Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Stanley who lived in a small village. Stanley was a curious and adventurous boy, always longing for excitement and discovery. One day, while exploring the attic of his grandmother's house, Stanley stumbled upon an old dusty lamp. He was intrigued by the lamp's mysterious appearance and decided to give it a polish. As soon as he rubbed the lamp, a cloud of smoke emerged from it, and a magical genie appeared before him. The genie introduced himself as Zoltar and explained that he was there to grant Stanley three wishes.
Compact Disc - 978-1-101-14762-7
I am not a big fan of the detective novel, although I have enjoyed a few in the past like Nekropolis and of course Dirk Gently but I really did bond with this book and although the pace is somewhat sedate, it s one of the books real strengths. Savannah is a young, powerful witch who can t resist a chance to throw her magical weight around with her first chance at a real investigation involving a triple murder.
The genie introduced himself as Zoltar and explained that he was there to grant Stanley three wishes. Stanley couldn't believe his luck and quickly thought about what he wanted to ask for. His first wish was for a lifetime supply of his favorite chocolate.
Waking the Witch
Waking the Witch is an urban fantasy novel by Kelley Armstrong.
Savannah is a young, powerful witch who can't resist a chance to throw her magical weight around with her first chance at a real investigation involving a triple murder. At 21 she also knows it's her first chance to prove to her guardians and bosses in the supernatural detective agency that she is mature enough to handle a case on her own.
In the quiet, run down town of Columbus three young women have been murdered over the course of a year and in mysterious circumstances. It isn't long however before Savannah is in way over he head, run off the road, stalked and haunted by a mysterious stranger and in the midst of the still very active murderer, she finds herself pitted against shamans, demons, a voodoo-inflected cult and garden-variety goons. The most difficult aspect of the investigation though is admitting that she needs help.
Waking the Witch is a great title and I am very tempted to make a joke involving the wife but best not if I want to stay in one piece. This is the first book I've read by Kelley Armstrong and I must admit to being impressed, an Urban fantasy murder mystery novel within the modern day, 21st century setting complete with Iphone using witches. It's the eleventh novel in the Women of the Otherworld series that contain stories about both Savannah and her Witch mother / Cabal Sorcerer father (both now deceased).
The plot is fairly standard detective stuff but with a very impressive cast of characters, brought vividly to life and full of the imperfections that make them all the more real. The fantasy elements are very much underplayed and it works really well, having that almost standard fiction but with a fantasy twist really gives the book an edge. I am not a big fan of the detective novel, although I have enjoyed a few in the past like Nekropolis and of course Dirk Gently but I really did bond with this book and although the pace is somewhat sedate, it's one of the books real strengths. It's like the difference between running and strolling, running gets you there really fast and is (allegedly) very good for you but a gentle walk in the country allows you to take in natures glorious vista and notice all the little details. Kelley Armstrong manages to weave an impressive back story to the town and it's people so much so you almost feel like one of the neighbours.
Savannah herself is a very likeable character - a confident and capable witch who is tempered by a very human vunerability and sensitivity, she doesn't try too hard or pretend to be someone she's not and doesn't need to masculinize herself in order to take charge of a situation. The relationship with Adam is also very touching and you really get a sense of how much they mean to each other.
Waking the Witch is an accomplished urban fantasy detective tale that focuses on the plot-driven story and characters without the need to over utilise fantasy elements or dive into slushy romance and is one of books you just can't put down. Highly reccomended.
Open Ebook - 320 pages - 978-1-101-43553-3
Instantly, the genie snapped his fingers, and a mountain of chocolate bars appeared right before Stanley's eyes. For his second wish, Stanley asked for the ability to fly. The genie granted his wish, and with a wave of his hand, Stanley felt his feet lift off the ground. He soared through the sky, feeling the wind rush through his hair as he marveled at the magnificent view below. With one final wish remaining, Stanley pondered for a while, trying to decide what he desired the most. Finally, he decided to wish for the power to bring happiness to everyone he encountered. The genie smiled and granted his final wish, sending out waves of joy and delight to everyone in the village. As Stanley went about his daily life, he spread happiness wherever he went. The villagers were thrilled to have Stanley in their midst, bringing laughter and cheer to their lives. They sang songs, played games, and celebrated their newfound joy. However, as time went on, Stanley started to realize that spreading constant happiness was not the answer to all problems. People needed to experience a range of emotions in order to grow and learn. He went back to the genie and asked him to undo his final wish. The genie respected Stanley's decision and reversed the wish, allowing people to feel a more balanced range of emotions. The village became a place of authenticity, where people were able to learn and grow from both happy and challenging experiences. In the end, Stanley learned an important lesson about the value of emotions and the power of choice. He realized that genuine happiness cannot be forced upon others but should come from within. From that day forward, Stanley continued to live his life with curiosity and adventure, understanding that true magic lies in embracing life's ups and downs..
Reviews for "Stanley's Wish: How the Magic Lamp Changes His Life"
1. John - 1/5 - I had high expectations for "Stanley and the Magic Lamp," but I was sorely disappointed. The story was predictable and lacked any real depth. The characters were one-dimensional and not at all relatable. The animation was subpar, and the voice acting felt forced. Overall, I found the film to be quite forgettable and not worth the ticket price.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - "Stanley and the Magic Lamp" had potential, but it fell short in several areas. The plot seemed promising, but it quickly became repetitive and lacked originality. The humor fell flat, and the jokes were cliché. The animation was decent, but it didn't make up for the lackluster story. I had hoped for a more engaging and imaginative film, but unfortunately, this one didn't meet my expectations.
3. Alex - 2/5 - While "Stanley and the Magic Lamp" had its moments, overall, it failed to captivate me. The characters were forgettable, and the dialogue felt forced. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily. The animation was average, nothing outstanding or memorable. I was hoping for a magical and enchanting experience, but I was left feeling underwhelmed by this film.