Lost Girl Third Season Premieres January 2013

Looking for a supernatural show loosely similar to Blood Ties (2007)? I highly recommend Lost Girl , the popular Canadian fantasy show about a sexy succubus who learns how to juggle both fae politics and life as a private investigator in the human world. From the Huffington Post:

Good news for fans of the Fae: The Huffington Post has exclusively learned that Syfy has renewed "Lost Girl" for a third season, which will arrive on the network in January 2013.

Canadian fans may already be aware that the frisky drama, which chronicles life in an underground community called the Fae, had been renewed north of the border several months ago, but the Syfy renewal means that American "Lost Girl" fans won't be left behind as the 13-episode third season unfolds.

The 22-episode second season of "Lost Girl," which stars Anna Silk as a succubus named Bo, is currently airing on Syfy on Mondays, but as of July 20, the supernatural drama is moving to Fridays at 10 p.m. ET.

Review: Fool Moon (The Dresden Files #2)

Harry Dresden -- Wizard: Lost items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Fool Moon, by Jim Butcher, is the second novel in the Dresden Files series. Harry Dresden is the only professionally-trained wizard in Chicago. His investigation business has been slow, and it's been months since he has heard from the Chicago Police Department's Special Investigations Unit. He's also on bad terms with Karrin Murphy, CPD Lieutenant and sometimes accomplice. Just when it looks like he cannot afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his supernatural expertise.

At the scene of the crime, Harry discovers a brutally-mutilated corpse that is almost unrecognizable. Worse, there were animal markings that resembled those of a wild dog or wolf. The killing also took place on the night of a full moon. After seeing these three clues, Harry can guess where this case is headed. Thus, he will need all the manpower he can assemble if he wants to make it out of this one alive in one piece.
This is another fantastic addition to the Dresden Files series. Harry finds himself in a complex web of murder and mayhem that eventually proves too magically overwhelming for him. With his close companions and allies, he is able to solve the mystery and live another day. Butcher's storytelling skills are superb, and the main cast feels work well together. This novel also fits nicely with upcoming Halloween.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Dresden Files series, Grave Peril.

Review: Romeo x Juliet (2007)

Romeo x Juliet (2007) is a Japanese romance anime based on William Shakespeare's adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. It is a story of a young and tragic love set in the futuristic aerial city of Neo Verona. It contains 24 episodes. This show contains 24 episodes.

Fourteen years ago, Leontes Montague and his men led a bloody coup and murdered all of the members of House Capulet. However one survivor, Juliet, was able to escape thanks to a group of Capulet loyalists.

In the present, the Montague family rules the kingdom with an iron fist and oppresses anyone who opposes their rule. Juliet, now a 16-year-old girl, fights against House Montague's oppression by becoming a masked vigilante known as "The Red Whirlwind." She is unaware that she is the last descendent of the House Capulet family. While attending the Rose Ball hosted by the Montagues with a friend, Juliet meets Romeo, the Montague prince. Both of them deeply fall romantically in love at first sight.

Unlike his father, Romeo is a kind and humble man who is opposed to his father's cruelty and shares many ideals with Juliet. Unfortunately for them, Capulet loyalists are planning a rebellion to overthrow House Montague while Leontes is obsessed with destroying the threat of House Capulet permanently. As these star-crossed lovers face many challenges and adventures together which will strengthen their love, an ancient secret hidden within Neo Verona is slowly revealed.

“Two households, both alike in dignity
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.”

― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Although the anime borrows mostly from Shakespeare's story, the manga adaptation differs extensively from the original. So, I was intrigued to see where the producers and screenwriters were heading with this romantic tragedy. The story takes place in a mythical medieval realm, and a great enchanted tree (Escalus) supports life on Neo Verona. The tree of life is a mystical concept alluding to the interconnection of all life on our planet. Various fantasy- and science fiction-based anime, in particular, have used this symbol (e.g., Sailor Moon R, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Genesis of Aquarion).

The show did not disappoint. It was very focused, energetic and The writers incorporated characters from other Shakespeare plays as a nice twist. There were a lot of action and romantic narratives in the first half, and the fantasy element became more prominent in the second half of the anime. I also loved Lena Park's version of "You Raise Me Up" (both English and Japanese versions). She made this Josh Groban hit song sound so both innocent and romantic. In 2009, Romeo × Juliet was dubbed into English and released by Funimation Entertainment.

Overall, I highly recommend this anime adaptation.


Inori ~You Raised Me Up~ (Japanese Version)


Inori ~You Raised Me Up~ by Lena Park (English Version)

Review: Stormwalker (Stormwalker #1)

"When lightning strikes, passion ignites..."

Stormwalker, by Allyson James, is the first novel in the Stormwalker series. It takes place in Arizona near the Death Valley region. Half-Navajo Janet Begay is a Stormwalker who is capable of controlling the raw elemental power of stormy weather. Its power is so immense that sometimes it threatens to overwhelm her. Felt like an outcast in her own family, her escape was her prized motorcycle, chasing the storms and finding the truth about her mother's death. When she meets Mick, a dark-haired, blue-eyed muscular hiker, she discovers that he can absorb and calm down the power raging inside her. Eventually, she falls in love with him, and both explore new depths of sex and passion that reach unimaginable levels.

After traveling the country, Janet returns to Arizona to settle and establish a hotel business in the desert town of Magellan (Hopi County). She receives a request to investigate the disappearance of the police chief's daughter. Unfortunately, the barren land is full of vortexes, gateways that connect the human world with the mystical realm of Beneath. It is also where Janet's evil mother lays trapped and ready to escape. After encountering skin-walkers and discovering more deadly mysteries, Janet receives assistance from unexpected allies: a shape-shifting coyote god; a talking magic mirror; Nash, the law-abiding sherff who can't wait to arrest her; and her boyfriend, Mick, whose true identity still remains unknown to her. Mick can control fire, and Nash can absorb any form of magic without breaking a sweat.

Ultimately, Janet must trust her friends when she ventures into a land where no human has survived alone. She must also decide in which world does her happiness exist. She is about to face the greatest danger ever: defeating her mother.

I stumbled across the Stormwalker series when I finished a novella by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels series). The Janet Begay character seemed interesting and similar to another Native American-based fantasy series (Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs). I have also visited Arizona, and desert scenery can be beautiful and mystical. I am always excited to explore different characters in their respective environments to expand my knowledge about and appreciation of the supernatural.

Overall, I am glad I took a chance on this novel. Janet is a strong, beautiful girl who wants to find acceptance and peace with her own powers. The main cast seems fresh and intriguing. The action was excellent, and the sexual scenes were not over-done. There are many twists and angles that smoothly fit together like a puzzle near the end. I definitely look forward to reading more novels in this riveting series.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Stormwalker series, Firewalker.

Supernatural Season 8 Resumes October 2012

Folks, it's Supernatural time again! The eighth season will premiere on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 9:00 EST on the CW Channel. There is also speculation from screenwriters that this highly-acclaimed horror TV show won't end until season 10.

Although this is my humble opinion, I think Supernatural should have ended at season five. The show is currently on life support to please a cult-like fanbase that is gradually dwindling each year. The plots have become more convoluted and downright silly at times. This is the first year where I was more excited to watch the second premiere of Grimm (!).

Time is running out on Supernatural unless the producers and screenwriters can produce an incredibly genius plot for Sam and Dean. More main characters keep dying each year. Can another challenging case help the Winchester brothers remain relevant among other prime-time TV shows?

Returning to Graduate School

Major update: This fall, I will intensively focus on finishing my master's degree. In the meantime, I will post less frequently (one post every 4-5 days) for the next eight months. Stay patient! I will resume my normal posting schedule in spring 2013.