Korean Paranormal Fantasy TV Series Review: Goblin (2016) 19 Episodes
Synopsis
Kim Shin (Gong Yoo), a decorated military general from the Goryeo Dynasty, is framed as a traitor and killed by the young king. Years after his death, he is cursed by the almighty to stay immortal forever and endure the pain of seeing his loved ones die as punishment for the kills he committed in the wars to protect his country. He becomes an immortal goblin, helping people with his powers and being a kind man in spite of his grieving past. The only way to put an end to his immortality is the Goblin's bride, whose aid in pulling out the sword will end his painful immortality.
Ji Eun-Tak (Kim Go-eun) is a bubbly high school student who remains cheerful and hopeful despite her tragic life. She summons the goblin by chance and their fates begin to entwine. The Goblin's nephew Yoo Deok-Hwa (Yook Sung-jae) leases the Goblin's house to a Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook) and the two end up living under the same roof. Sunny (Yoo In-na) is a charismatic young lady who runs a chicken shop where Ji Eun-Tak works as a part timer.
As the lives of Kim Shin, Grim Reaper, Ji Eun-Tak and Sunny interweave, a deeper story unfolds, as they are not just strangers who met by chance but people with deep-rooted relations.
***
Guys, gals, if this one doesn't convert you into a fervently passionate fan of k-drama, I don't know what will! As urban fantasy genre goes, this is it. It's Buffy's goofiness and sass with Ilona Andrews' depth of worldbuilding and snappy dialogues.
It's funny, it's sad, poignant and so freaking beautiful... Of course, I cried in the end, and I just know this drama and its heroes will stay with me for a long time.
All four characters have a fantastic chemistry. Kim Shin, the immortal general is what Christopher Lambert wished he could have been as Highlander! There is no doom and gloom here, he is goofy, snarky, awkward with trying to catch up with all the technological advances, but underneath it all is this incredible weariness and sadness. He is tired of caring for people and watching them die while he carries on. The possibility of this cute little cheeky girl as his bride who can end his immortality is met with huge cinicism and disbelief. He's been there, got the t-shirt and had enough of hope.
The beauty of his curse is that the more he meets Eun-Tak, the more he gets to know her, the more he wants to live. She brings back all the forgotten feelings: seeing joy in small things, feeling warmth of someone's touch through hugs, experiencing wonder of new places and people. She is hungry for life, she has been barely surviving for years, and this opportunity she grabs with both hands.
Grim Reaper who is forced to share a house with Goblin is just as amazing character. He starts the series as an unmoving bureaucrat, who loves his paperwork and strictly adheres to the rules, but the more he interacts with Goblin and the people in his orbit, the more his character unravels. You see, fate brought them all together to resolve things which were left unfinished many centuries ago, and no matter how much they want to fight against it, it will prevail.
Be ready to laugh and cry, folks. I was definitely gulping back tears in some episodes,and the ending left me wrung out, empty and at the same time very satisfied. It's available on Viki app, so give it a go and let me know what you think in the comments.
Release Day Fantasy Romance Review: Dragon Unleashed by Grace Draven
Dragon Unleashed by Grace Draven (The Fallen Empire #2)
ecopy courtesy of the publisher
Synopsis from Goodreads
A dragon
shapeshifter and a healer with power over the earth fight a corrupt
empire in this thrilling and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.
Magic is outlawed in the Krael Empire and punishable by death. Born with the gift of earth magic, the free trader Halani keeps her dangerous secret closely guarded. When her uncle buys a mysterious artifact, a piece of bone belonging to a long-dead draga, Halani knows it's far more than what it seems.
Dragas haven't been seen for more than a century, and most believe them extinct. They're wrong. Dragas still walk among the denizens of the Empire, disguised as humans. Malachus is a draga living on borrowed time. The magic that has protected him will soon turn on him--unless he finds a key part of his heritage. He has tracked it to a group of free traders, among them a grave-robbing earth witch who fascinates him as much as she frustrates him with her many secrets.
Unbeknownst to both, the Empire's twisted empress searches for a draga of her own, to capture and kill as a trophy. As Malachus the hunter becomes the hunted, Halani must risk herself and all she loves to save him from the Empire's machinations and his own lethal birthright.
Magic is outlawed in the Krael Empire and punishable by death. Born with the gift of earth magic, the free trader Halani keeps her dangerous secret closely guarded. When her uncle buys a mysterious artifact, a piece of bone belonging to a long-dead draga, Halani knows it's far more than what it seems.
Dragas haven't been seen for more than a century, and most believe them extinct. They're wrong. Dragas still walk among the denizens of the Empire, disguised as humans. Malachus is a draga living on borrowed time. The magic that has protected him will soon turn on him--unless he finds a key part of his heritage. He has tracked it to a group of free traders, among them a grave-robbing earth witch who fascinates him as much as she frustrates him with her many secrets.
Unbeknownst to both, the Empire's twisted empress searches for a draga of her own, to capture and kill as a trophy. As Malachus the hunter becomes the hunted, Halani must risk herself and all she loves to save him from the Empire's machinations and his own lethal birthright.
8/10
* * *
I've
read Dragon Unleashed within a week of starting it, but had to
re-arrange my thoughts for a few weeks before I was comfortable enough
to share them with you.
Tags:
8/10,
dragons,
fantasy,
grace draven,
healer,
romance,
грэйс дрэйвен,
драконы,
лекарь,
роман,
фэнтези
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Paranormal Fantasy Review: Semi-Psychic Life by Elizabeth Hunter
Semi-Psychic Life by Elizabeth Hunter (Glimmer Lake #2)
ecopy courtesy of the author
Synopsis from Goodreads
Who says you can’t live the rock and roll life after forty?
You just need a lot more vitamins and a bigger bottle of aspirin.
Valerie Costa was pretty sure she was rocking her forties. She had an amazing coffee shop, two cool teenagers, and a new superpower that gave her insight into any random object she touched.
Okay, she wasn’t thrilled about that last one.
Ever since Val and her two best friends had driven their car off the edge and into Glimmer Lake the year before, Val has struggled with her new abilities. She’s not exactly sure she wants to be psychic, she could live without her newfound glove addiction, and honestly no one wants to know that much about their teenage sons.
But when Val’s ex-husband goes missing, and police show up at her door with questions she can’t answer, Val, Robin, and Monica are going to have to use their sudden psychic abilities to solve a mystery none of them saw coming.
Semi-Psychic Life is a standalone paranormal women’s fiction novel in the Glimmer Lake series by USA Today bestseller, Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Elemental Mysteries and the Irin Chronicles.
Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | The Book Depository
8.5/10
* * *
First of all, not surprisingly, I loved it. What's not to love, boys and girls? Paranormal cosy mystery, check. Middle-aged, settled into their own skin and their friendships heroines, check. A sexy sheriff in a small town, rawrrr! Check. A punk, rebellious, interesting heroine with a snarkalicious attitude and a swanky coffee shop, check.Korean Romantic Drama TV Series Review: Extraordinary You (2019)
Extraordinary You (2019)
Korean Romantic Drama TV Series
16 episodes
Completed
Watched on Netflix
Synopsis from MyDramaList
What would you do if you found out that you were, in fact, a character in a comic? And an extra character on top of that? Change the course of the story, obviously! Eun Dan Oh is a 17-year-old high-school student from a wealthy family who suffers from a lifelong heart condition that inevitably means she will not live past her teenage years. However, when Dan Oh realizes she is experiencing long gaps in her memory as well, she comes into the unhappy inheritance of another fact in her life: she is a character in a Korean webtoon and all of her actions are predetermined by the artist who draws her. To make matters worse, she discovers she is only a supporting character in the cast. With her newfound understanding of the world she inhabits, she is determined to find true love in her own plot-line and circumvent the author’s plans for her character by utilizing the flashes of storyboard she alone is able to see. (Source: onehallyu) ~~ Adapted from the webcomic series "July Found by Chance” by Moo Ryoo.
8.5/10
* * *
I finished it last night at 1AM and cried my eyes out. Here, I fully admit it.
To me, in many ways, Asian dramas are an extension of my love of all things fantasy, and especially urban fantasy. They feel fresh, pure and raw. In contrast, for quite a few last years I've been struggling to stay interested in Western TV series and movies, and then gave up. They make me tired, they are jaded and cynical, and I want something emotionally uplifting instead.
Extraordinary You delivers in spectacular fashion. The premise is fantastic. An extra in a comic book suddenly snap out of character which she is forced into on stage and discovers that she, Eun Dan-oh is completely different underneath. She is chafing against her doormat of a character who is forever moping about, is potentially dying soon from a weak heart and loves a man who despises her. Instead, she is determined to live her life to the fullest between scenes in the comic book and change her fate.
Her force of character allows her to discover an even more insignificant extra in the comic book who has the strange power to alter scenes on the stage and warp the continuity of the plot creating a butterfly effect. Soon, more and more characters are waking up and walk the strange balance between the cliched comic book and their actual life.
Dan-Oh and Ha-Ru develop strong feelings for each other and discover that underneath the light romantic plot of their comic book there is another sinister layer, and it leads to many struggles and heartbreak, but above it all, there is an overwhelming hope in the power of their love for each other.
I really don't want to give you any spoilers, but I loved this series! Dan-Oh and Ha-Ru characters are magnetic and have beautiful chemistry. Dan-Oh's stage fiance is not as villainous as we are led to believe and has layers of character which were wonderful to peel off. The supporting characters are pretty memorable too. I had a kick out of all the things which were left unsaid and were played out with the eyes and the way people were holding their bodies. It's like they were these whole hidden silent dialogues in between words.
Overall, a fantastic plot, great acting and an uplifting, emotional story. Loved it, recommended.
Online Gaming TV Series Review: The King's Avatar (2019)
The King's Avatar (2019) Chinese TV Series
watched on Netflix
Synopsis from MyDramaList
In the multiplayer online game Glory, Ye Xiu is well known as the textbook level expert and a top-tier player. Due to a series of circumstances he was forcefully expelled out of his professional team. After leaving the pro gaming scene he resides at an Internet Café employed as one of the managers. When Glory launches the tenth server he throws himself into the game once more. Equipped with ten years of gaming experience, memories of the past, and an incomplete self-made weapon. His journey back to the top begins.
40 episodes
finished
9/10
* * *
Guys, guys, I think I binge-watched the whole series in a week - week and a half, tops. This was sooo good!First of all, this is based on anime series, and while I haven't watched the original, the adaptation was awesome. The non-romantic plot (thank god! because it definitely did not need any romance), the tension between main characters and the magnificent online fight sequences, individual and group-based. Any lover of online gaming and urban fantasy would appreciate the kick-assery of it all.
Tags:
9/10,
Chinese,
cinderella,
esports,
fantasy,
online gaming,
series,
tv,
world of warcraft,
WoW
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Historical Fantasy Audiobook Review: The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden
The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden (Winternight Trilogy #1)
bought
Synopsis from Goodreads
At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn't mind—she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse's fairy tales. Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, who appears in the frigid night to claim unwary souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil.
After Vasilisa's mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa's new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.
And indeed, crops begin to fail, evil creatures of the forest creep nearer, and misfortune stalks the village. All the while, Vasilisa's stepmother grows ever harsher in her determination to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for either marriage or confinement in a convent.
As danger circles, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed—this, in order to protect her family from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse's most frightening tales.
Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | Audible US/UK | Book Depository
9/10
* * *
There are two books which left me completely satisfied with their portrayal of Russian fairytales by non-native writers in recent years. One is Deathless by Catherynne M.Valente, another one is The Bear and The Nightingale.Miss Arden expertly blends post-Ivan the Terrible historical period with the fairytales I grew up with. It's a charmed listen steeped in the same darkness and urgency I felt reading Naomi Novik books, and what's most important for a Russian reader, it rings true. All the little details, all the non-butchered little names, the correct pronunciation and the rightfully respectful address, it was a pleasure to listen to. I was transported with the expert narration right from the beginning.
High Fantasy Early Review: The Queen's Bargain by Anne Bishop
The Queen's Bargain by Anne Bishop (The Black Jewels #10)
ARC courtesy of Ace
Synopsis from Goodreads
POWER HAS A PRICE. SO DOES LOVE.
Return to the dark, sensual, and powerful world of the Black Jewels in this long-awaited new story in the New York Times bestselling fantasy saga
After a youthful mistake, Lord Dillon’s reputation is in tatters,
leaving him vulnerable to aristo girls looking for a bit of fun. To
restore his reputation and honor, he needs a handfast—a one-year contract of marriage. He sets his sights on Jillian, a young Eyrien witch from Ebon Rih, who he believes has only a flimsy connection to the noble society that spurned him. Unfortunately for Dillon, he is unaware of Jillian’s true connections until he finds himself facing Lucivar Yaslana, the volatile Warlord Prince of Ebon Rih.
Meanwhile, Surreal SaDiablo’s marriage is crumbling. Daemon Sadi, the Warlord Prince of Dhemlan, recognizes there is something wrong between him and Surreal, but he doesn’t realize that his attempt to suppress his own nature in order to spare his wife is causing his mind to splinter. To save Daemon, and the Realm of Kaeleer if he breaks, help must be sought from someone who no longer exists in any of the Realms—the only
Queen powerful enough to control Daemon Sadi. The Queen known as Witch.
As Jillian rides the winds of first love with Dillon, Daemon and Surreal struggle to survive the wounds of a marriage turned stormy—and Lucivar has to find a way to keep everyone in his family safe…even from each other.
Release date: March 10, 2020.
Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | Audible US/UK | Book Depository
9/10
* * *
This was like a long-awaited reunion among old friends. I missed them all and I loved to have them back.Urban Fantasy Early Review: Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs
Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson #12)
advanced reader copy courtesy of Ace
Synopsis from Goodreads
Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, faces a threat unlike any other in this thrilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
I am Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman.
My only “superpowers” are that I turn into a thirty-five pound coyote and fix Volkswagens. But I have friends in odd places and a pack of werewolves at my back. It looks like I’m going to need them.
Centuries ago, the fae dwelt in Underhill–until she locked her doors against them. They left behind their great castles and troves of magical artifacts. They abandoned their prisoners and their pets. Without the fae to mind them, those creatures who remained behind roamed freely through Underhill wreaking havoc. Only the deadliest survived.
Now one of those prisoners has escaped. It can look like anyone, any creature it chooses. But if it bites you, it controls you. It lives for chaos and destruction. It can make you do anything–even kill the person you love the most. Now it is here, in the Tri-Cities. In my territory.
It won’t, can’t, remain.
Not if I have anything to say about it.
Release Date: March 17th, 2020.
Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK | Audible US/UK | The Book Depository
9/10
* * *
As much as I couldn't get into the previous Mercy's book on audio, I feared I lost my interest in this series. Never fear! Now I'm thinking it was just the audio format itself that I didn't like because Smoke Bitten was superb!I devoured this book, everything in it was perfect. Two reasons.
Paranormal Fantasy Review: Suddenly Psychic by Elizabeth Hunter
Suddenly Psychic by Elizabeth Hunter (Glimmer Lake #1)
review copy courtesy of the author
Synopsis from Goodreads
Every woman goes through changes in their forties.
Just not… these changes.
Robin Brannon was a normal wife, mom, and antique shop owner until a brush with death turned her day-to-day life upside down. Now she and her two best friends are seeing things that belong in a fantasy novel. Ghosts. Visions. Omens of doom. Nothing that belongs in the peaceful mountain town they call home.
Added to that, Robin’s marriage is on the rocks, her grandmother’s health is failing, her mother is driving away the customers at her shop, her teenage daughter refuses to get her drivers’ license, and her left knee aches every darn morning.
Robin doesn’t have the time, energy, or knees to unearth the secrets buried at the bottom of Glimmer Lake, but fate doesn’t seem to care. Some secrets are just dying to be exposed.
Suddenly Psychic is a stand-alone paranormal women’s fiction, and the first book in the Glimmer Lake series by USA Today Bestseller, Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Elemental Mysteries.
Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK
8.5/10
* * *
If you can describe this book with one word, you'd use the word "enchanting".There is something about it, cosy, mysterious, secret, atmospheric and hidden that just kept pulling my strings.It actually reminded me of one of the first paranormal books I've ever read - Dance Upon The Air by Nora Roberts from Three Sisters Island series. It's got that secluded, shut from the world, disconnected from the outsiders feel to it.
Tags:
8.5/10,
elizabeth hunter,
fantasy,
ghosts,
paranormal,
паранормал,
призраки,
фэнтези,
элизабет хантер
|
0
comments
Five Interesting Dramas You Should Be Watching
Hello, my lovely readers!
I am sorry it's been so long since I've last written on this blog. Farming took over every aspect of our life and consumed us both. I hardly have time to read and even less time to review. I am very sorry for the silence again.
What I wanted to share with you is my last 5 finds in Drama world before I kickstart my reviewing again, because they have been absolutely delightful.
Are you ready? Here you go!
Number One is COFFEE PRINCE.
I know, I know! I am late with my appreciation, as it came out in 2007 but guys, this is seriously good.
It has one of my favourite tropes in romance - cross-dressing. The girl looks like a boy, boy falls for the girl, questions his sexuality, fights the attraction, gives in and decides to love the person no matter the gender, and it ends with happy for now like most Korean dramas. Classic romantic angst and a lot of tension. I could eat it with a spoon.
Number Two is RADIO ROMANCE.
Filmed in 2018 this is another classic trope.
The hero is ice cold and emotionally stunted, but a warm, passionate heroine thaws him out. He is a famous actor who is scouted by her to become a DJ on the radio. What she doesn't realise is that she is his childhood sweetheart and he still has feelings for her which come out in a very childish way by the way (see, emotionally stunted).
This is a really warmhearted and sweet TV series, and it'll definitely be a good mood enhancer if you are feeling a bit down.
Number Three is CHEESE IN THE TRAP.
Oh My God, this was total catnip.
The hero is an absolute antihero. A great manipulator with a good, popular boy attitude and a creepy smile. The heroine has always seen through him and kept way away until she got accused of doing something he did and snapped back at him.
Then he gets obsessed with her and tries not only to woo her but help her when she continuously gets into trouble. Only his manner of solving problems comes out wrong again and again and hurts her even more.
It's twisted and they are both very odd ducks, but their chemistry is off the charts and I loved the ambiguous ending. Honestly, if you decide to watch one thing out of this list, watch this one, and then tell me what you think.
Number Four is MY CONTRACTED HUSBAND, MR.OH.
Sweet and touching and hits close to home.
Basically, it's about a man living in remote countryside in seclusion and his complete opposite, a dynamic career woman from Seol.
Through the weirdest twist of fate, they are put together and walk into a fake marriage to save the woman from a killer who targeted her as a single woman.
Yeah, I know how it sounds, but believe me, it works. It takes a lot to make their relationship work, and they both change through it in the loveliest way. I adored this tv series, it was such a feel-good storyline.
Number Five is NAGI'S LONG VACATION.
Japanese TV has been the hardest to process so far, but this little gem convinced me to give it ago.
It's so odd, self-searching and awkwardly lovely, it reminded me of Penny Reid books.
All these pent up feelings! My god, how these people haven't burst yet?! It's clever and the acting is fabulous, plus everyone learns something about themselves at the end and conquers their fears.
Definitely, not for everyone, but recommended nevertheless.
And that's it for now.
Any good tv series you've been watching recently?
I am sorry it's been so long since I've last written on this blog. Farming took over every aspect of our life and consumed us both. I hardly have time to read and even less time to review. I am very sorry for the silence again.
What I wanted to share with you is my last 5 finds in Drama world before I kickstart my reviewing again, because they have been absolutely delightful.
Are you ready? Here you go!
I know, I know! I am late with my appreciation, as it came out in 2007 but guys, this is seriously good.
It has one of my favourite tropes in romance - cross-dressing. The girl looks like a boy, boy falls for the girl, questions his sexuality, fights the attraction, gives in and decides to love the person no matter the gender, and it ends with happy for now like most Korean dramas. Classic romantic angst and a lot of tension. I could eat it with a spoon.
Filmed in 2018 this is another classic trope.
The hero is ice cold and emotionally stunted, but a warm, passionate heroine thaws him out. He is a famous actor who is scouted by her to become a DJ on the radio. What she doesn't realise is that she is his childhood sweetheart and he still has feelings for her which come out in a very childish way by the way (see, emotionally stunted).
This is a really warmhearted and sweet TV series, and it'll definitely be a good mood enhancer if you are feeling a bit down.
Oh My God, this was total catnip.
The hero is an absolute antihero. A great manipulator with a good, popular boy attitude and a creepy smile. The heroine has always seen through him and kept way away until she got accused of doing something he did and snapped back at him.
Then he gets obsessed with her and tries not only to woo her but help her when she continuously gets into trouble. Only his manner of solving problems comes out wrong again and again and hurts her even more.
It's twisted and they are both very odd ducks, but their chemistry is off the charts and I loved the ambiguous ending. Honestly, if you decide to watch one thing out of this list, watch this one, and then tell me what you think.
Sweet and touching and hits close to home.
Basically, it's about a man living in remote countryside in seclusion and his complete opposite, a dynamic career woman from Seol.
Through the weirdest twist of fate, they are put together and walk into a fake marriage to save the woman from a killer who targeted her as a single woman.
Yeah, I know how it sounds, but believe me, it works. It takes a lot to make their relationship work, and they both change through it in the loveliest way. I adored this tv series, it was such a feel-good storyline.
Japanese TV has been the hardest to process so far, but this little gem convinced me to give it ago.
It's so odd, self-searching and awkwardly lovely, it reminded me of Penny Reid books.
All these pent up feelings! My god, how these people haven't burst yet?! It's clever and the acting is fabulous, plus everyone learns something about themselves at the end and conquers their fears.
Definitely, not for everyone, but recommended nevertheless.
And that's it for now.
Any good tv series you've been watching recently?
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