Category Archives: Series Reviews

Percy Jackson Series Review

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By Bella H.

Immersing myself in the captivating world of mythology, I have devoured numerous books, consuming many books every day after school through my years in middle school. I love books written by the talented author Rick Riordan. He is a master at intertwining modern-day storytelling with ancient legends and myths.

Percy Jackson, my absolute favorite among his remarkable book series, captivates me with thought-provoking and intricately woven plots and realistic and believable characters that I’m eager to discuss. 

I’ll not spoil the plot too much here, but Percy is twelve when the series starts. Little did he know that his life was about to change; When he discovered that he was the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. From this discovery, he finds himself in one adventure after another. Compelled to undertake a perilous quest in search of the elusive entrance to the Underworld and stop an all-out war between the gods. 

Its protagonist’s remarkable growth and development throughout the book series truly sets Percy Jackson apart. As we follow the series, we see Percy’s gradual evolution from a wide-eyed and inexperienced adolescent to a seasoned and resilient hero at the end. With each passing chapter, we observe his physical maturation and profound emotional and mental transformation. 

Mr. Riordan skillfully weaves this transformation of his protagonist seamlessly into the narration and story plot that makes us, as the readers, so invested in Percy Jackson’s personal journey.

What is a hero without friends who fight by his side, bolstering his resolve and assisting his noble endeavors? Unlike other series where side characters fade into the background, side characters are an integral part of Riordan’s books. The bond of friendship that Percy and his companion have for each other resonates with me, as the bond between these characters deepens and fortifies as they face trials and tribulations together.

The captivating tapestry of Greek myth skillfully weaves into the story. It is genuinely delightful for any fan of ancient legends.

I also love the Greek mythology theme, and the different gods and goddesses are interesting. Each turn of a new page introduces us to various Gods and Goddesses, each with unique quirks, power, and personalities. Mr. Riordan has created a masterpiece in a modern-day story where Gods and mortals collide. He breathes life into these characters, making them realistic and believable, creating a world where fantasy and reality converge. 

Will Percy stop an epic battle that threatens to unleash chaos upon the world? I suggest you read the book if you want to uncover more details. 

Happy Reading!

The Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Netflix Series Review: Cobra Kai

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I can assure you, Cobra Kai, is going to be the best Netflix Series you’ve ever watched, especially if you’ve already watched the Karate Kid movies. First of all, what is Cobra Kai? Cobra Kai is a martial arts drama series that brought back the nostalgia of the 1984 movie, The Karate Kid. This thrilling saga combines both the charm of the ’80s classic with fresh storytelling and a new generation of characters, leaving teens and adults eager to watch the show. Thus, with its blend of action-packed sequences, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, Cobra Kai continues to remain an absolute knockout.

But first, before you dive into the series, I suggest that you watch the first 3 Karate Kid movies, to get a good understanding of the background of the series

The show’s genius lies in its ability to subvert the audience’s expectations. Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), once bitter rivals, have become complex characters. Their evolving dynamic is the heart and soul of the series. Macchio and Zabka deliver performances that transcend nostalgia, reminding us why their characters are so iconic in the first place.

One of the standout aspects of Cobra Kai is its character development. The young cast members, particularly Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), Sam (Mary Mouser), Hawk (Jacob Bertrand), and Tory (Peyton List), have grown immensely over the seasons. These characters grapple with real-world issues such as bullying, identity, and the consequences of their actions, making them relatable to both young and older viewers. Furthermore, the comedic dialogues and thrilling fights occurring in and out of the dojos, add to the astoundingness of the series.

The action sequences in Cobra Kai are nothing short of spectacular. The choreography is top-notch, blending traditional martial arts with a modern flair that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The series doesn’t shy away from the brutality of karate, making the fight scenes intense and visceral, especially through the contrasting styles of Karate which both Cobra Kai and the Miyagi-Do Dojo use.

Beyond the fists and kicks, Cobra Kai explores the gray areas of morality and redemption. It challenges the idea of heroes and villains by delving into the past traumas and motivations of its characters, from Johnny Lawrence’s struggles with his stepdad to Miguel Diaz’s struggle to choose a side in school. This nuanced storytelling makes it a cut above typical martial arts dramas.

In conclusion, Cobra Kai is a martial arts masterpiece that transcends its ’80s roots. It’s a compelling blend of nostalgia and contemporary storytelling, with well-rounded characters, exceptional action, and thought-provoking themes. Whether you’re a fan of The Karate Kid or new to the franchise, Cobra Kai is a must-watch series that packs a punch. With its ongoing success, it’s clear that the spirit of the dojo is stronger than ever.

Netflix Series Review: The Flash

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The Flash is by far one of my favorite TV series. It’s like a mix-up of sci-fi, action, and adventure centered around the DC Comics legend, the Flash. Warning-Pilot spoiler. Skip through if you want to avoid knowing the details and want to watch it yourself.

The series’ first episode, “Pilot,” follows the story of a brilliant forensic scientist Barry Allen; his life gets turned upside down as he tries to deal with his mother’s murder and his father’s wrongful conviction. Talk about a rough start.  

When struck by lightning and awakened from a comma, Barry is gifted with the ability to move at superhuman speed and power beyond comprehension. This blasts him into a world where seconds are stretched into eternities. With the help of his mentor, Dr. Harrison Wells, Barry embarks on a riveting odyssey of self-discovery, learns how to control his godly abilities, and uses his newfound powers to protect Central City from an onslaught of malevolent forces. Beneath the mask and behind the lightning speed, Barry faces the ultimate struggle called life- balancing his pursuit for justice with the intricacies of his private life.

Through all the twists and turns of his new identity, he forges deep bonds of friendship and even finds love. He works with his new friends and allies to help Central City crime free.

In the end, he realized that by embracing the hero within, he could unlock a future of limitless possibilities. The Flash is not just a TV series; it’s an exciting account of a teen turned hero and savior through triumph, camaraderie, and indomitable spirit. 

It’s now summer vacation for most of us, so if you have time to binge-watch any TV series, I recommend trying The Flash. Trust me, you won’t regret it. So grab your snacks, cozy up on the couch, and enjoy the show. Hey, it’s summer, after all. 

Enjoy the show!

Bella H.

Dodosolsollalasol Show Review

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Spoilers are contained in this post!

Dodosolsollalasol is a romance and comedy K-drama that features the actors Go Ara and Lee Jae-Wook. It aired on October 7, 2020. It can be watched on Netflix and it has 16 episodes.

The main character, Goo Ra-ra, finds herself in shambles after her father dies the day of her wedding and her fiancé runs away during the wedding. Her life completely changes as she has to adapt from riches to rags. The male lead, Sunwoo Jun, is a high schooler who runs away from his parents due to high expectations and is currently hiding away from his parents.

Both characters find themselves closer to each other after an incident that led Ra-Ra to the hospital and due to financial reasons, Ra-Ra ends up staying with Jun and this develops their relationship. In the second half of the show, it’s more serious as the characters start to uncover each other’s secrets, but this problem is soon resolved. Although, after Jun’s secret is exposed, Ra-Ra and Jun are separated by Jun’s mother and Ra-Ra finds out Jun has an illness. Jun goes abroad for treatment of his illness and after a while, Jun was supposed to come back to the town on the day of Christmas, but he doesn’t show up. Ra-Ra thinks Jun is just running late but her world is shattered when Jun’s mother breaks the news of Jun’s passing.5 years after Jun’s death and everyone is trying to move on, but Jun comes back and tells Ra-Ra that he did not want her to see him sick so he faked his death for 5 years.

Most of the plot of the drama is Ra-Ra trying to survive on her own with the help of Jun and I honestly really loved it. The first half of the story is really cute and wholesome and I loved the interactions with the characters. The second half of the story was more serious but it was still really interesting and cute. However, like most people who watched Dodosolsollalasol, I did not like the ending of Dodosolsollalasol because the main male lead just randomly shows up after 5 years of faking his death. I felt like the ending was rushed and I honestly didn’t like it, but the show is overall really good and I definitely recommend it.

Over the Garden Wall – Cartoon Review

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Over the Garden Wall is such a special cartoon for me, and it is unlike anything I have ever watched. Every single element of this short series plays a part in conveying a detail important to the story, whether it be the lighting in a given scene, the animation style of a setting, or the tone of the background music. Having only 10 episodes that are each about 10 minutes long, its an extremely concise yet sweet story that for me, personally, evokes a lot of nostalgia.

I would assume this series is set in a small town in the 1970s judging by the overall feel of it, specifically in the fall (which is why I always binge the episodes with my brother on Halloween). Wirt, a self-conscious, anxious high schooler and his little brother Greg, a hyper ball of energy, find themselves lost in a part of the woods called ‘The Unknown’. In an attempt to try to get back home, they embark on a journey with the help of a pure-hearted yet deceiving bluebird named Beatrice. They meet many people with diverse origins and mindsets along the way, but trust becomes a dangerous game as the band struggles to avoid an evil spirit known as ‘The Beast’.

This cartoon grapples with topics such as moving on, feeling like you don’t fit in, self acceptance and feeling confident/comfortable about who you are, etc. It indirectly gave me a lot of insight on the existence of different personalities in the real world, and how you should be selective of the people you choose to surround yourself with and avoid. I was also reminded that just because individuals may find it hard to open up or express their feelings, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have good intentions; they’ll always support you. The story makes me appreciate how lucky I am to have true friends and family who love me, and reassures me that I’m not alone in trying to figure out exactly who I am.

Despite all of these heavy topics that can be interpreted from this series, it is a roller coaster of emotions suitable for all ages that never ceases to pull on my heartstrings and sense of attachment.

So, given that the plot is so amazingly thought out and the animation as a whole is absolutely beautiful, I would never not recommend this journey of a cartoon to anyone.

Over the Garden Wall available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. 

Adaptation Review/Comparison: The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2

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Before I begin the review proper I would like to preface that this review is mainly for those who are already aware of the Rising of the Shield Hero and while I will attempt to add context this review is more for those trying to decide whether to continue watching and/or reading the shield hero rather than those trying to decide whether to pick up the series or not. With that out of the way let’s start the review.

Now for those who decided to keep reading after that intro paragraph The Rising of the Shield Hero is a series of Japanese light novels written by Aneko Yusagi which was then adapted into an anime. The series follows the titular shield hero, Naofumi Iwatani, and his journey to save the world along with three other heroes.

The section of the story we are covering here is what is covered in the second season of the anime and in light novels 6-9. Now right off the bat, the anime decides to cripple itself by choosing to not adapt around 75% of the sixth novel which leads to an other-all state of confusion for anime watchers. You see much of the sixth novel is spent on introducing new characters and establishing new concepts and plot points. For example, in the light novel, we are introduced to the character of Eclair Seaetto who was tasked with helping the heroes learn actual combat abilities rather than just spamming their magic weapon skills like they had been. She also ends up beating the Sword Hero in a sword fight in order to prove a point which both highlights her skill with a sword and the fact that the Sword Hero is an awful swordsman.

Anyway, copying the anime in skipping that part we move on to what fans refer to as the Spirit Turtle arc. For a short summary of the plot for this part, in the world of the shield hero, there are four guardian beasts tasked with saving the world should the heroes fail to do so. However, a villain from another world going by the name of Kyo decided that he wanted to awaken the spirit tortoise early so that he could steal its power. Now unlike the previous section which only exists in the novels the spirit tortoise arc exists in both the novels and anime and both have their own pros and cons.

On one side of the comparison, the light novels do a much better job of highlighting the desperation Naofumi feels when fighting the spirit turtle and the sense of dread it brings. Not only do we hear Naofumi’s panicked thoughts but he also highlights how even with his insane level of defense the spirit turtle still manages to harm him. The novels also add the fact that the turtles’ servants act like parasites, using the still living bodies of their victims to grow their numbers. If the novels have one weakness it is that they are a slog to read through. This arc of the story happens to be rather stretched out and honestly it was painfully boring to read at some points.

On the other side of things, while the anime doesn’t do as much to establish the threat of the turtle it does have some definite benefits. For one thing the anime adds more scenes with the character of Ost Horai which give her more depth as a character and make it more painful when she dies at the end of the arc. Additionally, the anime was able to change the boring slog of the novels into mindless action which is a definite plus. If I have to be honest I would much rather watch the animes adaptation of this part than reread the novels.

The adaptation for the next arc, however, cements the Shield Heroes anime adaptation as less than stellar. To the anime’s credit they do at least cover this arc’s main plot points(Traveling to the other world to avenge Ost, meeting the Hunting Tool Hero, Raphtalia gaining the Legendary Katana Vassal Weapon, Fighting Trash 2, and killing Kyo) and it does alter a few things to make more sense like not spitting Raphtalia up from the main group immediately after entering the other world. The problem with this arc in the anime is that they only really cover the main plot points and skip over more minor but still important scenes such as Naofumi acquiring his Demon Dragon Shield which serves as his weapon of choice for quite some time in the novels.

In conclusion, if you want to truly experience the story of The Rising of the Shield Hero to the fullest I would highly recommend reading the light novels as while the English translation can be questionable in some areas it provides a better over-all experience with the story.

Movie Review: Creed III (2023)

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As this movie came out in March, I became interested in the movie after an amazing trailer and rewatches of the previous two movies of the Creed series. I watched the movie twice — once with my family the week after it released, and another with my friend — and I was not disappointed with the film. Despite the unfortunate and controversial absence of Rocky (Sylvester Stallone), the film really did well as it cemented the legacy of Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) and gave Jordan a great showing in his directorial debut.

In the movie, Adonis Creed lived a great life, as he became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and retired happily after a significant win in a rematch with his opponent in the first film, Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew). Creed lived happily with his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and his daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). He ran a gym alongside his trainer Little Duke (Wood Harris) as they trained various boxers, in particular the new heavyweight champion after Creed’s retirement, Felix Chavez (Jose Benavidez Jr). However, Creed’s world turns upside down after his former friend Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) showed up out of the blue after Creed negotiated a fight that pitted Chavez against his former rival, Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu).

The past between Creed and Anderson came out to be tragic. The two were friends as kids, however they faced abuse at the hands of their adoptive father, Leon. As they grew older, Anderson actually came out as a boxer focused on going professional, while Adonis was the ring assistant to Anderson. After a Golden Gloves championship win by Anderson, the two encounter Leon, which eventually led to a physical altercation that led to Anderson getting arrested after pulling out a gun and Adonis escaping after he abandoned the scene.

After Anderson came back, he focused on revenge and restoration of his path towards professional boxing. He manipulated Creed’s guilt and help as he hatched a plan that consisted of injuring Drago’s hand and taking his spot against Chavez, where he fought in a dirty fashion and won the heavyweight championship from Chavez. After he won, he publicly insulted Creed, his family, and his legacy, claiming that Creed only got his status due to the fact that Anderson was left in prison, which led to Creed coming out of retirement and challenging Anderson.

As Creed got ready for his fight, he realized that he had to let go of the past and focus on his situation. Despite him feeling guilty and shutting himself out from Bianca and his loved ones, he corrected his mistake and opened up to Bianca as she and Amara supported him. He became forced to dig deep and became ready for the fight — physically and mentally — thanks to Little Duke and an unexpected ally in Viktor Drago, who returned to help Creed train with his hand recovered.

In the fight between Anderson and Creed, the two face off in a cinematic masterpiece that left me in awe in the theater. The personal battle that these two fought became apparent in various ways as they left it all out in the ring in a grueling yet captivating war. After a brutal fight that consisted of 12 rounds, Creed defeated Anderson to reclaim the title. However, the two truly put their differences behind them and restored their friendship as Creed apologized to Anderson and Anderson accepted while also showing respect to Creed and his abilities. Creed then went on to share a heartwarming moment with his family to end the movie.

Overall, this movie proved to be an amazing movie from start to finish. However, what really connected with me and stood out to me was the lesson of being there for the loved ones in your life. In particular, Adonis showed it in his character arc as he realized his mistake of leaving Anderson without any form of contact for years, as well as pushing away Bianca when she tried to know what was going on between the two. However, he learned from his mistakes as he opened up to Bianca and finally apologized to Damian as they moved forward and put their past to rest. I would heavily recommend seeing this movie, as it competes highly with its predecessors for the best movie of the current Creed trilogy.

Creed III  is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

TV Review: Marvel’s Iron Fist (2017)

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As a part of the Marvel Netflix series, this movie became suggested to me by Netflix. Although hesitant at first due to heavily critical reviews, I decided to give it a chance and watched it over this recent Christmas break. And even though it had its issues, I still found the show entertaining and believed that the show — in particular the second season — deserved a watch.

The first season started off with Danny Rand (Finn Jones) entering New York for the first time following a plane crash that killed his parents and left him for dead. However, he became rescued by a group of monks from the mystical city of K’un Lun, and earned a weapon called the Iron Fist after he fought and slayed a dragon. He earned this right after he faced many of his peers, including his friend at the temple Davos (Sacha Dhawan). Despite orders to remain at the city, Danny left for New York to help restore what his family left behind in their death.

When he arrives, he found his family business, Rand, taken over by his childhood friends Ward Meachum (Tom Pelphrey) and Joy Meachum (Jessica Stroup). Despite a harsh reception, Danny eventually inherited his father’s rights to the company thanks to help from his new friend-turned-girlfriend Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick), his lawyer, Jeri Hogarth (Carrie Anne-Moss), a longtime friend of his father. Danny learns that the evil organization, the Hand, was responsible for his parents’ death, in particular Harold Meachum, the father of Ward and Joy (David Wenham). As Harold manipulated events so that he could gain control of Rand while he remained an abusive father to Ward, Danny worked together with Colleen and Ward to take down Harold, which led to Ward killing Harold as a way to prevent his scheme and to stand up after years of abuse.

In the second season, Danny struggles with his own purpose as the holder of the Iron Fist, as Davos and a vengeful Joy — who despised Danny and Ward for preventing her from knowledge of Harold’s existence — colluded to take away his power. Despite Colleen and Ward attempting to help Danny stop Davos from becoming astray with power, Davos eventually stole the Iron Fist from Danny with help from Mary Walker (Alice Eve), a former army soldier hired by Joy with multi-personality disorder. As Danny struggled with his quest to stop Davos and get back the Iron Fist, he realized that he lacked purpose as he only fought for the power of the weapon and not for the people he cared about.

As Danny realized this, he decided that Colleen should become the person who held the power as she knew her own purpose, while he did not. Despite Colleen refusing at first, she eventually accepted and defeated Davos in a personal battle. The series ended with the characters each pursuing their own paths — Colleen with defending the city, Danny with his history as he goes on a journey to find the supplier who helped Davos, Joy with the repercussions of hiring Mary, and Ward with his own purpose and identity in his life as he joined Danny.

Overall, despite some flaws, this show definitely improved from the first season to the second. The show was rushed, and I believe that Danny’s arc deserved more TV time, especially his journey towards earning the first. However, what really stood out to me and redeemed the show in my opinion was Tom’s acting ability as Ward Meachum, as he made Ward stand out each season and truly made Ward the best aspect of the show. Although Danny was the main character, the way how Ward was portrayed by Tom really made him stand out over Danny, despite Finn Jones also putting in a solid effort as Danny Rand. As this show is currently streaming on Disney Plus, I would recommend this series to anyone, however I will also say to not be discouraged, as the second season comes out as a vast improvement despite a somewhat lackluster first season.

Movie Review: Creed II (2018)

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This movie became the sequel of the movie Creed (2015) and came out on November 21, 2018. As I watched the movie that month, I really enjoyed the movie and learned more lessons in my life that I connected to after rewatches this year.

The movie started off with two different viewpoints: The Dragos, represented by the iconic villain Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) and his son Viktor (Florian Munteau), and the protagonists Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) and his mentor Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Determined by revenge following a defeat at the hands of Rocky in the movie Rocky IV, Ivan focused his son on the heavyweight title and restoration of honor to his home country of Russia as he put Viktor through intense training and professional fights, which Viktor underwent in dominating fashion. Meanwhile, Adonis won the heavyweight title after a fight with the champion at the time, Danny Wheeler (Andre Ward), and found himself at a new position of power. However, this is all turned upside down when Ivan and Viktor confront Rocky and Adonis, and the history all unfolds in an intense sequence of events.

Both of their complicated histories became revealed throughout the movie. Viktor dealt with abandonment from his mother and tough love from Ivan as he dedicated his whole life to boxing under training from his father with a purpose of making his father proud. Meanwhile, Adonis found purpose in his family and Rocky as he began a family with his girlfriend-turned-wife Bianca Taylor (Tessa Thompson) and had a baby who later turned out to be deaf. Despite all this pressure, Viktor and Adonis both found motivation in their fight against each other through their love for the people that they care about as they train.

Although Adonis lacked balance due to Rocky’s absence in the first fight and only retained his title due to disqualification after an excessive beatdown at the hands of Rocky, he came out victorious against Viktor in their second fight as he underwent training with Rocky and Little Duke (Wood Harris), the son of Apollo’s trainer, Duke (Tony Burton). In a grueling 12-round fight, despite Viktor’s mother walking out and abandoning Viktor again, Ivan chooses to throw in the towel and save Viktor from potential death after an exhausted Viktor faces a flurry of blows in the final round.

Despite their differences, the Dragos put their problems with Adonis and Rocky to rest in a heartfelt deleted locker room scene. As the movie came to an end, Adonis introduced Bianca and his new daughter to his father as they came to his grave, Rocky finally reconciled with his son, Rocky Balboa Jr. (Milo Ventimiglia) after years of disconnection, and Viktor finally gained the love and respect that he always desired from his father as they bonded over a run.

Although this movie admittedly has so much to unpack, it was definitely a captivating film to watch. While the first film focused on legacy, this film focused primarily on the purpose that fueled each character in their respective arcs. Tragedy faced each of the characters, however the journey and story that each of them underwent made this film stand out greatly. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone, as it is currently available on Amazon Prime for free with anyone who has a Prime subscription.

Creed II is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Knowing Brothers (TV Show)

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Knowing Brothers is a South Korean television show first released in December 2015 by the entertainment company SM C&C. It is also known as Men on Mission, or Ask Us Anything. The main cast of Knowing Brothers are Kang Ho Dong, Lee Soo Geun, Seo Jang Hoon, Kim Young Chul, Kim Hee Chul, Min Kyung Hoon, Lee Sang Min, and Lee Jin Ho as of now. The show is currently available on OnDemandKorea, Netflix, VIU, and DramaFever. There are currently 381 episodes of Knowing Brothers as of now. In the television show, different guests, mostly Korean celebrities, appear on different episodes and they discuss topics, some of which are personal, and they play games. 

I watched Knowing Brothers back in 2019 or 2020 when I watched it for this group I really liked and it was really enjoyable. I didn’t watch Knowing Brothers after that but I soon started watching them again recently and I really loved the episode where Seventeen, a Korean boy group, appeared for the second time on Knowing Brothers to promote their song, “Home; Run.” It was really chaotic and the main hosts were hilarious. I enjoy watching Knowing Brothers and watch it whenever I need to laugh. I recommend watching it if you’re bored or just need something to laugh at.