Wednesday, June 29, 2022

MARIAH's THOUGHTS on Charmed (2018)

Genre:
Drama/Supernatural/Fantasy/Mystery
Rating:
TV-PG
Release Date:
2018-2022
Seasons:
1-4
Run Time:
43 minutes/episode

Social Media:
      

Cast:
Melonie Diaz, Sarah Jeffery, Lucy Barrett, Rupert Evans, Poppy Drayton, Jordan Donica

Plot Summary:
After the tragic death of their mother, three sisters discover they are witches, and they must stand together to fight an onslaught of supernatural battles.


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*My Thoughts*

So, I decided to watch the entirety of the 2018 reboot of "Charmed” because I started watching the first episode, and I might as well finish it. As a huge fan of the original 1998 version, I must say that the 2018 reboot should not have been named “Charmed.” It could easily be its own series without using concepts from its 1998 predecessor. The 2018 reboot expands the magical world where in the 1998 version good and evil were simply split between demons and every other magical creature. “Charmed” 2018 changes the lore of the charmed ones and brings in modern twists to connect with a younger audience.

The series felt rushed and the sisters felt more like caricatures than people I could relate to. From the very first episode, the viewer is bombarded with socio-political topics without tact. Within the first fifteen minutes, Mel immediately goes on a hyper-feminist rant towards Harry, the charmed ones’ white lighter for this series. The strong feminist message is respectable, but it was forced and felt clunky. Macy is the eldest and most logical sister. Maggie is the empathetic and optimistic youngest sister. Moving further along, Mel, Maggie, and Macy’s sisterhood felt taped together by artists’ tape, it barely kept things together, even though they had three seasons to bond. They had their moments of unity but there wasn’t any onscreen chemistry. Even though the sisters from the 1998 version had drastically different personalities and interests, they could easily bond through magic or their experiences in romance.

While the original 1998 version allowed for growth over its eight seasons, the 2018 “Charmed” rushed everything. Macy, Maggie, and Mel’s sisterhood were introduced with Mel and Maggie as sisters attending the same college where their mother worked, and Macy is introduced as their half-sister after their mother’s death. These sisters were strangers to each other, which made their relationship empty. Each pivotal point thereafter, Harry and Macy getting together, Macy dying in the third season, and Mikaela replacing Macy, felt like goals that the writers needed to reach, but everything in between simply existed to fill up a time slot. I realized that I haven’t even spoken about most of the sisters’ love interests or even the antagonists of each season, but I would attribute that to just how forgettable they are, like empty caricatures. The only stable and almost tangible relationship in 2018 “Charmed” was between Maggie and Jordan.

While watching its four seasons, I held onto the hope that it would get better or live up to “Charmed” of 1998, but it did not rise to the occasion. To be fair, that first episode was already a red flag, but I’m stubborn. Since I started watching it, I might as well have finished it. The biggest remedy for the 2018 “Charmed” would have been better pacing and character development. In other words, if 2018 “Charmed” gave me more time or gave deeper meaning to the characters’ relationships, I would have earnestly cared about this universe and the storyline. With the ranting being said and done, 2018’s “Charmed” had its own merits. The lore behind these charmed ones and magics could have led the series into its own world of possibilities, different mythologies, types of magic, or magical creatures. The diversity of its cast gave me a sense of heart-warming visibility and inclusion. Their main hangout and the camouflage of their command center, Safe Space, had a welcoming and trendy college campus vibe to it which was nice. If I had to rate “Charmed” 2018 as a standalone series, I would give it a three out of five stars. It was entertaining for a full second, but because it is supposed to be a reboot of a beloved series, I will drop it down to one and a half out of five stars.

My rating:



Tuesday, June 28, 2022

AUDIOBOOK BLITZ: To Be a Fae Guardian by Tricia Copeland


Today, we are kicking off this Audiobook Blitz for Award-winning Author Tricia Copeland's To Be A Fae Guardian, the second book in the Realm Chronicles series! So... Be sure to check it out and download your audiobook now!

Genre:
Young Adult
Fantasy
Series:
Realm Chronicles, #2
Publish Date:
November 7, 2021
Audiobook Release Date:
June 7, 2022
Length:
9 hours 56 minutes
Publisher:
True Bird Publishing LLC
Producer:

Edited by:
Jo Michaels
Cover Designed by:
Elanor Lloyd-Jones

Narrated by:

Synopsis:
She may be the only fae standing between her realm and the evil lurking below. Will Titania be given the power she needs?

Titania defeats a group of creatures threatening to colonize Middle Earth. In ending them she broke not one but two edicts of the High Council. But justice may fall on the only person holding the key to her ability to defend the fae.

The evil spirits manifesting the terrorists lurk below, lying in wait to strike again. With loss of a much-needed ally, she lacks freedom to learn what the realm may be facing. Worse yet, many, even some most trusted compatriots, distance themselves from the reckless Queen she’s painted to be.

Her power shackled and left alone, Titania loses faith in her once clear path.

Can she find her footing in time to save them all from eternal darkness?

To Be a Fae Guardian is the second book in the Realm Chronicles series, continuing a magical journey into the realm of Middle Earth. If you like dauntless heroines, you’ll love Tricia Copeland’s gripping fantasy.


       
*FREE on Kindle Unlimited*


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Praise for To Be a Fae Guardian


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Realm Chronicles series:
 
(covers link to Goodreads)

       
**FREE on Kindle Unlimited**

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**About the Author**
Tricia Copeland believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, a beautiful sunset, or a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado.

Find all her titles from contemporary romance and fantasy, to dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.

Stay connected with Tricia Copeland
       
    



Audiobook Blitz Organized by

AUDIOBOOK TOUR: The Thirteenth Hour by Trudie Skies


Welcome to the Official Audiobook Tour for Trudie Skies's The Thirteenth Hour, the first book in an all-new fantasy series, The Cruel Gods. Narrated by R.J. Bayley. Today, on our tour stop, we will kick off this tour with a spotlight on the author and book with an audio excerpt! We even have a book trailer to share, too! So... Be sure to check it out and start the series now! Follow the tour, HERE.

Genre:
Adult
Gaslamp Fantasy
Series:
The Cruel Gods, #1
Publish Date:
September 29, 2021
Audiobook Release Date:
May 16, 2022
Length:
19 hours and 22 minutes
Publisher:
Trudie Skies
Producer:

Narrated by:
R.J. Bayley

Synopsis:
When the saints fail, the sinners step up.

Cruel gods rule the steam-powered city of Chime, demanding worship and tribute from their mortal subjects. Kayl lost her faith in them long ago, and now seeks to protect vulnerable and downtrodden mortals from their gods’ whims. But when Kayl discovers powers that she didn’t know she had—and destroys a mortal’s soul by accident—she becomes Chime’s most wanted.

Quen’s job was to pursue sinners, until the visions started. Haunted by foreboding images of his beloved city’s destruction, Quen hunts soul-sucking creatures made of aether who prey on its citizens—and Kayl is his number one target.

To ensure Chime’s future, Kayl and Quen must discover the truth of Kayl’s divine abilities before the gods take matters into their own hands.

For a city that bows to cruel gods, it’ll take godless heathens to save it.

The Thirteenth Hour is the first book in The Cruel Gods series—a gaslamp fantasy featuring magical portals, gothic cosmic deities, quaint Britishisms, and steampunk vibes. This is an adult book containing strong language and mature themes that some readers may find disturbing. For a full list of content warnings, visit Trudie Skies's website.


       
**FREE on Kindle Unlimited**

*Audio Excerpt*


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**About the Author**
Trudie Skies has been living inside fantasy worlds ever since she discovered that reality doesn’t quite live up to the hype. Through the magic of books, she wishes to share these worlds of hope and heroes with other weary souls. Living in North East England, Trudie spends most of her free time daydreaming about clouds, devouring whatever fantasy books or video games she can get her hands on, and chasing after her troublesome dogs, who would like to reassure you they are very good boys.

Her debut YA fantasy series, Sand Dancer, was published through Uproar Books. Trudie is now writing adult gaslamp fantasy with her new series, The Cruel Gods.

Stay connected with Trudie Skies
       

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**About the Narrator**
An accomplished full-time voice actor and audiobook narrator with 4 years of experience.

R.J. Bayley's voice has been described by peers as a ‘well-weighted baritone, balanced & deep at the same time.’

Naturally he’s got a mild Yorkshire lilt that’s trustworthy and relatable. He’s extremely adaptable however and capable of many convincing accents, or anything you throw at him really.

RJ’s broadcast quality studio consists of a fully acoustically treated room, RØDE NT-1A microphone, Reaper digital audio workstation and Izotope RX7 for clean-up and mastering for that high end sound.

So far he’s narrated over 30 audiobooks with more currently in production. As a VO he’s been the voice of brands such as Nickelodeon, Johnson and Johnson, Network Rail, Aegon, Accord and more.

He’s friendly, reliable, professional, takes direction well and always makes sure you’re happy with your narration.

He maintains he’s not trying to ruin his own career by deafening himself with heavy metal on his dog walks.

Stay connected with R.J. Bayley
     



Audiobook Tour Organized by