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Friday, March 15, 2024

Maya and the Three: TV Show Review

 
Netflix Limited TV Series – 1 Season (hopefully with more to come!)

*Warning! Minor spoilers*

 



CURIOUS to dive into more of the Mesoamerican mythos behind Year of the Snake (Changeling Sisters #5)? Don’t miss Jorge R. Gutierrez’s rich tapestry intertwining legends from the Aztec, Maya, Inca and even Caribbean culture, all effortlessly depicting distinct civilizations who must overcome their differences to defeat a power-hungry god of death.

Maya (voiced by Zoe Saldana) grows up a princess of the great city of Teca. Her father and brothers are Jaguar warriors, believed to be the prophesized warriors who will one day defeat the gods of the underworld—Lord Mictlan and Lady Micte, influenced by legends of Mictecacihuatl and Mictlantecuhtli, who ruled over the Aztec nine-level underworld Mictlān. In this story, Lord Mictlan is the God of War, a cunning and terrifying vision as voiced by Alfred Molina. On the day of Maya’s coronation, the party is crashed by Zatz, Prince of Bats (played by Diego Luna, so all good), who bears the message from the underworld that Maya’s real mother is none other than Lady Micte, the goddess of death herself, and she was only allowed to live to the notable age of fifteen so she could be sacrificed and increase Lord Mictlan’s power.

Stunned and seeking answers, Maya uncovers the truth of the prophecy that it was her all along destinated to face the Underworld—and not with her brothers, but with three warriors from each of the other kingdoms. She sets off to recruit outcast Chimi (Brooklyn Ninety-Nine’s Stephanie Beatriz), bumbling magician with a power greater than he knows (Allen Maldonado), and adorable giant warrior with a heart of gold Picchu (Gabriel Iglesias), who are each reluctant to help Teca. Along the way they are menaced by various deities of Mictlan, one of which, Zatz, proves to be more sympathetic the greater Mictlan’s cruelty toward even his own grows.

Oh, and Maya rides Chiapa the royal family jaguar who is simply the best.

It is truly amazing the heights animation has climbed to, and the distinctive kingdoms brought to life with a masterful use of geometric shapes and colors creates a gorgeously complex world in which to lose yourself. The story is deep, complex, with enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat every episode, and all the little nods to various legends are exciting to pick out. Vucub, God of Jungle Creatures, may possibly be based on Seven-Macaw (Vucub-Caquix) from Maya mythology, a bird demon defeated by the Maya Hero Twins in one of the only surviving written documents of the time, the Popol Vuh. Bats, of course, like Zatz, continue to play an important role, as notably they are part of the challenges the Hero Twins face in the Maya underworld Xibalba. The level of detail in world-building such as the distinctive orange cempasúchil (marigold flower) known for helping the dead remember to find their way back to the land of the living are a feast for the senses.

Now don’t be fooled by the TV-Y7 rating – this show deals with extremely dark themes and images that will be frightening for younger audiences. The aforementioned Mictlan really ramps up the fear factor in the final few episodes, and the series does not shy away from putting sacrifice, a very important foundation in many of these ancient cultures, at its core.

Did I mention Maya has two younger half-siblings Eagle and Jaguar who are *twins*? They’re only kiddos in this series, but given the great significance of Hero Twins in many Mesoamerican cultures, we can only hope this foreshadows a spin off season two to focus on their adventures!

Here is a trailer below:




 

 

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Upcoming Hiatus

 Ah, that thing called life.

Soon I'm about to report to a new boss who demands a 24-7 work week, hourly check ins, and communicates in screams and coos. In addition to boss #1 who is now lethally mobile. 

So while I will be buried awhile in the dreaded "fourth trimester," I look forward to updating you all upon my return. 

Just think of all the stories that can come out of that :D 

In the meantime, here's what's ahead in the writing world. If you missed it, Year of the Snake (Changeling Sisters #5) recently dropped on all major ebook retailers everywhere! See you soon. 


Publishing Schedule: 

2021
The Changeling Sisters Series #1 - 4 is now available in Paperback through Amazon.com!

2024 - 2027
The Stars of Eden (Afterlife Chronicles Book III): The epic conclusion to the Afterlife Chronicles

Year of the Crow (Changeling Sisters #6): The unforgettable finale to the Changeling Sisters Series

Paperback Releases, All Books: Afterlife Chronicles, Year of the Snake (Changeling Sisters Series #5)

Saturday, February 17, 2024

The Boys - Amazon TV Series Review

 


Warning! Minor Spoilers!

 

THE BOYS truly is the answer to superhero fatigue. While some movies like Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War took some interest in the sheer catastrophic toll all of these larger-than-life fights would take on society, The Boys forces you to stop and feel the sheer untouchability superhumans would have over us average mortals—then asks, what if they didn’t have the best intentions?

Again, we see a take of evil Superman in Justice League, but it just doesn’t hit home nearly as hard as Antony Starr’s impeccable depiction of The Boys’ equivalent Homelander—the charismatic virtually indestructible leader of the Seven—whose menace just feels so terrifying and real. In this not-too-distant America, a pharmaceutical company called Vought manufactures and markets superheroes, the most elite of which are held in worshipful adoration as members of the Seven—America’s top protectors against crime, flashing their sponsors’ products while stringing up the bad guys just in time for the cameras. Gawky, nerdy Hughie (Jack Quaid) is just one of the Seven’s legions of fans, convinced they can do no wrong—until one of them blows through his girlfriend at superhuman speed, leaving him showered in guts and reality.

For those of us who were Supernatural fans, the show is especially a treat because of the parade of familiar faces you’ll see over the course of three seasons as Hughie’s quest for vengeance takes him deeper into the dark side of the superhero franchise dominating the country along the likes of no-rules Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) and similarly disillusioned Seven member Starlight (Erin Moriarty). It’s as if creator Eric Kripke has found the platform he could take the kid gloves off and really go all-in with the gore, the WTF moments, and the unmasking of every character upheld on a pedestal (and when Jensen Ackles shows up as Solider Boy…there may have been fangirling #sorrynotsorry).

There have been some over-the-top moments that made my eyebrows disappear into my hairline (yeesh, like the twisted take on the Deep and his obsession with sea creatures), but from the beginning, the show is honest that there are very few lines it won’t cross (fair warning to the faint of heart).

With all the world-building and character back stories advancing steadily each season, I feel like the end of Season 3 has prepped Season 4 for a full-on sprint. The set up of Season 3 addresses the political scene of the USA today head-on with narratives around fake news, the lack of consequences for those in power, and the chilling polarizing rise of Us v. Them: there are those who are superior, those who are inferior, and middle ground is non-existent.

With just a few minor quibbles (some slow spots here and there; Stormfront’s initial characterization in Season 2 felt confusing with her true motivation reveal, and it seemed strange that someone as shrewd as Stan Edgar would have ever supported her joining the Seven), The Boys is a modern-day bingeworthy Game of Thrones that I’m heavily looking forward to, and can’t wait for the Season 4 release date! In the meantime, watch the teaser trailer here.


Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Year of the Snake (Changeling Sisters #5) Published!



A suspenseful, twisty geopolitical journey for shapeshifter fans dropping just in time for the holidays. You won't want to miss the penultimate installment in the Changeling Sisters Series. Now available on all major online eBook retailers:
 

Apple, Kobo, Scribd, Smashwords, and more:

https://books2read.com/u/bMVjQ7

Amazon.com:

https://www.amazon.com/Year-Snake-Changeling-Sisters-Book-ebook/dp/B0CLJFL5XM



Saturday, October 7, 2023

Another Exclusive Look Inside Year of the Snake

 


It's official - my cat refused to go out this morning, meaning it is finally getting into that autumn chill. Whether you're preparing to remember those who've passed on for Day of the Dead or visiting the pumpkin patch for Halloween, I've just released two more excerpts from Year of the Snake (Changeling Sisters V) to get into the mysterious mood of the season. Check them out below! 

https://www.wattpad.com/1388250652-year-of-the-snake-chapter-3-excerpt-celebration-of

https://www.wattpad.com/1388252487-year-of-the-snake-chapter-4-excerpt-popocat%C3%A9petl

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Exclusive Chapter Excerpt 1: Year of the Snake

 


Check out the first chapter excerpt from Year of the Snake (Changeling Sisters V), exclusively on Wattpad! 


*Year of the Snake will be available November 1, 2023 on all major online E-retailers*

Monday, September 4, 2023

Year of the Snake Cover Reveal

* Coming November 1 to all major online E-retailers*


XIBALBA IS RISING.

The Alvarez and Yong siblings have saved Seoul from a zombie apocalypse, but a murder close to home reveals the terrifying truth that the Death Gods are far from finished. Citlalli, Raina, and Miguel team up with Rafael and Khyber in a dark and convoluted investigation that will take them deep into the Central American peninsula, into the heart of the Maya underworld itself. Citlalli and Khyber’s newfound romance faces the ultimate test when Khyber is summoned to be King of the Vampyre Court, forcing him to choose once and for all his allegiance to the living or the dead.

Meanwhile, dragon shapeshifter princess Sun Bin is welcomed into the high-powered tech world of Saja Corp with promises of finding her missing brother and saving Nyssa from her divine captor. However, while the research into the viruses that created the Were Nation glitters brightly, underneath lurks a deadly secret, one that could spell ruin for life itself.

As Changeling Sisters across the globe unite to stop the catastrophic rise of Xibalba, the spirit world of Eve can no longer bury the sins of the past—and the world may well drown in them.

Year of the Snake is the penultimate book in the Changeling Sisters Series.