Norse Mythology – Review

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Book review, Writing15 Comments

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Published in 2017

Pages: 293

Genre: Mythology, Norse mythology

“It’s as hard to have a favorite sequence of myths as it is to have a favorite style of cooking (some nights you might want Thai food, some nights sushi, other nights you crave the plain home cooking you grew up on).”

The above sentence is probably not what one would expect to introduce a collection of Norse myths. Those intimately familiar with Neil Gaiman’s work will not be surprised that he jumped at the chance to retell the myths he loves most from Norse Mythology. The aptly titled Norse Mythology is his love letter to the tales of the Vikings, which feature not only action and suspense, but love, lust, poetry, and shapeshifting tricksters. In an attempt to pay homage to the stories that so deeply affected him, Gaiman succeeds in creating an accessible book to guide a new generation of readers into the nine realms. Continue reading “Norse Mythology – Review” →

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Music Monday: “What We Had” by Harvard

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Music, Writing2 Comments

musicmonday

Music Monday is a meme, created by Drew at The Tattooed Book Geek, where I focus on a song I absolutely love and feel needs to be shared.

Song: “What We Had”
Artist: Harvard
Album: The Inevitable and I (2009)

Continue reading “Music Monday: “What We Had” by Harvard” →

The Mark of the Horse Lord – Review

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Book review, Writing6 Comments

The Mark of the Horse Lord by Rosemary Sutcliff

Illustrations by Felix Miall

Published in 1965; 2017 Edition by The Folio Society

Pages: 288

Genre: Historical fiction, children’s literature

 

Disclaimer: This review will be different from the norm in that it is split into two parts: a standard, albeit shorter, book review and a specific review of this Folio Society edition. I am endorsing this product through my own volition and belief in its high quality.

 

Part I: The Story

“In the long cavern of the changing-room, the light of the fat-oil lamps cast jumping shadows on the walls; skeleton shadows of the spear-stacked arms-racks, giant shadows of the men who crowded the benches or moved about still busy with their weapons and gear; here and there the stallion shadow of a plume-crested helmet.”

The above sentence describes a scene that could most likely have been taken from a historical account of a gladiator’s life. The Mark of the Horse Lord, by Rosemary Sutcliff, follows one such gladiator from gaining his freedom to becoming a central figure in a conspiracy to reclaim a tribal throne in Northern Scotland. Filled with swordplay, interesting characters, and intricate descriptions that cause the reader to become immersed in this ancient world, The Mark of the Horse Lord is entertaining in its character driven storytelling. Continue reading “The Mark of the Horse Lord – Review” →

Music Monday: The Prize Fighter Inferno – My Brother’s Blood Machine

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Music, Writing4 Comments

Album: My Brother’s Blood Machine by The Prize Fighter Inferno

Album Cover
My Brother’s Blood Machine

Released: October 31st, 2006

Band Info:
The Prize Fighter Inferno is the acoustic/electronica solo project of Claudio Sanchez, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Coheed & Cambria. Recorded entirely by Sanchez over a period of seven years, the project’s first and only full-length release, My Brother’s Blood Machine, was unleashed on Halloween of 2006. It has since been followed up by an EP featuring Sanchez’s wife as a vocalist released in 2012 and received its first vinyl pressing in 2017 in the wake of the Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume I: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness Neverender tour. The project currently remains on hiatus.

Band Photo
Claudio Sanchez a.k.a. The Prize Fighter Inferno

Continue reading “Music Monday: The Prize Fighter Inferno – My Brother’s Blood Machine” →

Dracula – Review

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Book review, Writing26 Comments

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Published in 1897; 2011 Barnes & Noble edition

Pages: 399

Genre: Horror, supernatural

“3 May. Bistritz. – Left Munich at 8:35 P.M. on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6:46, but train was an hour late.”

One would not suspect such a beginning to the most famous vampire story in the world, but it is the nefarious tendency of the undead to sneak up on their victims that this introduction replicates. Dracula, by Bram Stoker, follows the conquest of London by a melodramatic lord of the undead. After purchasing an estate in England, Count Dracula travels by ship to begin his malicious intent, only to be challenged by friends of the very man who helped him with the financial transaction that put his plan in motion. Told through the correspondence of the brave souls who stand up against this dark malice, Dracula created the template for the vampiric menace and kick-started a golden age for tales about the creature of the night. Continue reading “Dracula – Review” →

An Impromptu Blog Post: Movie Review Hiatus

On By The Past Due ReviewIn Film, Film Review, Update, Writing17 Comments

I have been thinking about this for time and decided that it is in my best interest to go on a hiatus from writing and posting movie reviews. I haven’t enjoyed doing so for a couple of months now and began to fall behind my deadlines in comparison to the book reviews and Music Monday posts. I will continue my regular posts, but Young Frankenstein (1974) will be my last movie review for the foreseeable future. I want to thank all of you that have read my movie reviews and shared your stories and opinions in the comments! I look forward to putting more time and attention to the posts I truly enjoy creating.

Here’s a picture I took of Hunter giving the vacuum a look that could kill as thanks for your understanding.

Cat vacuum
“We meet again.”