Aw! "Flight 714" is one of my absolute favourites. It's important to understand that the album is a deconstruction of everything you would normally find in the Tintin adventures; especially in how the gangsters are treated, or should I say, 'mistreated'. What didn't you like about it?
I'm glad you enjoyed "The Secret of the Unicorn". It's more of a straight-forward mystery/thriller but it's well done.

Haha, well, to be honest, I can't really pinpoint exactly what I didn't like about Flight 714. What I remember is that it was rather slow-moving, I had a hard time keeping track of the characters, and (I should have been more concise in my previous post), I didn't totally understand it. If I understand correctly,

I don't remember the gangsters' end... I'll have to go and see that, now that you pointed it out.
I recently finished "The Crab with the Golden Claws." I don't think I have to say this, but the artwork was great. My sister was comparing Ghibli's animation and Tintin's art - there's something about the way things are drawn that make the worlds very captivating. You're immediately drawn in within the first few minutes of viewing/reading. That's definitely my favourite part about reading the Tintin books. Little details like how seamlessly and perfectly the events proceed frame-by-frame (we might see one box where it's from Captain Haddock's view and then the next frame is Tintin's view) and responses of everyone, down to facial expressions, within the scene are constantly amazing me about these books.
The Grab with the Golden Claws was... well, it was... okay. There were things here and there that I didn't particularly like about it, and it didn't interest me as much as "The Secret of the Unicorn" and "Red Rackham's Treasure" did. The first half was my favourite, and there were quite a few similarities from the movie that I found really fun to notice, such as the scene where he meets Haddock, the boat sinking, the plane scene, the dessert, Bagghar, etc.
Captain Haddock was... I liked him much better in The Castafiore Emerald, but that's probably after a bit of character development.

Yes, "The Crab with the Golden Claws" is enjoyable but not great. Also, Captain Haddock is meant to be scary here because this adventure happens before he's reformed by his friendship with Tintin and the others. I understand why it would be a shock though.
As for the Studio Ghibli comparison, it's an interesting one. Both were committed to great art and compelling stories. I would love to see a Studio Ghibli Tintin movie one day, but I don't think it'll happen.

Here's my reading list for right now:

DragonQuest, DragonKnight, and DragonFire by Donita K. Paul

A dog named Boo by Lisa J. Edwards

I just finished the Unabridged 1200-plus page Les Miserables. The story itself is a great read. But the author rambles on and on about so many different things that are completely irrelevant to the story that it gets very frustrating at times.

I just finished the Unabridged 1200-plus page Les Miserables. The story itself is a great read. But the author rambles on and on about so many different things that are completely irrelevant to the story that it gets very frustrating at times.

Totally, totally agree. That's part of the reason I'm having a hard time with my own reading of Les Mis. My mom had to take it back to the library because I wasn't reading it fast enough. Someday I hope to get back to it, if I can stand the pages and pages of ceaseless rambling. I've heard the story is amazing, though, so that's one reason I'd like to continue. Plus, who wouldn't want 1100+ pages under their belt?

Purpleotter, I love the DragonKeeper Chronicles and actually just started Dragon Quest last night. Is this your first time reading them? You'll have to let us know what you think.

I just started DragonQuest too! Yes, this is my first time reading. I like them even if I am almost 19. I'm finding that Kale is a lot like me.

Okay, what I need to read

The hobbit

that's as far as my list goes, I usually end up picking up random books and reading the blurb and buying them without intent.

Today, we went to the library and I got Lion of Babylon and Rare Earth by Davis Bunn, A Blaze of Glory by Jeff Shaara, and a digital photography book. I would have gotten more books, but I was only allowed to get 4. I guess we will have to go back to the library sooner this way.

I started Lion of Babylon this afternoon and read about 120 pages of it. It is very good so far, but then it's a Davis Bunn book.

I'm also reading Lies Woman Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It's my Mom's copy, and I have had it for a couple weeks. But I have only read the first two chapters. It's great book though.

SnowAngel

So yesterday, I read The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by S. T. Coleridge for English. I liked it, overall. I had an edition with illustrations by Gustave Dore - they were lovely. My favourite was the one with the water snakes. The poem was pretty good, overall. There were certianly some strange asepcts to it, but the story was not bad and the verse itself was very enjoyable to read.

I've also started reading Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unforunate Events... I just started book 3. The Reptile Room was probably the saddest one, yet it had the most humour. I'm enjoying them so far! They're quick but really fun reads. So far, I picked up the first two randomly and read them in one sitting.

As for the Tintin comics, I've read The Blue Lotus (which I really liked), Tintin in Tibet, Cigars of the Pharaoh, and King Ottokar's Sceptre now. I really, really enjoyed these ones. I think my favourites were The Blue Lotus (the artwork in this one and Cigars of the Pharaoh is really beautiful.). My favourite, at this point, is probably King Ottokar's Sceptre. That one was the most fun and interesting, for me. I missed Haddock in these, of course, but after The Crab with the Golden Claws, I was okay with not seeing him for some time. My luck for reading them out of order.

The book I most recently read was Charles de Lint's Wolf Moon, a book I picked up on recommendation from a friend and the fact that I loved de Lint's Harp of the Grey Rose, which is a Celtic fairy tale of sorts. De Lint seems to have a reputation for putting a new spin on old stories, and he certainly deserves it for this book. The major premise of the story is this: the werewolf is the good guy, the harper (traditionally a good, mentor-type figure in fantasy) is the bad guy. This is oversimplified, but it's also where de Lint himself started when he wrote the story (as he reveals in his Author's Note at the back of the book).

I enjoyed this story very much. The main character was very well developed and his personal views on violence were probably the best (read: tasteful and ethical) I've read in fiction recently. The only drawbacks I had were that some of the secondary characters weren't as developed as I wanted them to be (particularly the main character's love interest) and the ending felt a little too pat and easy despite the struggles that were emphasized in the course of the novel. I would warn anyone else who reads it that there is some sexual content (not graphic, but a passing mention of a young man's experience entering puberty and an adult couple entering into a physical relationship outside of marriage). Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and character-driven stories.

I'm not sure if many of you guys are into manga but here's my review of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series.

Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa is a highly enjoyable and innovative manga series comprising of 27 volumes (over 5,000 pages in total). It's both character and plot-driven and could be classed as a 'philosophical/action/science fantasy/thriller' but includes elements belonging to the horror and humour genres. I'll be reviewing the English translation.

TRANSLATION:
There are two English translations, one by VIZ (an American publisher) and the other by CY Manga (a Singaporean publisher). I read all but three of the CY translations and found them superior to the VIZ translations (the former were more polished, had less mistakes). The CY Manga translations weren't without errors, they still had spelling and grammar mistakes and the occasional doubled up or missing word but on the whole they were better.

ART:
Simple but eye-catching. Ranged from manga 'realism' to heavily stylised eccentricities. I found some of the action scenes to be far too busy. They quickly became confusing (one of the disadvantages of a still medium). Also, some of the drawings in the last few volumes seemed rushed.

CHARACTERS:
There's a huge and varied cast of characters. Alchemists, state alchemists, citizens, criminals, soldiers, homonculi and a god, amongst many others - all very human (both good and bad to some degree). Edward and Alphonse Elric are the protagonists but for much of the story they are separated from each other. They take different journeys and accomplish various feats, accompanied by friends and foes. Several characters are given more time in the limelight than they deserve (eg. Sloth) and other more interesting characters (eg. Envy, Lust) don't get enough time.

STORY:
"Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving in return.
To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.
That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange.
In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth".

The series appears to be set in an eastern European-type country, where an ethnic cleansing akin to the Holocaust has taken place. In this world, a pseudo science (known as alchemy) is is used by the learned, skilled and sometimes desperate for good and evil purposes. The story takes place in an undefined era but much of the fashions, architecture and transport etc. suggest it's possible during the 1920's. The series begins with two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, when their father leaves home and their mother grows sick and dies. They try to resurrect her using forbidden alchemy but it goes terribly wrong. They leave home to start anew in search of the Philosopher's Stone, which is reputed to have great power. The philosophy of alchemy is a governing focus for FMA but the story also draws on some Judeo-Christian beliefs and values (particularly the Seven Deadly Sins), the seriousness of sin and guilt, the redemption found in forgiveness, the foolishness in playing God, and the idea that there is one God being Truth (though the latter isn't viewed in a particularly orthodox manner). There's also a touch of Eastern mysticism. While the series is action-packed, philosophical, unpredictable and disturbing, it manages to incorporate much broad humour that works (mostly) to great affect.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
In general, I found the first half of FMA more interesting than the latter half, which, while enjoyable, played out differently to what I expected. Still, considering this series took us on a 9-year journey, the story is incredibly consistent and cohesive. Towards the end of book 27, there's a final battle between the heroes and the main villain. This battle suffers from what I like to call 'Dragon Ball Z Syndrome' - the action's great for awhile - there's lots of crazy, intense fighting and powers being thrown around but then the action becomes rather confusing and ultimately a little over-blown. The aforementioned battle covers almost two volumes of the manga - that's exhausting and not necessary. Thankfully, the story has a well-deserved conclusion that doesn't serve to wrap every character's story up in a neat bow but allows for developments beyond the pages. All in all, a very enjoyable manga series.

Not for children (Teen: 15+). Fullmetal Alchemist: Contains strong fantasy violence, disturbing imagery and some language.

8/10

Over spring break, I'm reading Silas Marner by Mary Anne Evans/George Eliot for English Lit. It's interesting at this point. It is a bit wordy like Charles Dickens, but when that wordiness is interesting analogies or meaningful descriptions, I really don't mind it very much. I like the title character; the way the author introduces the reader to him is very well-done.
Someone at the library requested War and Peace, so I had to say goodbye to my copy. I don't know when I'll ever get around to finishing it.
I also began Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I stopped a few chapters in to read other things, but I'm not sure if I want to read the whole thing. (I did the unthinkable and looked up the plot on Wikipedia, so I'm spoiled for the story.) We'll see. Now that I don't have War and Peace to read, I'm deliberating between The Brothers Karamazov and Les Mis.

It has been a long time since I've been on NWeb. (Usually been on FB).

I'm really excited about the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference coming up in six weeks. I went last year and I found a new publisher for my book: OakTara. They are a traditional publisher (though not large like Bethany House), but they can market to Barnes and Noble and Christian Book Distributors and set up signings for me. They will also do a real job at editing (which my mom and I for this submission have THOROUGHLY gone through to do) which my first edition with Lighthouse Publishing did not get. OakTara has also offered a contract for my sequel with the first one. So that being said, I have severed my contract with Lighthouse which should be finalized this coming week and I'll be starting the contract process with OakTara in about two weeks. I will keep you posted when my spiritual warfare novel under the new title "Call to Arms" will be slated for release.

FencerforJesus, your book sounds really good, looking forward to it. Hope it all goes well. Thanks for keeping us posted.