Review: Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them
Newt Scamander (J.K. Rowling)
Informational 

An approved textbook at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since publication, Newt Scamander's masterpiece has entertained wizarding families through the generations. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an indispensable introduction to the magical beasts of the wizarding world.

You can read my review of the 2016 movie here. 

Turns out I've been blessed with a truly magical boyfriend, who upon returning from vacation to visit family showed up with the new, revised, hardcover edition of this wonderful Hogwarts textbook. 

The only downside of the beautiful tome is that it seems the 2017 edition doesn't include Harry, Ron, and Hermione's notes. However, it does include an additional foreword referencing some of the events in the movie and some interesting hints at what's to come. Also- extra animals! I believe the new ones added were some of the beasts representing the Ilvermorny school houses; but the puckwudgie (my house) was left out. 

What was a wonderful surprise was how easy and fascinating a read FB was. Considering it's an informational textbook, you'd expect to use it only when looking up a specific beast, and otherwise dull. But Newt Scamander scattered anecdotes and even when he didn't - each and every one of these creatures had so many fantastic traits that I truly enjoyed it the entire time. 

A wonderful gift for your Hogwarts student- if they don't already have one. 

Book to Movie Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them
Screenplay by JK Rowling
Directed by David Yates

I am unable to find a satisfactory description that I can copy, so allow me to tell you about it myself.

Fantastic Beasts follows the story of the writer of the book by the same name that Harry studies in school in Care of Magical Creatures. Newt Scamander's studies bring him to America 1926, where the magical community is governed by MACUSA. There is a no-maj anti-wizard group active, a NY senator's brother slowly discovering the community, and a dark wizard trying to hunt down a magical force.

It is great fun.

Basically I declare this movie of the year. It was everything you hoped for as a Harry Potter fan but so different and new that you can start the magical world here, too. You can tell it's going to tie in but it's beautifully indirect- Fantastic Beasts is its own story.

First of all, Newt is just a pleasure to watch. Smart and passionate, kind and lovely, geeky and British. He is also extremely talented and powerful!! I love him, and I am so excited to dive deeper into his world- his years at Hogwarts and his friendship/love for the Lestrange girl, his passion for animals and his research and travels, his family, his expulsion... tell me everything!! I didn't know going in that the franchise will be five films, but boy, was elated to find out. Also, a Hufflepuff!! Soooo refreshing.

Tina and Queenie are fascinating ladies. Two very different and very talented New Yorkers who can also do magic. Their sisterly bond was wonderful to watch, but I wondered at it. They seemed to old to be living together, definitely in the 1920s, no? I wonder if in the next films we'll explore their history a bit more. While I certainly found them interesting, it took me a while to get to like them- Tina seemed a bit desperate to me all the time, not happy ever. While in real-life that doesn't make her any less great a person, she didn't draw me in. Queenie did- though I couldn't really wrap my head around how quick she fell for Jacob, or how quickly both sisters trusted Newt and Jacob enough to let them into their home. I mean, for all Tina knew Newt was a criminal she was trying to arrest!

The music and graphics of this film were truly astounding. It was familiar and nostalgic but new and unique at the same time. The setting is gorgeous- NY in 1920 isn't something I'm used to seeing or reading about, and the creators of FB make it something really magical, no pun intended.

The wizarding system raises many questions- if he was expelled, how can Newt have his wand? Is it just pure muggle prejudice that fuels the restriction on marrying no-majs? However, loved that the president is a woman! So unexpected!

Before watching the movie I honestly didn't think I'd like the plot- I was never previously interested in magical creatures, and I didn't know what else was supposed to happen in the movie. I'm DELIGHTED to say that the beasts were FANTASTIC. I loved them all so much, it was amazing how the movie really allowed us to see them as Newt does. And the other stuff- the obscurials are a totally new concept that took me a while to accept (at first I was suspicious- if this existed, why haven't we heard of it before? Hmph. They just made it up to sell us a new movie) but then after thinking about it it made perfect sense, and raised thoughts about Ariana Dumbledore.

Could I go on and on? Definitely. But I'll leave it here. Happy Holidays everyone!!

ICon Festival 2014!

Hey guys! The holidays are just wrapping up here, but not before I managed to make it to my first ever geek event convention for science fiction and fantasy! Living in Israel means I never get to make it to events like BEA or author signings, and definitely not Comic-Con (because when I do go to the States I'm on the East Coast). 

So I was absolutely overjoyed to attend ICon in Tel Aviv this year (=Israel Convention)! Thought I'd make a post to show you my haul: 

Me and Kelley Armstrong! I read The Summoning years ago but I remember liking it. She signed my program and gave me an adorable book mark!! Obviously I brought a sparkly pen. The kind that smudges. *facepalm*

The booths were sooooo awesome. Here's some of the cool products I picked up (I know, I know. I should have gotten this stuff years ago. What kinda fangirl am I??) :

Please ignore the fact that I left the tag on. In my defense, I was excited. 

Took this one at home already... 

Okay, so this refers to a TV show. Whatever. The Sherlock merchandise was the best stuff there.

There was an arena where there were costume competitions and gladiator fighting, and all sorts of lectures and panels. Hopefully I'll put up a slideshow in the sidebar with some more pics(: 

So that was my first geek experience! What events have you been to? Tell me! (don't hesitate to make me jealous!) 

Have a great weekend!
Love,
Esty

Top Ten Tuesday

Hey everyone! How are you all? I'm super busy- today I have two performances!! I'm very excited for tonight- but no less for this list. Let's get to it! Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish. This week's topic is top ten fave characters in a certain genre. I've decided to go with middle grade because I just adore all those characters!!

1. Percy Jackson 

This boy is the love of my life. Quite literally. Ever since My English teacher recommended The Lightning Thief to me in 4th grade I have adored him. Getting him back in the Heroes of Olympus series is so nostalgic it hurts! Every time he says something about the past I'm like "OMG I was there!!" I can't wait for House of Hades

2. Harry Potter

I recently realized that by the time Harry was my age he had met and survived the Dark Lord three times, destroyed a horcrux, fought off a hundred dementors and won the Triwizard Tournament. I feel so under- accomplished.

3. Artemis Fowl 

A 12 year old criminal mastermind. Enough said.

4. Sabrina Grimm

From The Sisters Grimm series. A hotheaded girl who looks out for herself and younger sister. I related to her so much and still do. She is awesome. Highly recommended!!

5. Puck (originally from A Midsummer's Night Dream)

Again from the Sisters Grimm, this boy is a hero in denial. Soo funny and cute I just wish I had a friend like him!!

6. The Characters from The Thief Lord

I just had to refresh my memory from the internet on this one, but I loved this cast so much! Scipio and Prosper and Hornet and Mosca and BO BO BO. It was such a pleasure reading this because it is one of those books that is middle grade but isn't really, ya know?

7. Jen Talbot

If you haven't read The Shadow Children series by Margaret Petersen Haddix go do it now. Jen has a small part in the series but a big part in the story. She is so inspirational- she made me cry

8. Fred and George Weasley

I shouldn't have to say why. 

9. Petra and Calder from Chasing Vermeer

 These two are smart, nosy, and kick-ass. Just the way I like 'em. 

10. Just because I'd be kidding myself if the whole cast of Harry Potter wasn't on this list....

    


Well that's my list, leave me yours (I won't check it out now but I will eventually I always do) and I hope you see this on Tuesday cuz this is my first scheduled post so.... I hope I did it right:) 
-Esty

HARRY POTTER. NUFF SAID

So I have two books I need to review and I will hopefully get around to that on Thursday, but in the meantime I'm rereading Harry Potter for quite possibly the millionth time (billionth if you count the times I just feel the love and choose one of the books and open to a random page and read for a few minutes). Honestly, I don't think there are many readers in the world who don't relate to the above picture, because it's HARRY FREAKING POTTER. The seven books that are leagues above any series in the world, phenomenal as they may be. Every time I read the series I discover another seemingly unimportant detail that ties in with the overall plot at the end and leaves me with my mouth open thinking 'long live queen Rowling' She is too unbelievable for words, capitals, or exclamation points (notice how this post is relatively calm). And it's so true. There are no more books, movies or any other exciting releases to look forward to and yet something keeps me (and pretty much everyone) coming back. The magic is still there, and always will be.