Trinity Blood: Reborn on the Mars- Volume 1 The Star of Sorrow by Sunao Yoshida (Book Review)

Okay I've always been a Trinity Blood fan from the moment I heard about the anime. It just had such a unique art style that looked elegant yet violent at the same time. Combining themes from classics like Vampire Hunter D, Hellsing and even Trigun I couldn't help but be drawn in. Though the anime story was incomplete and to some extent so was the manga, mainly because the original writer Sunao Yoshida died in 2004 and thus couldn't finish the story. This came as a shock and bitter disappointment for me because I could see he was setting things up but was never given the chance to bring that huge plot revelation he wanted. Nevertheless as a fan I sought out any medium that could hint at something I didn't see in the anime or manga and it lead me to the original source material- the light novels. Unfortunately this novel isn't one of the new stories from the overall series, actually its pretty old within the first 10 eps of the anime. But I didn't mind reading it in its original form-always nice to see anime in literary form anyhow.

The synopsis goes like this, in the fallen capital of Istavan which lies in between the Methuselah (vampire) Empire and the Vatican (human) territory), life is ruled by the Marquis of Hungary Gyula. Gyula happens to be a vampire nobleman, one who spites humans to the point of inducing great suffering to the population with high taxes, martial law etc. But aside from this Gyula seems to have greater plans, plans that can put the entire world at risk. Now the protagonists of the story are split into two individuals, the first is a young nun called Esther Blanchett who secretly leads a rebel group of partisans under the alias Star to stop Gyula's obvious oppression. The second is a bumbling young priest Abel Nightroad who has been sent to Istavan by the Vatican to investigate Gyula and his secret plans while apparently having a much deeper persona.

Keeping away from most spoilers, I'll say that despite the story's episodic nature and the fact that I already knew what was going to happen (having seen the anime already) I was still entertained. The characters were very engaging with Abel acting very humourous and awkward but switching his personality at just the right moments, hinting at a sinister more all-knowing version of himself. Esther does well to be an innocent bystander unknown to the true nature of things. Even Gyula has great motivations behind his villainy and does well as a three-dimensional enemy. The minor characters are also interesting including Tres Iquis AKA Gunslinger the terminator-like gunman, and the very passionate Caterina Sforza who serves well as Abel's superior and shows the politics involved in the Vatican. Even the greater evil Rozencruz Orden does well to capture my attention.

Plus the series combines sci fi,fantasy and horror so masterfully. Only a few stories can rival it.

Also this individual story ended in a complete way hinting at a greater plot which should be continued in further novels or volumes. I just wish that this story did have some sort of ending because I personally think it could've been one of the greatest vampire stories out there, even surpassing Vampire Hunter D in some respect.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Avatar -Movie Review

Ok I know my new M.O was to update my blog with book reviews, I've been so touched by the new Avatar movie that I had to write something. James Cameron's new CGI Sci Fi epic just grips you from the first second and keeps you engaged even till after the credits roll. Simply Magnificent.

Plot Synopsis goes as follows: After Jake Sully mourns the loss of his twin brother, he is approached by the company that his brother worked for to take his mantel on some special project on the Planet Pandora. The project involves the use of these bioengineered Avatars made from human DNA and the DNA of the native inhabitants of Pandora called Navi. Now Jake knows nothing about this field of work, his brother was a talented researcher while he was just a marine grunt- now useless because he's in a wheelchair. Nevertheless because he shares the same blood as his twin brother, he's eligible to continue the project and he agrees because it gives him a chance to get his legs back via high priced spinal surgery. As he uses the avatar he's thrust into the world of Pandora with all of its dangers until he's taken in by a Navi Tribe the Omiticuya (i think thats the name ). There he learns their culture and way of life and is soon thrust in between the two races as conflicts and tensions rise.

Now I don't want to give too much spoilers I stuck to what was in the trailer. But theres more here, albeit subtle. The plot isn't all original since ive seen the same themes in Surrogates, District 9, Dancing with wolves , Battle for Terra and others. However the beauty in Avatar lies within the characters, many of the characters were engaging and had great individual stories. Jake lies in the shadow of his brother, and was only good as a marine but now as a cripple he thought he'd lost most of his worth. But the minute he received his new body he was given a new sense of freedom and it is displayed throughout the film, until the end when his mistakes begin the reveal themselves. Then there's the Neyeteri who has so much expectation as the village chief's daughter but finds herself attached to this alien abomination- meaning Jake. And even the secondary characters,Parker is more than the typical company director as he moves from being driven by greed to seeing the inhumane nature of his choices. Then theres Spellman who weaves between supporting enthusiastic colleague, to a petty jealous man, and then finally rises above to a heroic character of his own. And not to mention the Colonel Miles Quaritch- who was an excellent villain- albeit he wasn't very three-dimensional but very entertaining.

Its not the most original film, but the effort on all points, story, visuals, art design, direction,score, sound direction. I mean wow this film was a gem and worth the ten years wait. James Cameron never disappoints and I'm glad he came to the helm in bringing serious CGI animated films in American Cinema and moved away from the typical Pixar film.

5/5 Go see it