Fiction

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. Fromm2 months 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. Fromm2 months 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. Fromm2 months ago in Critique
My Biggest Issue with the Finale of Stranger Things
I finished watching Vol. 2 of Stranger Things on Christmas, and I have to say, I did enjoy the buildup to the final episode. The writing was powerful, and it felt satisfying to see our characters finally be honest with one another in heartfelt ways, knowing that the end is near.
By Emy Quinn2 months ago in Critique
H/Jack
Introduction I will be honest, when I saw this advertised on Apple TV the only things that grabbed me were the fact Idris Elba was in it and the title "H/Jack". I have watched a lot of excellent stuff on the channel, most recently "Slow Horses" and "Down Cemetery Road", both absolute must-watch, and "Murderbot" was brilliant.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 months ago in Critique
The Empathy Deficit: When Activism Becomes a Performance Art. AI-Generated.
We live in an era of unprecedented awareness. Global injustices, local tragedies, and systemic failures are broadcast to us in real-time, packaged in high-definition video and poignant threads. Our response has become equally streamlined: a heart react, a retweet, a share to our Story with a sleek, pre-designed graphic and the perfect, pithy caption. We perform our morality in public, building a personal brand of consciousness. But in this grand theater of digital activism, a quiet, corrosive trade is happening. We are swapping the weight of genuine empathy—the kind that demands discomfort, sacrifice, and sustained attention—for the lightweight currency of performative allyship. The result is an empathy deficit, where we are more connected to causes than to people, and where caring has become a curated aesthetic rather than a compassionate action.
By HAADI3 months 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 Uztosun3 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 Uztosun3 months ago in Critique
Man On The Inside
Introduction I was watching Netflix, and series 2 of this came up as a recommendation. I was unaware of this, but it had Ted Danson in it, so I thought I would check it out.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred - EBA3 months ago in Critique
Dust. Content Warning.
I wipe cobweb-palmed ghosts of handprints off of Oscar's window. Nothing here looks familiar in the eye of unflinching daylight. A spider hangs from the skeleton of a dead chandelier. The only thing I recognize from last night is the smell of dust. Even after taking my morning shower and changing into a clean, pressed uniform, all I can smell is dust. It clings to my hair, to my teeth, to my tongue, my skin. Last night clings to everything.
By sleepy drafts3 months ago in Critique
I Paid $3,000 for an Autopsy Report on My Own Relationships
This isn't about end-of-life care or philosophical reflection. It's a service, commercially labeled "Life Panoramic Settlement." The process is as rigorous as applying for a loan, with a similar purpose: to assess your impact on the surrounding systems as either an "asset" or a "liability" during liquidation. I placed the order because I wanted to know if the world would even fucking blink if I vanished tomorrow night.
By 天立徐3 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 Uztosun3 months ago in Critique