Hell's Gate by Dean Koontz

He was a murderer. Beyond that, he can't remember anything about his past. He is even unsure of his name. Victor Salsbury was supposed to be dead, but he thinks he is that same man. A man with a mission, Victor acts out orders from someone, or something. Where these orders come from he doesn't know. He does not even know why he has to do them, only that he has to and because he might find some answers. The few clues to his identity only add to the mystery; a machine he knows instinctively is called 810-40.04 and some items he needs for his mission were prepared for him.

He was alone until a dog came to him. Intrepid became a constant companion since. Then he meets a woman named Lynda while fulfilling his mission. All the while he still can't make sense of everything. Not until he found they were threatened by some strange creatures he has seen on the wall in his house.

One of Dean Koontz's earlier novels, Hell's Gate has the distinct Koontz elements found in his recent books: a complex lead character with an unknown past and a dark mission; a cute dog and lovely woman for company; ruthless antagonists; and a revelation on a cosmic scale. The pace is slower in the first when Victor is still looking for clues while performing the preliminaries of his mission. It will pick up when he meets Lynda and discovers that a dead man has his identity. I think fans will enjoy this short novel as much as I did.

Rating: 8 out of 10

The Arabian Nights Entertainments selected and edited by Andrew Lang

This is an English version of  Monsieur Galland's French translation of the tales, collectively called One Thousand and One Nights. Andrew Lang selected only thirteen stories. The poetry and the passages that didn't seem to make sense but the original authors thought funny were dropped. The stories were collected over centuries from different parts of what is now the Middle East and South Asia. In this version, the events supposedly occurred during the reign of Caliph Haroun al Raschid in Bagdad [Note: I retained the spelling of the names found in the book].

At the beginning of the story King Schariar of Persia was introduced as a ruler who took many wives, each of whom is executed after marriage because he thinks that all women are like his brother's unfaithful wife. Finally when Schariar's grand-vizir could no longer find a suitable bride, the vizir's daughter Scheherazade offered herself. She claimed she knows how to stop the king from ordering more women to be executed. She and her sister Dinarzade devised a plan so that Scheherazade can tell stories every night. The curious king postpones the execution every night to hear more of the stories. This lasted for 1,001 nights. Included in this version of One Thousand and One Nights are the following stories:

The Story of the Merchant and the Genius

The Story of the Fisherman

Story of the Three Calenders, Sons of Kings, and of Five Ladies of Bagdad

The Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor

The Little Hunchback

The Adventures of Prince Camaralzaman and the Princess Badoura

Noureddin and the Fair Persian

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

The Adventures of Haroun-al-Raschid, Caliph of Bagdad

Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad

The Enchanted Horse

The Story of Two Sisters Who Were Jealous of their Younger Sister

Most of the stories have shorter stories in them told by some characters. This might be a bit confusing but overall it's fun to read. Expect differences in content from other versions of One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights. There are also omissions in the stories as stated in the introduction of the book. I find the basis for omissions amateurish so I recommend this only for light reading and as one of many reference books. Readers who are not used to classic works might find the repetitions of statements unnecessary but overall the book is reader-friendly.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Blood and Bone by Ian C. Esslemont

The fifth installment of the Novels of the Malazan Empire, Blood and Bone, is set in mysterious Jacuruku where the even more strange Himatan lies. This rainforest, known for its link to the spirit world and is supposedly Ardata's domain, is alive with strange creatures and notorious for its hostile conditions. In the tradition of the Malazan world, this book has unforgettable characters and a complex storyline. The scenes are narrated by select characters and the sequence of events is straightforward. The events in the book happen relatively within the same period as the tenth book of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Crippled God.

The tribes of Jacuruku have decided to invade the seat of the Thaumaturgs' power. Led by a man known only as Warleader, the conflicting natives set aside their petty wars to unseat the mages. The journey of this contingent is mostly told from the perspective of the young prince Jatal who wants to get rid of the stigma as just a powerless scholar. The Thaumaturgs on the other hand have decided to try to conquer Himatan once again to find the mythical city of Jakal Viharn. Meanwhile a group led by Skinner, the Disavowed, search for powerful pieces they call Shards which are parts of the Fallen God. However, they are not the only ones who are after the shards; a certain Ascendant tries to get her hands on one but a group of ex-Malazan soldiers outwit her. More players decide to join the game as K'azz, the reputed leader of the Crimson Guard, receives a request from Ardata. A girl named Saeng discovers a mission she has to fulfill. what's more, Osserc also appears in an important role since House of Chains.

While Thaumaturgs and some of the others search for more power and knowledge, the others are looking for purpose, belonging, and acceptance. The Thaumaturgs' view the world as a phenomenon to be studied; even life has purposes and mechanisms that can be revealed through study. The more superstitious tribes see this approach as cold-hearted and inhumane; true understanding instead can be acquired by communing with nature and the spirits.

Skinner's motivation to acquire power might be compared to the Warleader's motives for seeking to conquer the mages. The Warleader seems to have a lot of knowledge and confidence in achieving this and that is why he is eager to seize every opportunity even if it means sacrificing a few people. These self-serving men are in contrast to the passive Osserc who would rather avoid doing anything, as well as the indifferent K'azz who seems submissive.

Esslemont's description of Himatan's conditions is impressive. His images of the unpredictability of the weather and the hostility of the surroundings in a rainforest were spot-on (you might say it's a bit exaggerated but I live in a tropical country after all). The atmosphere is oppressive and even more unforgiving than the deserts of Seven Cities. In the previous Malazan books, including Erikson's, the setting isn't as critical in the development of the story as the characters; in Blood and Bone however, both the setting and character development are equally given importance. Not all of Blood and Bone is about fighting, intrigue, and personal struggles; it has humor as well. Like most Malazan books, the story might seem complicated to first-time readers and even to a few who have read a few books, but Esslemont handled it well. His imagery in particular is commendable.

Although this can probably be read as a stand-alone book, I don't think its brilliance will be fully appreciated if the reader isn't used to the complicated Malazan world. As for the Malazan fans, it would be a shame to miss this. There are more hints about so many mysteries in previous books and even more mysteries that need clues. Isn't that why we love the Malazan books so much?

Rating: 10 out of 10

Prince of Persia Trilogy

Prince of Persia Trilogy is a reboot of the three separate games of the same series. The Sands of Time, Warrior Within, and The Two Thrones have enhanced graphics for better gaming experience. For those who have already played this series, there aren't a lot of changes; while for those who haven't tried Prince of Persia, this is one of the best game series there is so I wouldn't recommend missing it.

I enjoyed this series for the Prince's unique fighting style (and who wouldn't enjoy using the sand powers?) and a compelling story with an unforgettable character.

The Sands of Time

When King Sharaman and his son the Prince conquered the Maharajah's kingdom in India, they took with them several treasures including an Hourglass which supposedly contains the Sands of Time that can be unlocked by a dagger. The Prince took this dagger as a present to his father. The Maharajah's daughter, Farah was also taken hostage. Meanwhile the Maharajah's Vizier offered his services to Sharaman. This same Vizier wanted the power of the sands of time and by tricking the Prince to use the dagger, he was able to unleash the sands from the hourglass, plunging Sharaman's kingdom into chaos. The palace occupants turned into monsters and most likely Sharaman himself is probably corrupted. It's up to the Prince and Farah, who were somehow immune to the effects of the sands, to do something about it. They figured that if they can return the sands in the hourglass, they can probably reverse everything that has happened.

First-time players of Prince of Persia will be introduced to the Prince's signature acrobatic skills such  as climbing, jumping, and hanging from walls or poles. This game is mostly about overcoming obstacles to get from one place to the next. The fights are simpler compared to the succeeding games but players have to keep in mind that the Prince's fighting style is all about agility, so it will be a bit of challenge relying just on his strength. Learning to use his skills and the environment will make the battles more enjoyable. The Prince will also have to fight alongside Farah, which can be a bit tricky because you have to keep an eye on her. The Prince's magic is very useful and is one of the best things about this series.

The last part of the game is very tricky because the Prince loses the dagger. The player will therefore have to rely on the Prince's acrobatic skills alone without the magic. Make one mistake and you will have to redo this stage. The game might seem easy until you get to this point.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Warrior Within

In this sequel to Sands of Time, the Prince finds himself a target of a strange creature called the Dahaka. Dahaka supposedly guards the timeline or is a manifestation of timeline/fate. The Prince was supposed to die when he messed with the sands of time but he managed to avoid it. Consequently the Dahaka is after him to make sure that what is written in the timeline will be fulfilled. The prince sought advise from an old man, but he was told he can never change his fate; nevertheless, he still has to try. The only way to do so is to visit the Island of Time and find a way to prevent the Empress of Time from creating the sands. What's more, a strange creature seems to be tracking his progress. The story has two endings, one of which will be the basis for the opening of Two Thrones.

This is a lot trickier and challenging than The Sands of Time. The Prince literally will play with time as he travels both in past and present to evade the Dahaka. The bosses are stronger (and bigger) and the puzzles more complicated. It's important to keep a sharp eye on the surroundings so you wouldn't miss a room/door/item. A good memory of the map in both the past and present will also help. There are a lot of collectibles and upgrades that are easy to miss. The life upgrades in particular will also affect which of the two endings will be available. In this game, magic is your lifeline. You will find yourself relying on your sand powers more in this game.

The theme is darker compared to the previous game. The Prince is reminded by Dahaka's appearance that he's supposed to be dead. The first time I played this I jumped out of my seat when Dahaka first appeared. I think that frightening thought that he might appear somewhere kept me going and added to the excitement of the game. The background music during the chases reinforced the theme. The Prince is literally alone in this fight.

I like this game because it has depth. It might be too dark a theme compared to The Sands of Time but it acknowledges a part of us we can't shake off easily just like the Dahaka. The Prince was pushed to his limits because of his despair. When he was at his lowest, he became stronger by acknowledging his weakness. This point in the game will affect the story in The Two Thrones.

Rating: 10 out of 10

The Two Thrones

Although the Prince managed to defeat Dahaka (in one of the endings), the old man's counsel in Warrior Within was unfortunately a truth he cannot avoid. Coming home to Babylon with another character (I'm not supposed to reveal who), he finds that his city is under attack. Puzzled and disheartened at the sight of the burning city, he is separated from his companion. He discovers that he didn't have to create the sands of time himself after all (this was his goal in Warrior Within), but the Vizier found a way to do just that. Thus, the Prince's success in Warrior Within was for nothing. He now has to confront a more powerful Vizier and the Vizier's army to save himself and the city.

It may seem that there are fewer bosses, but some parts of this game are more difficult than the previous two. Even acquiring the life upgrades is trickier. Mastery of the Prince's acrobatic skills will be tested endlessly here. Planning and timing is most important because he is fighting alone; although it does not mean that there are fewer conversations throughout the game. The Prince has a companion whose voice he could hear.

This game also has some surprises. One particular scene was difficult but quite enjoyable. What's more, right after that was a boss fight. Unlike Warrior Within, it doesn't explore the Prince's character much so the player can focus more on fighting and finding a way to get to the Vizier. I also like how the last part of the story is connected to the first scene in The Sands of Time.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Rating (Overall): 9 out of 10

Amnesia

A girl wakes up having no recollection of her past and even her identity. Her only clue is a spirit named Orion, who claims it's his fault that she lost her memories, and the people who claim to be her friends and co-workers at a maid cafe. Orion promised the girl he will help her piece together her past. Throughout the series, the heroine of Amnesia has no name.

Add to the confusion is her seemingly close relationship with some of the men and a mysterious guy she met on the street who seems to know something about her. On her first waking moment, 8 A.M. August 1, a guy named Shin identifies himself as her boyfriend. All seemed to be going well until she wakes up again on the same time and day and this time with another love interest. She managed to retain her previous memory with her different lovers but even then she still has no clue what's going on. It seems however that a guy named Ukyo has figured something out.

From left: Shin, Ikki, Kent, Toma, Ukyo, and Orion

The story got me hooked right away. Although admittedly the heroine's manners annoy me, at times she can be resourceful and quick to grasp the situation. I guess her temperament and her moments of brilliance complement the different personalities of her lovers. The supporting cast were not just accessories to fill in her background but they played their parts as well by adding more confusion to the clues handed out to her. As for the her lovers, each guy was given equal time (maybe Toma could have had more screen time) to give her some idea what to do at the end of the series.

Amnesia is based on a dating game and so one would naturally expect it to be all just about romance. I loved it more for its suspense and mystery. The thrill of not knowing what will happen next and what clues will come up put me on the edge of the seat. I found myself eagerly looking forward to the next episode. Those who will love this 12-episode series from the get-go can easily finish it within a day.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Ginyuu Mokushiroku Meine Liebe Wieder

The adventures of Orphe, Ed, Lui, Camu, Naoji, and Isaac continue in this second installment of the series. The aftermath of the king's failed assassination attempt seemed peaceful. This time however, each of the Strahl candidates has to confront his past to determine if he is fit to become a public servant. In the first series, Orphe's and Ed's past were the highlights. This time the other three take the spotlight. It might seem at first glance that these nobleman live carefree lives, but the series shows that they too have to overcome personal challenges before they can even face bigger problems ahead in their careers.

Compared to the first season, this series has more action and character development. Tension from the failed assassination attempt is further built up here in the disappearance of the headmaster. The Strahl candidates also have to cope with the new academy rules and threats from outside. Overall, the second season has made up for some of the missing elements in the first season. Still, it's still lacking. The characters are glorified too much for their abilities yet there isn't a lot of proof to such claims.

Rating: 6 out of 6

Ginyuu Mokushiroku Meine Liebe

This first of a two-season series introduces the viewer to the students of the elite Strahl class of Rozenstolz Academy. These future advisors of the royal palace of Kuchen were chosen for their brains and prestigious family backgrounds. 

Although they enjoyed the peaceful and competitive atmosphere of the academy, the students were about to have a taste of what it's like to play with dirty politics. Orphe, Ed, Lui, Camu, Naoji and the undercover spy/writer Isaac Cavendish discover a plot to assassinate the king. Despite being students and with unknown people working against them, the five Strahl candidates will try to stop the attempt.

As mentioned above, most of the episodes introductions of the main characters, notably Orphe and Ed. Orphe finds a rival in Lui who has a different opinion on how to properly govern the people. While engaging in various debates, the writer Isaac points out to them that their ideals do not really work in the real world and that their light treatment and debate about war does not speak of its horrors. Before they can even become full-fledged advisers to the king and realize their plans however, they have to race against a cunning enemy who is about to destroy the king.

The series seemed promising at first and although it did not meet my expectations, the diversity of the characters kept me interested. I was expecting more action and some detective work on the part of the Strahl candidates. It was a waste that the series had a wily antagonist who did not have a match in at least one of the protagonists. Anime buffs who want to watch a light, historical series might find this enjoyable. It also includes some historical names and places but they have no relevance to the plot.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Full names of the main characters:

Orpherus Fürst von Marmelade nahe Görz - Orphe

Eduard Markgraf von Sekt nahe Braunschweig - Ed

Ludwig Herzog von Mohn nahe Liechtenstein - Lui

Camus Pfalzgraf von Silvaner Lüneburg - Camu

Naoji Ishizuki

Isaac Cavendish

Trinity Blood

Hundreds of years after Armageddon, the tension between Methuselahs (vampire-like creatures) and Terrans (humans) continues. Terrans are led and protected by the Holy Roman Empire, of which the capital is Vatican, while the Methuselah are backed by Byzantine. A third major player, Albion, is known for its manufacture of war technology. It is a predominantly human colony but independent of Vatican's control. 

At the start of the anime adaptation, the Terrans and Methuselahs are in a standstill. Viewers are introduced to Abel Nightroad, a member of the AX Agency, Caterina Sforza's special operations group. At the outset she is shown at odds with Francesco di Medici, a cardinal in the Vatican, who wants to start a war and is trying to intimidate young Pope Alessandro XVIII to do so.

Caterina's goal to have diplomatic relations with the Byzantine Empire is carried out secretly with the help of the AX agents. It seems that a more grievous threat is about to reveal itself and they suspect that a fourth party,  the Rosenkreuz Order is orchestrating a war.

Abel in his Crusnik form.

While the series uses historical and religious names, it has no religious references. However this take on said figures might be interesting to history buffs.

As for the protagonist Abel Nightroad, he is mostly overshadowed by other characters. There is too much focus on plot and development of the setting and very little characterization on his part. The last few episodes of the series however makes up for the little information in his past that was provided in the earlier episodes. His motivation however and his vow to become a pacifist seems all too predictable for a character of his type and background.

The series is cramped with too much information at once. Too many names to remember; some of them play minimal role in this anime adaptation. There isn't much to look forward to in fight scenes because one of the characters usually overpowers the others in a few strong attacks. Still, there are some fights that deserve credit and some promising characters as well.

Rating: 7 out of 10

The Long Sleep by Dean Koontz

He wakes up without a name and a past. Trapped in a labyrinth of mysterious rooms he does not recognize, his only clue to his identity is the name Joel. Then a faceless man, whom he identified as Sandman, goes after him. The next thing he knew he wakes up in a different room but this time with a beautiful woman he cannot not remember. He was sure however that the woman is harmless and trustworthy unlike the white-haired man he knew instinctively had another agenda. Pleasant though the woman's company is he feels something is wrong. When he starts asking he wakes up again in another place. One nightmare after another, he keeps seeing the same faces in different places each time he wakes up. Sometimes their demeanor would be different. He also figured they will put him to sleep every time he starts asking or he acts strangely. All these only serve to confuse him more, but one thing is certain --- they're trying to keep something from him by playing out different scenes. Joel now knows they are trapped in a huge facility probably used for research. He needs to get out of the building to find out the answers.

Koontz fans like me will enjoy this well-written book because of its interesting premise and the signature Koontz suspense. The nightmarish quality of the images and Joel's predicament got me hooked right away. The piecemeal information handed out to Joel (and the readers in the process) urged me to keep reading. The best part is trying to piece together the information Joel acquired in each setting as well as trying to figure out the parts played by the other characters, particularly the faceless guy. The cliffhanger ending was a welcome surprise as well. I had some idea about what might have happened to the world outside the building but I had no idea how it was related to Joel's story.


Rating: 9 out of 10
Note: Published under the name John Hill; expanded from the short story "Grayworld"

Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away)

Chihiro and her parents were on their way to their new home. Reluctant to leave old friends behind, Chihiro wasn't as excited as her parents and was indifferent to the new sights. When her father took a wrong turn and ended up near a tunnel entrance, he urged the family to explore further probably both out of curiosity and to cheer up Chihiro. At the end of the tunnel was a theme park. Chihiro finds herself all alone when her parents were turned into pigs after they ate food from an enchanted stall. It turns out that the theme park was used by spirits for amusement at night. Luckily, she finds help in a boy named Haku who told her she has to work in a bathhouse and seek the witch Yubaba. Chihiro's misfortune became an adventure where she met new friends and some difficulties along the way as well.

Some things came into mind while watching Spirited Away. Chihiro's blossoming into a confident and brave girl, qualities she already possessed at the outset, reminded me of Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland. This part of growing up, when we realize that we cannot rely on adults forever to solve our problems, is something we can relate to. Part of its appeal to me is Chihiro's character as an ordinary girl placed in an extraordinary situation. Her reactions and emotions were believable because they're natural when she was confronted with something so impossible. It also acknowledges the flexibility and power of the child's mind to adapt and to make decisions. The adults in the movie, particularly Yubaba, was stuck in her narrow-minded adult view of the world. Chihiro was endeared to the other characters because she sees things differently and acts accordingly and honestly.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Dark of the Woods by Dean Koontz

In a universe ruled mostly by humans, man rules supreme. This guiding principle honors the sacrifices of the Alliance of mankind. Subjugated alien peoples ranked lower than humans and therefore treating them as equals, much more friends, is taboo. Among those conquered are the Demosians, winged creatures whose population is reduced to a few females.

Writer Stauffer Davis meets one of them when he goes to Demos to do research. In the course of his dealings with a Demosian named Leah he began to question the system imposed by the Alliance in his relations with non-human creatures. According to the Alliance, each man as part of the system has to keep in mind its laws, the taboos, and the will of the council. Man was only a part of it and to question it is to challenge the very foundations on which it was built.

Predictably Davis and Leah became more than just acquaintances and soon the Alliance was on their trail. The characters were trapped in an impossible situation where the only escape possible was a grandiose solution. Admittedly I was disappointed with the ending, but the way Koontz handled the characters up to that point was excellent. He was also able to come up with a formidable antagonist in the form of one of the Alliance agents. Too formidable in fact that Davis and Leah had to come up with an even more fantastical solution. The book has plenty of good points and Koontz fans will still enjoy this. I enjoyed reading David's musings in particular because it's similar to his current novels.

Rating: 6 out of 10