Review of ‘Magic for Liars’

Magic for Liars is a new take on the mystery thriller genre combining magic, mean girls, suspense and noir fiction. Continue reading Review of ‘Magic for Liars’

A Worthy Precursor to the Magical World of Harry Potter | Review of ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’

By Cynthia Ayala

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller & Colin Farrell Warner Bros. Pictures

“The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.”

—IMDB

In one word: magical. I know that’s to be expected but the film brings more to the world of Harry Potter as it traverses new territory in so many ways.

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them brings Newt Scamander to New York city combining the dark element’s that grew the Harry Potter franchise up as well as a fun light scavenger hunt through New York to bring new and magical creatures to life in the film. Two stories that intersect perfectly. There are obviously those moments that will make the audience want to scream but that’s only because of the direction of the story, and it’s not a bad thing. In life, there are those moments when people above station place blame when they themselves don’t pay attention. It’s not a bad thing, it’s a realistic thing that provides the film one of many grounding moments. (There were times through all the Harry Potter books and films that I just wanted to scream at the characters for being stupid.) Then there is the heart of the film that will make the audience laugh, cry and just say “aww” repeatedly. It was a well-structured film that was just mesmerizing and it makes the viewer second guess themselves. Continue reading “A Worthy Precursor to the Magical World of Harry Potter | Review of ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’”

19-Years-Later & Still Magical | Review of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ (Harry Potter #8)

By Cynthia Ayala

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany
Arthur A. Levine Books

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

With Voldemort dead and gone, Harry Potter’s life hasn’t gotten any easier. As an overworked employee of the Ministry and a father of three, his life is as hard as ever. But not only for him. The past is creeping on the Potter’s, especially on his son Albus, and on their journeys, they must each come face to face with the darkness around them.

Published on July 31, 2016, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a work compiled by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany. It is a special version of the story written by J.K. Rowling and adapted for the stage continues the story in a beautiful way that shows the challenges of parenthood and living up to your parents.
Continue reading “19-Years-Later & Still Magical | Review of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ (Harry Potter #8)”

Book of the Month – July 2016

The votes are in and (surprise, surprise) the winner of the July Book of the Month Poll is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! Woo! Now this was my vote because I’m a Harry Potter super fan (proud Slytherin and Thunderbird) and for many of you this was your choice. Now if you didn’t vote for your book or promote it enough, let me know if you still want me to review a particular novel and I’ll add it on my to-read shelf. As for everyone else who voted for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
I will try to have the review up as soon as possible.
Continue reading “Book of the Month – July 2016”

Book of the Month Poll – July 2016

By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there avid readers and book lovers, another month means another book of the month poll where you get to vote on what novel you believe should be the book of the month for July. If you want your favorite to win, remember to share and encourage others to vote. You can leave your vote in the comments section with just the title of the vote, likes on the comment will not count, but replies mentioning which novel you would like to win do. You can also head on over to Pollcaster by clicking the link here or on the picture below. Here are the selections for this month:
Continue reading “Book of the Month Poll – July 2016”

‘Fantastic Beasts’ Plot Revealed (and it’s Spoiler Free)

By Cynthia Ayala

Warner Bros.’ initial idea for the film was to make a faux documentary of the “author” of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and his tracking of magical beasties.

Of course of J.K. Rowling herself came up with an even better one. No surprise since she created Harry Potter. Trying her hand and penning her first-ever screenplay for the next highly anticipated film in the Harry Potter franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. While she may have had creative input in the previous films (except for The Half-Blood Prince which we can all agree strayed way to far from the novel) this is her first script. Continue reading “‘Fantastic Beasts’ Plot Revealed (and it’s Spoiler Free)”