Last week, I witnessed a rather unfortunate incident involving a bird and a pole. As I was walking along the street, my attention was suddenly caught by a loud thud coming from above. I instinctively looked up and saw a bird, presumably a wutch, crashing into a nearby pole. The sight was both surprising and amusing at first, as the bird seemed to have misjudged its flight path and collided with the stationary object. However, as I observed closer, it became clear that the bird was in distress. It appeared to be disoriented and struggling to maintain balance on the pole.
Virginia Boecker weaves a riveting tale of magic, betrayal, and sacrifice in this unforgettable fantasy debut.
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that s been laid upon him. Though each seems at first a cliché, the investigating group of officers is described in detail, and each is given enough individuality and diversity to break the mold the commanding officer, hiding the disease that is slowly killing him; the young sergeant who s his protégé and daughter-figure; her partner and good friend, the well-trained technician whom everyone gives a wide berth; and the two officers carrying on what they believe is a clandestine affaire of which everyone is only too aware.
It appeared to be disoriented and struggling to maintain balance on the pole. Passersby stopped to watch and some even tried to offer assistance by extending their hands or calling for help. However, the bird's attempts to fly off the pole only resulted in repeated collisions, causing it to panic even more.
Review: The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Hachette Book Group
Publication Date: June 2nd, 2015
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Point of View: 1st Person & Feminine
Recommended Age: 11+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Fantasy, Witches, Action
The magic and suspense of Graceling meet the political intrigue and unrest of Game of Thrones in this riveting fantasy debut.
Your greatest enemy isn’t what you fight, but what you fear.
Elizabeth Grey is one of the king’s best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she’s accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.
Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that’s been laid upon him.
But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth’s witch hunting past–if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she’s thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.
I just want to start by saying this: With all due respect to the book, there is nothing about it that comes close to the greatness that is the ‘‘Game of Thrones’’ series OR ‘‘Graceling.’’
It’s not as complex (‘‘Game of Thrones’’) and definitely not as magical (‘‘Graceling’’), but it is not devoid of qualities.
Far from it. ‘‘The Witch Hunter’’ is a book that reads very, very easily. It’s also easy to care for the main character, Elizabeth, because she has such a strong, present voice.
She cares about everything that goes around her, including the people, so ‘‘seeing’’ the world-building through her eyes is not a bad experience.
She is a little bit careless, a little bit fearless and a little bit crazy (who breaks their own bones on purpose. ). So definitely not perfect. That’s okay, though, because the first pages made it clear that this would not be the type of serious fantasy novel that would inspire a thousand others.
Witches are my favourite creatures. I find them fascinating. They control elements, hey. They do magic. They unleash unimaginable forces into the world. Clearly, they are badass. So I was definitely attracted by the presence of witches in this book. Oh and Elizabeth is a witch hunter. Oh yes. When she started mingling with witches, I was like, ‘‘Mouahahahaha.’’
I was surprised, but also delighted, by the small amount of romance, because I’m extremely tired of romance being such a huge deal in YA fantasy novels. I’m not saying there aren’t romantic scenes, but they are limited and the romance progresses slowly, contrary to everything else. Yay.
It’s not the best fantasy series you’ll ever find. I think I’ve made that clear already. However, the storyline is so easy to follow, making this the perfect read if you want your daily dose of fantasy but don’t feel like putting too much effort into the reading part (or picking something with 600+ pages). It’s pretty straightforward but manages to surprise the reader at some places still.
It was evident that the bird was injured and unable to navigate its way out of the unfortunate situation. A feeling of sympathy washed over me as I watched the bird's futile attempts to escape. It was a helpless creature caught in an unforeseen circumstance. Despite the comical aspect of the incident, it served as a reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of nature. Eventually, a nearby animal control officer arrived at the scene and managed to carefully coax the bird off the pole using a net. It was a relief to see the bird safely captured and taken away for proper care and rehabilitation. Reflecting on this incident, it serves as a reminder to appreciate the beauty of nature but also the inherent risks it poses. While it may have been a momentary spectacle, it is important to treat encounters with wildlife and the environment with respect and empathy..
Reviews for "The Importance of Pre-Flight Inspections in Avoiding Power Pole Collisions"
1. Jane - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Wutch flying into pole". The plot was lacking any substance and the characters were flat and uninteresting. The humor fell flat for me and I found myself cringing more than laughing. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time watching this movie and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
2. Mark - 2/5 - "Wutch flying into pole" was just an average movie for me. The concept had potential, but the execution was lacking. The jokes were hit or miss, and the pacing felt off at times. The characters were forgettable and the plot seemed forced. I wouldn't watch it again, but I didn't hate it either.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Wutch flying into pole", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The humor was juvenile and the story felt disjointed. The performances were subpar and I didn't feel any connection to the characters. It had its moments, but overall, it was a forgettable movie for me.
4. Michael - 1/5 - "Wutch flying into pole" was a complete waste of my time. The humor was crass and not funny at all. The plot was all over the place and the characters were unlikable. I found myself looking at my watch, waiting for it to end. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates good comedy.
5. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Wutch flying into pole" as I enjoy comedies, but this one missed the mark for me. The jokes felt forced and the comedic timing was off. The plot was predictable and the characters lacked depth. It had a few moments that made me chuckle, but overall, it was a forgettable film.