In the opening sequence of Severance Season 2 Episode 5, Trojan's Horse, we see an unidentified man who is an Exports Hall employee pushing a cart into Optics & Design at Lumon, while whistling the tune to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot. Here's what exactly that song is about, and how it may be a huge clue for what's going on in Severance.

What is The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald about?

The roughly six-minute song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was written, composed, and performed by Canadian singer and songwriter Gordon Lightfoot in 1976. L?ightfoot wrote the song to memorialize the sinking of a bulk carrier ship, the SS Edmund Fitzgera??ld, that sank just a year earlier in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975.

Lyrically, the song tells the s??tory of the final voyage of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald which sank in Lake Superior due to a massive storm, killing all 29 crewmen on ??board. At its core, the song tells the tale of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. Let's take a look at the first verse from the song:

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early

How does the song tie into Severance?

It's important to keep in mind that with a show as cryptic and mysterious as Severance, everything is purely speculation. But while the man could just be whistling this tune because he fancies it, I thin??k it's a ?bigger clue to several aspects of the show.

For starters, the song may be a bigger clue as to where the world of Severance actually takes place. All we know for certain is that it's in a town called Kier, with the state code of PE. That's not a real state code, but rather a fictional one for the purpose of the show. The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald happened in Lake Superior which resides in and around t??he northern Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This isn't the first reference to that area, so it may be a clue as to the geographical location of the town of Kie??r.

More importantly, however, the lyrics themselves may offer a clue into the bigger picture of what's going on in Severance. In Episode 5, Drummond informs Mr. Milchick that "Mark Scout's completion of Cold Harbor will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in the history of this planet." He then references Mark's MDR comp??letion percentage, which he later progresses to 85%. So what could all this mean?

Cold Harbor is clearly a special project by Lumon, that Mark is involved with unknowingly. A popular theory right now is that Lumon is attempting to perfect some sort of cloning technology, which would somewhat explain why Mark's deceased wife, Gemma, has appeared on the severed floor as Ms. Casey. An early computer screen in Severance ??Season 2 showed a picture of Gemma/Ms. Casey, with several stats on the screen whi?ch appears to be vitals of some sort, as well as five sections at the bottom each with four categories: WO, DR, FC, MA.

Severance fans were quick to point out this probably references the four tempers, which Lumon founder Kier Ea?gan mentioned in Season 1, stating "Each man's character is defined by the precise ratio that resides in him. Woe, Frolic, Dread, Maliace." Those four certainly fit with the WO, DR, MC, FA at the bottom of ??the screen. Ms. Cobel also reads a quote from Eagan in Season 1: "Tame in me the tempers four, that I may serve thee evermore."

It's possible The Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald is a subtle nod to what Lumon is actually up to, with this simple lyric in the first verse: The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead. It's possible, perhaps, that Lumon is trying to figure out how to use Kier Eagan's four tempers to perfectly clone someone, in an attempt to actually clone Kier Eagan. Mark's connect?ion to Gemma is what is allowing him to do his "Marco Data Refinement" which is actually using the four tempers to help create a perfect clone of Gemma/Ms. Casey, that will later be used to clone Kier Eagan himself.

A wild theory, for sure. But this is Severance we're talking about, so nothin??g is off the table.

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After a crazy ending to Severance Season 2 Episode 4, Woe's Hollow, Episode 5 titled Trojan's Horse followed u?p with a not-as-crazy but still pretty wild ending. Let's break down what exactly was going on to Mark at? the end of Episode 5.

What is going on with Mark?

In the final scene of Severance 2 Season 5, Trojan's Horse, we see Mark really going through it. For starters, he's still got that cough, the one that's seemingly been nagging him the last few episod?es. When did we? last see that? From Mark's work buddy Petey in Season 1 who had debilitating—and eventually fatal—effects from reintegration. As he goes to leave his reintegration session with Reghabi, a former Lumon surgeon who also assisted Petey, he hears his wife Gemma's voice.

As he tries to shake it off, Mark hears it again, before his surroundings change to the long black hallway from the Lumon severed floor. He walks towards the voice of his wi??fe, who see?ms to be reciting what Ms. Casey told Mark's innie during his Wellness Session. "Your outie listens to misc while shaving, but not while showering," he hears, trying to navigate what appears to be the halls of the Lumon severed floor searching for her.

The voice grows closer, "Your outie once caught a butterfly," Mark hears, before turning around to see none other than his wife Gemma,?? as she appeared at Lumon on the severed floor—AKA like Ms. Casey—looking back at him. Mark freezes instantly with a look of fear, excitement, and sadness all at the same time. Which, by the way, Adam Scott has been absolutely killing it this season. Well, to be fair, the whole cast has.

A??nyway, "Your outie is going to-," Gemma starts to tell him, before suddenly she disappears and Mark is back standing in his house, no longer in Lumon. Understandab??ly, Mark bursts into tears. So what happened here?

It appears reintegration is happening for Mark

Early in Season 2 Mark made the choice to commence with reintegration. He held off in Season 1 after what happened to Petey, but learning his wife might actually still be alive, he made the ?decision to do it anyway. What happened at the end of Season 2 Episode 5 is exactly that: Mark is seeing/remembering the memories from his innie.

While it's great for Mark to get conf??irmation that his wife Gemma is still alive—at least in some way—it's clearly taking a toll on Mark as indicated by his increased coughing. That being said, there's no way Mark puts an end to it after finally making some pro??gress toward finding his wife.

What else happened in Season 2 Episode 5?

Here's some other thoughts I have after watching the Severance Trojan's Horse episode, though beware some of these might be theories of an obsessed ??fan!

• After the goats in Episode 3, followed by the opening of Episode 5 with the dental equipment, and the discussion Helena Eagan had with Ms. Huang and Lumon about continuing the work on "Cold Harbor" and "feeling human", I can't but think back to the early moments of Season 1 Episode 1. After coming to, Helly asks, "Am I livestock?" Mark replies, "You think we grew a full human and gave you consciousness?" This might have been the biggest clue for what's going on in Severance and we got it right from the start.
• Irving's 8-bit innie funeral with watermelon was pretty cool, that's all I want.
• It would be awkward to be the ham on the table when Burt is introducing Irving to his husband Fields.
• Milchick is for sure going to flip and join the innies, and who would blame him?! I mean come on, the paper clips?!

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Early on in Severance Season 2 Episode 5, aptly titled Trojan's Horse, Milchick compares Helena Eagan going undercover as Helly since the events of the Season 1 finale to the story of Grakappan. (Prouncouced Grak-?Shoe-Pin) But is the story of Grakappan actually real, or just made up by Milchick?

What is the Story of Grakappan?

The story of Grakappan is referenced by Milchick early on in the episode when Helly questions why her outie, Helean Eagan, was on the Severance floor imitating her. After pondering the question, Milchick responds with a question, "Have you ever heard th?e story of Grakappan?". Und??erstandably, none of them had.

"In ancient times the King of Sweden himself was known? to go incognito amongst his people in the hopes of learning their true grievances. He would don an old, gray robe, a Grakappan, the name for which he was remembered, t??o disguise his royal vestments," Milchick would explain. "Kier Eagan himself was known to do so in his ether factories, and Ms. Eagan was carrying on this noble tradition."

So, according to Milchick, Helena Eagan was essentially doing her own version of Undercover Boss to try and learn the grievances of the MDR team to make Lumon a better workplace. We, the viewers, know that is not the? case, and thankfully Mark, Helly, and Dylan aren't buying it either.

The show, and more importantly management in Severance, like Milchick, are no strangers to making up stories, so it would be understandable to wonder if the story of Grak??appan is actually true or even ??a real thing.

So is the Story of Grakappan actually real?

Yes, the story of Grakappan is actually real. After the end of the Scanian War between Sweden and Denmark in 1679, King Charles XI became known as the Greycoat, or the Grakappan in Swedish. He would intentionally disguise himself and visit villages across Sweden seeking to spot ?corruption against the populace from higher orders of power, usually the corrupt church.

One famous story from King Charles XI actions as Grakappan talks of him visi?ting a village in disarray while its priest lived lavishly, wh??ile another nearby village was in outstanding condition but its priest was in poverty. King Charles XI switched the two priests to solve this issue.

So the basis for Milchick's comparison of Helena Eagan's actions is based on real events. ??However, I wouldn't be surprised ??if his story about Kier Eagan doing the same as his ether factories is a fabricated part of the story.

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Unmatched is a game for fans of tabletop miniature skirmish games or anyone who spends their free time thinking about impossible fighting matchups �?like the teenage mutant ninja turtles versus the dinosaurs from Jurassic Park. 

Each Unmatched box comes with a set of combatants, a deck of ability cards, and maps for staging your epic tabletop battles. The sets run the pop culture gamut from Marvel heroes to mythological figures and even some historically renowned fighters. Witcher fans can get in on the action by checking out two different box sets that introduce six characters to the Unmatched battle system. 

Unmatched: Witcher: Steel & Silver

Steel & Silver is the best place to begin your Unmatched journey. The set is designed for 2-3 players, and it comes with the two most important characters from The Witcher: Geralt and Ciri. For something a little more off the beaten path, players can also take control of the Ancient Leshen to torment their opponents with dark forest magic. The battle maps included let you fight through the Farylund forest or explore Kaer Morhen, and with full ability decks for each character, this set gives you everything you need to ??spend hours duking it out with up to two of your friends. 

Unmatched: Witcher: Realms Fall

Realms Fall expands your options by adding two new maps and several new characters from the Witcher universe. This set is also designed for up to three players, and it gives you the option of playing as Philippa, King Eradin, or trying something completely new by controlling Yennefer and Triss simultaneously. For the new duo, Unmatched introduced a sidekick mechanic that ?opens up options for making your playstyle more expressive than ever. 

Both sets are available individually and cost $50 apiece. Restoration Games also sells the sets as a Witcher bundle, which comes with an exclusive mini.

Bathtub Geralt won’t be a useful fighter �?he doesn’t even have a deck of abilities �?but he will spice up your collection. Unmatched is a great game for experienced mini players and newcomers alike, and these Witcher sets are a great way to scratch your itch for the series while waiting as CD Projekt Red works The Witcher 4.

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It’s not very often that my anime-loving side and my nu-metal-loving part get to meet in the middle, but the opening credits for Netflix’s upcoming Devil May Cry anime adaptation just dropped, and I am very muc??h experiencing the best of both worlds. 

In what might be the most shocking reveal of the year, and I mean the whole year and not just the last month, Devil May Cry will have a truly epic? opening credits sequence with a massive blast from the past musical accompaniment �?Rollin�?by Limp Bizkit. 

Netflix dropped the opening credits for the much-anticipated anime adaptation of Devil May Cry almost out of nowhere, and expectant fans immediately took to the comment section on YouTube to voice pretty much the same reaction across the board: “Well, I wasn’t expecting that.”�?/p>

I have to admit, the track does fit impeccably with the dark and brooding vibe of Dante. Many expressed that they could picture him listening to it relentlessly, and I have to agree. Fans have long been excited about the prospect of a new DMC anime, and this has just floored me and many others. It’s nice to know I’m not alone, and this is 100% going to end up on the short list of anime with opening credits that I adamantly refuse ??to skip over. 

I mean, listen to it, and if you have already done so, go and listen again because it's just so good. I'm ??fairly confident Limp Bizkit are experiencing a jump in viewing stats for the video as I write. There's nothing like a renewal of interest in a classic, and this has certainly reminded fans of this absolute gem.

I guess we shouldn’t really be surprised, as there were beats of nu-metal in the teaser trailer that Netflix shared in September, and the dark subject matter of DMC definitely lends itself to the heavy guitar riffs of Rollin�? &nb??sp;

Devil May Cry is set to release on Netflix on April 3,?? and this unexpected drop from Netflix has definitely reignited discussion and excitement over the ??upcoming series. Sadly, only eight episodes will feature this absolute banger of an opener. With Nero’s original English voice actor Johnny Yong Bosch switching to voice Dante in this adaptation, there are high hopes for an epic series. 

The post Devil May Cry Netflix opening credits revealed?, and nobody was expecting ??this appeared first on Destructoid.

There are two types of book readers in the world. Those who have not re??ad Cormac McCarthy and think of literature as an escape from the brutal realities of life, and those who've read Cormac McCarthy, and are now haunted for the rest of their lives.

McCarthy's unique prose, often described as sparse and lyrical, combined with his natural aptitude for immersive worldbuilding and nuanced characterization, have turned him into one of the greatest nov??elists of all time. But, of course, you probably already knew that, so let's get into the gritty, blood-soaked world of unlikely protagonists and unlikely places, overviewin?g the man's bibliography and trying to rank these unforgiving, timeless fictional tales; tales where man and nature collide in their most stripped down form.

12. Stella Maris (2022)

I’m somewhat conflicted about putting Stella Maris all the way at the top of this list. To say that every other book Cormac McCarthy has published is better than his final novel in no way implies that Stella Maris isn’t a brilliantly written work. This serves as a companion book to 2022’s The Passenger, which was McCarthy’s penultimate novel before passing. The story follows Alicia Western, a math prodigy, who has to deal with his father’s contributions to the dev??elopment of the atomic bomb.

What makes Stella Maris further stand out is the novel’s unique structure. The entire book is written in a series of conversations between Alicia and Dr. Cohen, a psychiatrist working at the Stella Maris mental health hospital. Alicia and Cohen discuss many ideas involving humanity and human themes like love, loss, grief, and morality. In a sense, Stella Maris could be compared to a Socratic dialogue, where the protagonists go back and forth discussing deep and profound issues sittin?g at? the summit of this human experience.

11. The Passenger (2022)

Cormac McCarthy never shies away from a disturbing premise filled with existential dread, and his second-to-last novel is no exception. The Passenger follows the tale of Bobby Western, the brother of Alicia Western from Stella Maris, as he deals with his father’s haunting contributions to the Manhattan Project and feels guilt about not being able to save her sister Al??????????????????????????icia from schizophrenia and eventual suicide a decade ago. Bobby also needs to investigate a submerged airplane off the Gulf Coast, with the discovery of a missing passenger pulling him into a tale of mystery and enigma.

The Passenger perfectly blends noir mystery (which the author excels at) with philosophical musings and themes of existentialism, weaving a profound, dark, and mysterious tapestry for the readers to drown in one of the most experimental novels in McCarthy’s bibliography. I do not doubt that The Passenger will be appreciated as m??uch as some of his other well-known works in the years and the decades to come.

10. Outer Dark (1968)

One of Cormac McCarthy’s earlier novels but just as brutal and dark as some of his other well-remembered works, Outer Dark is the story of Culla and Rinthy, a brother and a sister living in an unspecified location and time period engaged in an incestuous relationship. If you think that’s bad, just wait until you read the full premise. Outer Dark essentially begins with Rinthy giving birth to Culla’s child, and the latter leaving that child in the forest? because of his shame and guilt. The two then embark on separate journeys. Culla, wracked with sin and guilt, is on his way to find a job across the country, and Rinthy is determined to find h?er child.

The landscape of Outer Dark is brutal and unforgiving, as if McCarthy intentionally throws the readers into a world devoid of any moral values, wh?ere nihilism is the rule of thumb, and the occurrence of anything outside that bubble of inhumanit??y is the exception that only reinforces the rule, if it occurs at all.

9. The Orchard Keeper (1965)

McCarthy’s allusions to the Bible and religion, in general, make up most of his creative psyche (even Outer Dark is named after a passage in the Gospel of Matthew), but his first novel, The Orchard Keeper, doesn’t even attempt to be subtle when it comes to these themes. Taking place in the interwar period, this book revolves around three protagonists: a young boy whose father was murdered, a bootlegger who unwittingly killed him, and the titular orchard keeper living his l??ife as a recluse.

Despite being McCarthy’s first novel, the language bears that unique mark of poetic, sometimes grotesque romanticism, bringing together profound themes like change, alienation, and loss to afflict morally complex characters. McCarthy brings the landscape of rural Tennessee to life in a way that few others can imitate, turning The Orchard Keeper into a timeless read, even if it’s ??hardly one of his best works.

8. Suttree (1979)

Out of all the novels McCarthy has written, Suttree is perhaps his most unique work, often compared to masterpieces like James Joyce’s Ulysses. McCarthy wrote this semi-autobiographical novel over a span of 20 years, so it’s safe to assume that the story felt more personal to him than any of the other books. Suttree tells the story of a well-to-do man who turns his back on h?is privileged position in society and seeks a life of solitude as a fisherman on the fringes of Knoxville, Te??nnessee.

If that hardly registers to you as the makings of a decent plot, it’s because Suttree has no real plot. Just like Ulysses, this book’s narrative is all over the place, opting to just follow an episodic, sprawling road that chronicles Suttree’s day-to-day life and discusses his encounters with the odd people that inhabit the frontiers of civilization. Suttree has lyrical prose, rich characters, and many existential themes familiar to McCarthy readers, but perhaps the novel’s most distinguishing quality is its humorous tone, sprinkled in between the grim moments to give you a somewhat balanced experience??, especially compared to the rest of McCarthy’s bibliography.

7. Child of God (1973)

One of the most important functions of literature as a med??ium is to cultivate empathy in society. Novels put you in the shoes of other people and give you a window through which to look at their actions, their thoughts and ideals, and their very souls, bared for the minutest glimpse that could result in understanding. That’s the reason why we love tragic heroes. That’s the reason why we can’t help but admire tragic villains. Who knows, perhaps these chara??cters also speak to a part of us deep inside that could very well manifest that potential to be as courageous as that hero or as sinister as that villain.

This is perhaps the most grounded introduction I could give for Child of God. The story of a violent serial killer, an outcast mongrel, who comes to life thanks to McCarthy’s unflinching exploration of the darkness that imbues the human spirit. Abandoned by society, haunted by his own madness, and alienated in every way imaginable, the protagonist in Child of God gives you every reason to hate him, but you’ll still find yourself sympathizing with him,?? wondering if things would’ve been different had this world been less neglectful of its out??liers.

6. All the Pretty Horses (1992)

Now, we finally get into the Western/cowboy territory of McCarthy’s bibliography proper. The first book in the so-called Border Trilogy, All the Pretty Horses deals?? with John Grady Cole, a sixteen-year-old boy who sets out for Mexico in search of purpose after his grandfather dies and his family’s Texas ranch is sold. Grady eventually finds a ranch in Mexico and starts working there, just to fall in love with the daughter of its owner, leading to a forbidden romance amid the brutal backdrop of the American West.

All the Pretty Horses is one of McCarthy’s most acclaimed novels, featuring evocative prose and an adventure-driven n?arrative full of complex characters. Of course, that’s not to say you can’t expect McCarthy’s conventional brutal realism to permeate every chapter of this story, but all in all, this book is a profound coming-of-age story that reinvents the Western g??enre and questions its romantic ideals to a large degree.

5. Cities of the Plain (1998)

The third book in the Border Trilogy, Cities of the Plain continues to chronicle the adventures of John Grady in the early 1950s as he falls in love with yet another person destined to further thrust his life into danger and violence. Cities of the Plain continues the plotlines already established in All the Pretty Horses and The Crossing, giving you closure to both the story? of John from the former and the story o??f Billy from the latter.

If you want tragic heroism, then reading the Border Trilogy, and specifically Cities of the Plain, is a must. McCarthy’s prose in this conclusive threequel is as poetic and flowery as ever, and though some may criticize it for getting in the way of an immersive rea??ding experie?nce, I find that it works surprisingly well in the context of the narrative and the world he has built.

4. The Crossing (1994)

The second book in the Border Trilogy focuses on a completely new character who goes by the name of Billy Parham. The Crossing is a coming-of-age story set in southern New Mexico during the late 1930s, telling the tale of how Bill??y sets out across the wild landscape to return a captured wolf to its natural habitat. The landscape of the frontier is stark and brutal, with McCarthy using his simple yet lyrical prose to capture the essence of what it feels like to re?connect to the natural world and embrace its inner cruelty.

The character of Billy Parham is one of the most well-developed in McCarthy’s arsenal, and even now, The Crossing remains one of the best boo?ks he ever wrote. The other great thing about this middling chapter is that it can be read on its own without the need to delve into the epic tale of John Grady. And who knows? Maybe you’ll love it enough that you’ll pick that book up, too, if only to learn how John and Billy end up together in the third and final novel.

3. No Country for Old Men (2005)

Yet another brutal McCarthy story taking place near the Mexico–United States border, No Country for Old Men was originally conceived as a screenplay, which is why the prose and the structure are vastly different from the author’s previous works. The story is about a drug deal gone awry, thrusting the book’s three?? protagonists into an atmospheri??c tale full of tension, moral scruples, and twisting character resolutions.

A movie adaption by the Coen brothers came out in 2007 and garnered critical acclaim, often being hailed as one of the best movies of the 21st century. The Coen brothers remained thoroughly faithful to McCarthy’s novel, and they claimed that even the author, who visited their set, liked the movie. No Country for Old Men ??remains one of McCarthy’s most well-known and popular novels.

2. The Road (2006)

Now, we come to the story that perhaps redefined McCarthy for a whole new generation of readers. It’s difficult to talk about The Road and the huge influence it has had on the post-apocalyptic subgenre, if for nothing besides the fact that one wouldn’t even know w??here to begin. McCarthy’s novel inspired many other tales that mirrored it to one degree or another, even? if his unique and stripped-down prose doesn’t necessarily reflect that at first glance.

The story of The Road takes place in a bleak, ruined, and ash-covered landscape. Civilization is ??in tatters, the natural world is all but a memory, and what remains of society is a collective of stragglers who have turned to vicious violence and cannibalism. Amidst this chaos, we have our main protagonists, a father and his son, who have to journey through this bleak world and survive by clinging to the ragged remains of their humanity.

1. Blood Meridian (1985)

Blood Meridian, or, The Evening Redness in the West, is widely regarded by many critics as one of the most profound works of American literature and the revisionist post-modernist Western movement, as well as McCarthy's magnum opus. In fact, if there ever was a book that had more than a mixed claim to the title of the Great American Novel, it is McCarthy's Blood Meridian.

The story follows the Kid, a nameless teenage drifter who joins a gang of scalp-hunters hired to kill American Natives in the mid-19th century. Blood Meridian is brutal, unflinching, and terrifyingly grotesque, dealing with themes like violence, human savagery, morality, the mass illusion of civilization, and the death of meaning on the outskirts of order. Blood Meridian is not for the faint of heart, but reading this stark, almost mythic tale will allow yo?u to understand why Cormac McCarthy is one of the greatest novelists of all time.

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With the end of Yellowstone, our cowboy-loving, Wild West-year??????????????????????????ning hearts are once again left without a consolation prize, but that doesn’t mean we can’t mimic the feeling of living through the history of the Dutton family with other works.

Taylor Sheridan (the creator of the Yellowstone universe) may be the go-to maestro of modern Westerns at the moment, with the genre going through a general stupor at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t quench your thirst through other mediums. Specifically, Western literature is f??ull of underrated and often overlooked gems that could make you fall in love with this genre all over again.

So, grab your hat and spurs and giddy up, partner, because we're giving you a list of the top 10 books you should pick up if you’re a fan of Yellowstone and that cowboy life.

10. The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy

Following McCarthy’s tradition of exploring philosophical dilemmas and existential crises in the guise of the modern novel, The Crossing is part of a trilogy of books called the “Border Trilogy,�?set between 1992’s All the Pretty Horses and 1998’s Cities of the Plain. You follow the tale of a cowboy named Billy Parham, who, with his family, is living in Southern Mexico. McCarthy’s potent prose, combined with his profound exploration of themes such as loss, the nature of good and evil, and the struggle for justice, has turned The Crossing int?o a timeless novel. This is essentially a coming-of-age tale in a Wes??tern setting, but with a McCarthy novel's grim and brutal workings as Billy traverses the so-called frontier life and struggles to return a captured wolf to the wild.

9. The Virginian by Owen Wister

We all know Yellowstone is a modern take on the declining way of cowboys. More than its compelling characters, more than the beautiful vistas of the Montanan landscape, and even more than the iconic soliloquies delivered by John Dutton, Yellowstone is about a way of life that’s getting destroyed. So, if you’re looking to find what it means to be a cowboy and live by the principles and moral code of the American frontier life, then reading The Virginian by Owen Wister is a must.

This is the essential novel for the cowboy archetype, revolving around a nameles??s figure who goes by the Virginian; a man of few words but i?ron-hard principles, who has to balance his sense of justice with a world that’s slowly leaving him behind. Moral ambiguity, great romance, and the representation of nature as a character, as opposed to a backdrop. What more could anyone want from a Western novel?

8. A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean

The main reason I chose this novel is its setting. A River Runs Through It takes place in Montana, and deals with two brothers as they grow up in a world where nature and fly fishing are the two pillars that hold up their lives. Yes, this isn’t a cowboy story, per se, but Norman Maclean’s lyrical prose and evocative themes revolving around family, identity, grace, honor, and the passage of time all shine through A River Runs Through It, turning the novel into a timeless classic. And the icing on the cake? The book is actually semi-autobiographical, which means that some of th?e events you see in it are directly inspired by Maclean?’s own life in the beautiful, landlocked state of Montana.

7. True Grit by Charles Portis

One of the most popular classics of the Western genre, True Grit follows the tale of an old maid who recounts her brutal escapades 50 years before the present day. Written by Charles Portis and originally published in 1968, True Grit centers around Mattie Ross�?story as she teams up with a grizzled, drunk U.S. Marshal and a ranger to track down her father’s murderer in Indian territory. If that premise sounds familiar to you, it’s because you’ve probably read or watched it a dozen times over in the form of other Western stories, but the fact remains that True Grit was one of the fo??rerunners of this timeless storytelling tradition.

Portis�?story has also been turned into ??two highly acclaimed movies, one in 1969 starring John Wayne and another in 2010 directed by the Coen brothers and led by Jeff Bridges. If you like?? Westerns with a bit of true grit (I’ll see myself out) then do yourself a favor and pick up this book.

6. Hondo by Louis L'Amour

You may think that cowboy life is all about enjoying the moment, basking in the tranquility of nature, and perhaps putting a little bit of work in to make sure that the herd is taken good care of. Sure, there’s brutality and grit in Yellowstone, and the Dutton family gets up to a lot of sketchy activities when the law isn’t looking th??eir way, but the lus??h Montanan landscape and its challenges are nothing compared to the Old West.

That’s where a quintessential read like Hondo by Louis L'Amour comes along, following the tale of a gunman for the U.S. Army who has to navigate a treacherous territory filled with the Apache. This iconic protagonist named Hondo Lane, who embodies every stereotype about the classic Western hero, becomes entangled in a tale of morally complex situations, emotionally charged sequences, and a timeless tale of heroism and valor against the backdrop of the harsh frontier life. While Hondo is one of Louis L'Amour's ma?ny novels, it goes a long w?ay to prove that no one does it quite like him when it comes to Westerns.

5. Close Range by Annie Proulx

Consisting of a collection of short stories set in rural Wyoming, Close Range is a poetic, raw depiction of the lives of its protagonists, who have to weather the hardships of their time period and come to terms with universally human ideas like love, loss, resilience, and regret. One of the most famous stories in this collection is Brokeback Mountain, which was adapted for the big screens in 2005 and starred Jake Gyllenhaal and the late H?eath Ledger in the lead roles.

Proulx delves into the lives of ranchers and cowboys, and while ??there’s a certain serenity underlining the entire work, there’s also a point to be made about the harshness and isolation of the American West, offering both extremes of life and a range of all it has to offer. The prose is ly??rical and beautiful, with Proulx still lauded as one of the best authors of this genre in literary circles.

4. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Larry McMurtry, Lonesome Dove is the most archetypal Western novel you could lay hands on. The story is set during the last breath of the Old Wes??t and revolves around a group of retired rangers who have to drive a cattle herd from Texas to Montana. On this road, they face adventures, dangers, hardships, and natural disasters as they come to terms with their slowly diminishing way of life and their place i??n this world now that the frontier is essentially fading into nonexistence.

Lonesome Dove features a cast of compelling multifaceted characters, as well as a visceral depiction of the Old West, blending action, tragedy, and drama into what’s arguably a classic of the genre now, even though it came out a little less than four decades ago. Lonesome Dove is one of Taylor Sheridan's favorite novels.

3. Butcher's Crossing by John Williams

When it comes to Westerns, there’s a lot of mysticism and bravado attached to the life of the protagonist undergoing trials in the Old West. It’s as if the frontier has, over time, turned into a mythological tradition of its own, always depicting heroes that are larger than life, situations that allude to the absurd, and challenges that take more than one’s natural acumen to overcome. Novels like Butcher’s Crossing by John William walk in the opposite direction of this tradition, trying to make the story more grounded and the characters more relatable. It’s sort of like what Taylor Sheridan did with a few of the Yellowstone cast ??by depic?ting them in a more modern hue, even if a little unwittingly and inevitably given the constraints of the period.

Butcher’s Crossing, similarly, follows the story of a young Harvard student, who, inspired by the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, hops into the wild and finds himself in the great West. ?Our protagonist Will Andrews joins a buffalo hunting expedition and goes on to confront the gritty everyday life found in nature’s uncaring bosom.

2. The Son by Philipp Meyer

Much like Yellowstone, this 2013 novel by Philipp Meyer depicts three generations of the McCullough family as they try to survive in the wild. You first follow Eli McCullough, who is adopted by the Comanches at a young age and brought up as one of their own. Eli goes on to fight in the American Civil War, shaped by a cruel life that turns him into a vicious cattle owner in the future. Eli’s son, the second POV in the novel, disagrees with his father’s vindictiveness but has to weather storms of his own to deal with it. Lastly, there’s Jeanne McCullough, Eli’s great-granddaughter, who goes on to become an oil baroness. If there ever was a book that perfectly captured Yellowstone’s spirit, it would be The Son.

1. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

One of the greatest novels in the English language, Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy is a must-read eve?n for people who don't like Westerns. It's also another instance of the anti-Western movement, bringing a sense of realism to subvert the romanticization of the Old West tradition. McCarthy's prose is, as usual, full of strange sentence structures and archaic-sounding words. The novel is gritty, and sometimes even grotesque, dealing with the life of a teenager who joins the Glanton gang, a real-life group of scalp hunters who massacred Indians for sadistic pleasure.

Blood Meridian is not for the faint of heart, and reading through it for the first time is not necessarily an enjoyable experience, nor a breeze like so many other books on this list. What makes it worth the hassle, though, is McCarthy's exploration of human themes in their rawest form. Blood Meridian was so incongruous that it was at first received with mixed reactions, but it has since grown to be hailed as McCarthy's magnum ?opus (which says a lot) not to mention one of the greatest American novels of all time.

Bonus: Cattle Kingdom (The Hidden History of the Cowboy West) by Christopher Knowlton

While many of the authors on this list have done their homework when it comes to the Old West history, their novels mainly center around their respective narratives and don't expand to encompass a larger picture of the so-called "cowboy west." To that end, reading Cattle Kingdom will prove to be the most illuminating experience out of all of them. In Knowlton's own words: "Cattle Kingdom reveals the truth of how the West rose and fell, and how its legacy define?s us today. The tale takes us from dust-choked cattle drives to ?the unlikely splendors of boom-towns like Abilene, Kansas, and Cheyenne, Wyoming."

So, if you're looking for a strictly historic, scholarly take on cowboy life, picking? up Kwollton's book is your best bet.

The post 10 books to read if you like Yellowstone appeared first on Destructoid.

Some know him for his intricate magic syste??ms. Others recognize hi??m as an author reinventing the speculative genre with his unique touch. To us, however, Brandon Sanderson is simply one of this generation's greatest storytellers.

I use the word "great" but perhaps the more accurate adjective would be "prolific." Since starting his career with the release of Elantris in 2005, now almost two decades ago, Sanderson has written dozens of fantasy novels, most of them critically acclaimed hits, and there's no sign o??f him stopping any time soon.

Whether it be The Stormlight Archive, an epic high-stakes fantasy tale taking place on an exotic planet, Mistborn, one of the best reinventions of the steampunk subgenre, or any number of the other standalone stories and novels in Cosmere and beyond, Sanderson has left his mark in the literary tradition of the 21st century. And while the pros??pects of picking up these books may be daunting at first due to their sheer scale, here we've decided to rank some of the best of ?them to give you a glimpse into Cosmere and how it's been received by readers over the years.

These are the top 10 B?randon Sanderson books, ranked from worst to best.

15. Skyward (Skyward #1)

I sometimes think of the Skyward series as Brandon Sanderson slowly preparing himself to approach the upcoming third and fourth Mistborn eras, which are supposed to depict the modern and futuristic space periods, respectively. Skyward is a fast-paced character-driven sci-fi story that, unlike many of Sanderson's other books, is aimed at a young adult audience. You follow Spensa, a girl with a fiery spirit who lives on a planet constantly beset by invasion from a race of aliens. Spensa wants to train to become a pilot, but her family's past has turned her into something of an outcast in society. Skyward is dynamic, easy to read, and full of intense action. Sanderson should definitely write more sci??ence fiction.

14. Rhythm of War (Stormlight #4)

To say that Rhythm of War is the weakest entry in The Stormlight Archive series would be to severely undersell some of its surging strengths (pun intended), but at the same time, we can’t help but notice that the fourth book only exists to bridge the gap between the first three books and the fifth and final one in the first arc, which came out a couple of weeks ago under the title of Wind and Truth. There are many moments that I loved in Rhythm of War, but at 12?00+ pag??es, this was the longest installment in the series thus far, and the longest book Sanderson has ever written.

That is, until Wind and Truth came along and raised the bar by adding another couple hundre?d pages. If this book was, say, 300 pages shorter, then it might have turned into one of my favorite fantasy books. But expecting Sanderson to write fewer words is like asking the sun to take a day off.

13. The Lost Metal (Mistborn #7)

Concluding the story of Wax and Wayne, whose adventures comprised the second Mistborn era set hundreds of years after the trials of Vin and Elend, The Lost Metal is one of the most emotional stories Sanderson has written. The humor and heart that defined much of the so-called Wax & Wayne saga is still there, but the stakes have never been higher for the planet Scadrial, and beyond that, the Cosmere as a whole. The ending is satisfying and the character resolutions are emotionally fulfilling, but what sets the second Mistborn era as well as The Lost Metal apart is its expansive lore-building, finally bringing many worlds from across the Cosmere, including The Stormlight Archive and elusive concepts such as perpendicularities and world-hopping to the ?fore.

12. Tress of the Emerald Sea

Reading through Sanderson's Cosmere is not just daunting for its sheer volume, but the fact that many of these large-scale epic stories tend to wear you down over time. For these people, the best way to retain their lifeline to Sanderson's writing but avoid burn-out is approaching books like Tress of the Emerald Sea; lighter, whimsical, less chunky, and overall, more palatable and?? charming. Sanderson publish?ed this as part of his Secret Projects but he originally wrote it as a gift to his wife. The story follows Tress, who leaves her idyllic life to save her kidnapped lost interest, once again told by Hoid. Though unlike most of his other fanciful tales, this one truly occurred in the larger Cosmere.

11. Warbreaker

While most Brandon Sanderson series stand on their own feet and rarely include references to other worlds, and then very opaque, Warbreaker is one of those novels that can help you make sense of the larger Cosmere, especially The Stormlight Archive. In fact, some characters from Warbreaker do appear on Roshar, even if under a different guise. Warbreaker is full of action and compelling character arcs, but perhaps the best part about this well-known and acclaimed standalone is the fact that you get to explore a magic system unlike any other the author has developed, full of magic and colors and the enigmatic type of energy known as BioChromatic Breat???h.

10. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

At its heart, the story of Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is a celebration of art and creativity. This is one of the books Sanderson released as part of his Secret Projects initiative, now considered the most successful Kickstarter campaign in history. The story is told from the perspective of Hoid, a famous Worldhopper in the Cosmere that appears in most Sanderson works like The Stormlight Archive and Mistborn. This time, Hoid (or Wit, as he's otherwise known) is telling us the story of Yumi, a powerful spirit binder, and Nikaro, a nightmare painter, taking place on the planet Komashi, whi??ch has been inspired by East Asian cultures.

The idea of using art as magic, the intricacies of dual worldbuilding for our two protagonists, and the beautiful illustrations in Yumi all turn it into one of Brandon Sanderson's best publicatio??ns to this day.

9. The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)

Ash fell from the sky, and so began Brandon Sanderson’s journey from a modest fantasy enthusiast to the greatest voice in the genre. The Final Empire may not be the author’s first published work, but it remains, even after all these years, the be?st gateway into Cosmere and the epic works that comprise it. We follow the tale of a group of disgruntled, wrathful slaves known as skaa, who are attempting to overthrow the tyrannical god emperor of their world.

The tale follows the street girl Vin, distrustful and apprehensive, who gets recruited by Kelsier, a charismatic con artist, into his burgeoning group of rebellious skaa. The world of Mistborn is unique, both in storytelling and aesthetic. There are mysteries to discern, secrets to uncover, and a dozen colorful characters to fall in love with. Even Brandon Sanderson himself says that the best way to start on the Cosmere journey is to pick up the first Mistborn trilogy, consisting of The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of Ages.

8. Oathbringer (Stormlight #3)

Every Stormlight Archive book has a fundamental premise that defines that particular installment. With Oathbringer, Sanderson attempted to see if he could subvert expectations in a way that he has never done before. And no, I’m not talking about the game-changing twist about the fight for Roshar at the end of this book. Oathbringer focuses on one of the main characters, Dalinar Kholin, and shows us his past in a raw, unfiltered light. You get to see how the famed and feared Blackthorn managed to forge an empire through blood and savagery, and how this man whom everyone once disavowed for his wicked ways became one of the most respectable and honorable people in the entire Cosmere. The story of Dalinar’s fall and redemption achieves something that few fantasy books in history have managed to pull off, and perhaps none as successfully as Sanderson’s Oathbringer.

7. The Emperor’s Soul

Brandon Sanderson is known for writing chunky fantasy novels that easily push past 1000 pages. He is known for his elaborate plots, extremely complex magic systems, intricate lore and worldbuilding, and ambitious, series-spanning character arcs. And yet, one of the best stories Sanderson has ever written was a novella that came out in 2012, titled The Emperor’s Soul. This is ??not a story that needs foreknowledge to understand.

This isn’t a tale embedded in the tangled web of the so-called Cosmere universe. The Emperor’s Soul is the thought-provoking, compelling tale of a thief named Shai, who gets tasked with forging a new soul for the brain-dead emperor and is given 100 days to accomplish this gargantuan undertaking. Reading The Emperor’s Soul will only take you the better part of an afternoon, but the experience will stay with you for weeks if not months. If you want an easy gateway into the brain of Brandon Sanderson, then picking up this novella is your best b??et.

6. Words of Radiance (Stormlight #2)

Many in the fandom would put Words of Radiance, the second book in The Stormlight Archive, above the first one??. The storylines are more compact, the main characters finally begin to interact with each other in earnest, and the overall worldbuilding is less ambiguous, not to mention that iconic scenes like “the duel�?turn Wor??ds of Radiance not only into one of the best books Sanderson has written, but one of the best fantasy books of all time. (The sequel is usually ranked in the top three on Goodreads�?Best Books of All Time list.)

All of these statements are true in their own way, and I would’ve agreed with them, except for the fact that The Way of Kings is still objectively more significant for the way it sets up the story and the world in such a seamless manner. That being said, Words of Radiance is still pretty epic, its scenes remaining a c?omfort read whenever I prowl through the Brandon Sanderson section of my library.

5. The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3)

When people think about Brandon Sanderson, their minds immediately latch onto The Stormlight Archive because of how massively epic it is. The first Mistborn era, however, consisting of the first trilogy beginning with The Final Empire, continuing with The Well of Ascension, and ending with The Hero of Ages, truly cemented Sanderson’s name as one of the greats in the genre. Even now, after all these years, I still think the first Mistborn trilogy has the most well-thought-out narrative out of all of Sanderson’s books. The joy of reading those first two books and coming up with two dozen questions, only to have them all answered or hinted at through The Hero of Ages is an experience you’re not likely to forget. This?? is one of those few times in a bo?ok series where reading the final book and the story’s ending won’t leave you wanting more.

4. The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time #12)

Brandon Sanderson is the kind of author to finish another person’s book series and still manage to do an absolutely brilliant and praiseworthy job. It’s strange to think that out of all the books Sanderson has written, and there are a great many of them—most critically acclaimed�?em>The Gathering Storm is still among my favorites. Sure, the world of The Wheel of Time was created by Robert Jordan. Granted, these are not Sanderson’s own characters that he spins on this grand tapestry. And yes, Sanderson had a rough outline for where the series was supposed to be headed thanks to the notes Jordan left behind before his death, but it’s still somewhat absurd for a relatively nam??eless author to come in and write the next entry in a book series that has tens of millions of fans all around the world.

I love The Wheel of Time, and I love Robert Jordan, but my favorite book in the series is The Gathering Storm. That I think should tell you all you need to know about what Sanderson has accomplished wit?h this novel.

3. The Way of Kings (Stormlight #1)

Sanderson refers to The Stormlight Archive series as his burgeoning magnum opus. While the prolific novelist never takes a break from writing a new story, Stormlight was always going to be his genre-defining masterpiece. And as far as debuts go, The Way of Kings knocked it out of the park in every regard, serving as a perfect primer into the spiraling and exotic world of Roshar, on whose soil the old gods are waging a battle that no mortal being can yet fathom. The Way of Kings is epic, extensive, ambitious, heartbreaking, and just about everything that fantasy read??ers want in a big story. This was also the book that introduced everyone to iconic characters like Kaladin Stormblessed, Dalinar Kholin, and Shallan Davar, who are now each, in their own way, archetypal in the overarching speculative landscape.

2. A Memory of Light (Wheel of Time #14)

For the final book in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series, Brandon Sanderson brings all of his literary and storytelling chops to bear down on the story of Rand al’Thor, and the continent embroiled in a devastating conflict with the greatest enemy of humanity. As one of the most ambitious works of high fantasy fiction, a lot was riding on the success of A Memory of Light. We all know how painstakingly difficult it is to come up with a decent ending for any great story, and that was doubly true for The Wheel of Time since its author had passed away. Bran?don Sanderson, however, managed to do the impossible by not only giving fans a satisfying conclusion but turning the prophesied Tarmon Gai’don �?The Last Battle �?into one of the most epic spectacles that you’ll ever experience in the world of novels.

1. Wind and Truth (Stormlight #5)

It has been over two decades since Brandon Sanderson conceived The Stormlight Archive series. The first book came out in 2010, and now, after 14 years, we've finally come to the end of the journey... well, sort of. Wind and Truth officially brings the first major arc of the series to a close. Think of it like Avengers: Infinity War or Avengers: Endgame, where our cast of characters come together to wage a final battle against the being that wan??ts to enslave their entire world, for reasons that even the most ardent Cosmere fans have not? been able to figure out.

There are questions to be answered, mysteries to be unveiled, and character arcs to come to a satisfying conclusion. On paper, Wind and Truth is far from the best book Brandon Sanderson has written, but we still have to admire the man for his sheer dedication to this ambitious and complex narrative. The fact that Sanderson wrote a roughly rewarding ending to his magnum opus is something that few other contemporary storytellers manage to do. For that reason, Wind and Truth is arguably his greatest accomplishment to date.

The post Top 15 best Brandon Sanderson books, ranked w?orst to best appeared first on Destructoid.

Following the latest D23 Brasilia trailer, What If...? Season 3 figures to be an explosive conclusion to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's animated foray into the multiverse. Indeed, mighty Marvel has been thrilling fans for decades with thought-provoking comics from the many alte??rnate realities nestled within its House of Ideas. These noteworthy stories appeal to the essence of comic fans, tapping into humanity's innate curiosity and imagination.

Thus, in the spirit of what could be, I have meticulously cataloged Marvel's myriad of multiversal mayhem and unearthed the best alternate reality stories to read before What If...? Season 3. Without a doubt, these comics remain relevant and continue to open doorways?? to infinite possibilities, forever leaving readers pondering, what if...?

Earth X (1999)

The planetary series spawned out of the X universe, Earth X features a tangible reality filled with cosmic and worldly consequences and memorable versions of beloved superheroes. Here, after the populous was mysteriously mutated and many heroes depowered, institutions failed, and governments crumbled. Following this dramatic shift of power, a disenfranchised Captain America rises to lead the remaining heroes against a terrifying iter?ation of Hydra and a sadistic, adolescent incarnation of the Red Skull's tyranny.

Brought to life by the Machine Man's insightful discourse with a mysteriously blinded Uatu the Watcher, Earth X tells a deep and personal tale that jumps headlong down a deep rabbit hole. From examining innately human variables to the vital, oft-controversial role of the Watchers, the indelible Doom Richards, and the pudgiest Parker after Spider-Ham, Earth X deserves a place on any Marvel alternate reality reading ?list.

Old Man Logan (2008)

Conceived by notable scribe Mark Miller, this dystopian alternate reality gem presents an Amerika, divi??ded amongst the lieutenants of the President, Red Skull. Here on Earth-807128, Red Skull united all the villains under a single banner, decimating the heroes and dividing the spoils. When the heroes fell, Wolverine was utterly defeated and vowed to die before unsheathing his cla??ws again. Now, going by Logan, he finds peace in the California countryside with his wife and kids.

Yet, after the violent, inbred Hulk Gang pummels him and thr?eatens his family for falling behind on rent, Logan agrees to esco?rt his former ally and Avenger, Hawkeye, across Amerika. Subsequently, after fighting the Kingpin, Moloids, and Ghost Riders to arrive in New Babylon, tragedy befalls the duo. After vengeance on the Red Skull, Logan sets his sights on home. But, the horrors that await him upon his arrival will see his ironclad vow pushed to the limit in this alternate universe best.

What If? Secret Wars (2008)

What If? Secret Wars is a well-conceived delve into the mythos, spinning a grandiose tale befitting the Doomsday Dictator, Victor von Doom. Debuting in 1984, the RDJ best Secret Wars event saw the Beyonder, a being of near-unlimited power, pit many of Marvel's most recognizable characters against one another on the patchwork planet? Battleworld. But, unlike his Earth-616 counterpart, the Doom of Earth-90251 keeps the Beyonder's usurped power, leading to a vastly different reality.

Setting out to achieve his grand vision and laying waste to all who oppose him, Doom ushers in an era free of war, disease, and famine. However, Doom is Doom and craves more. Eventually, after subjugating the militaristic galactic empires like the Brood, Kree, and Skrull, Doom claims the Infinity Gauntlet. Thus, when the galactic overlords known as the Celestials target Earth, only Doom possesses the power to clash with them in a battle for the ages. Here, with the planet's fate hanging precariously in the balanc??e, will Doom be its savior or destroyer?

Spider-Man Noir (2008)

Everyone's favorite friendly neighborhood Spider-Man meets Depression Era America in this alternate reality best. Set on Earth-90214, Spider-Man Noir follows aspiring reporter Peter Parker, who looks to uncover the? corruption that left his Uncle Ben brutally murdered. While investigating the mobster known as the Goblin, Peter is bit??ten by a swarm of mystic spiders, accidentally released from a black market artifact by Kraven. Knocked unconscious, Peter comes face-to-face with the Spider-God, who grants him the traditional Spidey abilities in his battle against evil.

With the Spider-Verse in full swing, this foray into Marvel's multiverse feels right, offering a unique tale in the annals of the A-tier Marvel Rival Spider-Man. Drawing high marks for artwork and storytelling, Noir deftly w?eaves in traditional themes and alternate versions of characters, capturing a foreboding crime drama vibe appropriate for the vast multiversal web that?? Marvel Studios is weaving.

What If? Venom/Deadpool (2010)

An entertaining tale from the Earth-90211 alternate reality, What If? Venom/Deadpool takes readers on an adventure of 4th wall-breaking, reality-expunging, jheri curl goodness. After being hired by Galactus to assassinate the Beyonder, Deadpool becomes enamored by his target, eventually inheriting the Venom symbiote after the Beyonder's chauffeur shoots Peter Parker. From there, Venompool and the Beyonder binge party until the latter grows bored and departs, leaving VP in sh?ambles.

After wallowing in pain and hitting rock bottom, Venompool realizes that absolute relevancy alone? will quench his fiery thirst. The only means of achieving this, in Venompool's warped estimation, is eliminating all who diminish his spotlight, hero and villain alike. Yet, after "he became the world's only, and thus most important, super hero," Venompool remains empty, leading him to a solution only a 'Pool could concoct in this banger from Earth-615.9*.

What If? Iron Man: Demon in an Armor (2010)

A must-read alternate reality tale revolving around tech savants Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom of Earth-11029, Demon in an Armor is an engaging comic that sees the fates of Tony Stark and Victor von Doom irrevocably entwined. After Doom tricks Stark into a conscience swap, Stark is left amnesiac and deported to La?tveria, knowing nothing more than his "name." Following his treachery, "Stark" sets out, consolidating h??is power within Stark International. After arranging for Howard's untimely demise, "Stark" ruthlessly advances his agenda.

Unsurprisingly, "Doom's" brilliance shine??s through, earning him renown within Latveria. In a short time, "Doom," with his penchant for technology, earned multiple doctorates and found??ed Doom Industries. Almost overnight, Latveria goes from a battered nation to a thriving one, aided by "Doom's" technology. Yet, only decades after the incident, as "Stark" and "Doom" stand as each other's only competition and "Doom" announces his company's finest achievement, does this best alternate reality comic come full circle, in an apropos conclusion that'll leave readers smiling.

Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (2011)

Get the popcorn for this macabre masterpiece starring everyone's favorite Merc with a Mouth. Hailing from the alternate Earth-12101 universe, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe takes readers to the 4th wall and beyond. After inexplicably killing Marvel's first family, Deadpool is committed and fi??nds absolute clarity after the Psycho-Man tries to break his mind. Now, burdened with divine purpose, Deadpool must slaughter his reality, starting with the crème de la crème like the Children of the Ato??m and Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Additionally, a Deadpool Vs. best, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe is heralded as a must-read on Deadpool, showcasing his homicidal yet sensical mind unhinged as only the talented Bunn and Talajić can. Furthermore, the sheer creativity and ingenuity alone used by Deadpool in dispatching his Marvel Universe in sear?ch of the Green Door warrants a read.

Marvel Zomnibus (2012)

A fan-favorite series that always leaves readers hungry for more, Marvel Zombies follows the ravenous denizens of th?e Earth-2149 reality. After a brilliant flash and ripple in the sky, Planet Z was overtaken by a zombie-esque virus, triggering an insatiable compulsion in the infected to consume flesh. This voracious infection, dubbed the Hunger, comes with a boon of near immortality, making the Marvel Zombies a multiversal scourge.

Thus, after defeating the Silver Surfer and Galactus and seizing the Power Cosmic, Hank Pym, Colonel America, Hulk, Spider-Man, Power-Man, Wolverine, and Iron Man form the Galacti Collective, tasked with traveling the multiverse in search of food. In summary, with fan faves cast as ravenous zombies and enough multiversal hijinks to spawn an upcoming animated series, Marvel Zombies remains a best alternate reality read before What If...? Season 3.

What If? Age of Ultron (2014)

In this splendid alternate reality conception, unlike the Age of Ultron reality, Wolverine's time-traveling assassination attempt finds a?? different target, leading to a vastly different Ultron. After Wasp urges the creation of Ultron as her dying wish, Hank Pym, racked by loss, constructs the Ultron AI, infused with the negativity writhing within. So, it's unsurprising when this?? Ultron became so deadly and sinister that he embedded himself within the planet.

Featuring a story that is presented in the same digestible format that the MCU What If...? series utilizes, What If? Age of Ultron witnesses what happens when love becomes warped by tragedy. Yet, even a warped love can burn brightly again. Additionally, by introducing readers to alternate reality versions of Wolverine, Ghost Rider, multiple Captain America's, and a new Thor, artistically tied back to the main story, What If? AoU continues the series' storied legacy.

Captain Carter (2022)

Following her brief Marvel comics debut in Exiles #3 and vital role in the MCU's What If...?, Captain Peggy Carter retakes the shield in her first titular run, the engaging 5-issue series Captain Carter. Here on Earth-76, Carter is found beneath the ice after being proclaime?d los?t in service decades prior while fighting humanity's most dangerous battles against Nazi Hydra in WWII.

Captain Carter picks up with her awakening to a foreign world. Amid her acclimation, Carter realizes that she is disoriented in this alien world and more vulnerable than ever. This is exacerbated by her sudden stardom, where anyone with an agenda vies for her favor. Ultimately, Captain Carter must learn on the fly and decide how to impact the world uniquely while combating a sinister undead conspiracy threatening to bring the Empire to its knees in this alt?ernate reality best.

The post The Best Alternate Universe Marvel Comics to read before What If…? Season 3 appeared first on Destructoid.

Arcane Season 2 is full of surprises, but few are as wholesome as the i?ntroduction of Isha. This scrappy orphan becomes the ray of sunlight Jinx desperately needs in her dark, turbulent life. Unfortunately, happiness has never been something Jinx could hold on to for very long.

The third and final episode of Arcane Season 2, Act II, "The Message Hidden Within the Pattern," turns a reunion Jinx and Vi have spent the entire act fighting for into a bloodbath. Amidst the Shimmer-coated chaos, Isha makes a heroic decision that brings her time on Runetera to a tragic end. Here's what happened to Isha in Arcane Season 2.

Who is Isha?

Since her introduction in Arcane Season 2, Act II's second episode, "Watch It All Burn," Isha has been a defining member of the season's cast. One of many orphaned children who call Zaun home, Isha enco?untered Jinx when she fell onto the disillusioned rebel's lap while trying to escape some metal-jawed gangsters.

Following in the footsteps of her father figure, Silco, Jinx takes Isha under her wing, shielding her from the chaos Zaun has fallen into after Jinx assassinated half of Piltover's City Council at the end of Arcane's first se??ason. Soon enough, Jinx's bond with Isha becomes the crux of her character arc throughout Season 2.

Forced into the protector role her older sister Vi once filled for her, Jinx slowly but surely embraces the compassionate, vulnerable side of herself buried beneath her trauma. Isha's influence eventually inspires Jinx to reconcile with Vi, leading them to search for their shared adoptive father, Vander, who mutated into the lycanthropic League of Legends champion Warwick by the Shimmer-cookin?g scientist Singed.

Isha's death is the consequence of good intentions

After finding Warwick and bringing him back to his senses, Jinx, Isha, and Vi?? flee to a hidden community formed by Viktor, who's developed into a Hextech-based cyborg messiah who ??can heal peoples' bodies and minds. Surprisingly, Viktor restores Vander's humanity. Unsurprisingly, Jinx and Vi's reunion with their father doesn't last long.

As Vander's treatment nears completion, Ambessa and h?er Noxian soldiers finally track the family back to the community. While Vi, Jinx, and a remorseful Caitlyn hold Ambessa back, the distraction gives a mentally scared and Hextech-phobic Jayce an opening to assassinate Viktor. Viktor's death causes a psychic chain reaction, transforming Vander into a magma-bleeding monster that kills Ambessa's second-in-command Rictus.

Warwick knocks Jinx to the ground in the following battle and reels back for a killing blow. Desperate to protect her guardian, Isha picks up Jinx's Hextech pistol, overloads it, and slides beneath Warwick's exposed underside. With pastel-painted flashbacks of her time with Jinx overlapping the action, Isha fires a supercharged round into Warwick's chest, triggeri?ng an explosion that kills them both.

Isha's sacrifice is heartbreaking, but necessary to Arcane Season 2's story

The last minutes of "The Message Hidden Within the Pattern" are heartbreaking for many reasons, but Isla's death is hitting Arcane fans the hardest. Tributes to Jinx's surrogate sister are popping up all over social media, and many Arcane fans are tearing themselves apart, w?ondering what her death w??ill do to Jinx.

Throughout Season 2, Jinx has refused to become the symbol of rebellion the people of Zaun want her to be, bott??ling up her psychosis and standing idly by while her ho??me burns. Even Isha wanted Jinx to step up and stand up to Piltover, but Jinx repeatedly shot her down. As the fifth surrogate sibling in her life, it was a reminder that Jinx's actions have consequences. She was willing to let Silco's legacy go up in smoke if it meant keeping Isha out of the crossfire a rebellion would cause.

With Isha dead, Jinx no longer has any reason to hold back. Piltover has destroyed her family for the third time, and Zaun has had it clear they'll stand by Jinx ?if she leads them to war against Piltover, and she might finally be ready to do that.

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Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is turning quite a few heads. The series' newest trailer doubles down on the Goonies-inspired vibes established in the first, confirming this Star Wars series is treading unfamiliar ground. It also dropped some interesting hints on where the series falls on the Star Wars timeline.

The official Star Wars timeline is a tangled chord that's only gotten more twisted since the series started dipping into Marvel Cinematic Universe-style storytelling. Luckily, the trailers and a few comments from the series' creators have painted a pretty clear picture of when Skeleton Crew takes place in Star Wars canon.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew unfolds in a familiar chapter of the Star Wars timeline

Star Wars fans have had questions about Skeleton Crew's place on the timeline since the series' first trailer in August. Scenes of cookie-cutter intergalactic suburbia threw viewers for a loop since we've seen nothing like that in the current canon or the original Star Wars Expanded Universe continuity, now known as Legends.

Thanks to an official statement from director Jon Watts, we have confirmation that Skeleton Crew's events will happen during Star Wars' New Republic Era. This is the same era in which The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka occur. Set roughly five years after Star Wars: Episode VI - The Return of the Jedi, the New Republic era explores the early days of the titular galactic democracy, particularly its struggle to mend the scars left behind by the Galact??ic Empire.

Ironically, the day-to-day politics of the New Republic have taken a backseat during the New Republic era. Overhead X-Wings flying Vs and the rumblings of the new Galactic Senate act as loose threads that tie the era's different series together and rarely matter outside the rare individual episodes that incorporate the government's goings-on into their storylines. However, it looks like Skeleton Crew might buck this?? trend by focusing on the lives of New Republic citizens.

Skeleton Crew might cross over with other Star Wars New Republic era shows

Skeleton Crew follows a group of children who accidentally send themselves careening into a far-flung corner of the galaxy on an old ship. On the surface, this premise doesn't exactly scream "crossover." However, the various New Republic Star Wars series coming out on Disney+ have been increasingly crossing wires lately. The Book of Boba Fett effectively became The Madnaolorian Season 2.5 in the second half. Ahsoka, meanwhile, pulled muscles setting up Dave Filoni's upcoming Star Wars theatrical film, pulling in characters from almost every Filoni-lead Star Wars project.

Skeleton Crew reportedly has a budget ?of over one hundred and thirty million ??dollars, so I find it hard to believe that we aren't in for some flashy, late-season denouement that connects it to the web Filoni's weaving. Then again, Star Wars: The Acolyte had an even bigger budget and was standalone. I guess we'll have to wait and see whether Skeleton Crew's young expl?orers are as alone as they think.

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It's quite possible for psychological thrillers to leave you scared, jittery, and constantly looking over your shoulders, but there's something about the knife-cutting tension underlying these stories that makes them utterly irr?esistible.

From rural sociopaths with amnesia to strange, inexplicable phenomena occurring in a clandestine site, here are?? the best psychological thriller books you can get your hands on in 2024.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is the unrivaled master of psychological thrillers, and even her breakthrough novel, Sharp Objects, released in 2006, remains one of the best books you could read in this genre. The story follows Camille Preaker, a journalist who covers crime stories. Camille is dissatisfied with her job, and when she is sent to her rural hometown of Wind Gap in Missouri, she has to confront her traumatic history and investigate the ??case of a murdered girl and a missing child.

Sharp Objects is visceral and grim. Flynn doesn?’t flinch from depicting dark themes like self-har?m and mental illness, but they’re handled in a way that is deliberative and mature.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

A masterful stroke of the unreliable narrator trope, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is a best-seller from 2015, with some reviewers referring to it as “the next Gone Girl.�?The narrative follows Rachel Watson, a 33-year-old alcoholic, who still feels the bitter pang of divorce from her ex-husband Tom, who left?? her for another woman. Rachel is obsessed with Tom’s new family, and she often experiences blackouts due ?to drinking too much. 

Rachel also gets involved with Scott and Megan, a seemingly perfect couple. When Megan suddenly goes missing, Rachel shows up and begins to investigate a hazy night where she may have done something with her. The Girl on the Train was adapted for the big screens in 2??016, but do yourself a favor and pick up the book instead.

Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

Christine Lucas is dealing with anterograde amnesia; meaning that she wakes up every day unable to recall her past life. Before I Go to Sleep follows her tale as she tries to reconstruct her memories with the help of a journal and a doctor. As the novel progresses, however, and fragments of the truth start bubbling up to the surface, Christine starts to question everything she knows and everything she’s been told. The plot of Before I Go to Sleep is chock full of twists, psychological tension, and the philosophical p?ondera??nce of identity and how it fundamentally shapes our lives.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Alex Michaelides was a screenwriter before he tried his hand at literature. The Silent Patient was his first novel, and it garnered universal acclaim and went on to sell more than 6 million copies. Of his short-lived career in Hollywood, this is all he needs to say: “I made three films, and they went from bad to worse.�?/p>

In many ways, The Silent Patient is what Michaelides wanted to work on but cou??ldn’t because of everything that gets lost in the process of making a big flick. The story follows Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who, randomly and without explanation, kills her husband and falls silent. This draws the attention of one Theo Faber, a forensic psychologist, who wants to unravel the mystery sitting at the heart of Berenson and her mentality. Trust me when I say you’ll never forget the plot twist at the end of this book.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Another gripping tale by Gillian Flynn, now also an acclaimed motion picture by David Fincher, Gone Girl tells the story of a marriage gone wrong, wrought with lies and a grim mystery. Nick and Amy will soon celebrate their fifth anniversary, but when the latter ??suddenly disappears, the media and the authorities look to Nick as the prime suspect, little knowing that the dark web of deceit sitting at the hea?rt of this marriage is too terrible for any of them to fathom.

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

The story of Dark Matter centers around a content and otherwise indistinguishable physicist who gets abducted and sent to another reality where he's a hotshot scientist celebrated worldwide. The only catch is that Jason Dessen doesn't have a family in this new reality. Dark Matter has lots of thought-provoking themes to keep readers engaged, but the beating heart of the narrative is the twists and the emotional depth, mixed with a rather modern understanding of quantum mechanics and how they shape our world. Dark Matter was adapted for television by Apple TV?+ and received positive reviews fo??r its first outing. The series has been renewed for a second season.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

There's no middle ground when it comes to Verity by Colleen Hoover; you either love this book and gush about it non-stop, or you hate it with a fiery passion. It's hard to explain what the story does because the plot is as gripping and psychologically messed up as you could expect from the best works in this genre. You follow a struggling author who has been contracted ??to finis??h the best-selling works of Verity Crawford, but when she moves into the Crawford home to review the notes, she uncovers a manuscript that sheds light on dark and criminal secrets within the household. I guess the word I'm ultimately groping for here is "creepy," but nothing that would put you off if you've ever taken a shine to any of the books on this list.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

A lot of psychological thriller books go for the tired trope of the unreliable narrator or the protagonist who is unable to trust their own senses. The Woman in the Window is �?at first glance �?just another cliche story set in this worn-out genre. But A.J. Finn somehow manages to turn that tedious premise into a gripping tale full of tension and plot twists. You follow an agoraphobic, solitary woman who spends her days inside her New York house, watching old movies, drinking wine, and spying on her neighbors. But when this burgeoning heroine witnesses a violent crime across the street, her whole life gets turned on its head. If you're a fan of suspense literature, pick up The Woman in the Window.

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Millie Calloway lands a job as a live-in housemaid for the Winchester family. She has a troubled past, but her traumas are nothing compared to what she's going to experience in that twisted home, especially under the care of the lady of the house, Nina Winchester, and her erratic ways. There's sex and violence in The Housemaid, but nothing the initiated of the genre would raise their eyebrows at. The Housemaid is one of the most popular books in recent memory, and Freida McFadden's voice is a fine addition to the ever-expandin?g psychological thriller genre.

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

The story of Annihilation combines elements of science-fiction with psychological thriller to deliver a truly unnerving tale. You follow an all-female expedition into Area X, a remote location cut off from the rest of the world, where many other teams have gone to die, disappear, or commit suicide. With its outstanding atmospheric storytelling, psychological depth, and an eerie exploration of the unknown tacked on for good measure, Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer remain?s a classic of the thriller genre.

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With Dragon Age: The Veilguard just around the corner, now might ??be the time to revisit the world of Thedas and ??brush up on the ancient lore of the Chantry and the old gods that preceded it.

If there's one thing BioWare always does in the superlative, it's worldbuilding. The world of Dragon Age, while certainly inspired by many fantasy works that came before it (including Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time—especially the latter) is sprawling with riveting stories, compelling characters, and a fantastic his??tory going thousands of years back.

Dragon Age has also branched out into other mediums over the years, comprising not only ?three amazing games with dozens of hours of content, but also several books, more than ten comic series, a few tabl?etop games, and recently, an anime adaptation on Netflix.

But as we know, the beating heart of every great fantasy universe is in its books. Even Dragon Age, originally conceived as a video game series and despite taking full advantage of RPG elements to world-build, can't help but fall under the same enchantment. If you want lore and details, you'll have to inevitably approach the Dragon Age books and comics?, and since most of them have been written b?y BioWare's own writers who also worked on the games, they are must-reads for ardent fans of Thedas.

Barring the two-volume World of Thedas, which is little more than a companion encyclopedia with entries detailing different characters, factions, countries, and events, here is every Dragon Age book and comic ranked worst to best.

All Dragon Age Books

There have been seven major books in the Dragon Age series, all of them canon. Some expand on the lore already established ??in the games, and some give?? fans much-needed context on the inner workings of Thedas and what goes on behind the scenes in this politically-charged high fantasy world. Here we’ve ranked them from worst to best based on significance, the quality of the narrative, and the overall community reception.

7. Dragon Age: Hard in Hightown

We all know that Varric is an accomplished and best-selling author renowned across Thedas, but have you ever wondered what it would be like to read a book penned by him? Hard in Hightown expands on the character’s noir detective story found in the Dragon Age: Inquisition codex entries, and BioWare has also marketed the book as being written by Varric himself. The other contributing author is Mary Kirby, who worked in the studio from 2006 to 2023 and is credited for her writing chops in all four Dragon Age games, including the upcoming Veilguard.

6. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne

The first novel by David Gaider as well as the first Dragon Age book, The Stolen Throne takes place before the events of Origins in the country of Ferelden. We follow the tale of the rebel queen Moira, who has just been assassinated through a plot orchestrated by the nobles in her court. Her son Maric escapes unharmed, and now with Ferelden under occupation by the Orlesian Empire, Maric has to fight for the revival of his nation with the help of Loghain, whom fans will recognize as one of the main characters in Origins. If you always found Loghain intriguing and were desperate to learn more about his past and motives, then The Stolen Throne is a must-read, even if it’s not exactly the best Dragon Age book out there.

5. Dragon Age: The Calling

Taking place eleven years after the events of The Stolen Throne, this is David Gaider’s second literary outing in the Dragon Age universe. The story chiefly revolves around the Grey Wardens, who had been exiled from Ferelden for 200 years, before King Maric revoked that ban and welcomed them back. The Grey Wardens come to the king’s court with dire news, however, o??f one of their rank escaping into the Deep Roads and aligning himself with the Darkspawn. The Grey Wardens ask the king to lead them through the Deep?? Roads, which he traversed years before, to save the kingdom from peril, little realizing the dangers that lurk in these uncharted dwarven territories.

4. Dragon Age: Asunder

The Mage-Templar War is one of the defining conflicts in the entire Dragon Age chronology, and it is explored in depth in Dragon Age: Asunder by David Gaider. This is arguably the author’s best novel in the series, and his nuanced storytelling, whether it be compelling character arcs or even a deft hand at weaving political intrigue together, shines in Asunder. Other than explaining in detail why the Seekers of Truth and the Circle of Magi broke off from the Chantry, the story also features Wynne, who is one of the fanbase’s favorite companions in Origins.

3. Dragon Age: Last Flight

Last Flight by Liane Merciel is arguably one of the best stories in the multi-media Dragon Age franchise. The narrative once again brings the Grey Wardens to the forefront. After the events of Origins, this ancient group of warriors are once again being hailed as heroes across Thedas. The Darkspawn has been driven underground and the ??threat of extinction has been snuffed out. Not all is well in the continent, however. A young elven mage named Valya, who has recently been recruited into the organization, is tasked with studying historical records to gain insight into previous Blights, research that leads her to question what she knows about the so-called heroic Grey Wardens and le?arn the truth about the fate of griffons.

2. Dragon Age: The Masked Empire

Trick Weekes wrote for the three Mass Effect games as well as Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and the forthcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The Masked Empire is a tie-in novelization for Dragon Age: Inquisition released in April 2014, and it deals with the Orlesian Civil War. The events of the novel paint a starkly different picture of Orlesian politics for fans, and many of you might end up regretting the decisions you made during Inquisition, or replaying the game so that you can change it. Some of the characters in The Masked Empire include Briala, Celene Empress of Orlais, Felassan, Gaspard de Chalons, and our own ba??rd-turned-spymaster Lelia?na.

1. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights

Tevinter Nights is an anthology series written by nine different BioWare staff writers, and some fans already consider it to be a tie-in to Dragon Age: The Veilguard. You’ll find many familiar faces in the course of reading this novel, which consists of fifteen short stories mostly set in the Tevinter Imperium, as well as other areas like Nevarra, Rivain, the Anderfels, Orlais, and the Free Marches. The novel also goes into events such as the Qunari invasion and Solas�?defection from the Inquisition. If you don’t want to bother with the rest of the Dragon Age books before The Veilguard, Tevinter Nights can thrust you back into the political and historical landscape of Thedas before the fourth main entry comes along.

All Dragon Age Comics

Dragon Age has maintained a steady and prominent line of comic strips since the release of Origins in 2009. Some might even argue that because Dragon Age is a video game, comics are an even more congruent medium for expansion. There are close to a dozen comic book ser??ies in Thedas, and we’ve ranked them all in this list. Here?? are which publications you should prioritize before October 31.

8. Dragon Age: Until We Sleep

This three-issue comic series focuses on Varric and gives fans more insight into his past life. It is written by David Gaider and illustrated by Chad Hardin, featuring amazing artwork and a grim story that chooses BioWare’s own canon, meaning that in Until We Sleep’s timeline, Alistair is the king of Ferelden.

7. Dragon Age

There's something irresistibly charming about the first proper Dragon Age comic strip, which came out monthly in 2010 in six issues. The story expands on the lore already established in Origins, and? deals with the inner workings of both the templar and mage orders in Thedas. The art style is very unique, perfectly fitting that dark aestheti?c the franchise had going for itself back in the old days, even if there are also lore inconsistencies abound, something that eagle-eyed fans will no doubt pick up on with ease.

6. Dragon Age: Magekiller

Released in five issues from December 2015 to April 2016, Magekiller tells the story of Marius, the titular mage killer, and his handler Tessa Forsythia. It’s set during the events of Inquisition and centers around the rise of the Venatori cult. The art style is pretty neat, but for pacing issues as well as a shallow storyline, Magekiller often finds itself very low in the list of fan-favorite Dragon Age stories.

5. Dragon Age: Those Who Speak

Following the events of The Silent Grove, King Alistair continues to travel across Thedas to learn wh??at happened to his father.?? On this journey, he's assisted by everyone's favorite pirate Isabela, and second-favorite novelist Varric Tethras. The journey is wrought with danger, but nothing that the trio can't handle, especially when you realize that they've been through worse than a band of cultists hindering their way.

4. Dragon Age: Wraiths of Tevinter

This is actually a compilation of three Dragon Age comic series released in a single volume. It includes Deception, Blue Wraith, and Dark Fortress, all involving the Tevinter Imperium to one degree or another. In Deception, we follow a failed actress turned con artist who targets the heir of a wealthy family in Tevinter. The second and third series are more closely linked, with the former dealing with a Qunari plot against Tevinter and featuring Fenris, and the latter starring her as the main character as she's joined by a band of Inquisition agents to assault a seemingly impregnable fortress. All great short stories in the sprawling Dragon Age universe.

3. Dragon Age: The Silent Grove

The first Dragon Age comic series to be published by Dark Horse, and arguably one of the best even now, The Silent Grove depicts the Alistair, Varric, Isabela trio in another era-defining adventure. The party travels to Antiva City, and there they attempt to stage a prison break, getting swept up in a tale that ends up unveiling one of the darkest secrets in the history of Thedas. The Silent Grove was originally published in 2012 in six issues.

2. Dragon Age: Knight Errant

What is a Dragon Age story without the universe's meta storyteller around to shake things up? Knight Errant is the tale of an elven thief named Vaea, who arrives in Kirkwall just in time to witness the appointment of its latest viscount, Varric Tethras. The artwork in Knight Errant is very enthralling, and you'll find yourself drawn to look at the pages even if you're not a fan of the story itself. Still, there have been theories in the community circles about Knight Errant possibly tying into The Veilguard, so the t??itle is worth picking up for that reason alone.

1. Dragon Age: The Missing

The Missing directly ties into The Veilguard and features Varric Tethras and Lace Harding (who is going to be a companion in the upcoming game) as they descend into the Deep Roads in pursuit of Solas. We already know Solas and his shenanigans are going to play a huge part in The Veilguard, and The Missing not only serves as a story that bridges the gap between this fourth entry and Inquisition, but also a perfect primer to get you into the mood for some Dragon Age in November.

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The Witcher is n??ow a multimedia franchise consisting of an extremely popular and acclaimed video game series and a live-action television adaptation by Netflix, but the story of Geralt traces its roots back to more than three decades ago, and in book format, no less.

Reading the books is a must if you're a fan of The Witcher games. The Netflix show also doesn't do any of the stories justice by a long stretch, so forget everything you've seen from the Henry Cavill-led ensemble so far. Below are all The Witcher books ranked worst to best.

Warning: The fo?llowing paragraphs contain spoilers for the overall plot of each book.

8. The Lady of the Lake (book 5)

The last book in The Witcher saga is arguably the worst-paced entry in the series. The writer seems to have given up on the idea of a satisfying conclusion halfway through, opting to depict a drawn-out battle between Nilfgaard and the Northern Kingdoms that doesn’t really have anything to do with the main story. Geralt is absent for most of the tale, and Ciri doesn’t experience any more palpable character growth. The ambiguous and open-ended nature of th??ose final chapters is? also something that many fans might find confusing or disappointing, especially since all it does in effect is make allusions to the Arthurian legend.

It's a great thing CD Projekt Red decided to continue Geralt’s tale in the video game trilogy because as far as satisfying endings go, The Lady of the Lake is subpar. That said, the final confrontation between Geralt and Vilgefortz, and Ciri and Leo Bonhart, is always a joy to read, paying off 3 books worth of buildups i??n an explosive action sequence.

7. Season of Storms (prequel)

The reception to Season of Storms has always been mixed in the fandom. This spinoff prequel is set somewhere between The Last Wish and stars Geralt of Rivia as he takes on a contract with none of his conventional weapons at hand. Yennefer of Vengerberg is also a character in the story, but other than the familiarity of Geralt getting down to the task of hunting and killing monsters �?what he does best �?there isn’t much that makes Season of Storms stand out.

If you’re finished with the main saga and want to see a Geralt side quest with all of the usual charms of the series, then reading Seasons of Storm is recommended?. Just go in expecting Andrzej Sapkowski’s prose and storytelling chops to be a little flimsier than they usually are.

6. The Tower of Swallows (book 4)

The story of The Tower of Swallows mostly centers around Ciri, who is living a new life under the care of the Rats. The mercenary group is being tracked ?by a vicious killer named Leo Bonhart, who eventually finds and slaughters them all, taking Ciri as a prisoner. Geralt and Yennefer are still looking the Continent over for Ciri, with the former’s hansa getting entangled in a war in Rivia and the latter confronting Vilgefortz but failing to overpower him.

The Tower of Swallows ends with Ciri reawakening her powers and besting the people who are looking to capture or kill her. She enters the mystical Tower of the Swallow and begins to travel across time and space, thus setting up the events of The Lady of the Lake. The story in this installment can feel dragged out at?? times, but the overall narrative is riveting in?? scale and rife with epic moments.

5. Blood of Elves (book 1)

The first book in the Witcher saga after the two collection of short stories, Blood of Elves begins with the entire Continent in upheaval over the destruction of Cintra and the death of Queen Calanthe. Ciri is undergoing Witcher training at Kaer Morhen under the guidance of Geralt, Vesemir, and the rest of the monster hunters when Triss Meri?gold arrives to help with the ward’s magical tr??aining. She learns that Ciri is a “Source,�?and asks Geralt to find her old flame Yennefer so that she can properly train Ciri to control her powers.

The company sets out for the temple of Nenneke in Ellander, their forebodings reaching a treacherous degree as they learn that all is not well in the world, and a “time of contempt�?is nigh. Blood of Elves also marks the first time Ciri meets Yennefer, and the two develop a mother-daughter attachment. There’s political intrigue, there’s great action sequences, and there’s amazing character work in Blood of Elves, but most imp?ortantly of all, there’s a whole lot of Geralt badassery which fans of the saga will find most gratifying to read through.

4. Baptism of Fire (book 3)

Baptism of Fire picks up the story after the disastrous events of the Thanedd coup, where Geralt was mortally wounded in his fight with Vilgefortz. Our main protagonist is recovering from his physical traumas in Brokilon Forest, but one of the great things about this turn of events is that he’ll never be the warrior he used to be. Fantasy has always been?? about heroes who only grow in power, so ??having Geralt, once a mountain of resoluteness in the face of adversity, brought down to an almost broken warrior who needs to rely on the help of others, was a great twist for the character and his future in the world.

Baptism of Fire is the book where Geralt’s hansa forms for the first time, consisting of Dandelion, the archer Milva, the vampire Regis (whom you’ll recognize from the Blood & Wine DLC) and the Nilfgaardian who isn’t a Ni??lfgaardian n??amed Cahir.

3. Time of Contempt (book 2)

This? is my favorite book in the novel series, because the build-up of tension as soon as Geralt, Yennefer??, and Ciri walk into Aretuza is done exquisitely well. It all boils over by the end of the novel, and every faction in the Northern Kingdom and beyond starts fighting with one another in a bid to take power, all orchestrated by Vilgefortz and Emhyr var Emreis.

It also gives us more time with this unconventional family before they’re separated until the end of the story. Having Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer interacting in the same space tugs at everyone’s heartstrings, making you shed tears for the things that could’ve been had Ciri been a normal child, Geralt an inconsequential player in the politics of the Continent, and Yennefer not a ??part of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.

2. The Last Wish (anthology 1)

The Last Wish introduced the world to the story of Geralt, ?a stoic monster-hunter with a proclivity for philosophizing unbidden. It introduced fans to the world of the Continent, where monsters roam freely and it is up to mutated warriors like Geralt to stop them from killing innoc??ent people, the same people who would shun these protectors, calling them “freaks.�?Lastly, it introduced us to unforgettable characters like Julian Alfred Pankratz aka Dandelion and Yennefer of Vengerberg.

I believe Andrzej Sapkowski was at his best when he didn’t write elaborate narratives that span several books. Every short story in The Last Wish is self-contained and a joy to? read, not to mention quite effective at bu?ilding up this fictional world and the character of Geralt as unforgettable additions to fantasy literature.

1. Sword of Destiny (anthology 2)

The second batch of short stories featuring Geralt, Sword of Destiny introduces Ciri as Pavetta’s daughter (from “A Question of Price�?in The Last Wish) and knits her fate tightly together with her ward. The collection features some of the best and most emotionally potent stories from The Witcher world, like “Shard of Ice�?dealing with Ger?alt and Yennefer’s strange bond, “A Little Sacrifice�?discussing the unrequited love of Essi Daven, and “Something More�?reuniting Geralt and Ciri at a time where they need each other the most.

It might not be much of a compliment to say Sapkowski peaked here, but it is nevertheless the bitter truth about The Witcher saga. This story was originally conceived as a series of interconnected short stories, and it’s no surprise to see it works b?est when it sticks to that formula.

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Mystery and romance are both bedrocks of fiction, but their combination gives rise to som??ething that rem??ains as of yet unbeaten in the entire history of literature.

Every great tale has a bit of romance in it. Every memorable story takes advantage of suspense and mystery to keep the readers hooked. And the two of them together turn out to be entirely too irresistible to bookworms all over the world. Whether it falls on you the reader to piece together the puzzle and divine the hidden truth of a tale or the writer to suddenly upend your expectations, the idea is to keep you on your toes throughout the narrative. As for romance, what is character dynamic and chemistry without a bit of sexual tension? Or a?? tinge of social apprehension and dysphoria?

From the beginning of the Romanticism movement in the 18th century, mystery romance has remained a potent and insightful storytelling tradition, and even now, it manages to steal hearts and rope in readers with as little as a simple enigmatic premise. So, in case you're itching for your next fiction mystery romance book, read ahead for some of our best picks, old and new, from across the literary timeline.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

A highly acclaimed and revered young adult trilogy, followed by a standalone sequel, The Inheritance Games tells the story of Avery Grambs, who is suddenly bestowed with the immense fortune of a billionaire named Tobias Hawthorne. Avery has no idea why she was chosen, but she has to move to the Hawthorne mansion to claim this unexpected inheritance. The only problem is that the Hawthorne mansion is filled with secrets, mysteries, puzzles, and dangers, with Avery trying to uncover the truth and maneuver her way through Tobias�?disgruntled family—especially his four grandsons. Trust me when I say that you’ll never be bored with The Inheritance Games and its intricate plot, not to mention the layered romance sitting at the heart of?? the adventure.

Five Decembers by James Kestrel

One of the best books of the past decade, Five Decembers turned into an instant classic when it came out in 2017, largely thanks to Kestrel’s nuanced and atmospheric storytelling. You follow a detective called McGrady, who is investigating a brutal murder case at the height of World War II. McGrady’s story takes him to several regions in the war-torn world of the late �?0s, and amid all the horrors of the conflict that rages across different countries, he finds solace in the company of a female partner, with whom he develops a romantic relationship. Five Decembers is epic, mysterious, and surprisingly rich, not only offering reader?s a gr??ipping mystery thriller but also a profound historical study of the times.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Released at the height of gothic romance traditions of the 20th century, Rebecca is the story of an unmarried young woman who weds a widower called Maxim de Winter and moves into his great estate. The unnamed protagonist of our story soon learns that the Maxim estate is haunted by the master’s former wife, Rebecca, who died under mysterious circumstances. The narrator soon grows obsessed with Rebecca and the circumstances surrounding her death and struggles to learn the truth about the de Winter household, while simultaneously dealing with the tense dynamic she has with Maxim himself. Rebecca explores themes of identity an??d jealousy, with a boatload of suspense and twisting revelat?ions added in for good measure.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

This is admittedly a bit of an odd choice for this list, but the romance in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo—while uncomfortable and unconventional—is rooted ?in past trauma and complex power dynamics. You follow the tale of Mikael Blomkvist, a discredited journalist, and Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant hacker, as they come together to explore the mystery of Harriet’s vanishing, the niece of an old businessman who went missing 40 years ago.

The author Stieg Larsson claimed that he got the inspiration for Lisbeth when he bore witness to a friend of his getting gang raped by three men. In his account, Larsson stood by and did nothi?ng, which later wracked him with guilt. Later, one of Larsson’s colleagues ?revealed that the author only heard this tale second-hand, and then passed it off as his own. The truth of the matter remains ambiguous to date, but the fact does lend a lot of depth to the character of Lisbeth Salander as she develops a bond with Mikael and attempts to deal with past traumas.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

The story of Big Little Lies takes place in an idyllic suburb in Australia. You follow three women—Jane, Celeste, and Madeline—whose children attend the same school. Each of them is dealing with their own personal struggles like domestic abuse, past trauma, and infidelity, and as the mysterious plot of Big Little Lies unravels around a sudden? murder at the school, Jane, Celeste, an?d Madeline have to piece the puzzle together and learn the truth at the heart of this unlikely tale.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

One of the most popular mystery romance novels in recent memory, Then She Was Gone is about the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl named Ellie. Ten years later, Ellie’s mother Laurel is still grieving?? the loss of her little girl, when, unexpectedly, she meets a man named Floyd and is immediately attracted to him. Floyd has a 9-year-old daughter called Poppy, who bears a striking resemblan??ce to Ellie. Meeting Poppy compels our main character to dig up old, unresolved traumas surrounding Ellie, and she begins to unravel a dark web of secrets at the heart of her life in a tension-filled narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and closure.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

One of the greatest novels in the English language, and a timeless exploration of love and morality with a deep sense of social, religious, and class criticism embedded in its core, Jane Eyre is still one of my foremost picks when it comes to the romantic and Gothic trad?itions. But it also serves that the novel is a mysterious ride as the titular character tries to discern the true nature of Mr. Rochester, with whom she falls in love. Jane’s love burns hot and fierce, but is weighed down, alas, by the moral dilemmas involving Rochester’s past life.

You might assume that many trendy "romantasy" books of the past decade, buoyed up to an absurd degree thanks to social media and "BookTok," are a post-modern invention, but that would be a very reductive way of thinking about it. Many strong heroines of fiction trace their roots to works like Jane Eyre—as do many feminist undert??ones in literary traditions of the past century. The Brontë sisters were all about questioning gender roles and criticizing the social hierarchies of the Victorian era, but their w??ork still remains a relevant and quintessential piece of social studies in our modern times.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Imaginative, poetic, and sensational. These are the best words to describe The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. The 2011 romance fantasy novel has been compared to many classic works like Harry Potter and Neil Gaiman's Stardust because it involves magic, mysticism, and a fair bit of romance. The story follows a magical circus that appears without warning and only operates during the night. We follow a non-linear narrative centering around two young magicians, Celia and Marco, engaged in a high-stakes magical duel. Their spells??, illusions, and wondrous apparitions soon create chaos within the circus, trapping a cast of unforgettable characters in the midst of their shenan?igans.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Diana Bishop teaches history of science at Yale University, and by all tokens, she's nothing but a reluctant scholar. Yet there's more to this heroine than meets the eye, even if she doesn't know it yet. Diana has magical powers, which she has suppressed after the death of her parents. One day, when conducting her research in Oxford, Diana comes upon an occult manuscript that reignites her powers and brings her to the attention of mythical and supernatural beings like demons and vampires. Among these monsters is Matthew Clairmont, who gets involved with Diana and eventually falls in love with her. A Discovery of Witches remains a timeless classic of the fantasy romance as well as the ?mystery romance genres.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

I wonder if anyone regardless of the depth of their grasp of literature could say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what genre Wuthering Heights belongs to. It’s certainly among the strangest works of fiction I’ve ever come across, and try as I might to divine all of its hidden meanings and allusions, it still eludes comprehension to a large degree. But as far as conventional wisdom allows, Wuthering Heights indeed belongs to the romantic tradition, and since the reader is suddenly thrust into the remote countryside of Yorkshire, England, and has to slowly unravel the mystery of Wuthering Heights, its peculiar ??Tennant's, and its eccentric owner Mr. ?Heathcliff, it’s safe to presume that it belongs on this list as well.

Wuthering Heights is a haunting, grim tale of love, loss, and abuse. It underlines some of the darkest human tendencies, teaching us about class, prejudice, resentment, and the importance of a decent upbringing. It is poetic, yet brutal; It is romantic, yet cruel; It is mystifying, yet depressive. And it is, arguably, one of the best novels you could read in your lifetime. If you want to see the best and worst of humanity all in one tale, do yourself a favor and pick up Wuthering Heights.

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Most of the romantic literary tradition and its history are defined by will they/won't they relationships, but since the 21st century, authors have pushed the envelope a little further by incorporating more modern themes and interactions into their plots, and the result is books that aren't afraid to get a little up close and personal, pushing away the curtains, not mincing words, and having a bit of extra heat between the pa??ges. You know the drill.

At the same time, there is quite a world of difference between so-called "smut" and romance novels that feature compelling characters and compelling narratives. Sure, they're not what you'd call high art, but the writers at least put in a bit of effort to make the guilty pleasure of reading them a little more palatable. To tha?t end, her??e we 10 spicy romance novels you could pick up right now to scratch that particular itch and not feel like you've wasted hours reading garbage.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Arguably one of the best historical fantasy book series of all time, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon centers around a 20th-century British nurse called Clai??re Randall. Visiting the Scottish Highlands with her husband after the conclusion of World War II, Claire accidentally travels back in time to the 18th century and has to traverse a hostile world where the rules of engagement are much different from the brutal frontl??ines of the global conflict.

The romantic bond between Claire and Jamie Fraser, a Highlander from the 18th century, shapes most of the Outlander series, and its narrative, ultimately a tale of love and passion (Gabaldon doesn’t mince words when it comes to spicy scenes), also deals with real-world history, social criticism, and many philosophical and timeless human dilemmas. You could always opt to watch the television series by Starz, acclaimed in its own right, but Gabaldon's prose and characterization in the book are unrivaled by her contemporaries. If we were to write the best blurb for Outlander,?? this would be it: A book series for serious literature consumers who don't mind a little bit of steam now and again.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Let's admit it, you knew we would start the list with this one. A Court of Thorns and Roses may start timidly, but by the end of the first novel, Feyre Archeron’s exploits in the otherworldly court will take on a much more mature tone. And by that, we mean Sarah J. Maas will dial up the spice ??factor to eleven and make you blush like you never have when reading a fantasy book. By the time you reach the second and third books, you begin to expect steamy scenes whenever characters so much as share the same space for a brief second.

What sets A Court of Thorns and Roses apart from many other contemporaries and latent clones is that readers might actually find the story engaging, the characters interesting, and the world intricate in its design. I’m of the unpopular opinion that more than 90% of “romantasy�?these days consists of barely ramshackle, make-shift stories that are just an excuse to write and consume smut. A Court of Thorns and Roses, while admittedly formulaic and sometimes uninspired, at least ?tries to be more than the sum of its parts. And for that, Sarah J. Maas deserves ??some measure of respect, if not acclaim.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The prized child of BookTok and its controversial community, Fourth Wing is probably one of the most popular books in the market right now. The story revolves around a heroine named Violet Sorrengail, and takes place in a fictional fantasy world where there’s a military school for dragon riders. Violet has trained her entire life to be a scholar, mostly because of her physical ailments (which roughly mirror Ehlers–Danlos syndromes), but when fate thrusts her into the titular Fourth Wing, under the command of one Xaden Riorson, she has to navigate a treacherous world h?ell-bent on destroying her life.

And yes, if you’re wondering about the spice level, let’s just say that it’s definitely up there with some other showboating names featuring graphic intimate scenes. A sequel, Iron Flame, was released in October 2023, and a threequel is planned fo?r release next year.

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

I wasn’t entirely sure about including The God of Small Things in this list. The novel is not your typical spicy teen romance, but rather deals with important and sensational themes like love, loss, societal restrictions, and the devastating impacts of colonialism. That being said, there are many heartfelt and heart-rending moments in The God of Small Things, sprinkled in between with intimate scenes that bring us closer to these characters and make us feel the depth of their human emotions. The God of Small Things follows the tale of fraternal twins in Kerala, India, who h??ave to deal with casteis??m and the ridiculous “love laws�?prevalent in India at that time.

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

The first book in the so-called Bridgerton series, now one of the most-watched shows on Netflix, The Duke and I is a historical romance ??taking you to the height of the Regency era. Explore the inner workings of the London high society during social seasons, where the cream of the crop of the great families interact with each other hoping to find a match that not only elevates their status but also makes them a truly respectable member of the queen’s coterie.

The steamy scenes in The Duke and I are written tastefully, and the story itself is a study of relationships and what makes them work, as opposed to a searchlight that only underscores our throes of sensuality. If you want romance and spice and real-world history all in one book, then pick up the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn.

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

You’ve probably read or watched this story a thousand times. Hannah is a smart, driven girl who wants to get her crush's attention, but feels ill-equipped to the task. Garrett Graham, on the other hand, is charming and charismatic, and just the guy she needs to teach her the ropes when it comes t?o this stuff. Garrett is failing his classes, so he asks Hannah to help him in exchange for some much-needed lessons in the art of seduction. 

Well, go ahead and roll your eyes. I know you want to. There’s no denying that The Deal is a rom-com plot exhausted to the point of ridicule, leaving practically no room for any novelty, but there’s something charming about the way Elle Kennedy has written The Deal. You know what’s going to happen; you can see every twist coming your way from a mile away, and yet you can’t help but read on. And yes, the steamy scenes are every bit as juicy as you might imagine, unlike a lot of other rom?-coms out ?there �?especially in the cinematic medium �?that tend to play it safe.

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Jennifer L. Armentrout usually gets lumped in with A Court of Thorns and Roses and Fourth Wing, but compared to her, those two books come off as rather bashful. The story follows a Maiden named Poppy, destined for greatness from an early age, but also destined to be lonely, “never to be touched, never to be looked upon, never to be spoken to.�?Poppy has a free spirit, however, and despite the responsibility of serving her people, she eventually breaks free of her bonds with the help of a dashing member of her guard named Hawke. From Blood and Ash has numerous spicy scenes in the narrative, and things only get more graphic? as you progress through the book series.

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

If you want a steamy romance novel with that nostalgic college aura, then look no further than Icebreaker by Hannah Grace. The story follows Anastasia, who gets a scholarship at the University of California and joins the figure skating team. Anastasia is doing her best to join Team USA, but her life is upended when she meets Nate, a member of the ice hockey team. Ana and Nate are paired up for a project, and from there blooms a very unlikely romance, filled with intense moments and extremely steamy and explicit interactions. The affair is a bit of a slow burn, but the characters themselves are written extremely well, turning Icebreaker into somethi??ng of a page-turner despite its unconventional length.

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

The first book in the Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas, the story centers around a girl named Bryce Quinlan, half-fae half-human, who lives in Midgard. When Bryce’s closest friends are murdered, she finds herself in the middle of a treacherous investigation that thrusts her into the underbelly of Crescent City. House of Earth and Blood garnered a lot of acclaim when it came out in 2020. As for the so-called “spice levels,�?it’s safe to say that the graphic scenes find themselves a level above A Court of Thorns and Roses, and t??here are quite?? a few of them in the first book.

Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman

Call Me by Your Name follows 17-year-old Elio Perlman in a coming-of-age tale that deals with such themes as desire, identity, and the intense feeling of infatuation over the course of a summer as Elio comes in contact with the 24-year-old Oliver. With all of these stories, it’s not so much about the graphic details of the intimate encounters as it is about the build-up and the compelling characterization that undermines them. Call Me by Your Name, now also an acclaimed movie headlined by Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, does this in a sublime fashion, leaving audienc?es heartbroken and shattered, and reminiscing about their own young life and the intense feelings that defined it.

The post 10 spiciest adult rom?ance novels you could read right now appeared first on Destructoid.

Is the endless catalog of recommendations on Kindle U??nlimited giving you a headache too? Do you wish to know what some of the most well-read romance books on the platform are, without having to scroll down and read review after review to make a choice? In that case, we've got just the list you need.

From mysterious libraries that hold the secret of the universe to the world of faeries and even modern Oaklan??d, California, here are the best romance novels on Kindle Unlimite??d.

The Lost Bookshop

While the romance in The Lost Bookshop is ever subtle and never takes up the spotlight, Evie Woods�?acclaimed novel wouldn’t have worked without it. This is a story of magical realism, historical fiction, and the bonds of love ?and understanding b??etween human beings, tied together with a self-conscious string that goes back to the so-called lost bookshop, where rare literary items can change the lives of the people who pick them up. The story is set in two timelines; one after World War I and featuring Opaline, who runs away to France and starts working in a bookshop and meets famous real-life writers like Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce, and the other in the modern day and featuring two characters, Henry and Martha, whom fate brings to the city of Dublin, where Opaline ultimately ended up.

The Serpent & the Wings of Night

The story follows Oraya, wh??o is the adopted human daughter of a vampire king. Since her early years, Oraya has learned to survive in a harsh world that sees her as only prey. She is cunning and strong, but for all of her steadfastness, Oraya needs to? prove herself by being more than just a trophy princess. That’s why she decides to enter a deadly tournament called the Kenari, organized by the goddess of death herself, Nyaxia. 

In a literary scene filled with generic, cliche garbage that seems to perpetually repeat itself with no daring strides towards anything resembling novelty, a book like The Serpent & the Wings of Night should be cherished. For while this may have the premise of your typical “romantasy,�?the characters go through a compelling arc, and the steamy scen??es are tastefully written.

Icebreaker

One of the most popular BookToks in the last few years, Icebreaker centers around Anastasia Allen, who has worked her entire life to become a famous figure skater. She finally experiences a measure of breakthrough by getting a scholarship at the University of California, but things start to go awry when she meets the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins. Icebreaker is a very, very, very slow burn when it comes to romance, and the book is on the lengthy side,?? but if? you find that premise compelling enough and want to see what the fuss is really about, then reading this sensational debut by Hannah Grace is a must. 

Bounded by Thorns

A romantasy parody of the timeless Beauty and the Beast tale, Bounded by Thorns follows the tale of Rosalina as she wanders into the realm of the fae in search of his father and ends up getting imprisoned in a palace occupied by several princes who turn into beasts at night. The romance is a slow burn, there are love triangles abound, and the dark themes remind readers of grim fairy tales. If you’ve always wondered what Beauty and the Beast with a bit of steam would look like �?or as the kids these days call it, “spice�?�?then Bounded by Thorns will be able to scratch that particular itch.

One Dark Window (The Shepherd King)

Elspeth Sindle needs a monster to survive in the harsh, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder. One Dark Window, being the first book in The Shepherd King series by Rachel Gillig, blends magic, romance, and political intrigue in a book that will have you sitting at the edge of your seat from the first few chapters to the end. Elspeth meets a highwayman who happens to be the king’s own nephew, accused of high treason and in command of the most nefarious men in Blunder, but as they journ?ey together to save the realm from the tre??acherous magic that besets it, their personal lives intertwine in a most unexpected way.

The Cruel Prince

If you’re looking for a proper and compelling romantasy book that isn’t just a cheap excuse to write spicy content, then you should definitely pick up The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. In the first book in a trilogy called The Folk of the Air, you follow Jude and her two sisters, human girls who get taken to the world of the faerie when their parents are killed. Jude was 7 years old when it happened, and now, 10 years later, she wants nothing more than to fit into this new world of magic and intrigue despite her mortality. Complex characters, unexpected twists, and themes of identity and character have all turned The Cruel Prince into a classic of the burgeoning romantasy genre.

Things We Never Got Over

Now the story of this next novel on the list is a bit of a strange pitch. Things We Never Got Over tells the story of Naomi, who runs away from her own wedding to the rescue of her estranged twin living in Virginia. And that’s not even the strangest bit. Naomi’s twin, who is a bit of a jerk in all the right ways, steals her sister’s car and leaves her in that middle-of-nowhere town with a surprise�?a surprise niece. Now, Naomi is stuck in a town with no car, no home, and an 11-year-old?? to take care of, and to complica?te things even further we have Knox, who has to help Naomi out of this situation despite his better judgment. 

Things We Never Got Over is one of the most-read books on Kindle Unlimited, so give it a go if yo?u’re into modern urban romance books.

Fourth Wing

The reputation of Fourth Wing precedes its name. “That TikTok book�?is probably all any of us need to recognize the speaker is talking about Rebecca Yarros�?2023 best-seller. While many serious readers might be on the fence about giving this one a go, let’s make a case for why you shouldn’t simply disregard Fourth Wing as a boo?k that for one reason or another simply managed to crash the center stage.

The inundated romantasy genre is filled with novels that are an exact replica of what came before them. Just swap the character names, use a different element for your magic system, come up with a generic name for a generic fictional world where your story takes place, and voilà! You’ve got yourself the next romantasy hit. Fourth Wing, on the other hand, features a world of dragon riders and a military school and hardly falls in the same categor?y.

This is the story of Violet, a girl who has grown up wo?rking to be a clerk, but is suddenly thrust into a military wing of the Basgiath War College. What makes Violet unique and perhaps iconic is the fact that suffers from a disease approximating the Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, which makes her trials all the more difficult to bear and overcome.

Spark of the Everflame

While this list is full of powerful heroines who undergo journeys of self-discovery, Spark of the Everflame is a book series that takes the concept to its zenith. We follow Diem Bellator, whose mother suddenly disappears, compelling her to seek the Descended, the rulers of the world, and learn the truth about her existence. The four-book series is a slow-burn romance that fans of Sarah J. Maas�?A Court of Thorns and Roses and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash will find particularly captivating.

Heart of the Fae

Now I’ll admit, I only picked up this book because I loved the cover art, but Heart of the Fae ended up being a pleasant surprise in terms of narrative and characters, blending elements from Beauty and the Beast with Irish mythology to give you a depiction of the world of the fae and will-o�?the-wisps in a vivid and relatable manner. Frankly, we couldn’t move on from faeries and this tired, worn trope any sooner, but I was willing to make an exception for Heart of the Fae and you should too.

The post 10 b??est romance books on Kindle U?nlimited to start reading right now appeared first on Destructoid.

As the conversation in literary circles moves more toward current trends in the so-called "BookTok" community, it's becoming harder and harder to make a to-be-read list that inc?ludes great works from the classical catalog, or even more modern literature.

While you could arguably spend countless hours with these rom??????????????????????????antasy novels and fast food books and be thoroughly entertained, most of them tend to leave something to be desired when it comes to a la??sting impact on your worldview or thought process.

That's why we've decided to make this list of some of the great works of fiction to read in your 20s and be moved n??ot only by the power of their evocative themes but also by the sheer ??grace of their literary form.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

No writer in history has managed to capture the human condition in the nuanced and dumbfounding way that Leo Tolstoy does, and the best example of this mastery is Anna Karenina, often hailed as one of the greatest works of fiction in history. Similar to many contemporary Russian authors, Tolstoy’s prose is sharp and to the point while also containing a myriad of different meanings and implications, ?all driving home his desire to explore profound themes like faith, family, the various kinds of love and commitment, and the follies of a society whose future stands upon the brink.

Reading Anna Karenina in your early 20s is an experience that might just transform the way you look at the world and its history. It also ma??kes you regret all the complexity of human expression and thought that we’ve lost in our fast-paced modern lives.

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

Many rightly consider The Catcher in the Rye to be about teenage angst, but the story’s complex structure makes it therapeutic for more than just adolescents. We follow the story of Holden Caulfield, who has just been expelled from his secondary school for failing all his grades except English. Disillusioned with what he thought he knew of life and society, Holden now has to navigate a treacherous world that he finds alien. The Catcher in the Rye deals with isolation, rebellion, sexuality, and identity, and its short leng??th makes it a perfect read for people who have yet to find catharsis after life has ?abruptly pulled the rug from under their feet.

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy might be most renowned for The Road, but if it’s introspection that you’re looking for –and deep philosophical themes that underpin the very nature of the human society we currently live in �?then Blood Meridian is the book you need to pick up as soon as possible. The st??ory follows the journey of “the Kid,�?who gets entangled with a group of savage scalp hunters massacring American Indians, first out of a twisted sense of pleasure, then with a nihilistic passivity.

Just be warned that the violence in Blood Meridian is stark and grotesque, but the profound musings on fate, free will, and the nature of evil more than make up for the disturbing reading experience. The intricate portrayal of the American frontier, aka the Wild West, is also a huge selling point for Blood Meridian.

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

The Death of Ivan Ilyich, these days most commonly found under the title of The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories, is the most profound short story by Leo Tolstoy. We follow the tale of a respected judge who lives a comfortable and somewhat luxurious upper-middle-class life in 19th-century Russia. For Ivan Ilyich, what is right is what is decent and ??beautiful and conformist, but all of that changes when he learns that he is soon to die. The last months of Ivan Ilyich’s life are spent in arrant suffering, with him musing over the mea?ninglessness of his life.

This short story packs a heavy punch, leaving you contemplating your life. It’s about how the expediencies of social existence make automatons of us all and strip us of our sense of moral integrity. Most importantly, howeve?r, it’s about the one truth in life that no one can ever argue: The unjustifiable violation �?as Simone de Beauvoir would say �?called death?.

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

One of the greatest sci-fi novels of all time, The Left Hand of Darkness follows the tale of Genly Ai, who visits the planet of Gethen as an envoy of a confederation of planets. Genly is tasked with persuading the peoples of Gethen to join the confederation, but his efforts a??re hindered when he learns that the Gethen live in an ambisexual society. 

Great worldbuilding, fantastic character work, and Le Guin’s usual flowing, beautiful prose are only a few strengths that make The Left Hand of Darkness stand out among a sea of other contemporary works in the g??enre. It also remains the most thoughtful examination of androgyny in all of speculative literature, which, given the literary tradition’s a?mazing strides in these matters, is saying quite a lot.

The Stand by Stephen King

Stephen King doesn’t frequent the fantasy genre, and indeed, apart from The Dark Tower and The Stand, you’d be hard-pressed to find elements of the so-called epic or high fantasy in his works. While ??the former is a great read and one of the best the genre has to offer, t??he latter is arguably one of the top three novels in King��s entire bibliography. 

The Stand takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a virus has wiped out 99% of humanity. When the survivors emerge, they’re enigmatically drawn towards two opposite forces of good and evil: one represented by Mother Abigail, kindly and sacrificial, and one represented by Randall Flagg, charismatic but sinister and deceitful. These two factions then fight the ultimate battle of good versus evil to decide the fate of the world�?what remains of it, anyway. If you think that premise is too cliche to bother with, then ignore the thought completely and read The Stand anyway; you won’t be disappointed.

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Most of you have probably sat through the story of Les Misérables in one medium or another. Whether it was one of the dozens of movie or television a?daptations, the widely acclaimed musical play, or even a radio drama, Victor Hugo’s timeless tale is a part of the very fabri??c of our cultural and literary experience.

And yet, reading the unabridged novel is an experience unlike any other. If you’re a fan of Les Misérables and all the innumerable human motifs it explores through its ambitious narrative, then do yourself a favor and buy the book. It may be a bit on the lengthy side, but the journey is well worth undertaking. Every person should read Les Misérables at some point in their lives, and at no point will it leave such a profound ??and lasting effect as the early years of adulthood.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Ever found yourself in an existentially induced state of panic? Do you spend countless nights staring at the ceiling of your bedroom, wondering about your purpose in the universe? About who you are and what you’re supposed to do? About what it all means? Well, you may never find a definitive answer to your questions out there, but The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy can at least give you the satis??faction of a superb perspective on this absurd, terrifying thing we call the human experience.

The book is witty, satirical, and deeply profound, dealing with themes of existential dread, the randomness of everything, and the nature of the human proclivity for learning. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is now a cornerstone of sci-fi literature, having influenced hundreds of other stories after its debut. This is a book that you need to read, then re-read, ??and re-read, and then re-r??ead again and again, if for nothing other than pondering the true depth of the number 42. (If you know, you know.)

1984 by George Orwell

In this postmodern age, some people tend to take the infamous “Big Brother is watching you!�?to the extreme, painting every aspect of society and its governance in the light of conspiracy theories. But what I find even more worrisome than conspiracy theorists are those who accept everything they’re told without even questioning it. And to those, what I often end up recommending is George Orwell’s 1984.

This terrifying dystopian narrative depicts a totalitarian regime that exercises absolute control over the lives and minds of its citizens. We follow Winston Smith, wh??o works for the Ministry of Truth, designated to alter historical records to fuel the propaganda machine of the governing party, and thus allow them to rewrite the truth as they see fit. Smith slowly becomes disillusioned with the manipulation of truth, misuse of surveillance, and the abject authoritarian nature of his society, but Big Brother isn’t going to let go of him that easily.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

There are books that define human history. There are books that influence literary genres and artistic traditions as a whole. There are even books that end up inspiring many famous authors for generations to come. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a novel that does a??ll of this, and then so??me.

This is a philosophical tale that discusses such ideas as God, faith, free will, morality, and guilt in such a somber manner that you can’t help but be fascinated by Dostoevsky’s creation. Most great writers and thinkers of the 20th century were in one way or another influenced by The Brothers Karamazov, a long list that includes names like Martin Heidegger, Virginia Woolf, Cormac McCarthy, Sigmund Freud, James Joyce, Franz Kafka, William Faulkner, and even Albert Einstein, who famously said: “Dostoevsky gives me more than any scientist. The Brothers Karamazov is the most wonderful book that I have ever laid my hands on.�?/p>

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Taking place during the Great Depression, The Grapes of Wrath is about a family of farmers from Oklahoma who get displaced due to the economic collapse and the changing ways of the agriculture industry. The family sets out for California in search of a brighter future, and the trials they face during this perilous road, along with thousands of other Oklahomans, shape the timeless story of The Grapes of Wrath. 

There are many biblical and religious allusions in the novel and the critique of economic inequality and social injustice is a thought-provoking study of systemic oppression. ?But what’s amazing about al?l of this is Steinbeck’s wonderful prose, which captures the resilience of the human spirit in a most hopeful way.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities is Charles Dickens at his best. Taking place in London and Paris at the height of the French Revolution, we follow the tale of Dr. Alexandre Manette, who has just been released from prison after 18 years of unjust confinement. He leaves France for England and is reunited with her daughter Lucie, whereupon the two attempt to build a new life. Meanwhile, we have two other characters in the form of Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton,? a French aristocrat and a self-destructive English lawyer, respectively, who both fall in love with Lucie.

Few works of fiction have managed to reach quite the same heights as A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The author’s poetic prose, combined with themes of sacrifice and redemption, has turned this into one of the best-selling novels in histor??y.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Taking place in the segregated American South in the 1930s, To Kill a Mockingbird follows Jean Louise Finch and her father, Atticus Finch, an honorable lawyer, who takes on the case of a Black man?? falsely accused of raping a white woman. 

The unparalleled social commentary on racism and racial inequality has turned To Kill a Mockingbird into one of the most pro?found novels in history, but while the story ?deals with grave issues like race and sexual assault, the tenderness of this small cast of characters, especially Atticus Finch himself, and the stark contrast it draws with the rest of the community makes it a truly spectacular read.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Dorian Gray is a vain man, but his opinion o??f himself is further exaggerated when his friend Basil, who is in awe of Dorian’s beauty, draws a portrait of him. Through Basil, Dorian also comes in contact with Lord Henry Wotton, whose hedonistic worldview leaves an impression on Dorian. The main character, realizing that his beauty will one day fade, then wishes that he remain young forever while his portrait takes on the toll of his age. The wish is granted, and Dorian is enthralled by hedonism and moral corruption. He remains unchanged outwardly, but his portrait records every one of his sins.

A classic of Gothic literature, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde once again paints a vi??vid word picture of this most inherent struggle of humanity with time, age, and death.

Faust by Goethe

Faust isn’t just a character but a literary and storytelling tradition unto himself. This dramatic work by the greatest German writer and poet, Goethe, is told in two parts, dealing with how Faust, a successful yet disillusioned intellectual, sells his soul to the Devil in exchan??ge for unlimited knowledge and worldly delights.

Faust remains a crowning achievement of Western literature and a work that, in time, has influenced dozens of other authors and hundreds of other stories and character studies. It doesn’t get any more intellectually intricate, lyrically beautiful, or symbolically rich than Goethe’s Faust.

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In the many decades since its publication, there have been dozens of different Lord of the Rings edit?ions, but some of them remain absolute must-haves for diehard J.R.R.?? Tolkien fans.

From gorgeous paperbacks to iconic hardcovers, these are some of the best Lord of the Rings box sets and deluxe edit?ions you could treat yourself to or buy for your closest friends.

10. The Lord of the Rings (William Morrow 1988 edition)

This hardcover edition of The Lord of the Rings, first published in 1988, has beautiful artwork and comes with folded maps of Middle-earth. You may find small errors in the text throughout, as this is not the most error-proof Lord of the Rings box ?set out there, but there's something extremely charming about the cover art that will no doubt compel many people to go for this print.

9. The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit (HarperCollins 2017 edition)

This box set features hardcover editions of both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The smaller size, similar to many mass-market books, might appeal to those who wish to take their books everywhere. And indeed, all four of these could easily fit in your small bag or even your pocket. The only downside is that the font is incredibly small, and the papers are a bit thin, which means you'll get a bit of ghosting from the pages. That said, the minimalistic cover art is absolutely irresistible, not to mention The Hobbit cover artwork by Tolkien himself is gorgeous ?and authentic to his own vision of what the story should project.

8. The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit (Mariner paperback)

Now this is what I'd refer to as my Lord of the Rings workhorse reading copy. The cover of the first book features a circular outline alluding to the Rings of Power and the Eye of Sauron. The second book features the Two Towers, Minas Tirith, the Tower of the Sun, and Minas Ithil, the Tower of the Moon. The third book features the emblem of Gondor, drawn in gorgeous detail. If you want a handy Lord of the Rings box set that you can read?? again and again with ease, then you ?can't go wrong with this version.

7. The Lord of the Rings (Clarion 2020 box set)

This is a fairly new addition to the ever-growing collection of Tolkien box sets out there, but it's steadily going up in our list of all-time favorite Lord of the Rings prints. While most Tolkien books feature minimalistic artwork or, at best, Alan Lee's naturalistic watercolors, the Clarion set introduces a modern take on the trilogy. The Fellowship of the Ring entertains the gorgeous art of a Ringwraith, while The Two Towers shows the art of Barad-dur in all of its terrifying gloom. The Return of the King features Aragorn's re-forged Anduril, and all three boast J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic signature at the top. If you want to introduce a new friend to The Lord of the Rings, this is the box set you should buy for them.

6. The Lord of the Rings (illustrated by the author Deluxe edition)

Frankly, I don't know why anyone would buy this unless they're a huge Lord of the Rings fan. This deluxe edition from 2022 is gigantic, but the great thing about its design is that it reminds you of The Red Book of Westmarch, which is the in-universe book containing the accounts of both the stories of Bilbo and Frodo. There are also 30 color illustrations from Tolkien as he was composing his epic magnum opus. The deluxe hardcover further includes two removable maps ??drawn by Christopher Tolkien, which feature Middle-earth and its various regions in detail. Be forewarned, though; This isn't a book you hold in your hand and read. This is a book you ever so rarely pick up from your shelf to admire. So, if you have a dear friend or family member who is a huge Tolkien fan, getting this would make them the happiest person in the entire geekdom.

5. The Lord of the Rings (illustrated by the author hardback edition)

Another somewhat deluxe Lord of the Rings edition you could get is the 2021 hardcover by William Morrow. The red, black, and gold engravings on the cover are a joy to drink in, but what makes this print truly unique is the Ring-inscription in Tengwar, painted on a fully red fore-edge. This version also includes the author's paintings and is overall easier to use or read. J.R.R. Tolkien always intended The Lord of the Rings to be published under a single volume, and I do not doubt? that he would've?? been proud of this if he were around to see it.

4. The Lord of the Rings (2013 slipcased and illustrated edition)

It is uncanny how much I love this particular edition of The Lord of the Rings, made complete with Alan Lee's gorgeous illustrations. The blue spine, featuring the names of the three volumes as well as a circular engraving of the One Ring inscription, is aesthetically pleasing, while the iconic painting of Frodo and Sam approaching the Black Gate graces the front with no other appendage. The illustrations inside are high quality, and the font size is just right. I don't know how to quite put it, but this edition somehow brings to mind what a definitive Bible-esque version of The Lord of the Rings would look like.

3. The Lord of the Rings (2014 hardcover box set)

While this 2014 hardcover box set may not be the best Lord of the Rings edition objectively, I'd say it has the most gorgeous-looking covers in the book's entire publication history. The covers are edited versions of the older HarperCollins editions, but it's exactly those small details that make everything infinitely better. That is especially true of The Return of the King, which has received the biggest refinements. The papers are also extremely thin, making the books all the more easier to handle. Last but not least, this box set comes with the acclaimed Reader's Companion, which goes from chapter to chapter, examining the struc?ture and the behind-the-scenes process of their evolution.

2. The Lord of the Rings (2020 HarperCollins illustrated edition)

While I'm strongly partial to the 2014 hardcover set (with the Reader's Companion) and the 2013 slipcased edition, if someone were to ask me what's the all-time great Lord of the Rings box set, I'd point them to the 2020 HarperCollins illustrated editions, featuring Alan Lee's gorgeous art on the covers. This is essentially similar to the illustrated one-volume versions, with the exception that they've now been divided into three again. The font and page layout are stunning, and the artwork really takes you into the world. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular and attention-grabbing cover than Lee's art for Rivendell (on The Fellowship), Frodo approaching Cirith Ungol (on The Two Towers), and the Battle of Pelennor Fields (on The Return) not to mention good old Bilbo Baggins lounging in Bag End on The Hobbit.

1. The Lord of the Rings (50th-anniversary Deluxe edition)

If you're looking for a one-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings that's actually practical to read and use regularly, then the 50th-anniversary deluxe edition by William Morrow is your best bet. The cover is somewhere between a paperback and a hardcover, and the binding has been designed in a way to make the experience of opening the book and leafing through it as comfortable as possible. But what ultimately appeals to me about this edition, besides the fact that it includes all three volumes and the appendices while also being handy, is the beautiful, minimalistic grey cover. Out of all the different editions of The Lord of the Rings, this one feels th?e least showy and the most Tolkien-y I've come across, if that makes any sense.

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The 2000s gave us the Shrek movies and a ton of nu-metal bands, but I think the decade managed to redeem itself with its li??????????????????????????terature.

It’s hard to say what the canon will look like a hundred years from now, but I’m willing to bet several of these books manage to stand the test of time. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic re-read or trying to go back for something you missed, here’s a book that still holds up fr?om each year of the aughts.

House of Leaves - 2000

Picking a favorite book is an impossible task, but if I had to do it, I’d pick House of Leaves. The debut novel from Mark Z. Danielewski is still arguably his best work, and it’s truly unlike any other book you’ll encounter in your life. House of Leaves i??s part critical film analysis, part drug diary, and part horror story. The bulk of the novel follows a family whose lives are torn apart when they discover their house has an infinite labyrinth of da??rk hallways inside of it, but their story is really only the beginning of the terror. 

American Gods - 2001 

American Gods is a sprawling fantasy novel written by Neil Gaiman. The story follows an ex-convict named Shadow who, after being released from jail, gets a job as a bodyguard. The onl??y problem is that Shadow doesn’t know his new boss is secretly the god Odin and that a whole range of mystical and mythological figures are struggling for power all across America. Shadow soon finds himself fighting for his life as he struggles to figure out the nature of the plot he’s been pulled into. 

Middlesex - 2002

Jeffrey Eugenides�?moving novel is a coming-of-age story about Cal (Calliope) Stephanides, who was born intersex and raised as a girl. Cal’s story actually begins long before their birth, however, and the novel travels back to 1922 to explain how Cal’s grandfather immigrated to the United States. Middlesex is a phenomenal example of an intergenerational story, but it also has one of the mo?st memorable protagonists of the aughts. 

Oryx and Crake - 2003

The only thing you really need to know about Oryx and Crake to know it’s worth reading is that it was written by Margaret Atwood. The book is actually the beginning of a trilogy about a post-apocalyptic world and the end of humanity. In typical Atwood fashion, Oryx and Crake is a great read for anyone who loves entertaining genre fiction, b?ut there’s also something here for people who want a deeper examination of themes like love, gender, a?nd the dangers of medical technology. 

How I Live Now - 2004

How I Live Now is a post-apocalyptic young adult novel by Meg Rosoff that was adapted into a 2013 movie starring Saoirse Ronan as th??e protagonist, Daisy. Just as a third ?world war is beginning to break out, Daisy is sent away to live with her aunt in the UK. There, she falls in love with a boy named Edmond, but before their relationship can take off, the country collapses, and soldiers seize the property where Daisy’s aunt lives, forcing her to fight for her own survival at all costs. 

Never Let Me Go - 2005

With Never Let Me Go, author Kazuo Ishiguro crafted one of the most emotionally devastating sci-fi novels of all time. The novel is set in an alternate version of the 1990s, where human clones are mass-produced and harvested for their organs. The protagonist is Kathy, a woman who spent her childhood at a boarding school for clones and grew up to be a caretaker providing a kind of hospice care to clones who are kept alive until they’ve donated so many organs they can’t survive. Like the best sci-fi, Never Let Me Go puts the char?acters at the forefront, and after reading the book, you won’t be able to forget them. 

Fun Home - 2006 

Fun Home is the only comic on this list, but it more than earns its spot. Drawn and written by Alison Bechdel, the book was published in 2006 and became a smash success. Fun Home is a memoir about Bechdel’s childhood and relationship with her father that also doubles as a story about ?her coming to ??terms with her own gender and sexuality. The book is equal parts moving and hilarious, which is exactly why it worked so well when it was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2015. 

A Thousand Splendid Suns - 2007

Khaled Hosseini is best known for writing The Kite Runner, but I’d argue that A Thousand Splendid Suns is an even better novel. The book is set in the city of Herat and follows two?? women, Miriam and Laila, struggling to find their place in the world. As a young woman, Miriam is forced to marry a much older man named Rasheed. more than a decade later, Rasheed also marries Laila, their young neighbor. T?he two women are brought together unwillingly, but their relationship changes their lives forever. 

The Hunger Games - 2008

The Hunger Games is emblematic of the fascination the 2000s had with dystopian fiction. Plenty of the dystopian novels released during that decade don’t hold up, but surprisingly, The Hu??nger Games really does. Say what you want about the sequels, but Suzanne Collins’s original vision of a TV-obsessed world being ruled by a vi??olent fascist government feels every bit as prescient today as it did nearly 20 years ago. 

The Help - 2009

Kathryn Stockett’s The Help made such an impact when it was first published in 2009 that two yea?rs later, we got a film adaptation starring Viola Davis, Olivia Spencer, and Emma Stone. The novel is set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960s and follows three women from different walks of life. Aibileen and Minny are maids who work for wealthy white families, and Eugenia “Skeeter�?is an aspiring writer who starts looking into the disappearance of another maid named Constantine and makes some shocking discoveries??.

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Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker’s dark anthology series, is returning for its seventh in 2025. Netflix is sharing more details on the season a??s part of its Geeked Week, and they’re very e??xciting for long-time viewers.

Black Mirror has been a personal favorite since season one, and the series always shoots straight to the top ??of the “most watched�?list on Netflix whenever a new season airs. Although we don’t have a confirmed release date yet, we do know a little more of what to expect, and who’s making an appearance among t?he cast of season 7.

Sequels, the final frontier

First and foremost, just to get this out of the way right now, "USS Callister" is indeed getting a much-hoped-for sequel episode in season 7. Although no details have been given, Brooker and the creative team behind Black Mirror have confirmed that one episode will be a direct follow-up to season 4’s opening? ??episode.

"USS Callister" immediately became a fan-favorite, and hopes for a sequel have stirred ever since season 4 ??aired i??n 2017. 

In case you haven’t watched it (in which case you definitely should), "USS Callister" is centered around Robert Daly. He’s a gifted programmer who, out of frustration through what he feels is lack of recognition, sets up a Star Trek-esque simulation and things soon start to go wrong, in true Black Mirror style, for everyone involved. It’s wort??h watching, regardless of the promised sequel.

Stars are already signed on for Black Mirror season 7

The cast list for season 7 was revealed in the above “data drop�?asset, although I’d be really i??mpressed if you managed to see all the names that featured. Just in case you were?? unable, here’s the list in a much more permanent format:

• Awkwafina (Jackpot!)
• Milanka Brooks (Mum And I Don’t Talk Anymore)
• Peter Capaldi (Criminal Record)
• Emma Corrin (Deadpool & Wolverine)
• Patsy Ferran (Firebrand)
• Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers)
• Lewis Gribben (Blade Runner 2099)
• Osy Ikhile (Citadel)
• Rashida Jones (Sunny)
• Siena Kelly (Domino Day)
• Billy Magnussen (Road House)
• Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean)
• Cristin Milioti (The Penguin)
• Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids)
• Issa Rae (Barbie)
• Paul G. Raymond (Horrible Histories)
• Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish)
• Jimmi Simpson (Westworld)
• Harriet Walter (Succession)

These are the lead cast members, but there will be others who appear alongside those already named. I’m excited to see what role Peter Capaldi plays, and Chris O’Dowd has been a personal favorite of mine ever since The IT Crowd, so this definitely has served to stir up my excitement for t?he upcoming season 7. 

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is dominating the franchise's news cycle, but that's not to say that there isn't more going on in the Call of Duty world, as Warzone is adding Terrifier's Art the Clown to the game.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is almost a full year into its run, and Call of Duty: Warzone remains a favorite among many first-person shooter and battle royale game enthusiasts. To keep fans of those games engaged ahead of Black Ops 6's release, some spooky seasonal DLC is on its? way, just in time for the Halloween season.

On September 10, it came to light that the Modern Warfare 3 event The Haunting is on its way, along with all kinds of spooky goodies. Most notably, several horror icons will be added to the game. While Michael Myers from the Halloween franchise and Sam from the Trick 'r Treat series are worth getting excited about, the one who has really created a buzz in the horror and Call of Duty communities is Art the Clown. The murderous clown, portrayed by David Howard Thornton, is the centerpiece of director Damien Leone's Terrifier film series, which launched in 2016.

In short order, Art has become quite beloved by lovers of all things scary. So, if you are one of these individuals, you're likely wondering how you can play as him in Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone. Here's how and when you can access him.

You'll have to pay up to play as Art

Thankfully, accessing Art in the two aforementioned Call of Duty titles doesn't require anything crazy. No convoluted in-game requirements, no absurd Easter egg. That said, given that this is a Call of Duty add-on (and a licensed one??, at that), Art isn't a free download.

Instead, you'll have to pay up over in the Call of Duty?? Store if you want to terrify the war zon??e as the creepy horror rising star. Art is available as part of the Tracer Pack: Terrifier Operator Bundle. At the time of publication, the exact price has not been revealed, but surely it will soon.

If the Tracer Pack follows historical precedent, it'll likely run $19.99 or 2,400 CoD points when it becomes available at the start of the Haunting event on September 18. While that may seem like a lot of money for just the Art skin, you do get a bit more bang for your buck. Aside from the Operator skin, the bundle is also advertised to include a Terrifier weapon blueprint, the Miles County Killer weapon blueprint, a weapon charm, a weapon sticker, a large decal, a Terrifier emblem and a Terrifier loading screen. Now that's more like it.

The Haunting event runs from Septe??mber 18 to October 16, so if you want to get in on all the terrifying fun and secure yourself an Art the Clown Operator skin, that's the time to do so.

The post How to play as Art? the C??lown in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone appeared first on Destructoid.

For the past few years, video game adaptations have had a pretty solid run. The Last of Us made waves on television, The Super Mario Bros. Movie redeemed itself decades after its abysmal 1993 predecessor, and the Sonic the Hedgehog series has thrived on screens big and small. Unfortunately, not all of these attempts can be success stories, and it seems like the upcoming Minecraft movie, simply called A Minecraft Movie, will take movie goers back to a time not so long ago. A time w??hen adapting gaming favorites to the big screen was something that Hollywoo??d just couldn't quite figure out.

At the time of this writing, the Minecraft trailer has been out for a minute, allowing those on the internet to collect themselves, take a deep breath, and let the minds behind it know just how much they dislike it. ?From the live-action elements to the dialogue to the bizarre casting of Jack Black as Steve, there have been loads of critiques levied against this film that won??'t even hit the cinema until next year. For as much of a misfire as it might seem, at least some surface level attempts were made to resemble the iconic source material. By that, I mean the trailer is full of mobs.

Strange live-action characters aside, the inaugural Minecraft trailer showcases a few hyper-realistic animals, monsters, and creatures that have ro??amed to the games landscapes for ages. Here are all the ones included in some form or another throughout.

Sheep

As our human cast enters the world of Minecraft, they have a lot to take in. Everything is suddenly blocky, vibrant in color, and very muc??h resembles a warped version of the world they know. Of course, that's just talking about the angular clouds and brick-like ground. Then they come across their first living creature in this odd new world, that being a pink sheep, which bleats in their direction with its opposite-facing eyes, uncanny body proportions, and enlarged teeth.

If you've played Minecraft at virtually any point since its 2009 introduction, odds are you've stumbled across the odd sheep. These docile farm animals have been an integral part of the game's DNA nearly since the day it launched. They come in a variety of colors, supply wool to help make vital items like beds, and they can be used as a food source, commonly dropping raw mutton when killed. Hopefully, for the sake of the kids in the audience, A Minecraft Movie won't depict such a scene.

Piglin

Stepping into the world of Minecraft is daunting fo?r the movie's human characters. Though we don't know the circumstances of their arrival yet, their bewilderment and the twinge of fear in their eyes once they arrive indicates they have no reason nor desire to be there. Making the situation worse, they're quickly shown how hostile this place can be as a group of Piglin arrive with likely evil intentions in their minds, armor on their bodies, and weapons of all kinds in hand.

Not to be confused with pigs or Zombie Pigmen, Piglin are bipedal, human-like pig creatures found in the Nether. Though they're typically? pretty neutral in-game, they're often found holding weapons, and they're not afraid to use them if provoked. They can also be found in another variety, the Piglin Brute. Not only are these Piglin far stronger than their contemporaries, but they're considerably more hostile. Based on the trailer, it seems that the filmmakers are electing to make all Piglin generic evil henchmen.

Ghast

Not only do the Piglin feature pretty prevalently in the first Minecraft trailer, but there are some anomalies about them that fans couldn't help but notice. As mentioned, all varieties see??m equally disgruntled and dangerous, but going a bit further, they're ??shown to be traveling outside the Nether for an unknown reason. What's more, they're shown attacking by air via makeshift hot air balloons. Only, there aren't any balloons involved, but rather Ghasts.

Much like the Piglin, Ghasts are residents of the Nether, and like most things there, these creatures are not very nice. They have no qualms about attacking with fireballs, and the fact that they fly can make them a difficult enemy to retaliate against. Strangely, in the film, they seem to be depicted as large, fleshy, jellyfish-like creatures, where in the game, it has been established that they are actually a form of ghost. This change was likely made so they could be used to carry the Piglin around, which is also something not present in Minecraft without mods.

Wolf

It's no shock that the Minecraft trailer doesn't shy away from showing off the game's arguable most beloved neutral mob. In a brief clip, a rectangular dog creature is shown from a side profile howling at the moon. As anyone could likely guess, this is a wolf. They have been a part of the game since 2011, and in that time, they have become adored by Minecraft players everywhere. Why? It'?s simple, because who doesn't want a dog at their side as they explore the unexplored?

Sadly, for those hoping to see more out of wolves in the Minecraft trailer, all we receive is the small snippet confirming that they are in fact in the film. One has to imagine that the feature will include them prominently, possibly with one of the live-action characters domesticating one during their perilous journey. We can only hope that the movie version of the Minecraft wolf doesn't tu??rn out as uncanny as the Sheep appears to have.

Creeper

When you think of Minecraft, a few associated mental images likely spring to mind. Steve, of course, maybe a pickaxe of some kind, or, if you're of a certain age and have spent a certain amount of time on the Internet, some problematic YouTube stars. In truth, I think we all know that there is one singular image that has come to define Minecraft more so than any other. That is the gre?en frownin??g face of the games most famous enemy, the Creeper.

There's truly no denying the Creeper's place in Minecraft lore. The explosive mob has been the bane of gamers' existence since the game's first year, ruining homes, farms, mines, and so much more with a brief hiss and a boom. The Minecraft trailer simply wouldn't have been complete without the appearance of one, and it delivered. For a brief moment, we see a very fuzzy-look?ing Creeper, well, creep up behind Jason Momoa's character in the middle of the night, likely intending to do what it does best base?d on Momoa's terrified expression.

Llama

Toward the end of the Minecraft trailer, we get the big reveal that Jack Black is indeed Steve, blu?e t-shirt and all. While this may seem like a good point to end the trailer on, those who put it together opted for a different stinger. It focuses on a llama chewing on so?me grass when an arrow flies out of the sky and sticks into the ground next to it, with a crowd of Piglin then running past. The animal stands there in shock and stops chewing before going back to its meal.

Similarly to sheep, llamas don't really do a whole lot in Minecraft. They stand around, chew on grass, and are occasionally found on leashes alongside Wandering Traders or grazing freely with a handful of other llamas. If you're interested, and feel particularly motivated to do so, you can actually domesticate llamas. All you have to do is continually attempt to ride them and be bucked off until they let y??ou stay on. Surely this mechanic won't be a source of comedy in the movie.

Enderman...maybe?

For the most part, we get a decent look at all of the aforementioned mobs in the Minecraft trailer. Some of them don't get a lot of time to shine, nor are their designs fully revealed, but they still get even the briefest spotlight. Meanwhile, there's potentially one more iconic mob hiding in the Minecraft tea??ser. At the center of the frame, way in the background of the shot with al??l of the Piglin together in the Nether, there's a foreboding set of what could be purple eyes.

While this could be a trick of the lights and it's merely just another Piglin, it could be an Enderman. These unsettling mobs are defined by their long, slender silhouette, magical aura, and purple eyes. They've been a part of Minecraft for years, walking around ominously picking up blocks, and viciously attacking those who provoke them by hitting them or staring them directly in the face. They are known to appear in the Nether, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that one does appear in the Minecraft trailer way in the background.

Odds are we've only seen but a small sampling of the mobs A Minecraft Movie has to offer so far. We'll have to see which others? made the cut, and if the whole production is as rough as the trailer makes it seem, when?? the movie arrives on April 4, 2025.

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The newest trailer for Venom: The Last Dance gave us our first look at the film's villain, and it's not another of Venom's children. In the final chapter of his titular trilogy, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) faces off against Knull, Lord of the Abyss and creator of all symbiote?s.

If you're a Marvel Comics fan, you already know why the sound of his name was enough to make the Venom Symbiote want to peel themselves off Eddie's skin. If you don't know who ?Knull is, worry not! I'm here to tell you everything you need to know about Marvel's most terrifying deity and what his introduction could mean for Sony's Spider-Man universe.

The tale of Marvel's Knull

Knull is a relatively recent addition to the Marvel universe, fully debuting in 2018 within the pages of Donny Cates' Venom. This is ironic, since Knull is one of the oldest beings in the Marvel Universe. Born from the primordial darkness sandwiched between each i?teration of the cosmos (Marvel lore is wild), Knull is the embodiment of the void, and in classic dark god fashion, all he wants is to bask forever in the infinite blackness he spawned from.

Unfortunately for Knull, his eternal slumber ended abruptly when the deific Celestials began laying down the framework of the universe. As the god of nothing, Knull looked at things like color, warmth, and dreams, and said, "Yeah, I'm not about this." So he did what any rational eldritch horror would do: create a living sword from his shadow and declare war on everything.

With the newly-forged All-Black, the Necrosword, Knull decapitated the first Celestial he saw, becoming the universe's first murderer. Armed with the raw, cosmic power of the Celestial's head, Knull brought an army of dark dragons to life, linked to him through a?n intricate hive mind. These dragons would become the first generation of Symbiotes, a??nd Knull used them to drown galaxies in darkness and bring entire pantheons of gods to their knees.

After untold eons, Knull's campaign came to a screeching halt when one of his dragons made its way to Earth in the Middle Ages. This dragon, Grendel by name, cross??ed paths with a young Thor and got a face full of Mjolnir for its troubles. The electricity from Thor's blow rippled up the Symbiote hive mind, hitting Knull head-on and knocking the Lord of the Abyss into a coma.

Free from their tyrannical progenitor's influence, the Symbiotes sealed Knull away within the core of his throne world, which they would name "Klyntar." Despite the Symbiotes' best attempts to erase any lingering trace of Knull from the universe, their efforts would ??ultimately be in vain.

S.H.I.E.L.D. eventually unearthed Grendel's remains and used them to create a platoon of Symbiote-bonded super-soldiers. Grendel's return kicked off a series of Symbiote-related events, culminating with Knull's resurrection at the hands of Cletus Kasady. Knull launched an all-out symbiote invasion of Earth in the 2020/2021 King in Black crossover event, in whi??ch the Lord of the Abyss fi??nally met his end at the hands of a divinely powered Eddie Brock.

Knull's debut in Venom: The Last Dance could save Sony's Spider-Verse... or destroy it

Knull is one of the most potent threats ever to menace the Marvel universe, and I'm honestly surprised he's showing up in Venom 3. Hardy's spent most of his tenure as Venom fighting other Symbiote hosts, and Venom 3's first few trailers made it look like that pattern could continue. If my earlie??r summation didn't clarify it enough, Knull's anything but "another Symbiote villain."

With deific strength, a healing factor, and command over a legion of Symbiotes, Knull's easily the most powerful villain to appear in Sony's Spider-Verse. He fought gods and won countless times, and his ability to control Symbiote in the universe means he always has an intergalactic army at his beck and call. With that much power at his command, Knull coul??d become the Big Bad the Sony S??pider-Verse has needed for a while.

However, while I am excited to see what Kelly Marcel does with Knull in Venom 3, I'd be lying if I said I'm not a little worried. Knull was a slow-burn villain in the comics, giving readers plenty of time to stew in dread and morbid curiosity before the foretold "God of the Symbiotes" finally appeared. If there's one thing a villain of Knull's scale deserves, it's a good amount of build-up, and the previous two Venom movies didn't mention him at all. It'd be a shame to see the mystique and morbid maj?esty of Knull restricted to a single film, even if it is a series-ending threequel.

A tweet from Alec Perez of My Cosmic Circus implied Sony has ??big plans for Knull, so Venom 3 may not be the last time we see the God of the Symbiotes. We'll have to wait until the movie comes out on October 25th ??to find out.

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Video game-based movie adaptations often prove disastrous, but Sonic the Hedgehog managed to avoid jo??ining that club. The rather unsightly first looks at the titular Blue Blur broke the Internet, but Sonic (Ben Schwartz) was redesigned, his live-action blockbuster debut turned out to be a massive hit, and now, his beloved video game series has become the basis for an entire franchise.

Following up both Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and the Paramount+ streaming series Knuckles is Sonic the Hedgehog 3. This time around, Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves) stands as the central antagonist, giving Sonic, Tails (Coll??een O'Shaughnessey), and Knuckles (Idris Elba) a run for their money. Thus, they're left little choice but to form an uneasy alliance with their longtime enemy, Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), who's also set to go on quite a journey of his own.

As revealed in the Sonic 3 trailer, Robotnik will come face to face with his equally scientifically-inclined grandfather, Gerald Robotnik (Carrey). If you're not too familiar with the extensive and sometimes complicated lore of the Sonic video game franchise, but want to learn a bit about Gerald ahead of Sonic 3, you've come to the right place.

Gerald's video game history

Though his brief appearance in the inaugural Sonic 3 trailer may indicate that Gerald Robotnik is a bit of a goof, much like his grandson, that's not quite the case. Since making his debut in the 2001 platformer Sonic Adventure 2, it has consistently been shown that Gerald is a brilliant scientific mind. He was specifically ??sought out to lead the secretive research program Project Shadow under the direction of the United Federation. He accepts, ultimately doing so to unlock the secret to immortality. With trial and error, he eventually creates Shadow the Hedgehog himself.

Unfortunately, his time as one of the leading minds of Project Shadow comes to a swift end. As he completes Shadow, the government gets cold feet and deems his work a danger to humanity. This eventually leads to him being sequestered on Prison Island, where he's left with no choice but to continue his research under the government's close watchful eye. Shadow, now completed, initially escapes c?ustody but is soon brought to Prison Island and kept in suspended animation. Dr Robotnik later releases him from this imprisonment long after Gerald loses his mind and is executed.

Maria Robotnik and the future of the Sonic film franchise

Seeing as the movies don't follow the exact canon of the games, Gerald Robotnik could be up to all sorts of things in in Sonic 3. Surprisingly, there's a good chance that his story in the film could be similar to that of his video game counte??rpart.

In addition ?to potentially aiding in the creation of Shadow the Hedgehog, the plot may hint at the tragic fate of another character: his granddaughter Maria Robotnik (Alyla Browne), who has been confirmed to appear in the threequel in some capacity. She's the main motivating factor behind Gerald's decision to join Project Shadow and, unintentionally, his descent into madness.

When ?he signs up, she's terminally ill, and he wants to use his research to save her life. Sadly, his involvement in the program leads to the exact opposite. With Project Shadow crumbling, troops from the Guardian Units of Nations, or G.U.N., are sent to the Space Colony ARK, where Gerald is conducting his research. With armed personnel swarming, Maria and her friend Shadow are forced to flee.

Shadow makes it out, but Maria is shot and killed by an ARK soldier, which sends Gerald into a tailspin and manifests in his plan to destroy the world using Shadow. It's entirely possible he could seek revenge for her death in the film and use Shadow as the means to do so, or she has yet to be killed and will be over the course ??of the film, setting up a fourth movie.

All in all, Gerald Robotnik, despite not being the most well-known character in the Sonic canon, remains one of its most vital. It will be interesting to see how he's used on the big screen when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 premieres on December 20, 2024.

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It's been a few years since we heard about the makings of a Minecraft movie, bringing the beloved Overworld to life in an entirely new way. Now, it's?? finally coming to fruition with its first-ever teaser and a releas?e date set for April 4, 2025.

The trailer begins with the misfit ensemble, including Jason Momoa as Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison, Danielle Brooks as Dawn, Sebastian Eugene Hansen as Henry, and Emma Myers as Natalie. As an avid Minecraft player, it's interesting to see this live-action cast mixed in with a CGI world, almost reminding me of the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Although it may be different from what I expected, it still holds true to Minecraft with its silliness, creativity, and its immersive c??ubic world.

You'll see iconic mobs from the Overworld, like the wolf, Piglins, and sheep. And, of course, we can't forget about our main man, Steve, played by an??other living legend, Jack Black. The group encounters Steve when they are mysteriously transported to this blocky universe, and it's up to them to figure out a way back home. Like the games, they'll need to do some good 'ole crafting and fight off hostile mobs to survive.

The Minecraft Movie, despite its battles and challenges, maintains the whimsical charm of Mojang Studios. This is evident from the teaser's unexpected opening line, 'What the hell?' after Dawn encounters a cubic sheep. I never thought the film would ever start with such a phrase, but you know what? I would probabl??y say the same exact thing.

While it's intriguing to see the Minecraft Movie go in this direction, it's not too surprising, given that Jared Hess is the film's director. You may have already seen his work, such as Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre, and Ninety-Five Senses.

If you are digging to get into this new Overworld, get ready for Minecraft Movie's release on April 25, 2025. There's also a Netflix animated show on its way, expandin??g the universe even further.

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It was over 35 years ago that Michael Keaton's Beetlejuice first terrorized cinemas across the globe. Now all these years later, the Ghost with the Most is back on the big screen. Director Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is nearly here, and even as many grow tired of the seemingly endless stream of legacy sequels that no one asked for, among many in the general audience and, naturally, longtime fans of the 1988 original, anticipat??ion is high for this pre-Halloween spooky theatrical endeavor. Based on promotional material, there seems to be a great amount of new in this long-awaited continuation of the horror comedy classic.

Now decades beyond the events of the first Beetlejuice film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice focuses on a grown-up Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder), who now has a daughter of her own, Astrid (Jenna Ortega). Within the walls of the Deetz family home, the two are pulled into a paranormal adventure full of frights, Sandworms, and blasts from the past, chiefly The Juice himself. Unfortunately, for those hoping for an overload of Beetlejuice nostalgia in the form of returning main characters, to s??ome extent, your ne??eds may not be entirely met.

For Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, there are several key characters from its predecessor that will not feature in its narrative. Here's what we know abou?t their absences.

Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin as Barbara and Adam Maitland

Even though their names aren't in the title, the Maitlands, Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis), are situated squarely at the center of Beetlejuice. The loving couple dies in a car accident, and the two are forced to live eternally in their house as specters, watching as the Deetz family moves In and turns their happily ever after into a nightmare. The two are responsible for the presence of Beetlejuice in the story as they try to scare off the Deetzs and reclaim the house that was all theirs before their untimely passing. All of that is to say the Maitlands are incredibly important to the story of Beetlejuice, so why,? as far as?? we know, are they not in the long-awaited sequel?

As it happens, Geena Davis has spoken on the potential reason for Barbara's exclusion from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. She told Entertainment Tonight her theory that ghosts don't age, so it would be hard to bring the Maitlands back as she and Baldwin have aged as humans do since the first film. Since Davis brought her hypothesis forward, Burton himself has given his reasoning for leaving the Maitlands out this time around. "I didn't want to just tick any boxes. So even though they were such an amazing integral part of the first one, I was focusing on something else,�?he told People, explaining that it was a deliberate creative? decision.

Glenn Shadix as Otho Fenlock

She's brash, abrasive, and set in her ways, not to mention has quite the unique (for lack of a better term) sense of interior design. Delia Deetz (Catherine O'Hara) is the perfect foil for the Maitlands, but she doesn't play secondary antagonist alone. Alongside her throughout the film is her judgmental and arrogant friend and one-time paranormal researcher, Otho Fenlock (Glenn Shadix), who not only helps her decorate her new home but aids in her attempt to turn the ghosts living within it into an attraction. This all makes him quite the important presence throughout Beetlejuice, at least up until his fear sends him packing.

By the end of the 1988 favorite, Otho's dark dreary outfit is transformed into a bright and cheery one by Beetlejuice, leaving him to embarrassedly run and scream all the way home. Sadly, this is the last moviegoers will ever get to see of Glenn Shadix's Otho. The character actor passed away on September 7, 2010, at age 58, having fallen while at home and sustained fatal blunt trauma to the head. His final live-action role was that of Monsieur Vollard in the 2010 movie Finding Gauguin. Seeing as Shadix and Burton were frequent collaborators, chances are the director did not elect to recast the Oth??o role for the upcoming movie.

Jeffrey Jones as Charles Deetz

As his wife Delia tears apart their dwelling, setting up her art projects and running around ghost hunting with Otho, Charles Deetz (Jeffrey Jones) takes a vastly different approach to settling in. He spends time in his study, which he's very adamant is to remain untouched by his wife and her friend, bird watching, and doing everything to enjoy the serenity of their rural abode. Unfortunately, he does get caught up in Beetlejuice-related shenanigans, but by the time the credits roll, he's once again able to kick ba??ck and relax, comfortable in the knowledge that only kind ghosts populate his residence.

Throughout advertising for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, fans have seen clips of a funeral, with Lydia and Delia wearing black as a coffin is lowered into a burial plot. One can assume that this is Charles being lowered into his final resting place. If this is the case, it's likely a response to the real-life legal issues of Jeffrey Jones. Not only was he arrested for the possession and solicitation of sexually explicit ?photographs of a minor, but he was later arrested twice for failing to update his sex offender status. Considering the heinous nature of these crimes, it's no surprise that Jones was not asked to return as Charles for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Sylvia Sidney as Juno

Once the Maitlands come to terms with the fact that they are indeed dead, they have to come up with a plan to get their house back from the Deetzs. They study up on The Handbook for the Recently Deceased and reach out to those with a bit more experience in the whole afterlife thing for help. On one end, there's the m??alicious and scheming Beetlejuice, and on the other is his former boss, the afterlife caseworker Juno (Sylvia Sidney).? She does her best to guide the couple along and dissuade them from working with the supposed "Leading Bio-Exorcist," all while working on other high-stress cases.

With the Deetz family once again having to traverse the paranormal world, Juno seems like the kind of presence they could use on their side. She's knowledgeable, and she has first-hand experience with Beetlejuice. Based on its marketing, however, it doesn't appear that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will feature Juno in any capacity. The actor behind her, Sylvia Sidney, passed away on? July 1, 1999, at the age of 88, with her cause of death listed as esophageal cancer. Though there's a slim chance that Juno could be recast, considering the snappiness and attitude Sidney expertly brought to the role, it just wouldn't be right to bring the character back without her.

With its stacked cast of a few returning favorites and newcomers to the franchise in tow, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hits the silver screen on September 6.

The post Which main characters from the original are missing from Beetleju?ice Beetlejuice? appeared first on Destructoid.

August 16 marked the return of the Alien saga to the big screen after a seven-year absence. Director Fede Álvarez's Alien: Romulus sprung into theaters everywhere and has since made waves in both ways good and bad. While it has drawn critique for its perceived over-reliance on franchise hallmarks and callbacks, others have showered the film with praise. Numerous critics and moviegoers alike were intrigued by the story, satisfied with the frights and overall content to call it a solid entry in the Alien canon.

Despite plenty of people out there believing it to be one of the film's greatest weaknesses, countless Alien die-hards were happy to see so many references and allusions to previous installments. After all, Romulus is an indirect sequel to director Ridley Scott's 1979 classic, Alien?, which started it all. In fact, the USCSS Nostromo, where Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and her companions are ambushed by the Xenomorph in said film, is a principal location in Romulus. At the same time, Alien isn't the only p??roject in the series that informed Álvarez's terrifying feature.

According to the director himself, the horror video game favorite Alien: Isolation played a pivotal role in the crafting of Romulus in more ways than one.

Isolation kickstarted Álvarez's interest in making an Alien movie

Released on October 7, 2014, and set 15 years after the events of Alien, Alien: Isolation follows the daughter of Ellen Ripley, Amanda (Andrea Deck), who is trying to pinpoint her mother's whereabouts following her disappearance. She doesn't get very far, however, before she encounters Xenomorphs, facehuggers, and more dangers. All in all, Isolation is an excellent survival horror title that has grown especially adored by Alien fans and gamers who are up for a spooky challenge. Evidently, Fede Álvarez is quite a fan as well, hence why he put so much of it into the DNA of Alien: Romulus.

Álvarez revealed as much during a conversation on the Inside Total Film podcast (via Games Radar), where he explained that the entire foundation of his film was created thanks to Isolation. �?em>Alien: Isolation was kind of what made me see that Alien could truly be terrifying and done well [today],�?he explained, noting that he first picked Isolation up around the time his 2016 film Don't Breathe was coming together. As he played, he began yearning to tell an Alien story at the movies. Thankfully for him, it didn't take long for such an opportunity to arise. Once it did, he not only made it a priority to capture the tense, chilling tone of Isolation, reigniting the horror that made Alien such a hit 45 year??s ago, b?ut to honor the game in the form of a fun yet meaningful Easter egg.

Continuing, Álvarez explained that emergency phones, which act as checkpoints in Isolation to save your game, are prevalent throughout Romulus. As it turns out, though, he didn't merely want to toss them in as a fun nod to the almost decade-old game. “The movie is set up in a way [that] every time something bad is about to happen, you will see a phone,�?he said, warning those that haven't seen Romulus that they should "brace for impact" every time a phone appears on screen, just as they would while using one in the game. In Isolation, they take time to use, leaving Amanda vulnerable to Xenomorph?? attacks as the save completes.

Isolation took inspiration from Alien

For the most part, much like Alien: Romulus, Alien: Isolation does try to blaze its own trail. It takes the established lore of the Alien series and builds on it while simultaneously honoring what came before. Interestingly, the folks behind the game did the inverse of what Fede Álvarez did by looking to an existing movie to create a video game. Speaking to PC Gamer in January 2015, a few months after the game was released, Isolation creative lead Alistair Hope revealed that he and the team pulled heavily from the original Alien movie, em??ulating what made it and continues to make it such a pop culture sensation.

�?em>Alien is unmistakably Fox’s property, but from the moment we pitched the original concept to them, they’ve been completely behind us. I think because we were trying to stay true in spirit to the original, they felt like it was in safe hands," Hope told the publication, touching on the relationship between Isolation's development house, Creative Assembly, and the now-Walt Disney Company-owned 20th Century Fox. This positive collaboration led Fox to share key assets, from costumes to props to miscellaneous production material, with Creative Assembly to make Isolation as tru?e to the trend-setting science fiction feature as possible.

Romulus is effectively a movie inspired by movies and a video game, which is also inspired by a movie. Perhaps the chain will continue, and we'll someday get a new Alien game with elemen?ts attributed to Álvarez's emergency phone-laden creation.

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Good fiction often stands out thanks to the humanity it captures?? within the pages of a book, and nothing will drive that so powerfully home as a deep sense of camaraderie between characters. 

It's time to dig in?to a few examples of great works of fiction with a focus on friendship and the bonds that drive people to loyalty and sacrifice.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

The characters in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling are always going on and on about friendship and how important it proves in the face of adversity, but it’s not as if they don’t put their money where their mouth is. The relationship between the main trio �?and that would be Harry, Hermione, and Ron �?is essentially what makes ??this tale work. Our protagonists care about each other as if they were related by blood, and it’s pretty normal in the course of this narrative to see them go out of their way to help each other and even make the u??ltimate sacrifice. Harry would’ve been dead or worse a dozen times over if not for Hermione and Ron always having his back.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

Such is the narrative power of a great duo that some books are essentially centered on it. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is one such tale. Revolving around two heavenly beings, Aziraphale, an angel with a heart of gold, and Crowley, a demon with a nihilistic outlook, Good Omens is about how the?? unlikely camaraderie between these two beings is capable of stopping an actual end-times event that is supposed to destroy the world and settle the score between the host of angels and the legions of hell once and for al??l. 

Some might interpret Crowley and Aziraphale’s relationship as a romantic entanglement, and there are certainly enough hints to warrant that in the books as well as the popular Prime Video television adaptation, but even if they are amorously interested ??in one another as some people propose, there’s still no denying that the foundation of that bond is an acquaintance and a history as old as the universe itself.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

If you’ve watched the modern live-action take on Sherlock Holmes, you need no convincing that the titular protagonist and his sidekick Dr. John Watson don’t need to be told twice to shout each other’s names from the rooftops. But that dynamic is not wholly an invention of the BBC showrunners. Indeed, more than being just a trusty sidekick and a chronicler of Holmes�?adventures in the books, Dr. Watson is a friend who understands Sherlock better than anyone else, even his close kin. And it is because of this friendship developing over the span of these short stories that we keep coming back to Conan? Doyle and his timeless detective tale.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

If this were a ranking of the best friendships in books, then The Lord of the Rings would be at the very top. Tolkien’s tale might ult??imately b??e about the eternal struggle of good vs. evil, the heart of courage under dire circumstances, the spring of hope in the pitch-black of twilight, and what it means to live through a time of peril, but what makes all of this work at the end of the day is the spirit of communion and love. Of fellowship.

The dynamic between Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee as they take on this troublesome burden and go to the ends of the world is nothing short of spectacular character work. There is no sidekick, nor friend, nor partner or companion, in all of fiction as loyal and trustworthy, not to mention courageous and unrelenting in his sacrifice, as Sam. Frodo says in the books that he would not have gotten far were it not for his brave gardener of many years, and that sentence rings truer than all the words of wisdom you could read in the entire Lord of the Rings.

Aubrey–Maturin by Patrick O’Brian

A nautical fiction series taking place in the early 19th century, Aubrey–Maturin only pays off through the sheer brilliance of the friendship between its two titular characters, Captain Jack Aubrey of the Royal Navy and his ship’s surgeon, Stephen Maturin. When you read Patrick O’Brian, you walk down ??the lanes of history at the height of the Napoleonic Wars and bear witness to how Aubrey and Maturin’s connection ever so slowly blooms into one of the greatest and most profound friendships in all of fiction.

Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb

At times, the Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb might appear to be nothing more than a senseless and brutal tragedy revolving around a royal bastard who changed the world in his wake, but the writer herself has deliberately avoided the high and epic swashbuckling action of the fantasy genre in favor of deep characters and more so the ever esoteric dynamics between those characters. Now whether it be the bond between Fitz and his wolf Nighteyes, or Fitz’s ambiguous but intimate connection with the Fool �?harboring very nearly homoerotic undertones �?there’s no denying that Realm of the Elderlings is all about those though?t-provoking, poignant friendships.

Mistborn: Wax and Wayne by Brandon Sanderson

The second Mistborn era is a detective story centering around two characters, Waxillium “Wax�?Ladrian and Wane, as they try to uncover the mysteries of the Scadrial world during its industrial phase. Wax is a lawman with a strong moral obligation, while Wayne is his comedic, lighthearted sidekick and best friend. In other words, the two complement each other perfectly, making all the shenanigans they get swept up in all the more compelling. Every Brandon Sanderson narrative has a hook. As far as Wax and Wayne is concerned, that hook is the relationship between Waxillium and his deputy Wa??yne.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Jesse Aarons is a fifth grader with artistic inclinations, but the circumstances of his family have turned him into a bitter and depressed young boy. That all changes when he meets his new neighbor Leslie Burke. Leslie is also very imaginative and, befriending Jesse, tries to bring him out of his mood of doom and gloom. The two end up creating the imaginary world of Terabithia, where they spend many an afternoon playing and creating fairy tales out of thin air, little caring that the real world and its dilemmas always have a way of catching up to people. Bridge to Terabithia is one of the ?most heart-rending stories about friendsh??ip.

The Fault in Our Stars John Green

This is yet another story of romance, but what romance worth its salt isn’t fundamentally a tale about friendship? The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is one of the most recognizable books of the 21st century, chronicling the tale of 16-year-old Hazel Grace and her fight with cancer. Hazel’s life is changed when she meets Augustus, a 17-year-old whose own disease is currently in remission. Hazel Grace and Augustus develop a deep bond and understanding that eventually grows into a full-blown romance. While Fault in Our Stars may at first glance? be a rural story, the stakes of the story are always ??high, and that in turn makes everything all the more real.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

A coming-of-age young adult novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows the story of an introverted teenager named Charlie. The character must go through adolescence and juggle friendships and acquaintances of all kinds as Chbosky delves into themes like sexuality, friendship, drug abuse, and mental health. The Perks of Being a Wallflower deftly discusses the challenges ??of interacting and socializing with other people, be they friends or strangers or anything in between, as Charlie wrestles with the idea of adulthood.

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With its thrilling new chapters, the Jujutsu Kaisen manga series has been taking things up a notch. Our favorite finger-eating sorcerer, Yuji Itadori, continues to tap more into his powers, all to gear up for the highly anticipated end battle. So, to keep up with everything, take a look at our Jujutsu Kaisen manga schedule.

Jujutsu Kaisen manga release schedule

Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 267 will be released on Aug. 25, 2024. After this, the schedule is relatively up in the air, but the manga series has been confirmed to end on Sept. 30, with its last five chapters. That means JJK will conclude with 271 chapters, w?rapping up the saga of the? main protagonist, Yuji Itadori, and the Jujutsu Kaisen crew.

Jujutsu Kaisen's manga chapters are generally released every Sunday. They launch around 8 a.m. PT/ 11 a.m. ET/ 12 a.m. JST on Manga Plus and Viz Media. We have seen some delays in its schedule, including Chapter 259 ??and Chapter 253. Giv??en that there are only five chapters left, it doesn't look like there will be any more delays, but there may be a two-week gap somewhere in between.

Even if the Jujutsu Kaisen manga is reaching its climax, we can still hold onto the anime. The show left off with the Shibuya Incident arc, which is about four arcs away from the manga. We'll just have to?? see how long it will take for the anime? to catch up to the manga, where it may leave us with another season and a potential movie finale.

The post ?Never miss a ??new chapter with our Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK) manga release schedule appeared first on Destructoid.