Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

I have wanted to read this book for quite some time, eventually i got hold of it and was most disappointed, it had all the elements i enjoy for a good read, crime, fantasy, supernatural, however, i found the characters very shallow and couldn't get to grip with them, i kept losing track of the plot, eventually i gave up.

My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit - we do paperwork so real coppers don't have to - and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluable, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England.

Now I'm a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden . . . and there's something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair.

The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it's falling to me to bring order out of chaos - or die trying. Which, I don't mind telling you, would involve a hell of a lot of paperwork.

The Enchanters End Game By David Eddings

I have just finished the 5th and final instalment of The Belgariad, i felt this the weakest book of the series, it spent so much time warmongering, although there were some good bits in it.

 

The quest was over. The Orb of Aldur was restored. And once again, with the crowning of Garion, there was a descendant of Riva Iron-grip to rule as Overlord of the West.

But the Prophecy was unfulfilled. In the east, the evil God Torak was about to awaken and seek dominion. Somehow, Garion had to face the God, to kill or be killed. On the outcome of that dread duel rested the destiny of the world. Now, accompanied by his grandfather, the ancient sorcerer Belgarath, Garion headed toward the City of Endless Night, where Torak awaited him.

To the south, his fiancée, the princess Ce'Nedra, led the armies of the West in a desperate effort to divert the forces of Torak's followers from the man she loved.

The Prophecy drove Garion on. But it gave no answer to the question that haunted him: How does a man kill an immortal God?

Here is the brilliant conclusion to the epic of The Belgariad, which began in Pawn of Prophecy--a novel of fate, strange lands, and a Prophecy that must be fulfilled--the resolution of the war of men, Kings, and Gods that had spanned seven thousand years

Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings

This is the 4th book of the Belgariad Series, again i thoroughly loved it, Ce'nedra came into her own, and it was interesting finding out about Poledra Garions Grandmother, and the way they can transform into wolves.

It had all begun with the theft of the Orb that had so long protected the West from the evil God Torak. Before that, Garion had been a simple farm boy. Afterward, he discovered that his aunt was really the Sorceress Polgara and his grandfather was Belgarath, the Eternal Man. Then, on the long quest to recover the Orb, Garion found to his dismay that he, too, was a sorcerer.

Now, at last, the Orb was regained and the quest was nearing its end. Of course, the questors still had to escape from this crumbling enemy fortress and flee across a desert filled with Murgo soldiers searching for them, while Grolim Hierarchs strove to destroy them with dark magic. Then, somehow, they must manage to be in Riva with the Orb by Erastide. After that, however, Garion was sure that his part in these great events would be finished.

But the Prophecy still held future surprises for Garion--and for the little princess Ce'Nedra.

This continues the magnificent epic of The Belgariad,  begun in Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, and Magician's Gambit--a fantasy set against a background of the war of men, Kings, and Gods that had spanned seven thousand years--a novel of fate, strange lands, and a prophecy that must be fulfilled!

The Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings

1 My Favourite Characters Was Belgareth and Polgara, although all the characters knitted so well together, i enjoyed the interaction between Belgareth and Polgara.

2The part I enjoyed most was Belgarions gradual realisation of  who he is.

I 

I do enjoy fantasy books that take centre round a small group people on a quest/search, i find it exciting following their adventures

3-

I have read this book before it is a great story and very well told, watching it develop and grow.

From Goodreads - "BELGARIAD is exactly the kind of fantasy I like. It has magic, adventure, humor, mystery, and a certain delightful human insight."
PIERS ANTHONY The master Sorcerer Belgarath and his daughter Polgara the arch-Sorceress were on the trail of the Orb, seeking to regain its saving power before the final disaster prophesized by the legends. And with them went Garion, a simple farm boy only months before, but now the focus of the struggle. He had never believed in sorcery and wanted no part of it. Yet with every league they traveled, the power grew in him, forcing him to acts of wizardry he could not accept

Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings

Pawn of Prophecy (The Belgariad, #1)
by David Eddings

I love books with Maps in them, although this starts a little slow, the characters in the book and the setting for the story are a great read. This is Fantasy at its best. Going back down memory lane and rereading such a good story. I adore Polgara.

Garion the farm boy did not believe in magic dooms, but then he did not know that soon he would be on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger when the dread evil God Torak was reawakened.

Dead Beat by Jim Butcher

Dead Beat (The Dresden Files #7)
by Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)

I found this book rather hard going but i got through it, not one of my favourite authors or series, which is a surprise as i enjoy fantasy and crime, it seemed an ideal combination for me but I just didn't get on with it.

Paranormal investigations are Harry 'Dresden's business, and Chicago is his beat as he tries to bring law and order to a world of wizards and monsters that exists alongside everyday life. And though most inhabitants of the Windy City don't believe in magic, the Special Investigations department of the Chicago PD knows better.

Karin Murphy is the head of SI and Harry's good friend. So when a killer vampire threatens to destroy Murphy's reputation unless Harry does her bidding, he has no choice. The vampire wants the Word of Kemmler (whatever that is) and all the power that comes with it. Now Harry is in a race against time--and six merciless necromancers--to find the Word before Chicago experiences a Halloween night to wake the dead....

Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, Book 7) by Jim Butcher

I found this book rather hard going but i got through it, not one of my favourite authors or series, which is a surprise as i enjoy fantasy and crime, it seemed an ideal combination for me but I just didn't get on with it.

This adventure finds Chicago's preeminent wizard coping with his new roommate--vampire half-brother Thomas. Harry soon has problems bigger than Thomas' clutter to deal with. Marva, one of Harry's vampire foes, summons him with a threat to his police-lieutenant friend, Karrin Murphy. Marva demands Harry get the Word of Kemmler for her, or she'll frame Murphy for murder. Harry doesn't even know what the Word is, but while he's trying to find out, and also what damage Marva will be able to do with it, several necromancers descend on Chicago. When Harry learns that the newcomers are students of Kemmler, an evil wizard who mastered ancient spirits in a way no one has since, he discovers that they are seeking the Word, too, in hopes of seizing the powerful knowledge within it and calling forth a powerful creature known as the Erlking. Butcher's latest maintains the momentum of previous Dresden outings and builds the suspense right up to a rousing conclusion.

The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising

The film tells the story of Will Stanton, a young man who learns he is the last of a group of warriors who have dedicated their lives to fighting the forces of the Dark. Traveling back and forth through time, Will discovers a series of clues which lead him into a showdown with forces of unimaginable power. With the Dark once again rising, the future of the world rests in Will's hands.

	Alexander Ludwig	...	Will Stanton
	Christopher Eccleston	...	The Rider
	Ian McShane	...	Merriman Lyon
	Frances Conroy	...	Miss Greythorne

Merlin and the War of the Dragons (Video 2008)

In 5th Century Britian, a young Merlin struggles for his place in his known land under the tutelage of The Mage, a local wizard whom sees the young man's potential for magic, as well as face off against his evil former friend, Vendiger, whom plots with a feudal warlord king to conquer all of Britian using an army of flying dragons, and only Merlin with the alliance of the local Prince Uther and Ingraine and a pair of mystical goddesses, can have the power to stop the evil from taking over the land.

	Simon Lloyd-Roberts	...	Merlin
	Joseph Stacey	...	Vendiger
	Dylan Jones	...	Uther
	Hefin Wyn	...	King Vortigen
	Jürgen Prochnow	...	The Mage

The Librarian: Quest for the Spear (TV 2004)

When a magical artifact is lifted from his library, a meek librarian sets out to ensure its safe return. To do so, however, he enlists the service of a woman with exceptional martial arts skills - who becomes the enforcer in the relationship.

	Noah Wyle	...	Flynn Carsen
	Sonya Walger	...	Nicole Noone
	Bob Newhart	...	Judson
	Kyle MacLachlan	...	Edward Wilde
	Kelly Hu	...	Lana
	David Dayan Fisher	...	Rhodes
	Jane Curtin	...	Charlene
	Olympia Dukakis	...	Margie Carsen

Twilight (I) (2008)

Bella Swan has always been a little bit different. Never one to run with the crowd, Bella never cared about fitting in with the trendy, plastic girls at her Phoenix, Arizona high school. When her mother remarried and Bella chooses to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she didn't expect much of anything to change. But things do change when she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful Edward Cullen. For Edward is nothing like any boy she's ever met. He's nothing like anyone she's ever met, period. He's intelligent and witty, and he seems to see straight into her soul. In no time at all, they are swept up in a passionate and decidedly unorthodox romance - unorthodox because Edward really isn't like the other boys. He can run faster than a mountain lion. He can stop a moving car with his bare hands. Oh, and he hasn't aged since 1918...

	Kristen Stewart	...	Bella Swan
	Sarah Clarke	...	Renée
	Matt Bushell	...	Phil
	Billy Burke	...	Charlie Swan

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen's reign of terror.

	Johnny Depp	...	Mad Hatter
	Mia Wasikowska	...	Alice Kingsley
	Helena Bonham Carter	...	Red Queen
	Anne Hathaway	...	White Queen
	Crispin Glover	...	Stayne - Knave of Hearts

X-Men: First Class (2011)

At 7.20 decided to go and see the movie for the 7.30 showing, Monday night is half price at the Princess so we both got in for £6.00.  However, it was better than i expected, i am not terrible keen on the x men but i have to say i enjoyed it.

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN.

	James McAvoy	...	Charles Xavier
	Laurence Belcher	...	Charles Xavier (12 Years)
	Michael Fassbender	...	Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto
	Bill Milner	...	Young Erik
	Kevin Bacon	...	Sebastian Shaw
	Rose Byrne	...	Moira MacTaggert

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

A lovely evening snuggled up with my hubby, watching  a film which was much better than expected.

Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

	Nicolas Cage	...	Balthazar Blake
	Jay Baruchel	...	Dave Stutler
	Alfred Molina	...	Maxim Horvath
	Teresa Palmer	...	Becky Barnes
	Toby Kebbell	...	Drake Stone

Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief (2010)

A better film than i expected......

When his lightning bolt is stolen, Zeus accuses Poseidon's son Percy Jackson and gives Poseidon fourteen days to return it, otherwise he will initiate a war against his brother. Meanwhile the teenager, Percy, who is dyslexic and has ADHD is visiting The Museum of Metropolitan of Art and is attacked by a Fury disguised in his teacher. His crippled best friend Grover reveals that Percy is a demigod and that he is his protector and his teacher Mr Brunner gives him a pen telling him that it is a powerful weapon. They go to Percy's house and together with his mother Sally they drive to the Camp Half-Blood. However Sally is attacked by a Minotaur and vanishes before Percy can help her. In the camp, Percy befriends the gorgeous Annabeth; when they are attacked by Hades who wants the lighting bolt for himself, Percy discovers that his mother is in Hell with Hades. Percy decides to travel on a dangerous quest to retrieve the lightning bolt and save his mother...

	Logan Lerman	...	Percy Jackson
	Brandon T. Jackson	...	Grover Underwood
	Alexandra Daddario	...	Annabeth Chase
	Jake Abel	...	Luke
	Sean Bean	...	Zeus
	Pierce Brosnan	...	Mr. Brunner / Chiron
	Steve Coogan	...	Hades