strange things afoot
Seanan McGuire has finally started a book series that doesn't work for me. I've read either two or three novels in her Wayward Children series. In theory, I like the premise: a school for teens who are stuck back in our world, after having strayed into other worlds. Most hope to return to those other worlds, but that outcome is in doubt. For whatever reason--maybe too much dark whimsy?--these books just don't keep my interest in the same way as her other works. It wasn't a "skip to the end" situation; McGuire's prose is competent (even beautiful in these books, because it's more fitting to the characters and situations), her plotting capable. I'm just not going to buy more in this series in the future.
I've seen the first three episodes of Stranger Things, season three. I am not fond of the extremes in the writing for Jim Hopper. It's plausible that he struggles with dealing with his emotions and taking care of a teenage girl, and even figuring out how to date the woman he obviously cares about; however, they've taken it to the point where I'm disliking Hopper. I mean, hopefully it's leading to him getting better at these things, but in the meantime... meh.
Also: the Russians as villains, another meh.
I was almost to the point of stopping, but toward the end of episode three, the pace picked up. Also, I enjoy the "Max and El are friends" part, as well as the "Robin exists" part. (I don't care if Steve dates her or not, although it's something of a foregone conclusion that he will. I just like her.)
I'm not super-interested in Billy's potential redemption (I don't really care either way), but I actually do wonder how much of Billy is left inside the current Billy shell. Kudos to the hair, makeup, and wardrobe team, as well as the actor, for making him so supremely loathsome in spite of his young age.
One less enjoyable element to the Billy storyline was seeing that other lifeguard abducted and then crying in fear when presented to the monster. Just yikes. On the other hand, seeing her incapacitate her parents (also creepy and scary!) is part of what brought my interest level up a notch. So, for now, I'm continuing.
Posted at Dreamwidth: https://rose-griffes.dreamwidth.org/313667.html. Comment where you wish.
I've seen the first three episodes of Stranger Things, season three. I am not fond of the extremes in the writing for Jim Hopper. It's plausible that he struggles with dealing with his emotions and taking care of a teenage girl, and even figuring out how to date the woman he obviously cares about; however, they've taken it to the point where I'm disliking Hopper. I mean, hopefully it's leading to him getting better at these things, but in the meantime... meh.
Also: the Russians as villains, another meh.
I was almost to the point of stopping, but toward the end of episode three, the pace picked up. Also, I enjoy the "Max and El are friends" part, as well as the "Robin exists" part. (I don't care if Steve dates her or not, although it's something of a foregone conclusion that he will. I just like her.)
I'm not super-interested in Billy's potential redemption (I don't really care either way), but I actually do wonder how much of Billy is left inside the current Billy shell. Kudos to the hair, makeup, and wardrobe team, as well as the actor, for making him so supremely loathsome in spite of his young age.
One less enjoyable element to the Billy storyline was seeing that other lifeguard abducted and then crying in fear when presented to the monster. Just yikes. On the other hand, seeing her incapacitate her parents (also creepy and scary!) is part of what brought my interest level up a notch. So, for now, I'm continuing.
Posted at Dreamwidth: https://rose-griffes.dreamwidth.org/313667.html. Comment where you wish.