Dear readers, Today I want to discuss an unfortunate incident that occurred involving the Ravens mascot during a recent game. The Ravens mascot, Poe, was performing a routine stunt when he had a serious accident. In a video clip that has gone viral, we can see Poe attempting to zip line across the stadium, a stunt that he has successfully performed many times before. However, this time, something went wrong. As Poe was mid-air, the zip line cable snapped, causing him to fall to the ground in front of thousands of spectators. The clip shows the horror on the faces of the crowd as Poe's fall is witnessed in real-time.
In a world where there are four Londons (Red, Grey, White, and Black), Kell has the rare ability to travel between the different worlds. Kell is also a smuggler and when an exchange goes wrong, he meets Delilha Bard, a thief From Grey London. This sets off a series of events that will change each London forever. V.E. Schwab weaves together four very unique worlds to explore in this book full of magic, intrigue, politics, twists, turns, and more twists and turns.
The Magicians is if Harry Potter went off to University, took a long shot of whiskey, and went through a clock into a very, very dark and twisty version of Narnia. If Kell s blood were to run black, it would be an indication that he s gone okay, I m just going to say dark side for our shorthand because everyone always knows what that means.
The clip shows the horror on the faces of the crowd as Poe's fall is witnessed in real-time. Thankfully, medical personnel were on hand to quickly attend to him. Reports state that Poe suffered serious injuries, including multiple broken bones and a concussion.
'Darker Shade' Paints A Fantasy World Rich In Depth And Color
One of the most compelling things about V.E. Schwab's second adult novel, A Darker Shade Of Magic, is how long it takes to develop a plot. Once the main arc finally slips fully out of the shadows, it turns out to be fairly standard for a fantasy novel: Evil scheming magicians, cursed and forbidden item, dark magic ready to consume everything it touches.
But Schwab takes her time in getting there. She builds a setting elaborate and unfamiliar enough that it matters once the familiar tropes start threatening it. The book could have been compulsively readable even without a major conflict — like Katherine Addison's recent standout fantasy novel The Goblin Emperor, A Darker Shade Of Magic is set in a world idiosyncratic enough that it doesn't need to be threatened to be compelling.
Schwab's backdrop involves four parallel worlds with four parallel Londons, each with a different history, ruler, and society. Only the Antari — the increasingly rare people born with magic in their blood — can naturally traverse these worlds, so they serve as liaisons between the rulers of the three surviving Londons. The book's opening protagonist, an Antari named Kell, thinks of them by color: Grey London, a mundane place where magic is scarce; Red London, his home, a warm place of copious magic; White London, a brutal world starving for resources, magic included; and Black London, an obliterated world consumed by greed for magic.
Kell is an appealingly complicated character, part put-upon functionary, part natural resource for the London rulers who see him, variously, as an exotic visitor, a useful tool, or a potential pet. There are elements of Diana Wynne Jones' nine-lived magician Chrestomanci in the way Kell revels in his magic while despairing over his duties, and the way he tries to carve out a personal life for himself, including illegally collecting little otherworldly tokens. He's accorded a deep respect in Red London, but he has little freedom, and few true connections. Dangerously, his self-pity doesn't leave him enough room to pity other people in worse situations, like his White London counterpart Holland, a soul-shackled slave of that world's sadistic tyrants. But his sense of responsibility and morality drag him into helping when he might rather sit home and brood over his knickknacks.
V. E. Schwab is also the author of Vicious and The Near Witch. Courtesy of Tor Books hide caption
toggle caption Courtesy of Tor BooksV. E. Schwab is also the author of Vicious and The Near Witch.
Courtesy of Tor Books
His opposite in every way is the book's other focus: Delilah Bard, an amoral Grey London pickpocket scrabbling to survive in poverty, but with all the freedom she wants, and a few more emotional connections than she'd like. Lila and Kell don't even meet until more than a quarter of the way through the book.
Up to that point, Schwab isn't just world-building, she's four-worlds-at-once building. In particular, she has to establish her peculiar and subtle rules of magic, equal parts manipulation of blood, will, and subtler factors like respect. (At one point, Kell accomplishes a difficult magical task essentially by begging the stones of a wall to cooperate.) But more significantly, she spends time with Kell, Lila, Holland, and their separate worlds, in no particular rush to tie them all together.
Her characters make the book. Just as Kell has layers, Lila is a satisfyingly rich invention: Single-minded, selfish, often unsympathetic, Lila would rather be a swashbucking pirate queen than a hero's arm-candy. Kell and Lila are as much rivals as allies, and when a dangerous smuggled artifact threatens all the remaining Londons, she's refreshingly interested in stealing it rather than destroying it. The plot comes late, but it comes naturally and easily, born out of the tensions between Holland's compulsions, Kell's reluctant sense of duty, and Lila's ambition.
Schwab also wrote the 2013 superhero deconstruction novel Vicious, and she writes young-adult and mid-grade fiction as Victoria Schwab. A Darker Shade Of Magic reads with the ease of a young-adult novel, with short paragraphs, quick-moving prose, and plenty of action. But it's grimmer even than the current bout of post-Hunger Games YA. Likeable characters die, badly. Torture, for pleasure or gain, happens frequently. The villains are monstrous, and the stakes are high, threatening all the worlds. But the stakes feel higher because Schwab takes the time to make a world worth getting lost in. Darker Shade Of Magic resolves its plot thoroughly, but still feels like it could be the seed of a lengthy series. With so many worlds on the map, there's plenty left to discover.
Tasha Robinson is a senior editor at The Dissolve.
The big set up of this chapter is learning how the average denizen of Red London thinks of Kell, which is that he’s pretty darned special, and they’re all kind of amazed by and afraid of him. So much for trying to enjoy the local nightlife in peace.
He was immediately taken to the hospital for further treatment. This incident has raised concerns about the safety measures in place for mascots and performers during games and events. Many fans are calling for an investigation into the incident to prevent similar accidents in the future. The Baltimore Ravens organization has released a statement expressing their concern for Poe's well-being and promising a thorough review of their safety protocols. They have also ensured fans that they will take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. It is important to remember that mascots play a significant role in creating an enjoyable and engaging atmosphere at sporting events. Their presence is loved and cherished by fans of all ages. However, their safety should always be a top priority. As fans, we can support the Ravens organization and Poe by sending well wishes and hoping for a speedy recovery. It is our responsibility to ensure that safety standards are upheld, not just for mascots but for performers of all kinds. Let us remember this unfortunate incident and advocate for better safety measures for mascots and performers everywhere. Stay safe and take care. Sincerely, [Your Name].
Reviews for "Behind the laughter: Ravens mascot opens up about viral accident"
1. John - 1/5 - I was highly disappointed with the "Ravens mascot accident clip". It was supposed to be a fun and entertaining video, but instead, it turned into a cringe-worthy and uncomfortable experience. The accident itself was not funny or amusing; it was just plain awkward and embarrassing. It felt more like the person behind the mascot costume was being humiliated rather than providing any form of entertainment. I would not recommend watching this clip unless you enjoy watching someone feel ashamed and uncomfortable.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - I have always enjoyed watching funny videos and clips, but the "Ravens mascot accident clip" missed the mark for me. The whole incident seemed forced and scripted instead of a genuine mishap. It felt like the team was trying too hard to create a viral moment, but it came across as inauthentic and staged. The clip lacked creativity and originality, relying instead on cheap laughs. Overall, I found it quite disappointing and not worth the time.
3. Mike - 2/5 - I had high hopes for the "Ravens mascot accident clip", but it left me feeling underwhelmed. The supposed accident was too predictable and lacked any real excitement or surprise. It felt like a failed attempt at humor rather than a genuine funny moment. The clip also dragged on for too long, with unnecessary replay and slow-motion segments, making it even more tedious to watch. I expected more from a supposedly viral video, but unfortunately, it fell flat and failed to deliver the entertainment I was anticipating.
4. Emily - 1/5 - The "Ravens mascot accident clip" was just plain cringe-worthy and uncomfortable to watch. The accident itself was not amusing, but more pitiful and embarrassing. It seemed like a desperate attempt to create a viral moment without considering the dignity and well-being of the person inside the mascot costume. I found the whole clip distasteful and lacking any real entertainment value. I would strongly advise against watching it unless you enjoy witnessing someone's humiliation and discomfort.