Third Eye

A somewhat shameful (on my part) DNF. The story was fine, but a little uninvolving, probably because this is a basically a radio play rather than a book. Given this constraint, a lot of the scene-setting was left to the foley work and music, which, while ok, didn't really make up for the lack of show-don't-tell. I made it to around 60%, but then started to get distracted by other, better things in my TBR list.

This story odd worth listening to for the production value alone. Very well done. 

Laurel is a chosen one who fails to win the battle of the evil lord and now lives with the shame of failure when someone who believes in her comes along. 

I really like the way this story turns the chosen one trope on its head. It also challenges us to look at the expectations we have for ourselves in our lives and whether they are realistic. 

Overall, great production, fun humor, and good food for thought. 

Fun Cast of Voices

I stumbled upon this book as part of our tradition of reading 12 books a year with my partner, who chose this month's selection. Little did I know that Felicia Day, known for her roles in “Supernatural” and her work on “Dollhouse,” was also a writer! While the audiobook and the diverse cast of characters added flair to the journey, I found myself unable to rate it higher than three stars.

The plot follows the familiar trajectory of a “Chosen One” narrative, with protagonist Laurel raised in San Francisco with the knowledge of her destiny to confront and vanquish the formidable evil, Tybus. However, despite her efforts, Laurel fails, resulting in the loss of magic for everyone except those who join the oppressive regime. Now an outcast, Laurel leads a solitary existence, with only two companions: vampire Frank and fairy Sybil.

Enter Kate, a seemingly ordinary girl who defies expectations by possessing knowledge and abilities beyond the norm. As events unfold, questions arise: is this a chance for redemption? Was Laurel truly destined for heroism? What secrets lie beneath the surface?

While the fantasy storyline may adhere to familiar tropes, it's Felicia Day's playful subversion of these conventions that injects the narrative with charm and wit. Her unabashed embrace of nerd culture adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience. Though personally, I didn't find myself as deeply connected to the story as I had hoped, I still believe it's a worthwhile read, particularly for those who appreciate Day's brand of humor and storytelling.

Despite my reservations, I'm intrigued to explore more of Day's writing, particularly her memoir, which I plan to pick up before the year's end. Keep an eye out for further reviews to come!