After months of nuancing and procrastinating the reading of this novel. I finally settled, turned to Book I, and started reading the first page. In retrospect, the procrastination was just to look for the ~perfect~ time to begin, as I know this novel has faired wonderfully and is written by one of the most iconic writers.
Ernest Hemingway had a fantastic way to draw a reader in just by a few simple sentences. The story, which is basically Hemingway's alliance in the war with the Italian army and the troubles he had faced, flows beautifully from chapter to chapter. I had expected to be emotionally void like I had with most other novels. Of course I can recognise a good read when I see one, but none had me taken before this. Even days after completing the book, your mind is conjuring these memories, haunting and powerfully intense. The characters, the events all seem as though you had experienced them firsthand.
As my first novel of Ernest Hemingway, I will be sure to read his other works.
Being an avid Final Fantasy fan, I find it pretty shocking, not to mention lame, that I have only played two games in the franchise.
One being Final Fantasy XII on the PS2, which is a great game with even better graphics. The other is the sequel on the Nintendo DS; Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings. I found it hooked me for a while (until I reached a level that was near impossible to complete). Of course I wasn't expecting it have a full blown storyline like the prequel, but something more in depth and interesting would have been nice. The gameplay was, I wouldn't say it sucked, but completely different in a neutral way. I really wanted to love the game. Having a sequel to a game I cherish dearly, and characters whom I have grown a bond with, on a portable device sold the deal for me. If only the product turned out to be as good as it could have been.
I think I'm going to replay XII, at least to the point where I managed last time. It's a shame I didn't complete it before my transition to the Wii. I'm sure I'll have the chance to now!
This isn't a review as such, just an update.
There are so many new releases that I haven't played yet, such as, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Assassin's Creed 2 and Left 4 Dead 2. There's also a heap of albums that's going unheard. I actually have been listening to one new album release, so not all is lost. To mention the name would be highly inappropriate and near blasphemy, even for this blog. Perhaps you'll know someday, when I 'accidentally' let it slip, ha.
I'm almost certain in the next 3 - 4 days, I will have my hands on a copy of Modern Warfare 2, and maybe even Left 4 Dead 2, we'll see.
I've been playing a lot of Fallout 3 lately, which sadly, wasn't played much when I bought it last year. I didn't realise how much fun this game is, and how sad an event would be, if it were to happen in real life.
Now I'm off to Meresti Metro Station to deliver a message to Ian, and ask (read: persuade) him to go back to Arefu. Sigh, it's better playing a game late than never.
If you haven't heard a song from Otep beforehand, I suggest you do. Believe me, it's all good stuff.
Their latest album brings them at their best. 'Smash the Control Machine' is definitely a step back to their first album brilliance. Otep Shamaya's vocals can range from Heavenly soft to deep growls. She can completely annihilate your senses with her screams. It's not unusual to hear these variations all in one song.
The track that really stood out for me was 'Sweet Tooth', which has a great atmosphere and would have you replaying the song in no time. Otep plays a very unique sound. I honestly haven't come across a band who is that original and diverse with their music.
Their new single 'Smash the Control Machine' is very political and shows their variety in songs.
If you hear one album this month, make it this one. It really is not an album to be missed.
To sum 'Smash the Control Machine' with one word I would say: Unstoppable.
Knowing the sequel is on the way, going back to complete Blood Harvest is still as fun as it was the first time. Of course there is user created content, but the brilliance lies in the original campaigns.
There have been reviews upon reviews of this game, so I won't do another one. Instead, I will exclaim the simplistic brilliance.
The four playable survivors in the game each have their own persona, and are truly believable. With that said, it is extremely hard to pick a favourite, as you have a profound connection with them all. This is one of the things I hope the sequel includes. No game is wholesomely much fun, when you are not emotionally attached to the character/s. If a character dies, you really feel it, and although you may be reunited again before the end of the level, it's hard and makes it that much more frightening. It also makes you work extra hard to help your incapicated comrades.
The sequel looks fun; graphics are sharp, some levels are in daylight and seems to maintain that plain excellence of the first.
This definitely looks like a sequel worth waiting for.
Welcome to my new blog on all things interesting and ultimately alternative. I will cover music, books, movies and video games. I may have the occasional post on technology, mostly on current issues. So, welcome again! And I hope you enjoy reading.
