Spec : Japanese drama

Honestly I was incredibly shocked there's so few news on the drama. 

[caption width="400" id="attachment_372" align="alignnone"] "Yeah, how is that?" ~ possible dialogue from Toma XD[/caption]
"To-Ma!" ~ Sebumi would say. 

There was an original SPEC series I believe but I started from First Blood with the unbelievably talented Erika Toda, Ryo Kase, Raita Ryu and Ryunosuke Kamiki. Generally I don't praise a lot of actors so highly but as I watched them they were so immersed in their roles I just embraced the plot and it all.


The majority of the actors I mentioned made up the Unsolved Cases team. A unit which was looked down upon by the police force in general. They were stuck in a section of the building with low ceilings, drab grey walls, and an industrial material lift (the caged ones which totally supports how dingy the place was initially before the Chief likely cleaned it up)  to let clients come and go. 

The actors were able to show off their quirky characters that I felt it was even apart of who they were. Be it stick-up-your-butt serious or just plain goofy. 

I really felt like eating gyoza throughout the show.  

[caption width="512" id="attachment_370" align="alignnone"] http://aitoda.blogspot.sg/2013/04/erika-toda-tbs-all-star-show-pics-from.html?m=1[/caption]
Loving the English mixed in with their Japanese too. Super impressive. 
 The plot  went along so smoothly for the series itself, summary here ...

[caption width="384" id="attachment_371" align="alignnone"] More light hearted in the poster [/caption]
[caption width="322" id="attachment_367" align="alignnone"] And then this is how dark the plot becomes [/caption]
Summary of SPEC（スペック） ～警視庁公安部公安第五課　未詳事件特別対策係事件簿:

Like the original series, "SPEC" will revolve around a pair of police detectives as part of a special division solving difficult cases (Mishou). Touma Saya is a woman with an IQ of 201 and an inability to "read the atmosphere" in social situations. Due to a previous case, her left arm is in a sling. Her partner Sebumi Takeru used to be the star performer of the Metropolitan Police. After some incident however, he was transferred to Mishou. Those two track down offenders with special abilities(SPEC) who managed to get away with their crimes.

... and the first few movies which was a lead up to the big plan, or rather, the "Simple Plan", to quite basically wipe out SPEC holders, people with amazing powers, from telekinesis to control over time. 

Given any show with the minority of people having powers, there's gotta be two major things happening: 

Those with powers cropping up like locusts and showing why you shouldn't let bad people have such abilities 

And there being an evil plan that the main characters are working towards

Because this is also a Japanese drama, with a comedic nature (thanks to the actors I especially mentioned above), there's always twists and painfully bitter ends for the fan favourites. Ugh. It's always the case. It doesn't end totally happily. And I could never accept this fact. Hurts too much

But I thoroughly love the fact that these supposedly minor characters aren't given the brush off, they're recurring so often and to do useful things. Though most are just super hated at one point in their lives. 

Truly though, the directors and writers really pulled me in. 

But once they introduced the true intentions and the big reveals of Toma's gifts (notice that 's') it really had my reeling. I was dumbfounded trying to figure out what was happening in the plot's entirety for the last movie (perhaps the second to last too). 

If they hadn't involved so much of stories from the Bible I would be able to reason with most of it. I totally get how the villains wanted to purge the world for the sake of Gaia needing to be renewed but they clearly had their own twisted ideals mixed up in this. All hallmarks of a good stupid villain that you'd hate. 

I don't quite get the necessity of Jun considering she didn't do all that much for the villain side but I guess they wanted a touching moment with the mum and some comedy with..the dad. 

Then I wondered if Toma was meant to be the angel in the biblical story with all that left hand wielding, considering that side of her is meant to show harm and bad.  

I did eventually get it. Most of it. So wish it was less of a show of how simple it was for the evil SPEC holders (the ones who played the top villain roles) to use their cruel abilities, plus how much time they spent on the bigwigs from every other country basically whining like kids over their plans not ..going to plan. 

The final scenes for all the movies and the series, which were basically cliffhangers till the end, were phenomenal. Last bits of the final movie was also very epic. And gross. REALLY gross. 

It did end with something touching despite, as how I mentioned, how heart wrenching it was after all. 

I commend Erika and Ryo for their tremendous effort that seemed effortless. 

All in all, I SAY, YOU GOT TO WATCH IT! In one sitting for the movies cause there's no way you'd tear yourself away with just one. 
Related titles (drama series/specials):

Unsolved Cases | Keizoku (TBS / 1999)

Keizoku Special: Phantom (TBS / 1999)

SPEC ~ First Blood (TBS / 2010)

SPEC: Shou (TBS / 2012)

SPEC Zero SP | SPEC～Rei～ (TBS / 2013)

Related titles (movies):

Keizoku: The Movie (2000)

SPEC: Heaven | Gekijyohan SPEC ~Ten (2012)

SPEC: Close~Incarnation | SPEC～Ketsu～Zen no hen (2013)

SPEC: Close~Reincarnation | SPEC～Ketsu～Kou no hen (2013)

Magic Strikes ..and maybe rips, trips and giggles

Yep, I went back to it. I missed Derek, and this was a turning point for him. It's not the best memory to associate of course.

I'll go somewhat chronologically.
I think Magic Bites was one of the more harsh yet had-to-be-offset-by-excellently-played-out humour books in Ilona Andrews' series. The plot was centred around the Magic Games. Personally I waited for a gladiator type story to ease its way in. Though I did not conceive how brutal it, more specifically the absolute cruelest Reapers, could be when it came to non-humans.
So the idea was that the Games was a very, very Bad - capital B - place that brought in people who enjoyed horrific, "pretty" deaths of shapeshifters. And obviously when you send spies in *takes moment to glare at Jim* you get the worst imagery imaginable. I was distressed at how cruel and painful the deaths were written out. (Takes moment to sob for Derek) I was so hoping to be a character in the book to whip the #!@+!! into oblivion.
It gives you great motivation to get the home team to join though. So the team had to get in to stop the Games.
Despite being plagued with deaths, and boat loads of blood absorbed by the Pit, the best was having some of the Pack and Kate compete. I love the bouts that took place and it showed different kinds of creatures, from Japanese to ancient myths.
It was amusing honestly how less of a challenge the other teams were. There you are, thinking how fearsome an above-8-feet-Large monstrosity could be, but *he* just looked at it and thought "meh"..
Now I've nicely segwayed to him, His Furriness, raging psychopath and heartthrob Curran.
I enjoyed the parts of the story that were moments away from the fighting. When Kate came back to discover her last slice of apple pie was "missing" - thought to have been eaten by her - was so cute. There's not a soul who wouldn't know who took it.
Back when you know he has such a god complex and exudes absolute sexiness, charm and wit. Mm. Hahaha. You know he's being him, super enraging cat, who's stalk- we, courting Kate. So you can't help but love him.
And truly, IT WAS ABOUT TIME!!! When you all reach the bathtub scene and epilogue, let me know so we can wave our pom-poms.
Also with the characters you get a real glimpse into the key ones. Especially Jim. Cause let's face it, it's mainly him and his need to protect. I love that Curran gave so much leeway, I lost track of how many days Jim got to safe his furry behind.
With Saiman. Honestly his dancing Adonis act still left me impressed for certain reasons. I was so glad he showed his bravery - yeah bravery.. - in this book. Had respect claw its way out of me when the scene came. I mean, who wouldn't think he's got guts? Which later left his opponent just in a mess of guts. No pun intended. You'll know what I mean.
Lastly, bring in Hugh, of all people to come crashing into Kate's life. I swear I nearly forgot when he came in but there he is. He got more suave later on in the series. As of now, had to take him seriously as a dangerous messenger-lap dog of Roland's.  "My lady" my butt.

The best line that I always remembered was how the phone rang. i know it sounds a bit strange. I'd thought of my phone does this too. I was really tickled by it.
"Ring-ring.
Ring-ring-ring.
Ring?"


It's one of my favourites. Obviously. Please read.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (a great welcome-back book)

 

 I don't even know how long it's been since I've been able to pick up a book to read, just too long. I can't believe I held out. For months it has been endless project work and the final two exams are finally all over. Congrats me new media student. I'm actually really proud to be in this industry. I'm loving what I do.

  Anyway, back to business. I immediately headed out to the library as soon as my exam was over. This Hex Hall was one of the books I've been meaning to read for a long time and I thankfully saw it nicely sitting on the shelf, snugly wedged in-between hordes of other books (it's exam preparation for most students so hardly anyone was in the library, all the better for me since no one can borrow my books away *victory fist*). 

I was pleased beyond belief the first book I chose to 'come back' with was such a good read. I had read other reviews about how perhaps the story was too much like "Harry Potter for girls". To be honest I never really enjoyed Rowling's writing (prepares herself for being struck by literary lightning), but I absolutely adored this book! I read it twice even.

And yes there was a comment about how the character of Archer Cross (yay for heartthrobs!) was just a mysterious, cool, easy-on-the-eyes, good-looking heartthrob, and how they wanted more information I felt it was enough to keep readers guessing about his past well into the rest of her series, which I can't wait to find. 

So yes I said it, Archer (I'm sure you guessed it) is one of the bad-boy yet pretty-boy types, so said by Sophie as well as me. A wonderful addition.
And gratefully he isn't blonde. I  don't know what's with me, but I can't take another one.

One more obvious fact, he's playing with sooooo many heartstrings in this book. Past Holly, present Elodie (yes E-lo-dy) and hopefully :D future Sophie (however much she denies it)

Actually the addition of different characters was definitely interesting. Part of the rule book, every story has to have a witchy enemy (ahem), outcasts and so on. So it was really nice meeting them.

The first few bits after the introduction, aka reason why Sophie had to join Hex Hall, was a bit of a blur. Tiny bit less interesting before she made it to the actual venue. Also there was the other huge chunk of information leading up to the introduction of the (pronouncing it as I type) L'Occhio di Dio. Bigger blur. If I had been a first-year student there my eyes would have surely glazed over, though the idea of having it shown like a projection is so cool. Damn I wish this magic was real. 

However it got extremely interesting for 95% of the book, so no regrets about this plot. It is a fun read, as most would categorise it. Rachel is excellent and there's obviously wit or I wouldn't love it so much. Banter between the ad-odds 'couple' is great to read. Awesome comebacks. And I'm totally hungry for more info, especially on Sophie's future, though as a writer several scenes already are playing in my head

Next I'll be reading "Fairy Bad Day" by Amanda Ashby. I borrowed that along with "Stealing Phoenix" and "The Raven Boys". I seem to have a theme going

Enchantment Place - anthology - was not done

Image from Shelfari

The "Enchantment Place". To be honest, I did not... could not see the appealing factor. I merely flipped through the pages and it was then I thought of the book as nothing that was able to hold my attention at all. It was kind of dull in dialogue, and the stories here and there were no where near exciting. I found some of it so tiresome and lacking I just couldn't make myself read the entire book. It wasn't worth diving into. Even with the "benefit of the doubt" that some authors might have done the book a little justice, I'll never find out. It wasn't what I was hoping for in this book. I wanted pages - any or possibly all of them (as one would expect from any good book) - that would grab you and never let go. Sorely disappointed, I guess. There just wasn't enough.

Terror of the Nightwatchman by Tommy Donbavand

Image from Shelfari

Sometimes you don't even need a supernatural story to have a sophisticated everything. Admittedly, the series isn't for my age group but I'm not one for that stopping me. I wholly enjoyed the plot, it wasn't at all lacking, and there was definite wit between the three main characters. I had a smile on my face the whole way.
The whole series so far was always entertaining and I can't wait to check out the rest of it ( or maybe I should; after all, wouldn't want to exhaust the books - to have too much of a good thing and then have nothing :-o )

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4) by Ilona Andrews

Image from Shelfari

Not a lot can be said for something undeniably perfect. Except this:
It's impossible to say anything without ruining the book for others. But I have to say, two thumbs and toes way WAY up! Magic Bleeds is as witty and beautifully written as the rest of the series. I honestly can't wait for more and I'll turn savage if I have to ;)

Succubus Heat by Richelle Mead

Image from Shelfari

I'm borderline on "I Really Liked It" and "I Loved It", because there's hardly a book that'll get me to think of more things that could go between the characters and have me start bawling up a storm. It was beyond great!
I was initially putting off reading this book because I knew how it'd end (thanks to me looking at the synopsis from the next book) but I am truly glad I did.
You won't have someone who you could completely envy yet find some sentiment in loving Georgina, as I have. There's no one who swears and yet lights up a room in a whole different way either.
It all happened for a reason and if you had to, I'd go and pick up this book. It's one story you can't live without. And I'm dying to know how Seth and her might ever end up together.

Bite

Bite is an anthology by some fantastic authors:
Laurell K. Hamilton
Charlaine Harris
MaryJanice Davidson
Angela Knight
Vickie Taylor

Image from Shelfari

For some parts, they were lengthy and that made me lose interest, but I kept reading on. I'm really glad I did. It's a wonderful book full of creative authors (reknown or otherwise, they gave the book different depths) for the different uses of biting and blood. Plus, incredibly erotic :-P I really did enjoy reading Bite :)

Green by Laura Peyton Roberts

Image from Shelfari

It was definitely interesting how it started out - an exploding present (I'll have to be more careful myself, from now on). Trials (even one of friendships) mark the sign of struggle and sooner or later, preferably sooner, a heroine. No one ever said kicking booty was easy. And never have I found it more amusing to dive into a world full of leprechauns.
Unfortunately, I have to say, Lilybet is slightly naïve, especially when it came to Kylie. But giving her the benefit of the doubt, seeing as she did have no idea what were customs of being a k - - - - -, and she was sort of floored that a guy like him would even talk to her, though she is definitely making up for that in her wit and underestimating herself so much till the end.
I'm impressed that she did finally become more like her Clan o' Green, even in scheming, and more so when she.... ah, well :)
All in all, if you favour little green men - so to speak - this is an awesome book!

Twilight (Manga, Volume 1) by Stephenie Meyer & Young Kim

Just like Twilight (though the quotes couldn't all be piled in and exact - there would be too thick a book), still loved it. Good choices have been made for it, and the words derived straight from the book are good choices - thankfully slightly better in picks than the movie.. And it's possible, in my case, to fall in love with Edward all over again, and even more so after seeing what another possibility there is to his face :-D

Freaksville by Kitty Keswick

Images from Google

With Josh, you don't know whether to love him or to hate him (mostly in the end, and especially if the book does come with the excerpt from the next book in the series). And then there's Kassidea, his bird, and the solution to the never-ending problems faced by the pair and their friends.

The protagonist, that is Kasey, is one I could relate to because there are definite real fears, like her stage-fright or finding out her boyfriend is a w... oops, said almost too much :-P

I did really like it and the ideas that were pitched here and there between Kasey and Gillie. The graphics were definitely detailed, as well. You could almost see the bristling coming from the territorial wol- *cough*

There I go again.

Anyhow, 
here on the author's page is where I found the trailer that has a synopsis on the book.
I added the link in there for both.

I really enjoyed it (both the trailer and definitely the book)!

Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson

Since my reviews are based on what I put on Shelfari, looking at its star pointers give y'all a hint as to why I say...

Image from Shelfari

The stars say it all. I truly do love the writing, it's beyond the boundaries of brilliance, though a leeeetle long at some points (it is crucial, of course), you'll never want to put it down. And I almost didn't, except for moments *cough*. The characters are too perfect, and not the cliche fairy tale type you'd think. Owen is to die for, and Katie is just as amazing. Magic and mystery work wonders here. You'll end off with a cheer even if you're coming to an end and reading the last few pages, that I am sure of.