Structure
The Lost City of Z
The Lost City of Z by David Grann Growing up I thought I wanted to be an archaeologist. Now that I’m a ripe 32, I realize what I really wanted to be was an adventurer–someone who dug deep into the dark and emerged with treasures unseen for millennia.
By Matthew J. Fromm27 days ago in Critique
Words of Radiance
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson And so we come to the yearly ovation for Mr. Sanderson. The man is a genius, his lecture series is one of the most important resources ever developed for writers, and I’m yet to pick up a Sando that’s scored below a 70. I have critiques that we’ll come to, but suffice to say I am a big supporter of Sanderson.
By Matthew J. Fromm28 days ago in Critique
The Blade Itself
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie Every once in a while, I pick up a book that reminds me fundamentally why I enjoy reading—a book that turns my brain off and sweeps me away to some far flung world that I can sit at any quiet moment and. . . disappear into.
By Matthew J. Frommabout a month ago in Critique
The Butcher of the Forest
The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed I loved Becky Chambers’s A Psalm for the Wild-Built. It was a nice warm hug of a book that explored finding meaning in life, our relationship with nature, and how to come to terms with not knowing where a path may lead. I gave it an 89/100.
By Matthew J. Frommabout a month ago in Critique
The Fall of Arthur
The Fall of Arthur by J.R.R. Tolkien/Chris Tolkien Naturally I’d start this series with my hardest evaluation of the year. I snagged this copy from Shakespeare & Co in Paris to appropriately cap off a trip that included seeing the Bayeux Tapestry (a lecture series for a different time, but it’s so important to the fantasy genre).
By Matthew J. Frommabout a month ago in Critique
Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 4— Review & Analysis
Episode 4 is one of the most psychological episodes of the season. Every character is fighting not only monsters, but also their own fears, memories, and inner worlds. Through Will and Max especially, the show explores a powerful theme:
By Ceyda Uztosun2 months ago in Critique
Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 3— Review & Analysis
Episode 3 builds the emotional core of the season. The show focuses on vulnerable children, parents carrying old guilt, and the thin line between what is seen and what is hidden. This episode develops both the characters and the growing danger in a very balanced way.
By Ceyda Uztosun2 months ago in Critique
Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 2 — Review & Analysis
1. Opening Scene & Immediate Tension Episode 2 starts with a pretty wild moment: the Demogorgon finally shows itself to Mrs. Wheeler, and she realizes that Holly wasn’t just imagining things. The scene is loud, chaotic, and honestly more emotional than I expected.
By Ceyda Uztosun2 months ago in Critique
Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 1 — Review & Analysis
1. Opening & Atmosphere The season opens with a nostalgic scene: Will, the Demogorgon, and the iconic “Should I Stay or Should I Go”… It’s a direct callback to Season 1. Right after that, the breakfast scene brings back Hawkins’ familiar warmth. But the calm doesn’t last long; the town is completely sealed off and under military control.
By Ceyda Uztosun2 months ago in Critique
The Sequel Stumbles (But does not Falter)
Jon M. Chu's conclusion to his ambitious two-part adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon arrives with considerable fanfare but delivers decidedly mixed results. Released on November 21, 2025, "Wicked: For Good" runs 2 hours and 17 minutes and picks up immediately where its predecessor left off, following Elphaba's exile and Glinda's ascension to Ozian celebrity. While the film has proven commercially successful—opening to $150 million domestically and setting a record for Broadway adaptations—the critical consensus suggests a marked decline from the original's magic.
By Parsley Rose 2 months ago in Critique
