Dragotheus

 Modern films like Stargate play of extremely advanced technology from ancient culture. It's fair to assume Stargate could have been influenced by The Anubis Gates  in many ways. Another trope commonly used by modern day is the effects of meeting yourself in the past. Most ideas stick to "the world ends" or some form of catastrophe. Other headspinning stories might have it become an origin story, like Looper . Whether time is malleable by human hands, or fate keeps it rigid, doesn't stop us from imagining the possibilities. Creating your own destiny or star-crossed fate still lets us feel in control. In The Anubis Gate it is clear Mr. Darrow is trapped in strict linear time, his fate has already been decided and he is merely playing it back again.

 Gender identity is a popular topic in modern times. Ursula Le Guin published Left Hand of Darkness over 50 years ago, addressing topics such as gender and society at the beginning of their upheaval. She creates a world who's creatures are very similar to our own, ones that we can blend in and pass for. Their biology severely differs, an entirely new form of reproduction introduced. Yet our societies are much the same. Corruption still exists, the murder of the main character's best friend as he tries to protect him from authorities, shows that gender might not be the cause of all our problems. There are different sides to this opinion. Some believe gender equality would completely change the world, that everything would be perfect. But I think of something else - it wouldn't be perfect because we still have our human impulses. Fixing one societal problem only proves that we caused it, and it can happen again. Working out all the kinks won't fix anything, there will alw

 "Space madness" is a term I enjoy. It became a popular idea when space travel started. The idea that a human being spending a prolonged amount of time in a claustrophobic and unnatural state in space. Claustrophobia doesn't have to be a small space, it can some times trigger in large open areas, the main defining feature is feeling trapped. And the main character, Mark, is most definitely trapped. Being in a deadly environment, which can only be explored in large, cumbersome outfits is anxiety inducing. Mark finds his own way to cope with "space madness." Alone, abandoned, and fighting for his life, he has to fill every role of the crew in order to survive. Andy Weir does a fantastic job of combining heart pounding moments and filling them with euphoria. You could easily be laughing as Mark died (hypothetically) depending on how he narrates.  

Myth is a common topic of modern novels. Stories like Percy Jackson  and Marvel's Thor  use myth as a basis for characters. Taking the name-sake and key attributes of these mythological beings is common place, and over used. You hear the name "Zeus" and you know its a man in the sky throwing lightning bolts. But a key difference Ananzi Boys  has with them is it's ability to feel like myth. True old myths are complicated and often contradict each other based on where you hear it from. Things don't have to make sense or be properly explained. Arachne being turned into a spider wasn't witch magic, it's just something gods did. Ananzi Boys  pays true homage to historic African mythology, not by using name-sakes, but by telling a modern story in a mythological format.  Characters like Tiger and Spider don't have to be explained physically, they exist in a god-state, not as human or as animal, but sharing properties of both. Ancient myth is all about blendin

I found my favourite part of the novel was waiting to see what new thing Celia and Marco would create. The story was more about the mystery of the challenge, the creativity of the contestants, the history of the contortionist, and the future of Poppy, Widget, and Bailey. I was disappointed with the sudden romance between Celica and Marco, though it was predictable. The "love at first sight" motif doesn't sit well with me, and though the story does seem to focus on "fate" it was just too pushed. I felt there was a specific moment when the story changed ideas, from whimsical mystery to destined lovers. I did however think the author's solution to their game was unique, and the love story was essential to this. I felt bad for Isobel, and that what Marco did was misguided. Isobel is made to be the one at fault and this didn't seem right to me. We know Marco was the one altering Chandresh's memories, and should be at fault for Fredrick's death, but in

Family The Hobbit is well known as the first world building fantasy novel. Tolkien describes in great detail the life, society, and languages of these new races. Authors have tried to replicate the creativity of Tolkien's tales, but I think they all miss something important. Modern novels follow a simple format: love interest, call to action, destiny, and force of evil. Tolkien uses his own format, and this stands out from the rest. There is no set love interest, but relationships matter. Bilbo builds his own family among the dwarves. They forge brotherly bonds, and work as a team. (Though this is disrupted by Thorin's madness later) In the time of the Hobbit, Bilbo is alone, and he likes it that way. His family is broad and stretches to many of the other hobbits mentioned, but they are not bonded like a family. Bilbo's journey (and his Character Arc) is not limited to his bravery, wit, and skill, but also his open-mindedness for others. From Homely to Adventure Bilbo start