sookie is invited to attend, there is an unexpected tasty surprise awaiting her.

In One Word Answer, Sookie receives startling news about her cousin's death, but she discovers the truth behind her murder.

In Lucky, Sookie teams up with Amelia to investigate who wants to tamper with Bon Teamps' most successful insurance agent.

In Gift Wrap, On Christmas Eve, Sookie receives a dangerous surprise and must set aside her depressing feelings to save a man's life.

I had never read any of the short stories prior to purchasing this book. However, it disappointed me for three reasons: 1) I thought there would be more than five short stories; 2) I realized Harris is not a good short story writer; and 3) the stories are arranged out-of-order. If you have not read all the Southern Vampire books, it will be difficult to pinpoint the time frame in reference to the series. Since this book is less than 200 pages, some of the stories ended abruptly. I did not have a favorite short story in A Touch of Dead; I thought the Blood Bank short story collection by Tanya Huff contained better substance. I only recommend this book to true die-hard Harris fans. Otherwise, you can easily read it in the library in three hours or less.

Stay tuned to the 12th novel in the Southern Vampire Series, Dead Reckoning.

Review: Nightwalker - Midnight Detective (2000)

2011-02-15T23:21:00.001-05:00
Nightwalker: Midnight Detective (2004) is a supernatural mystery Japanese anime about a vampire detective who vows to protect humans from the darkness in his quest to regain his humanity. With his companions (Yayoi, Guni and Riho), he investigates and defeats his enemies, the ‘Night Breed.” These evil creatures escape to Earth and manipulate weak human souls to ‘seek the light.’ Latter episodes also explore how the main characters met each other in the series. Graphic scenes include Christian themes, sexual imagery and bloody action. This is a review of the DVDs.

MAIN CAST
Tatsuhiko Shido - He is a 200+ year-old vampire detective at Shido Private Detective Agency. ‘Shido’ is not his real name because the memories of his past have been lost since he was turned into a vampire. To regain his humanity back, he swears to protect humans from nightbreeds terrorizing the city. As a vampire, his eyes turn yellow like a cat, and his weapon is a sword made out of his own blood.

Matsunaga Yayoi - She is a NOS detective who gathers intelligence for Shido to defeat the nightbreeds since her family has a long track history with nightbreeds. Immuned to a vampire’s bite, she is often a treat to Shido during times of blood loss or sexual activity.

Yamazaki Riho - She is a high school student who works part-time as a maid at Shido’s agency. She lost her family to a nightbreed incident. While she has a crush on Shido, she does not know Shido is a vampire.

Guni - Shido’s little demon friend who travels with him occasionally. She is often very critical of Riho’s naivete. Despite her sarcastic behavior, she has a soft spot and tries to protect Shido.

Cain - The man who turned Shido into a vampire. While hundreds of years older than Shido, this handsome but cruel man wants Shido to return to the old days as his partner and witness the “golden dawn.” He holds the memories of Shido’s lost past.

EPISODES

First Night: A Visitor in the Night
They say there is a curse on the Bay Bridge in Tokyo. Victims have their body drained completely of their blood. These monsters, or nightbreeds, can take possession of any lifeform. Can Shido and Yayoi defeat this nightbreed before it terrorizes and feeds off more victims?

Second Night: The Terms of Stardom
Sukimura Yukia is an aspiring actress who must outshine anyone on the stage. When her understudy, Asahura Yohko, makes a deal with the nightbreed to take her body instead, Yohko has no idea what horror lies behind the deal. Can Shido and Yayoi defeat this monster before it manipulates and devours Yohko’s soul?

Third Night: A Man On the Run (Part 1 of 2)
A cop has been shot in the line of duty in the head, and lies in the hospital in a comatose state. Strangely, the cop, Taki, awakens—only a nightbreed has taken possession of his body. Taki’s fiancee asks Shido to find her missing husband, Taki. Unfortunately, Shido meets someone from his past he rather avoids. He must hurry before the “golden dawn” comes.

Fourth Night: The Golden Dawn (Part 2 of 2)
Victims are dying after seeing their blood in shock in public places. When Riho meets Megumi, Taki’s fiancee, who is now pregnant, it scares her to tell Shido and Yayoi. The mysterious man, Cain, comes back to haunt Shido. Cain also kidnaps Riho. Will it be too late for Shido to rescue Riho before the “golden dawn” approaches?

Fifth Night: Medicine for the Dead
A Chinese herb medicine is popular among high school children. However, suicides and strange incidents have been happening. When Riho’s friends, Shunichi and Mikako, search for her, they discover that Riho can no longer finish high school with them anymore. Shunichi overhears that Riho has been hanging out with an older man (Shido). Will this fear and jealousy destroy Riho’s friends?

Sixth Night: The Bottom of a Well
Shido is chasing after a nightbreed into the cemetery and construction zone. When a nightbreed kidnaps a little girl, Shido lunges and all three find themselves in the bottom of a well. While Riho and Yayoi try to pinpoint where Shido has gone, they discover the identity of the missing girl not so normal. Will Shido escape the well without harming the girl and freeing the demon?

Seventh Night: A Mother and Her Son
Dead animals with their organs eaten are popping around an apartment complex. Riho, now a vampire, walks in the rainy weather and spots a young boy, Shinji, with a kitten in his arms. His mother frantically commands him to leave the animals alone. Shido, Yayoi and Riho find the mother suspicious. Does she know more than she’s displaying?

Eighth Night: A Soul Lost in the Darkness
Family members plot a murder to inherit their grandfather’s estate. But when they discover that the old man has disappeared from the vehicle, they run into a wild goose chase to find the body. Asami seeks Shido’s services. Will Shido ever learn the truth behind this case?

Ninth Night: Someone Else’s Face
As Shido enters town on a dark night, he has a little fairy named Guni accompanying him. As he settles at a local hotel, he learns that two twin sisters, Matsunaga Kasumi and Yayoi, operate the place. One of the sisters, Yayoi, has bandages on her face. Shido knows something dangerous is happening, but will he discover the nightbreed that is skinning the faces of people before it’s too late?

Tenth Night: Tears of an Angel
Yuki seems to always have luck. Maybe she’s too lucky. Ever since she has found a pendant, the “angel” inside the jewelry promises her happiness. However, Shido and Guni sense the pendant as a nightbreed and urge the girl to discard it immediately. But she won’t listen and runs away. Will Yuki learn on her own that this “angel” is not what she thinks it is?

Eleventh Night: A Witch in the Forest
In the past, Shido arrives at a desolate town where only a woman exists in her home. She asks him if he has seen her ‘Schubek” who has gone away in a glorious battle. While Cain, former vampire lover, insists that Shido returns with him and forget the woman, he refuses. Will Shido rescue the woman or learn a dark secret that will haunt him instead?

Twelfth Night: Eternal Darkness
Shido and Yayoi face nightbreeds that happen to be Riho’s dead parents. After defeating them, Riho packs to leave Shido’s place. “People meet and people part.” Unfortunately, Riho causes much harm to the human world by abusing her vampire powers. Will Shido be able to save her before everyone close to him is in danger?

SUMMARY
Several years ago, I ran across this series at Blockbuster Videos. It reminded me of previous vampire anime shows, including Vampire Hunter D and Blood: The Last Vampire. Overall, this is a great series for supernatural fans who love Japanese animatio. The animation is good but I am annoyed with the way the directors changed some of the characters' physical features half-way through the series so abruptly. The opening song, "Gessakai (Moonlight)" by BUCK-TICK is also awesome because it matches Shido's personality.

The DVD series (Nightwalker: Midnight Detective and Nightwalker: Eternal Darkness) include English dubbed or Japanese with English subtitles. Amazingly, the English dubbed version was executed very well. It also has storyboard art (cells and background visuals, basically the “Making of Nightwalker”), previews of other anime (classic and recent) by Central Park Media like The Harlock Saga, Angel Sanctuary, Project A-ko, etc. and other special features. The final episode, Eternal Darkness, wraps these series nicely and will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Too bad this is the end of Nightwalker. I highly recommend this series.

"Gessakai" by BUCK-TICK

Season 4 of True Blood Expected Summer 2011

2011-02-11T09:47:00.000-05:00
I have more news about the upcoming fourth season of True Blood below:
True Blood Season 4 has been given the green light by HBO according to their press release! Many True Blood fans are extremely excited to hear that it is official that the series will be returning in the summer of 2011 for season four! Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of True Blood regarding this wonderful news! Here is the official press release from HBO.

It will contain 12 episodes. Check out the trailer below:

Review: Dark Road Rising (Vampire Files #12)

2011-02-07T09:50:00.004-05:00
"As Jack tries to unravel the mystery surrounding Kroun's undead state, he gets caught between his charge's violent outbursts and some syndicate torpedoes looking to rub them both out, leaving him vulnerable to an even deadlier threat--the trheat of an old enemy desperate to unlock the secrets of Jack's vampire immortality..."

Dark Road Rising, by P.N. Elrod, is the twelfth novel in the Vampire Files series. It is the winter of 1938 in mob-ruled Chicago. Jack Fleming is owner of the NightCrawler Club. He is recovering from a maniac episode where he pulped his best friend, Charles Escott, to severe condition in the hospital. To make matters even more bizarre, Jack meets notorious New York mobster, Whitney Kroun, who should have died in a car bomb; instead, Jack discovers his undead secret!

While Kroun uses his blood to save Escott from a deadly infection, he leads Jack on a journey to a world of hidden secrets as he tries to recall the truth about his murder. His talented girlfriend, Bobbi Smythe, also wants to audition for Hollywood, and he rightfully wonders about his future in Chicago. An old nemesis also unexpectedly resurfaces and is determined to unlock his vampire secrets -- even if it kills him.

This is the latest novel in the Vampire Files series since Song in the Dark. Elrod ties up loose ends from a previous novel, Cold Street. Overall, this is one of the darkest plots about Jack. She continues to explore his mental well-being and the effects of torture on his worldview and relations around others. Furthermore, the book has two narrators -- Fleming and Kroun, which was a first for this series. I liked how I was vividly exposed to both men's thoughts as they investigated clues and survived danger.

The plot is full of twists and action. It started slow but quickly picked up pace. The ending is a mixed-bag: it nicely finishes the novel, and serves as an end to the series (I hope not!). Elrod understands this time period (Prohibition-era 1930s) very well and uses popular culture references to make this series legitimate and humorous. I have been following this series for over seven years now (during that time, I finished high school, graduated from college and will finish graduate school this summer!). I have become a faithful fan, and will continue to support the Vampire Files!

Will Elrod write another book for this series? It is a very good question, and it is currently unknown. If I have any latest news, I will post an update!

For fans, check out her latest novella, The Devil You Know.

Zoo Ape Can Walk on Two Legs!

2011-02-03T21:50:00.000-05:00
Welcome to 2011! To begin the new year, a friend found this video of an ape walking on two legs in a zoo. I didn't believe it until I watched the video. It is remarkable! Has the species finally advanced in evolution? What is going on here?

Review: Mermaid Forest (2003)

2010-12-30T21:51:00.006-05:00
Mermaid Forest (2003) is a historical Japanese anime centered around Japanese mythology on mermaids. It is originally based on Rumiko Takahaski's "Mermaid" manga series. It spans 13 episodes (11 aired + 2 DVD only).

According to an ancient legend, eating mermaid flesh can grant one immortality. However, it only happens to a small percentage of people; the rest either die or become deformed monsters (Lost Souls). Yuta, the protagonist, is one of the lucky ones who has lived for over 500 years as he travels across Japan. During his journeys, he has also met others who lives have been ruined by mermaid flesh.

It is the year, 1936. When he finds a mermaid, he finds a human girl, Mana, in her home. Mermaids must eat young human girls to maintain their youthful appearances. Although he had to kill the mermaids to rescue Mana, they become close travel companions. He also discovers that Mana also consumed mermaid flesh and became immortal. Together, they embark on several investigative journeys hoping to become normal human beings again.

I originally saw the OAVs, Mermaid Forest (1991) and Mermaid Scar (1993). When I heard they were going to remake the series, I was ecstatic. The Mermaid saga is one of my favorite dark fantasy anime series. People worry so much about youth and longevity; this series illustrate the consequences of vanity and immortality. It also exposes our darkest secrets. In the end, be happy for who you are; otherwise, your life may end up as lonely as Yuta, who watches the people in his life come and go because he cannot age nor die.

The show also has excellent music. I have the opening and ending songs below:

OP: "Like an Angel" by Chiaki Ishikawa

ED: "Mizu tamari (Water Puddle)" by kayoko

Review: Silver Borne (Mercy Thompson #5)

2010-12-14T14:13:00.009-05:00
...Mercy Thompson is smart enough to realize that when it comes to the magical fae, the less you know, the better. But you can't always get what you want. When she attempts to return a powerful fae book she previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.

It seems the book contains secretes -- and the fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side -- leaving Mercy to cover for him lest his own father declare Smauel's life forfeit..."

Silver Borne, by Patricia Briggs, is the fifth novel in the Mercy Thompson series. Mechanic and coyote shapeshifter, Mercy Thompson, continues to experience more drama and danger as the plot switches from vampires to evil fairies (fae). There are three subplots—1) Mercy's attempt to return a magical, powerful book to a missing fae, 2) her difficulties integrating into Adam's pack, and 3) Samuel's deep misery over being a lone Alpha. It seems the book contains secret knowledge that the fae doesn't want anyone to know. Before Mercy can return the book, some members within Adam's pack wants her dead and gone. Meanwhile, Samuel is so overcome with suicidal depression that his wolf-side takes over, and Mercy must watch him before he goes berserk.

It seems her life has become more risky and dangerous that there is no turning back in this contemporary dark fantasy. She must rescue her friend, Phin, from the evil fae who want the missing book, and calm down the overly tense wolf pack from rebelling against her mate and pack leader, Adam. She also uncovers more facts about the supernatural than she can fully grasp. Her new adventure is full of love, mystery, action and betrayal. If she is not more careful, will she have the tenacity to survive against the odds?

Briggs continues to amaze me with her great character development and creative narration. She combines several subplots into one seamless story. In each book, Mercy experiences new adventures that challenge her personal beliefs and social interactions with others at deeper levels. She cares deeply for others, and is willing to risk her safety for the greater good. Although I believe Mercy wants a stable life, the supernatural continues to pull her into the unknown. This novel did not disappoint; I highly recommend it.

Stay tuned for the next book in the Mercy Thompson series, River Marked.

Review: Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6)

2010-12-13T19:16:00.003-05:00
The Queen is dead and the Moroi world will never be the same. Now, with Rose awaiting wrongful execution and Lissa in a deadly struggle for the royal throne, the girls find themselves forced to rely upon enemies and to question those they thought they could trust...

But what what if true freedom means sacrificing the most important thing of all? Each other.

Last Sacrifice, by Richelle Mead, is the sixth and final novel in the Vampire Academy series. Before Rose can rejoice and realize Dmitri has returned from the darkness, who will save her? It continues from the previous book, where Rose finds herself indicted for a crime she never committed: the death of the late Queen Tatiana. This tradegy has turned the entire Moroi world upside down. If found guilty, the sentence is death by execution. Rose also receives a mysterious note from the late queen, which reveals Lissa has a younger sibling. This can be the key to Rose's innocence and force the Moroi royalty to recognize a new candidate for the throne: Vasilia (Lissa) Dragomir.

Time is running out, and Rose must act fast. With the help of her friends, she escapes the claustrophobic prison and leaves the Court unexpectedly with Sydney and Dmitri, who vows to protect her under Lissa's orders. All they can do is wait until the Court chooses another king or queen. Rose does not like sitting around; she is all about action and investigation. When she reveals the shocking news to Dmitri and Sydney, they reluctantly decide to search for the missing sibling. During their adventure, they experience possibly the most difficult tests in their lives, which will test their most innermost feelings.

I finished this book (~600 pages) in one day. Literally. It was packed with all sorts of emotions (love, jealousy, fear, and hope). Mead is a very gifted author whose prose flows very well for young adult audiences. That's how much I loved this series.

I am very glad I gave this series a chance. The protagonist, Rosemarie (Rose) Hathaway, is very easy to like, relate and sympathize. Although she can act impulsive and irrational, he cares very much for her friends. Essentially, she is an independent free spirit who willing to sacrifice herself for good deeds. I am also delighted that she was able to find true love and happiness in the end.

Although I am no longer a teenager, Last Sacrifice energized me with its suspense, humor and romance. I am also glad she ended this series at six books. I thought it ended appropriately with an ending that will please everyone. I hope Mead continues to write short stories about the characters. I highly recommend the Vampire Academy series!

I have more exciting news: I recently attended the local book signing for Richelle Mead. Over 300 fans showed up to see her in person! She signed my copy of Last Sacrifice. It was such a mesmerizing experience. This is what I learned:

- Mead will continue the series under a different name, Bloodlines. Rose will no longer be the protagonist, but fans will recognize most of the characters. The expected published date is August 2011.

- Preger Entertainment brought the movie rights to the Vampire Academy series. I can honestly say this is definitely an heir to the Twilight mania.

- For more information about the film and casting, join the Facebook page, Official Vampire Academy Movie You can share ideas for casting there.

- Last month, Amazon.com produced a video interview with Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy) and Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse). Both are among my favorite authors. Watch the video here.

Video: Ghost Child in Historic Savannah Cemetary

2010-11-18T21:52:00.000-05:00
If you don't believe in ghosts, this video will change your mind about the supernatural!

In this video, a young man from Cleveland caught sight of a ghost child jumping from a tree and running through the historic cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. Even paranormal experts believe this is real footage. Since the figure is glowing in the video, there is no doubt this is a real ghost.

Review: Occult Academy (2010)

2010-10-31T23:37:00.002-04:00
Occult Academy (2010) is a Japanese science fiction anime that takes place in contemporary Japan. It ccontains 13 episodes.

The plot centers around two characters, Maya Kumashiro and Fumiaki Uchida. Maya is the daughter of the deceased former headmaster of Waldstein Academy, which has been thrown into chaos after a series of paranormal events. Walstein Academy is the premier private institution for the study of paranormal disciplines. As a result, it is also known as the Occult Academy. In the future (2012), Fumiaki is a secret agent who travels back to the past (1999) to save the world from alien destruction. Their arrival has caused people to live underground (think of it as loosely based on The War of the Worlds). He must find the Nostradamus Key, which will prevent the apocalypse.

When Fumiaki arrives, he becomes a history teacher at the infamous Occult Academy. He meets Maya, who is the temporary headmaster and a skeptic of the paranormal. She originally had the intention to destroy the school. Fumiaki tells her that the school is ground zero for the apocalyptic event that will destroy the world. He has a specialized cell phone that will allow them to find the Nostradamus Key. This will lead to a more peaceful world in the future. They work together to not only find the truth behind Maya's father death, but also discover what is the cause of the growing paranormal activity in the city.

I enjoyed watching this short series. It was slow in the beginning, but it gradually grew on me when I finally understood the storyline. This is not your typical science fiction show with a surprising twist in the end. It also has comedic and romantic elements. Overall, it was good show that amused me. The creators were able to infuse both paranormal and science fiction into an innovative story. The OST music was also good. I highly recommend it.

I will update this post when the DVD becomes available.

This is the trailer for Occult Academy with English subtitles:

Happy Halloween 2010!

2010-10-29T22:40:00.001-04:00
Happy Halloween! I know this year has been more low-key than previous years. I am busy juggling my job and my schoolwork. Nevertheless, I decorated my home with monsters, pumpkins and ghosts. I cannot forget about this special day!

AOL Radio Blog released their Halloween Music Top 100 List. I like this list because it includes scores from legendary movie thrillers, such as Nightmare on Elm Street or The Nightmare Before Christmas. If you are looking for some awesome music for personal pleasure or party planning at the last minute, I highly recommend browsing this link.

I will end this post with the Monster Mash song, by Bobby "Boris" Puckett! In 1962, it reached the number one spot on the Billboard Top Pop Singles chart.

Review: Highschool of the Dead (2010)

2010-10-24T21:54:00.002-04:00
Highschool of the Dead (2010) is a graphic Japanese apocalyptic anime. The world is struck by a deadly pandemic: an infectious outbreak turns humans into zombies! A group of high school students in Japan are on a journey to find out what has happened in the world and how to survive in an unstable society. This series contain 12 episodes. Warning: This series is not suitable for children under the ages of 13.

The plot follows Takashi Komuro, a Japanese high school student, who survives the initial outbreak of the pandemic. Other classmates join him including a school nurse. In 48 hours, they face streets filled with horrific zombies, police barricades and loss of electronic communication. When they realize their situation is more dire than expected, they face additional threats, such as challenges to their own moral codes. It is a race for survival in a world that has suddenly collapsed.

I am generally not a major zombie fan, but gave this series a chance. The spread of the infection reminded me of Resident Evil (a movie series which I highly recommend, especially Afterlife). Although it was never revealed what was the source of the infection, it spread quickly across the globe. It happened so fast that not even the U.S. President could escape its wrath!

Overall, I thought there was too much fan service. Every camera angle was centered on accentuated female body parts. I thought the author could been more creative with the story line. The series ended too quickly where the audience does not know the fate of the students. I would probably have to read the manga for additional details. This is a good show to watch on a Friday evening but don't expect a lot of substance. It relies too much on graphic violence and fan service to carry the show.

This series is not available on DVD.

Review: H20 - Just Add Water (2006-2010)

2010-10-22T14:58:00.002-04:00
H20: Just Add Water (2006-2010) is an Australian fantasy television series about three teenage girls, who discover their lives are anything but normal: they have become mermaids! In addition, they have supernatural powers over water. To keep their new abilities a secret from people, they enlist the help of a close friend, who attempts to discover the secret behind their transformations. As a children's show, the girls also encounter different life challenges. The series spans three seasons and contains 78 episodes.

The location is the Gold Coast, Queensland. The three girls -- Emma Gilbert, Cleo Sertori and Rikki Chadwick -- become stranded on Mako Island when their boat stops working. They eventually stumbled upon a pool inside a dormant volcano. When they jump into the pool, a full moon appears overhead and magically transforms them. After becoming mermaids, their new lifestyles have some disadvantages: ten seconds after contact with water, they transform into mermaids. When Lewis McCartney discovers their secret, he promises to help them by unlocking the secrets behind Mako Island.

It is rare that I watch live mermaid shows. I stumbled upon this Australian TV series when I was conducting research on mermaids. Surprisingly, there are not many books, movies or shows about mermaids. Since I am becoming more open-minded to television dramas outside the United States, I could not pass up this opportunity. I watched a few episodes, and instantly became hooked. Due to popular demand, the show spanned three seasons. The primary audience is kids and teens.

I enjoyed this show. The special effects are great. The girls look like real mermaids. I kept watching because I wanted to see the girls in action underwater and they did not disappoint. Each episode followed a typical teen situation which got repetitive at times (then again, I am not a teen). However, I thought the third season was lacking suspense and drama. The first two seasons were much better.

Only two series with a total of 52 episodes were originally planned, but due to popular demand, a third series was filmed. Series one premiered in July 2006, followed by series two in September 2007. Series three first aired in the United Kingdom in October 2009, with the Australian premiere occurring in May 2010. The theme song is "No Ordinary Girl"

This series is available to buy on DVD. You can watch the trailer below:

Theme Music: "No Ordinary Girl"

'Supernatural' Becomes an Animated Show

2010-10-14T19:24:00.000-04:00
The hit American TV series will become an animated series by the creators of Death Note in Japan! Supernatural: The Animation will be released in February 2011. It will be on BluRay/DVD.

From Ningin:
Supernatural is currently an American television show in its sixth season on the CW. It follows the story of two brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, who hunt the supernatural monsters that roam the Earth. The story is definitely one that is perfect for an anime adaptation, and after seeing this trailer, I am even more excited to watch it next year!

These special BluRay/DVD box-sets will feature remakes of the episodes that have already aired in the live-action, as well as brand new anime-only content. To the delight of many Supernatural fans, it’s also been revealed that Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki themselves will be dubbing a couple of the episodes in English!

I can't wait for a group to sub this series! You can watch the trailer below:

Music: "Fairies / Walking in the Air"

2010-10-08T23:29:00.006-04:00
I found this lovely song, and it mesmerized me instantly. This is "Fairies" by the highly talented Chloe Agnew of Celtic Women. It is one of the most beautiful new age songs I have ever heard. This version reminds me of nature, travel, fantasy and time. It sounds innocent and peaceful. Click on the link below for the lyrics.

For those who desire a symphonic metal rock melody, this is the Nightwish (vocalist: Tarja Turunen) version:

Nightwish is also awesome and enchanting for its power.

Here are the lyrics:
We're walking in the air
We're floating in the moonlit sky
The people far below are sleeping as we fly

We're holding very tight
I'm rising in the midnight blue
And finding I can fly so high above with you

All across the world
The villages go by like dreams
The rivers and the hills, the forests and the streams

Children gaze, open mouthed
Taken by surprise
Nobody down below believes thier eyes

We're surfing in the air
we're swimming in the frozen sky
We're drifting over icy mountains floating by

Suddenly swooping low
On an ocean deep
Rousing up a mighty monster from his sleep

We're walking in the air
We're dancing in the midnight sky
And everyone who sees us greets us as we fly

New Novella: The Sookie Stackhouse Companion (2011)

2010-10-05T13:28:00.002-04:00
In February 2011, Charlaine Harris will release a novella based on the popular Sookie Stackhouse novel series. Called The Sooke Stackhouse Companion, it will include everything you need to know about the series plus an exclusive interview with Alan Ball, the executive producer of the True Blood series on the HBO Channel. There will also be a fourth season, which will premiere in summer of 2011! More fantastic news!

According to the description, readers will:
• Tour Bon Temps, the small Louisiana town that Sookie calls home, and visit the houses of her Gran and her sometime vampire lover, Bill
• Prowl around the werewolf and were-panther communities
• Browse through her best friend Tara's dress shop
• Belly up to the bar in Merlotte's, where Sookie works
• Get must-have Bon Temps recipes-including Caroline Bellfleur's famous chocolate cheesecake
• Test themselves with trivia questions from the series

This sounds like an excellent edition for any collection. You can pre-order your copy on Amazon.com today!

Review: Shikabane Hime (2008-2009)

2010-09-23T23:45:00.002-04:00

Shikabane Hime (2008-2009) is a dark Japanese action anime series about an undead girl, Hoshimura Makina, who must hunt down 108 undead corpses in order to gain entry into heaven. A secret society of anti-corpse Buddhist priests assist her efforts; her ultimate goal is destroying the ones who that murdered her family. Its English translation is "Corpse Princess." It contains 25 episodes (1st season, Aka: 13 episodes; 2nd season, Kuro: 12 episodes).

Makina turns into a living corpse (shikabane) after she is mysteriously murdered. Tagami Keisei, a Buddhist priest, rescues and brings her to the Kougun Sect, a secret society who monitors and fights the living dead (corpses). After extensive training, Keisei becomes her contractor and becomes a Shikabane Hime: she receives Ingram MAC-11 machine guns to fight them. Shikabanes exist because they either died a tragic death or had a huge regret/obsession in life. They also usually have superhuman strength and human intelligence. However, if her contractor becomes injures or deceases, she also suffers the same fate (corpses lack runes, or life energy) or becomes a shikabane (curse driven by madness).

Meanwhile, Kagami Ouri, a normal high school boy who lives with Keisei in a loving foster home, becomes drawn to the darkness of the shikabane world. When he follows a mysterious black cat, he seems to appear where the corpses are an meets Makina for the first time. Do the two share a destiny together? Can they both defeat the Seven Stars (Shischisei), the destructive shikabane who murdered Makina's family?

Shikabane Hime series is full of action, drama and suspense. It is always a plus to learn more about Japanese mythology. Makina is an isolated character who gradually warms up to those close around her. I never understood the point of Ouri until he becomes her contractor in the second season. The series ends on a cliffhanger where no one knows if Makina and the Shikabane Himes truly destroyed the Seven Stars. Unfortunately, I never saw the 13th episode of the series. The producers decided to make the 13th episode available via DVD only. No one has bothered to buy and sub the episode into English.

Nevertheless, I am not one who focuses on zombies a.k.a. the undead or girls-with-guns plos (with the exception of Resident Evil franchise), but this is an excellent story worth watching. It is currently available to buy and rent on DVD.

Trailer

Review: Blood Bank (Vickie Nelson #6)

2010-09-19T03:17:00.002-04:00
Blood Bank, by Tanya Huff, is a collection of short stories based on the Blood novel series about Victoria "Vicki" Nelson and Henry Fitzroy. Most of the short stories take place around Blood Pact and Blood Debt. Some stories are historical, chronicling Henry's journeys as a vampire. The collection also includes the TV screenplay for the Blood Ties' episode, "Stone Cold."

This Town Ain't Big Enough: Vicki Nelson, private investigator-turned-vampire must deal with a new vampire encroaching in her territory (Toronto). Can she defeat the elder vampire without sacrificing her life?

What Manner of Man: Set in the early 1800s, Henry tries to track down a spy before their departure to France. (I really enjoyed this story because the previous books did not focus much on Henry's past as a vampire living in Europe.)

The Cards Also Say: A psychic warns Vicki a fanatic wants to kill her. Vicki must find who he is before he stakes her.

Other short stories include...

"The Vengeful Spirit of Lake Nepeakea"
"Someone to Share the Night"
"Another Fine Nest" *
"Scleratus"
"Critical Analysis" *
"So This Is Christmas"

Tanya Huff officially stated on her blog that there will be no more Blood stories. It also looks like the Blood Ties TV series will not resume either. You can still watch full episodes online or purchase the DVD on Amazon.

I know this review is long overdue. If you are a fan of Vicki Nelson and Henry Fitzroy, I highly recommend the Smoke series about young wizard-in-training, Tony Foster. He was a reoccurring minor character in the Blood books. In the Smoke series, he has a major role. You can read more about Henry and his new life with Tony in Vancouver, British Columbia. I also hope Tanya writes more Smoke novels. Overall, it was a pleasure to read Tanya Huff's novels over the decade, and she will remain one of my favorite paranormal authors of all time.

Music Video: "Opheliac" by Emilie Autumn

2010-09-14T11:27:00.000-04:00
I realized it has been over a year since I posted a song by Emilie Autumn. This song is part of her Opheliac (2006) album, her third full-featured album to receive full distribution around the world. Her music is typically a mixture of neo-classical, medieval and electronica. She writes, performs and produces most of her songs. If you listen to her other songs, she is very gifted on the violin and her lyrics can be very dark and emotional. Nonetheless, I think she is great and recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of music.

"Opheliac" by Emilie Autumn

Supernatural 6th Season Premieres September 24, 2010

2010-09-09T11:45:00.001-04:00
The sixth season of Supernatural will air on Fridays at 9:00 pm ET in the United States on the CWTV Channel and will premiere on September 24, 2010.

From the CWTV website:
Season 6 will be a season of mystery and shadow. Heaven and Hell have been left in complete disarray since the apocalyptic events of Season 5. And now, monsters, angels and demons roam across a lawless and chaotic landscape. And so Dean Winchester, who has retired from hunting and sworn never to return, finds himself being pulled back into his old life -- pulled back by none other than Sam Winchester, who has escaped from Hell. The two reunite to beat back the rising tide of creatures and demon-spawn, but they quickly realize that neither are who they used to be, their relationship isn't what it used to be, and that nothing is what it seems.

I can hardly wait. Mark your calendars and stay tuned!

New York Man Survives 39-Story Fall from Apartment

2010-09-05T21:10:00.000-04:00
Some people are wondering whether divine intervention played a role in this miraculous story. A New York man, 22, survived a 39-story fall from an apartment complex after he tried to commit suicide. He landed on a parked car where he broke his legs. Meanwhile, the owner of the parked car admitted he rarely parks in that zone. He wonders if the rosary beads in his car saved the man's life.

Review: Tsukihime Lunar Legend (2006)

2010-08-27T09:47:00.002-04:00
Tsukihime Lunar Legend (2006) is a Japanese supernatural horror anime show. It takes place in contemporary Japan. The show can be very graphic, so viewer discretion is advised. It also contains 12 episodes.

Shiki Tohno is a second-year high school student. In his childhood, he suffered a life-threatening injury. When he regained consciousness, he could see "death lines" (Mystic Eyes of Death Perception) which allowed him to slash and kill objects with perfect accuracy. However, this new ability gives him major headaches and weakens his overall strength. He wears eyeglasses so that he cannot see the death lines and live a normal life. After this incident, he was forced to live with distant relatives. Eight years later, he was summoned to return to the Tohno family house. There, he has a sister, Akiha Tohno, who has assumed responsibility of the household after the death of their father. With two personal maids, the Tohno family come from a wealthy background. As a result, Shiki has difficulty adjusting back to this traditional lifestyle.

On his way home, he meets a mysterious blonde woman with red eyes in the park. He later finds out her name is Arcueid Brunestud, a very old vampire princess whom he "murdered" using his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. However, he does not remember the incident. Since his skills are highly useful, Arcueid recruits him to help her fight Roa. She is in a much weaker state (she can only use 30% of her power) and uses the remaining power to suppress her vampiric urges (e.g. need for blood). Meanwhile, Shiki notices his classmate, Ciel, has supernatural abilities and often rescues him when trouble arises. He later founds out Ciel used to be Roa's vessel in a previous reincarnation and fights for the Church to regain her humanity.

As Shiki helps Arcueid with her supernatural cases, he also investigates the lineage of the Tohno household. When he discovers Akiha drinking blood from one of the maids, he is determined to understand what really happened eight years ago. This will put him in very dangerous territory. Will he survive long enough to uncover the truth?

I found this series on Anime News Network when I was looking for similar titles under subject terms "vampires" and "horror" and "supernatural." Although this show is short, the plot was very interesting and suspenseful. There were times when I often questioned Shiki's behavior because he can come across as indifferent and uncaring although the accident left him mentally paralyzed. The level of action picks up dramatically in the last few episodes when Shiki fights the new reincarnation of Roa, which also answers many secrets about the Tohno family. The ending is also emotional when one of the main characters dies. Overall, it you are looking for a short and serious vampire anime, then I highly recommend this show.

Trailer

Review: Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson #4)

2010-08-19T11:29:00.000-04:00
"By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shapeshifter with some unique talents, Mercy has often found herself having to maintain a tenuous harmony between the human and the not so human. This time she may get more than she bargaiend for.

Marsilia, the local Vampire Queen, has learned that Mercy crossed her by slaying a member of her clan--and she's out for blood. But since Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by the werewolf pack (and her close rlationship with its sexy Alpha), it won't be Mercy's blood Marsilia is after.

It'll be her friends."

Bone Crossed, by Patricia Briggs, is the fourth novel in the Mercy Thompson series. Mercy, a coyote shapeshifter, is learning to move on because she survived one of the darkest periods in her entire life: rape victim. Meanwhile, she receives an unexpected guest in her home. Stefan, a vampire friend who appears nearly shaken, drained and decomposed, needs blood fast. Fortunately, two alpha werewolves (Adam and Samuel) are with her to help him. Worse, Mercy discovers a huge magical bone-crossed painting on her garage store. It is a warning from Marsilia, the Vampire Queen in her area, that she is a traitor and they are watching her. When one member of Adam's pack nearly dies in an event instigated by the vampires, Mercy realizes her own friends are also targets.

Fearing for her safety, the werewolves perssuade her to leave the Tri-Cities and investigate a haunting in her best friend's house in Spokane, Oregon until they can resolve the local situation. A healthy Stefan agrees to protect her from the other vampires. What she did not expect is that an ancient vampire, known as the Monster, is responsible for the hauntings and terrors inflicted upon her friend's family. He is the most powerful vampire she has ever encountered. Can Mercy defeat the Monster and save her friends in the Tri-Cities?

I enjoyed this novel very much. Briggs is a very talented writer who can combine subplots and different supernatural characters smoothly. There is plenty of action, humor and suspense that keeps you wanting more. Like Harris, Briggs explores the supernatural world in depth: fae, werewolves, vampires, ghosts, and shapeshifters. Most importantly, I like the way Briggs explores Mercy's vulnerable side. Although she acts like a heroine, she also has feelings and thoughts too. She is a good person who thinks highly of her friends' well-being.

Since this novel was short (~300 pages), I finished it in four days. What surprised me was how Adam made her a member of the pack so quickly. Although I knew he wanted to protect her, this may cause more problems for her since she is not a werewolf. As his official mate, she will have to adjust to her new role in the pack. The next novel will actually discuss this ordeal for Mercy. Overall, I highly recommend this series. Good series with werewolves are hard to find these days.

Stay tuned for the fifth novel in the Mercy Thompson series, Silver Borne.

Daily Mail: Boy, 13, Struck by Lightning on Friday the 13th

2010-08-15T15:54:00.003-04:00
Yikes! Talk about major bad luck. From the UK's Daily Mail:
LONDON (Aug. 15) -- Friday the 13th proved especially unlucky for one 13-year-old British boy, who was struck by lightning at exactly 13:13 on the much-feared date.

The teenager was among a crowd of 170,000 people watching an aeronautical display at the Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival in the east of England when he was zapped by a bolt from the sky, reported The Mirror. He suffered minor burns and is expected to make a full recovery.

Now you know why people fear Friday the 13th. He is very lucky to be alive!

Winston Churchill and UFO Conspiracy

2010-08-07T18:09:00.007-04:00
There is an conspiracy theory spreading on the Internet that Winston Churchill, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, held classified reports about a possible UFO during World War II.
It's a conspiracy theory worthy of the "X-Files," and it goes like this: Churchill, then the prime minister, apparently ordered a cover-up of an encounter between a Royal Air Force bomber and an unidentified flying object during World War II. The reason: Churchill feared that news of the incident would create public panic and a loss of faith in religion.

He ordered that the information about the possible UFO incident remain secret for a period of 50 years. Decades later, people now have access to these files and the new information (e.g., photos, reports) is quite profound and alarming.

Check out the video below:

Review: Mai HiME (2004-2005)

2010-07-30T09:06:00.000-04:00
Mai HiME (2004-2005) is a contemporary Japanese snime series where several high school girls must engage in battle to protect the school and save the world. This series contains 26 episodes.

Mai Tokiha and her younger brother, Takumi, have received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Fuuka Academy, a K-12 private school. They take advantage of this opportunity to live better and normal lives. However, rumors spread that there are monsters that lurk in the shadows and cause trouble. Mai realizes that she and twelve other female classmates possess the supernatural powers of HiME (Highly-advanced Materializing Equipment), which allows them to fight the monsters (orphans). Each HiME can materialize their own abilities (elements) and can summon metallic guardians (childs).

Mai learns to adapt to these changes as she tries to take care of her sickly brother and to avoid trouble whenever possible. With two partners (Mikoto Minagi and Natsuki Kuga) by her side, they investigate the origins of HiMEs and an evil organization (Searrs Foundation) is responsible for the creatures appearing on their school grounds. With different personalities and backgrounds, all thirteen girls must determine who they truly care about and why they want to fight. They must survive a deadly game where the loser not only sacrifices her soul but also loses the one they love.

I watched this show several years ago, and it still remains as one of my top ten best anime shows of all time. The main cast are mostly female, and they are smart, funny, and dangerous. The story development, characters' personalities, and action sequences were excellent. While there are some romance and comedy effects, this is a serious show where these destined female characters fight to discover the truth about HiME warriors.

The music is also phenomenal. I still play some of the songs, especially the tracks by the extremely talented composer, Yuki Kaijura. If you have not heard of her, please listen to her music on YouTube! She has produced background songs for many anime shows. Her music is full of energy and emotion, and she even has her own language!

Overall, I highly recommend this show. Although the creators produced another series that is set in an alternate universe (Mai-Otome), Mai-HiMe is considered the better series. This show is available to buy and rent. I also included a bonus track below. Please check it out! Enjoy!

Shining Days - Minami Kuribayashi

Kimi Ga Sora Datta - Aki Misato

Bonus: Mezame - Yuki Kaijura

Review: Witch Fury (Elemental Witches #4)

2010-07-25T14:45:00.001-04:00
Sarafina Connell is having the worst week of her life. It takes an even darker turn when an infamous playboy kidnaps her and reveals a world she never knew existed....

It's a world where magick is real, and where Sarafina is given a chance to join a secret cabal that is bent on gaining absolute power. They could use a woman like her -- a witch with an untapped gift fo creating fire. But she isn't about to get in league with the devil...."

Witch Fury, by Anya Bast, is the fourth book in the Elemental Witches series. After burying her beloved foster mother in Kentucky, Sarafina returns to Chicago where she can live a normal life and forget about her tormented childhood memories. Before she can grieve, her life changes forever when Duskoff International CEO and heartthrob, Stefan Faucheaux, kidnaps her and her dog, Gossett, from her home. The warlock tells Sarafina that she has a powerful, untapped gift – she is a fire witch. Initially, she laughed because she thought he was insane but she began to make the connection when her biological mother died in a fiery blaze. She also meets an Atrika daemon named Bai who wants something precious from her.

Meanwhile, a group of witches storm into the house where she was held captive. Theo Winters, the group leader, takes Sarafina with her as a prisoner, whom he assumes is a warlock. They return to the Chicago coven, the witches’ headquarters, where Sarafina informed her hosts of Stefan’s plans and the Atrika daemons. The coven witches panic because daemons should not have the ability to travel between Earth and Eudae (daemon world). Worse, aaemon magick (the elemental witches) has no effect on daemons. Their only weakness is copper, and their blood is acidic on human contact.

Thomas Monahan, the coven leader, orders Theo to guard and train Sarafina. She meets the other witches and gradually gains control of her untapped power. When she volunteers to spy on Stefan, Theo almost loses his mind. Over time, he has developed sexual and romantic feelings for her, but he fears getting close to her because his previous two lovers suffered horrible deaths. Can he gain the confidence to tell Sarafina his true feelings, or will he lose her forever to Stefan and his Atrika bodyguards?

I really enjoyed this novel, especially last few chapters. I was hesitant to read this novel because the third novel disappointed me with bad plot development and poor pacing. Nevertheless, Bast's talent emerged in this story with action, comedy, and suspense. The sexual imagery was intense and realistic. Despite the loss throughout the plot, it tied up loose ends and finished on a positive note. I feel glad that I picked this author last year.

Sadly, this is the final installment in the Elemental Witches series. Overall, this was an excellent series. I enjoyed reading about Mira (Witch Fire), Isabelle (Witch Blood), Claire (Witch Heart), and Sarafina (Witch Fury). Each woman brought their own unique experiences to the coven. Their lovers (Jack, Thomas, Adam, and Theo. respectively) also become better men. I highly recommend this series.

New Series: Being Human (BBC)

2010-07-17T05:33:00.000-04:00
I recently discovered a new British television drama series that will interest paranormal fans of all ages. There are a total of three seasons. The first season premiered in 2009.

Being Human is about the extraordinary lives of three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives as a vampire (Mitchell), a werewolf (George), and a ghost (Annie). They struggle to hide their dark secrets and live normal lives in the city of Bristol. Meanwhile, danger is always lurking when a vampire leader wants to kill Mitchell, and a group of religious zealots wants to rid the world of all monsters.

I just watched the first season, and I am completely hooked! I will need to watch the second season to follow the trio's next challenge. The show is modern, simple, and witty. There is less focus on special effects and more emphasis on what it is like to be human. Although the main cast realizes they are "monsters" from a paranormal perspective, they want to repent and regain their humanity.

The third season will premiere on July 24 at 10:00pm EST on the BBC America Channel.

Review: Song in the Dark (Vampire Files #11)

2010-07-15T10:01:00.001-04:00
Going through a difficult recovery from a near-fatal clash with a sadistic gangster, Jack's unwillingly drawn into solving a brutal murder at the Nightcrawler Club. But that's nothing compared to the death sentence hanging over him. There's no escaping gangland "justice," especially when it comes from Whitey Kroun--a mob kingpin who can scare even a vampire!

Song in the Dark, the eleventh book in the Vampire Files series, has Jack Fleming, vampire club owner of Lady Crymsyn, taking care of his injured friend's (Gordy Weems) nightclub, The Nightcrawler. Before he can recuperate his life, he must deal with several mob business, which involves his life and other new characters, who often annoy his mood. The New York mobs want to know how he survived a horrifying punishment that would have killed any normal human being. They also want to know how he killed the man (Hog Bristow) who tortured him. The people back in New York don't like what happened to Bristow, but Jack manages to leave without any threats or executions. However, his life becomes more complicated.

Some bodyguards ("muscle") don't like the fact he controls Gordy's business. Although Jack Fleming is 37 years old, he looks much younger because he is immortal. He has several people on his watch: Alan Caine, a New York stage singer who has a habit for upsetting the wrong people; Mitchell, muscle who used to work for Morelli, the same mob boss who tried to kill Jack (Bloodlist) nearly a year ago; and the whereabouts on child kidnapper, Hirley Gilbert Dugan, remain unknown (see Cold Streets) despite the ongoing reward for his capture. This supporting cast helps him live his life as normal and safe as possible: Bobbi Symthe, stage entertainer and Jack's girlfriend; Charles Escott, British private agent and best friend; Shoe Coldfield, black ganglord of Chicago's Bronze Belt; and Myrna, the resident club ghost of Lady Crymsyn.

Although Jack Fleming survived the severe torture, his body has not completely healed from that event. The physical scars are still visible on his body. He has sporadic seizures and headaches where vanishing does little to ease the pain. His thirst for blood is uncontrollable, including his increasing desire for human blood. He doesn't need individuals, such as Mitchell, to reappear from the past and bring back haunting memories. Meanwhile, a couple are found dead and someone is on the trail to kill more. Will Jack be able to solve this murder mystery before all of Chicago tries to hunt him down? Will he also be able to overcome his panic attacks?

I finally finished this book. Who would have ever thought a vampire could have such mental breakdowns and ruthless enemies? The ending is spectacular! I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but if Elrod decides to write another book in this series, that character just has to be in it!!! Spoiler alert: Who would have thought that Jack Fleming would meet another vampire?

I really enjoyed this novel because I gained a better understanding of how mobs run their businesses. I also learned the hierarchical structure and what happens to members who disobey authority. Readers will also get to see a more vulnerable Jack Fleming, who contemplates suicide as a possibility to end the panic attacks and hellish nightmares. Plus, the entire cast is involved with some new people from the first book, Bloodlist. It just makes me want to read it all over again.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to Elrod fans and those who have never picked up a Vampire Files novel. This series contains a lot of action, comedy, mystery and suspense. Plus, it takes place in 1930s Chicago! If you have not visited Chicago, please visit! You will also learn American pop-culture history on the side. If you're looking for a paranormal mystery series with nightlife and mobs, this is definitely the book for you.

Stay tuned for the twelfth novel in the Vampire Files series, Dark Road Rising.

Twilight Parody: "Vampire Sucks" Premieres August 18, 2010

2010-07-11T23:47:00.001-04:00
It has finally leaked. Vampire Sucks, a parody of the Twilight Saga series, will premiere in theaters on August 18, 2010. I highly recommend watching the three Twilight films before you see this movie. Here is the trailer:

"Love Song for a Vampire" by Annie Lennox (Music Video)

2010-07-08T06:11:00.001-04:00
I recently watched Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), and listened to the song that was playing during the credits. It is difficult to believe this movie premiered nearly twenty years ago. Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves were emerging stars in their movie careers. Dracula, produced by Francis Ford Coppola, still remains one of the best vampire movies of all time.

This is “Love Song for a Vampire” (1993) by the synthpop-rock diva, Annie Lennox. She is a Scottish singer, who was also a member of the band, The Eurythmics. In the video, she wears a long white dress in a dark and gloomy garden. Various scenes from the movie play in the background. I love this song because it captures the film’s mood and forbidden love between Count Dracula and Mina. Annie Lennox has always been captivating throughout her career. Her image is mystical and confident.

You can find the lyrics to the song in the link below.
Come into these arms again
and lay your body down
The rhythm of this trembling heart
is beating like a drum
It beats for you it bleeds for you
it knows not how it sounds
For it is the drum of drums
it is the song of songs

Once I had the rarest rose
that ever deemed to bloom
Cruel winter chilled the bud
and stole my flower too soon
Oh loneliness Oh hopelessness
to search the ends of time
For there is in all the world
no greater love than mine.

Love o love o .... still falls the rain
Love o love o .... still falls the night
Love o love o .... damned forever

Let me be the only one
to keep you from the cold
Now the floor of heaven is laid
the stars are bright as gold
They shine for you they shine for you
they burn for all to see
Come into these arms again
and set this spirit free

Review: Kemonozume (2006)

2010-07-05T19:49:00.000-04:00
Kemonozume (2006) is a graphic action Japanese anime that takes place in contemporary Japan. It adopts an unorthodox animation style that symbolizes the show’s freakish and jagged storyline. It contains thirteen episodes. Viewer discretion is advised (violence, indecent exposure and blood).

The descendants of ancient cannibal monsters, the Shokujinki, survive by eating the flesh of humans. Their hands turn into beast claws. They can assume human form and live in the shadows while they hunt. A group of skilled swordsmen, the Kifuuken, is responsible for slaying these monsters. Toshihiko Momota, the son of the organization’s leader, falls in love with a woman named Yuka. However, trouble arises in this forbidden romance when it is revealed that she is a Shokujinki. Their relationship becomes more complicated when Toshihiko vows to protect Yuka from his own clan.

When I watched this show several years ago, I thought it was weird. The animation style was intriguing and repulsive. The plot was scary and genius. The characters are thrown into chaos and hell as they try to defeat the unstoppable villain. meanwhile the two main characters believe in the power of love to overcome their different worlds.

This show is also not for the faint of heart. It has several elements: bloodshed, nudity, violence, and gore. I would rate this show under the label, NC-17, which means no one under 17 years of age should watch it. If you are looking for material related to monsters, I recommend this show. Its unconventional animation makes it a worthy consideration.

Due to the violent nature of this show, it has not been licensed in North America.

"Auvers Blue" by Katteni Shiyagare

"Suki" by Santara

Review: Eclipse (2010)

2010-07-01T17:38:00.000-04:00
Eclipse (2010) is the third film in the Twilight Saga, a teen paranormal novel series by Stephanie Meyer. It takes place in contemporary Forks, Washington.

Mysterious murders and disappearances haunt the city of Seattle. Edward Cullen and his family suspect that a new vampire is creating a new army of newborns (recently turned vampires who have an uncontrollable thirst for blood). Meanwhile, Bella Swan is preparing for high school graduation. The change is also near -- she agreed to turn into a vampire after she marries Edward a year later. She wishes to see her friend and werewolf, Jacob Black. Fearing for her safety, Edward hesitantly allows her to visit Jacob, knowing that the wolf pack will not harm her. During her visits, she learns the history of the wolf pack's encounter with the "cold ones" (vampires) in the region. Rosalie Cullen also warns her about the costs of becoming a vampire. She she would be eternally frozen in time and desire one thing most of all -- blood.

During a graduation party, Alice Cullen receives a vision that Victoria, a vampire who wants to kill Bella, has returned to Forks. She is responsible for the new army of newborns, who are committing the Seattle murders. The Cullens and werewolf pack join forces to defeat Victoria and her new minions. She has passed around Bella's scent so that they know who to target and kill. As everyone prepares for the important battle, Edward, Bella, and Jacob camp in the mountains. Flood of teen emotions emerge: Jacob expresses his love for Bella. While she wants to marry Edward, she is also in love with Jacob. At this time, Bella's uncertainty becomes obvious. When Jacob hears the news about the marriage, he runs away to join the rest of the pack. He is heartbroken over Bella's decision to turn into a vampire.

Can Bella love two men at once? Does she want to change into a vampire? Will Victoria finally avenge her lover's death?

Eclipse continues the story of 18-year-old Bella Swan and her vampire love, Edward Cullen. Eclipse is preceded by New Moon and followed by Breaking Dawn. I had the unique opportunity to watch this film almost entirely by myself in the movie theaters. I thought this film was better than New Moon. It had a suspenseful plot that delivered good action in the end. Although this film is made for teen audiences, young adults will enjoy the serious undertones.

The storyline focused mostly on the core love triangle: Bella, Edward, and Jacob. Her high school friends had minor parts in the film and were never seen again. The Cullens and werewolves finally collaborated together once they realized they had a common enemy. I was most impressed with Jasper Hale's acting. He had such minor roles in previous films that he truly shined in this installment. Audiences learned his history (Civil War-era), and his encounters with newborns. It was nice to see him as a hero for a change.

Bella has a lot to ponder. She wants to make everyone else happy, but hasn't really focused on her own feelings until now. She loves two men, but she can only be with one. The question now is who will it be in the next film?

Stay tune for the next film in this popular series, Breaking Dawn. It tentative release date is November 18, 2011. Stay tuned for more updates.

Review: Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5)

2010-06-27T05:46:00.004-04:00
Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong…

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives beyond the Academy’s iron gates to begin. But Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri, and he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

Spirit Bound, by Richelle Mead, is the fifth book in the Vampire Academy series. After Rosemarie (Rose) Hathaway returns to St. Vladimir's Academy to finish her education, several thoughts are running through her mind. She cannot forget her former lover because she discovers his new life as a ruthless Strigoi (undead vampire). This revelation aches her so much because she still loves him. She passes her guardian examination near the top of her class, and can finally start a new life as an adult outside the school grounds. She gradually starts a new relationship with Adrian and heads to the Moroi headquarters with her best friend, Lissa.

Meanwhile, Dimitri sends her letters stating that she's watching her, and she knows he is hunting her whenever she leaves the protection of the wards. Nevertheless, she cannot forget what she learned from her trip in Siberia: there is way to heal a Strigoi. This hopeful message forces Rose to develop a plan. This means a visit from the man who tried to kill her best friend. Before Rose can reunite with Dimitri, she has several obstacles in her path: who is more important to her? Lastly, can she face the consequences for her actions? More danger lies ahead of her if she is not careful.

I read this novel in a week. Seriously, it only took me seven days to read nearly 500 pages. I enjoyed this story very much, and I am still anxious for more information about Rose's future! Each chapter compelled me in such a way that I did not want to stop reading. I have been reading vampire mystery novels since high school, and this is one of the best young adult vampire series out there today.

I love Richelle Mead's writing style. Her stories are easy to read with suspense, romance, and action. She has a great command over her character's development and the complicated emotions that can happen when friends and lovers are apart. I sympathize with Rose because her life was torn upside down when she lost Dmitri. Now, she must prove her innocence before the Moroi Court or face death! There are so many twists, but it makes the plot even more interesting and mysterious.

Stay tuned for the sixth and final novel in the Vampire Academy series, Last Sacrifice.

Review: The Myth (2005)

2010-06-26T07:02:00.002-04:00
The Myth (2005) is a historical adventure-fantasy film. It is loosely based on the real general, Meng Yi, during the Qin dynasty (221 - 206 BC). It stars Jackie Chan, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Kim Hee-sun, and Mallika Sherawat. Other settings include contemporary India and Hong Kong. The film title is also known as "San wa" in traditional Chinese (Mandarin).

Jackie Chan stars as Jack Lee, a famous archaeologist, who sets out on an amazing adventure to find clues about his past life. With his companion, William, they search for a rare material that can create a field of zero gravity in India. As he ventures further into his dream, he starts to connect the visions in his dreams. Their journey leads them back to China for the final clue to the puzzle.

In his past life, he is a Qin Dynasty general, Meng Yi, who falls in love with the king’s new concubine, Ok-Soo, whom he escorted and rescued when a raid thwarts their procession. The South Korean princess also falls in love with him and vows to stay by his side. When the emperor falls severely ill, he requests for the immortality elixir, which can save his life. When Meng Yi dies in battle, Ok-Soo and his companion, Nangong, are accused of treason and forced to drink the elixir. As a result, they are imprisoned in the emperor’s mausoleum for eternity.

In his journey, he discovers one of the greatest treasures in ancient China: the royal mausoleum of China’s first emperor, Shihuang, who was infatuated with immortality. Both Jack and William realize that the rare material is a fragment of a meteorite that fell on China during the Qin Dynasty. With the meteorite, the entire royal mausoleum is a floating sanctuary. Jack Lee also reunites with Ok-Soo, who has been waiting for him to return for nearly 2,000 years. However, their reunion is short-lived when Ok-Soo realizes Jack is not Meng Yi anymore and the world has changed since her time. After Jack escapes, the royal mausoleum collapses.

I loved this movie. The plot has a silly fantasy twist near the end, but I constantly wonder about the two lovers' fate. I quarreled with my friends whether Ok-Soo will finally reunite with Jack lee in a future life. The action was good, and I liked the scenes in India. I can tell Jackie Chan put a lot of serious effort into making the film. Unlike his prior comedic movies, this one has a more serious undertone. The theme song, "Endless Love," which is sung in Mandarin Chinese, is a beautiful classic. The duet capture the emotion of the ill-fated romance perfectly. Plus, Jackie Lee is a great singer!

Good news: If you want to watch more about historical legend, there is a new TV series based on the movie earring in China right now.

It is available to buy and rent on DVD.

Endless Love (Music Video)

Review: Dead in the Family (Southern Vampire #10)

2010-06-25T00:40:00.002-04:00
Sookie Stackhouse is dealing with a whole host of family problems, ranging from her own kin (a non-human fairy and a telepathic second cousin) demanding a place in her life, to her lover Eric's vampire sire, an ancient being who arrives with Eric's 'brother' in tow at a most inopportune moment. And Sookie's tracking down a distant relation of her ailing neighbour (and ex), Vampire Bill Compton. In addition to the multitude of family issues complicating her life, the werewolf pack of Shreveport has asked Sookie for a special favour, and since Sookie is an obliging young woman, she agrees. But this favour for the wolves has dire results for Sookie, who is still recovering from the trauma of her abduction during the Fairy War.

Dead in the Family, the tenth novel in the Southern Vampire series, takes place in contemporary Bon Temps, Lousiana. Her former roommate, Amelia, returns to New Orleans; her fairy cousin, Claude, moves in with her after the death of his sister, Claudette. After the Fairy War in the previous novel, Bill, Sookie's ex-vampire boyfriend, is recovering slowly from silver poisoning. Sookie takes it upon herself to find a missing kin to cure him. Alcide, leader of the local werewolves, asks Sookie for a favor to use her land for hunting. She discovers there are several dead bodies on her land, and someone not human has been trespassing in the woods.

Meanwhile, both Sookie and Eric confessed their love for each other and begin to take their relationship seriously. Before they can enjoy their time together, his maker, Appius Livius Ocella, appears with his new child/playmate, Alexei. His presence puts a strain on their relationship because Eric must heed to his maker's bidding. Then, Sookie develops ambivalent feelings for Eric once this new person and other important tasks enter her life. She still has not recovered fully from the Fairy War. Who is the dead body in her backyard? Why is the mystery person targeting her specifically? Sookie better watch her back carefully, because the deeper she dwells into the supernatural world, the harder it is to step back into the human world.

Before I begin my review, I was very excited to read this tenth addition in the Southern Vampire series. I love the character, Sookie Stackhouse, and her supernatural reality. I am also a huge fan of the True Blood series on HBO. When I heard that this book was officially released last month, I could not wait to continue reading more about Sookie's amazing journeys. The last novel impressed me with awe-inspiring suspense. If you a new visitor, please browse my previous reviews on this series under the "harris" label.

However, this book disappointed me. I wanted to enjoy it like the previous novels, but the storyline did not flow well. Some parts of the plot felt haphazardly written. Characters that I thought would receive more attention (e.g., her nephew) were only mentioned in two chapters and never heard from again. The appearance of a famous historical figure also felt strange because it happened so abruptly and I never felt as though I understood the character's background. Lastly, there were so many subplots in this novel that I wonder how does Sookie manage to live her own life!

Overall, I had mixed feelings about this novel. I thought it could have been written better with fewer characters and side stories. The new characters did not amaze me; their portrayal was short-lived. The entire plot became difficult later for me to follow on several occasions. I also lacked the compulsion to continue reading. Harris disappointed me in a major way with this story.

Stay tuned for the eleventh book in the Southern Vampire series, Dead Reckoning.

Music Video: "Fate" by Lee Sun Hee

2010-05-31T10:33:00.003-04:00
This is "Fate - In Yeon" by Lee Sun Hee, one of the best Korean female singers I have ever heard. This is originally from the movie, The King and the Clown. In the background, she has the 12 Girls Band playing the Chinese musical instruments. Just beautiful music! The English lyrics are provided in the video.

Colorado Girl Survives Lightning Strike Without Scratch

2010-05-30T09:17:00.004-04:00
This is an amazing miracle. A nine-year-old Colorado girl survives a lightning strike -- without a scratch!
"I was laying down, the lightning came through the window and shocked my foot," 9-year-old Lexie Archuleta told a local CBS station.

Lexi was in her bedroom watching television on Wednesday when the lightning hit her Commerce City, Colo., home, and shocked her, reported a NBC news affiliate. Lexie was barely able to speak after the incident.

"My daughter is just freaking out saying her insides are burning," her mother, Tracy Archuleta, told CBS.

When Lexie was taken to hospital for tests, she didn't show any sign of serious injuries.

She is extremely lucky. Thirty-four people were killed and 253 injured by lightning strikes in the United States last year, according to www.struckbylightning.org.

Bizarre Dead Creature Found near Canadian Lake

2010-05-21T00:21:00.001-04:00
When my friend told me about this breaking news, I couldn't believe it.
Locals in a small Canadian town have been stumped by the appearance of a bizarre creature, which was dragged from a lake.

The animal, which has a long hairy body with bald skin on its head, feet and face, has prompted wild internet speculation that it is a more evolved version of the famous 'Montauk monster'.

The "Montauk monster" name originates from the finding of another similar creature that washed ashore a New York beach in 2008. I must admit it looks very ugly. Some bloggers think it is a chupacabra, which is rumoured to inhabit parts of the United States.

True Blood Season 3 Premieres June 13, 2010

2010-05-07T22:15:00.003-04:00
The third season premiere for True Blood begins Thursday, June 13, 2010 on HBO. I am very excited and cannot wait!

In the meantime, you can watch minisodes (short side stories) leading up to the season premiere.

Minisode #1: Fantagsia Tryouts
Minisode #2: A Baby Vamp Walks into a Bar...
Minisode #3: Jessica

To be continued...

New: Paranormal Phenomena Links

2010-05-03T21:52:00.003-04:00
By popular request, many readers wish they had more access to paranormal phenomena. I found 3 sites that seem credible and provide good information. I realize I don't have the time to search for good mystery articles (which reminds me, I need to set up a personal RSS feeder in the near future!). I hope you find these sites useful. Please feel free to recommend and share more sites for future updates.

Paranormal Daily News
This blog covers paranormal news on topics such as aliens, UFOs, and ghost hauntings. The site has been active since May 2009.

Paranormal News
This site pretty much covers everything -- crop circles, UFOs, ancient mysteries, ghost hauntings, Mars/Moon anomalies, you name it. It also contains a forum, links, and news feed that is regularly updated on ghost hauntings.

Paranormal News Central
This site contains paranormal topics about unsolved mysteries, UFOs, weird/bizarre, ghost hauntings, and even cryptozoology! The site was recently redesigned in March 2010.

Review: Dance in the Vampire Bund (2010)

2010-05-02T20:31:00.007-04:00
Dance in the Vampire Bund is a vampire romance anime that takes place in contemporary Japan. It contains 12 episodes.

Vampires, who have lived for centuries in the shadows, have reemerged into the human world. Mina Tepes, the princess ruler of all vampires, establishes a bund (an enclosed special district) with the financial help of the Japanese government where all vampires worldwide can live normal and peaceful lives. Although she looks prepubsecent, she has a cocky and assertive attitude and cares for the welfare of her species. She reveals to the world through the media the existence of vampires and wants both races to co-exist peacefully. Meanwhile, she searches for her guardian and lover who lives somewhere in Japan.

Akira, a high school student, suffered amnesia and has no recollection of his roots. He is kind, gentle, and very protective of his friends and loved ones. He later learns that he is a werewolf by birth who has undergone extensive training to become the guardian of the vampire princess. Throughout the story, he protects Mina from various enemies and later falls in love with her. Before Mina and Akira can reunite, several high school students have disappeared and reemerged as converted vampires. Conservative human and vampire extremists are also planning to assassinate her. She must also engage in a battle of roulette to save the lives of those dear to her.

My final exams are over, and I have just completed my first year in graduate school. I have a four-month break where I can just relax and focus on this blog. I know I somewhat abandoned it this year because my school work kept me extremely busy. Imagine being inundated with endless papers and weekly deadlines! The good news is I have purchased new novels and gradually added new anime over the months. Anyways, back to the review...

I finished this show last month, and I really enjoyed it. It had a lot of humor and action. Vampires and werewolves joined together to fight the vampire extremists. As usual, the extremists treated humans as guinea pigs and preferred living in isolation. Mina was also a complex character because she looks defiant on the outside but can appear weak when she is alone. She is also stronger than she looks because she is one of the few remaining true vampires -- very powerful. I am not sure if Akira truly loves her -- his love is more platonic because he vows to protect her.

My only disappointment is that I wish this show ran longer than 12 episodes. I never got a feel for the characters' personalities nor learn their background histories. The storyline seemed rushed. Lately, I noticed a lot of anime with fewer episodes in a series -- is this a trend related to the economic recession and lower budgets? I am not entirely sure, but I hope the production companies resume anime shows with 24+ episodes. Overall, I recommend the show!

This series is not available to buy or rent on DVD. Check back for more updates!

Opening song: "Friends" by Aiko Nakano

Ending song: "Tsumeato" by Hibuku

14 Greatest Vampire Stories of All Time

2010-04-24T18:55:00.003-04:00
I received a link in my email called "Before Twilight: 14 Greatest Vampire Stories of All Time." It ranks the greatest print and screen vampire stories of all time. I actually like the Phlebotomy Technician Schools website's rankings (Sookie Stackhouse! Vampire Academy!) because it includes classics and upcoming popular series. I encourage everyone to view the site. It has made me consider other series to add to my wish list!

Crows Turning Up Dead on Campus

2010-03-28T12:56:00.003-04:00
This is very scary news. At the University of North Alabama, crows and other birds are turning up dead across the campus. Officials are not sure what are causing the bird deaths, but they are not worried.
Since Thursday, crows have been turning up dead near the University of North Alabama campus. So far, at least 20 have been spotted. Although there haven't been any reports of people getting sick in that area, public health officials are taking notice.

Some offficials think it's the West Nile Virus, but the temperatures are not warm enough for mosquitoes. Could this be a supernatural event?

Season 6 of Supernatural Confirmed; Season 5 Resumes March 25

2010-02-18T08:34:00.006-05:00
It is official: due to rising popular demand in the last few years, the CWTV Network has extended Supernatural for another season!! Great job, fans, for encouraging the network and producers to continue support for this show. This is exciting news, and I believe this will wrap up the series nicely.

Season 5 will resume new episodes on Thursday, March 25, 2010. The next episode is called "Dead Man Don't Wear Plaid." Enjoy spring break!

UPDATE (6/29/10): Season 6 of Supernatural will premiere Friday, September 10 at 9:00pm on the CWTV. I think this is a risky move for the network to change the day. We will see how it goes!

Fourth Season of True Blood Confirmed

2010-02-13T22:29:00.004-05:00
According to Alan Ball, there will be a fourth season of True Blood on HBO. For those who are unfamiliar with the series, it is based on the Southern Vampire (Sookie Stackhouse) series by Charlaine Harris. This is great news!

The series Ball created based on the books, True Blood, has successfully been set up at HBO and it would be fair to call the results a phenomenon. The cable network is so pleased with Ball and company that, Ball relates, “I just closed a deal to show-run [True Blood] for two more seasons, so I would assume that [the series is at minimum] going through Season Four.”

this is a good article about the background, inspiration, and future direction of the TV show byhe director. Hopefully, the TV show will cover most of the books in the series.