Middle-Earth: From Script to Screen by Daniel Falconer

Title: Middle-Earth: From Script to Screen
Author: Daniel Falconer
Genre: Non-Fiction
Series: N/A

Hardcover, 512 Pages
Publication: November 21, 2017 by Harper Design

Source: I received a review copy in exchange for a honest review.

Buy|Amazon|B&N|

Middle-Earth: From Script to Screen tells the complete story of how J. R. R. Tolkien's magic world was brought to vivid life on the big screen in the record-breaking film trilogies The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy and The Hobbit Motion Picture Trilogy. Drawing on resources, stories, and content from the archives of the companies and individuals behind the films, much of which have never appeared in print before, as well as interviews with director Peter Jackson and key members of the Art Department, Shooting Crews, Park Road Post, and Weta Digital teams who share their personal insights on the creative process, this astonishing resource reveals: How the worlds were built, brick by brick and pixel by pixel;How environments were extended digitally or imagined entirely as computer generated spaces;How the multiple shooting units functioned;How cast members and characters interacted with their environments.

I legitimately screamed when I received Middle-Earth: From Script to Screen in the mail. It was like, “how did they know I am a big fan of both film trilogies by Peter Jackson?!” This book is massive, the biggest compendium I’ve ever seen; It’s approximately 10x12 inches, over 500 pages and pretty heavy! I imagine it’d be over 10 pounds, if not more and it is beyond beautiful. The compendium cover consisted of a matte dark forest green with a scenic image of Rivendell as the background and a risen golden decorative border. At the center was the shiny, slightly raised image of the well-known, infamous ring that started it all. Like previous Harper Design compendium, I loved the additional reading ribbon, a golden ribbon that tied everything together. The entire cover design was very cohesive and appeasing to the eyes; another stellar book by Harper Design.

One of my favorite aspect of film is learning about what happened behind the scenes. How the films came to be and all the stages that came in between. Middle-Earth: From Script to Screen is a all-encompassing, in-depth look at the creation of Tolken’s most beloved novels brought to life. The book was full of stunning conceptual artwork, pictures from the films, blueprints, quotes from cast and crew and so much more. Each chapter was dedicated to a key location from the films; such as The Shire, Rivendell, The Misty Mountain, Mirkwood, Rohan, and Mordor to name a few.

Middle-Earth: From Script to Screen is a must-have, must-read for all Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Fans, or any movie aficionado. Everything that you’ve ever wanted to know about Middle-Earth lies with the pages of this stunning book. The labor of love that went into Middle-Earth is evident; I can’t imagine how long it took to compile everything needed for this compendium. Falconer and Harper Design has out did themselves. This book can only be appreciated in person, like art that is displayed in a museum. If you want to truly own a master piece in your own home, then you need this book as part of your personal library. I highly recommend this book to everyone, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Sycamore by Bryn Chancellor

Title: Sycamore
Author: Bryn Chancellor 
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Series: N/A

Hardcover, 336 Pages
Publication: May 9, 2017 by Harper

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Buy|Amazon|B&N|

Out for a hike one scorching afternoon in Sycamore, Arizona, a newcomer to town stumbles across what appear to be human remains embedded in the wall of a dry desert ravine. As news of the discovery makes its way around town, Sycamore’s longtime residents fear the bones may belong to Jess Winters, the teenage girl who disappeared suddenly some eighteen years earlier, an unsolved mystery that has soaked into the porous rock of the town and haunted it ever since. In the days it takes the authorities to make an identification, the residents rekindle stories, rumors, and recollections both painful and poignant as they revisit Jess’s troubled history. In resurrecting the past, the people of Sycamore will find clarity, unexpected possibility, and a way forward for their lives.

Skillfully interweaving multiple points of view, Bryn Chancellor knowingly maps the bloodlines of a community and the indelible characters at its heart—most notably Jess Winters, a thoughtful, promising adolescent poised on the threshold of adulthood. Evocative and atmospheric, Sycamore is a coming-of-age story, a mystery, and a moving exploration of the elemental forces that drive human nature—desire, loneliness, grief, love, forgiveness, and hope—as witnessed through the inhabitants of one small Arizona town. 

Every year there comes one book. One book that is surprising, brilliant, captivating, unputdownable and a must read of the year. And while I’ve read plenty of great novels this year, Sycamore is without a doubt the must read book of 2017. Sycamore is a complex, multifaceted mystery centered around a small town and the disappearance of Jess Winters, a teenager that went missing eighteen years earlier, in the winter of 1991.

With the discovery of bones, Chancellor takes readers on a dark, poignant look at adulthood and the life of adolescence. The book is narrated by an amazing cast of realistic and intriguing characters alternating between the past and present. The past is narrated by none-other then our girl, Jess Winters. We learn of her life upon arriving to Sycamore and all the way up to the day she disappeared. The present is narrated by everyone that knew Jess and who were affected by her one way or another and the newcomer that discovered the mystery set of bones while on a hike; which may or may not be of Jess Winters, the girl that has haunted the town over the years.

I know this is repetitive, me saying this, but I am not a fan of multiple narration. And Sycamore is full of multiple narration. However, I thought it fit this book perfectly. It just worked, and I honestly cannot see it any other way. We got a through and in-depth look at each and everyone’s life, how everyone was before Jess disappeared and after. We got to see first hand, at what one supposedly harmless secret can do; and how it can trigger a chain reaction that those caught in the cross-hair can feel the consequences years down the road. Chancellor’s writing captivated me from the first page and I was on pins and needles as the mystery unfolded till the very end. As the saying goes ‘though all good thing comes to an end’ but I didn’t want the story to be over. I just wanted to soak myself into the story.

The mystery was never much a mystery. But that didn’t stop me from wanting to know how everything played out. The real mystery and best part of the book were the characters that Chancellor so expertly described and brought to life. All the characters had their own distinct voice. I truly felt as if I could see, experience and feel what they felt. The real mystery was the inhabitants of Sycamore. At the start of the book, we see everyone as a relationship to Jess. Dani, Jess’s best friend, Paul, Jess’s boss’s son, Maud, Jess’s mom etc. As the story developed, we saw past everyone’s appearance and labels, to see that everyone had their own secrets, fears, doubts, hopes and dreams…just like Jess had.

The mystery of Sycamore and Jess Winters will pique your interest, but the characters will make you stay. Chancellor’s debut is truly magnificent and the writing is lyrical and poetic. If you can read one book this year, let it be Sycamore. Seriously, pick this book up now, you won’t regret it. Even if you’re not really a fan of mystery or suspense, this book will certainly change that. I absolutely loved Sycamore, it is a literary masterpiece and I know for certain that this book will stay with me for a very long, long time.

Love is Red by Sophie Jaff

Title: Love is Red
Author: Sophie Jaff
Genre: Suspense, Horror, Paranormal
Series: Nightsong #1

Hardcover, 384 pages
Publication: May 12, 2015 by Harper

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Buy|Amazon|B&N|

Katherine Emerson was born to fulfill a dark prophecy centuries in the making, but she isn’t aware that this future awaits. However, there is one man who knows the truth: A killer stalking the women of New York, a monster the media dubs the “Sickle Man” because of the way he turns his victims into canvasses for his mesmerizing, twisted art.

Unleashed upon Manhattan after lying dormant for centuries, the Sickle Man kills to harvest the precious hues of his victims. As his palette grows, so too does his power. Every death brings him closer to the one color, and the one woman, he must possess at any cost.

While the city hunts the Sickle Man, Katherine must decide what to do about two men who have unexpectedly entered her life: handsome and personable David, and alluring yet aloof Sael. Though she’s becoming increasingly torn between them, how well does she really know them? And why is she suddenly plagued by disturbing visions?

Love is Red was bloody fantastic and freakin' scary as hell! The book is follows duo narratives, one with the serial killer dubbed ‘The Sickle Man’ since that is his tool of choice and his main prey Katherine Emerson, a freelance writer. I've read many books that have blended genres, but Jaff takes it to another level, effortlessly combining multiples genres; Horror, Romance, Paranormal, Thriller, Suspense and Mystery all in one package. Jaff’s style of writing grabbed me from the first page. The Sickle Man’s chapters were written in second person, which I don’t think I've ever seen done before and she did it spectacularly. I was seriously disturbed by The Sickle Man yet fascinated by his POV. As for Katherine’s chapters they were written in third person and is for the most part normal. However, a bit pass the midway point the author added a Q&A session Katherine had with a therapist which added another scary-interesting aspect to the novel. The duo narratives in itself was pretty clever all on its own, but to lend a hand to the paranormal part the author also included scans of pages from the book of ‘The Maiden of Morwyn Castle’ which is linked to a prophecy Katherine doesn't know she is part of which I thought was cool.

Speaking of the paranormal, it’s been awhile since a book made me scared, like REALLY scared. I have a tendency to read late at night…I’m talking about at midnight to 1-2 in the morning…which was a bad idea on my part. For example when the painting of a woman suddenly smiles at Katherine or when Katherine saw the same woman from the painting…naked and bleeding standing outside her window. I got major chills and literally had to stop reading! Then again when Lucas talked of his imaginary ladies and drawing special pictures of his ladies, I was super creeped out! You’d think I’d be more scared reading The Sickle Man’s chapters since readers get up close and personal with him; we're able to see what he’s doing to his victims, how he goes about it and what his thoughts are…they’re undoubtedly scary but the scenes with Lucas were more scary….ugh those pennies (You’ll know what I mean when you read it)!

Love is Red was an enthralling and chilling start to a new trilogy which will have readers at the edge of their seat! This is yet another stellar debut I've read in less than 2 days, and so far I love what I’m seeing coming out of 2015. I highly recommend Love is Red to everyone! Jaff not only incorporated many genres, but her writing is hauntingly beautiful with her description of every emotion you can imagine on the human spectrum… it was amazing. And on top of that she adds her own personal spin on the concept of the hunter and the hunted making for a fresh and unique debut! I really loved Love is Red and can’t wait to see what’s in store for Katherine in the next Nightsong book!