We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.
Books: Darkly
Today we are talking about Darkly by Marisha Pessl. Arcadia (Dia) Gannon is shocked when she is chosen for an internship at Darkly, the gaming company founded by the late eccentric and reclusive game designer, Louisana Veda. Veda's dark and mysterious games were coveted when she was alive, but after her death, their value skyrocketed. Now, Dia and her fellow interns have been tasked with solving the mystery of the final unreleased game.
While the premise of this book is quite unique and interesting, the story's execution could be better. Most of the characters don't feel fully developed and it is often hard to differentiate them from one another, particularly the other interns.
The story is fairly unpredictable. There are definitely some shocking twists along the way. However, the final big reveal is somewhat predictable especially to avid readers or movie watchers who see this kind of twist quite often. Thus, even though the book had some good points, it was mostly a disappointment.
Movie: Saving Christmas
Today we are recommending Saving Christmas. Although there have been way too many takes on TV and in the movies on the "It's a Wonderful Life" plotline where a character finds out what life would have been like if they were never born, Saving Christmas puts an exciting and unique new spin on this old and tired plot. Instead of learning what life would have been like if he didn't exist, a teenage boy finds out what it would be like if Christmas didn't exist, and then he sets out to remind his family and friends by making the perfect Christmas for them. Although the movie drags a little at the beginning setting up the main premise, for the most part, this is a sweet and charming film that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Saving Christmas is available on DVD or digitally for purchase or rental now.
Music: The Sabbath Girl: A New Musical (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording)
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