Story Secrets

What if the color of your eyes determined your entire life? That’s the premise behind Gaby Raaijmakers’ fantasy trilogy, where eye color dictates everything—your job, your social class, even your future. Born with blue eyes? You’re a servant. Golden eyes? You’re royalty. Black eyes? A thief. And what happens if you refuse to accept the role society forces upon you?

I had the pleasure of interviewing Gaby Raaijmakers, a Dutch fantasy author whose worldbuilding reminded me of Red Rising, The Hunger Games, and Divergent—stories where characters must fight against a rigid system to define their own destiny.

Her books follow Branna, a woman from a free society who marries into this caste-based world. As she starts questioning its rules, she finds herself battling both an oppressive empire and power-hungry mages who want control for themselves. The twist? The change she fights for might take generations—if it happens at all.

Gaby’s journey as an author is just as fascinating. She started writing at a young age as an escape from bullying, and now, she’s turning her love of Dungeons & Dragons into a brand-new trilogy. Her advice for aspiring writers? Finish the book. It won’t be perfect, but every word makes you a better writer.

This interview left me inspired—not just as a reader, but as a writer working on my own fantasy novel. If you love thought-provoking fantasy with deep worldbuilding, check out Gaby’s books. And if you’re an author with a great story to share, let’s talk!

Check out Gaby's website: https://gabyraaijmakers.nl/

Buy Gaby's books: https://www.artbooksshop.com/search/?search=gaby+raaijmakers

We’re in a new golden age of Middle-earth. With The Rings of Power greenlit for Season 3, Peter Jackson’s next Lord of the Rings films in development, and The War of the Rohirrim bringing anime-style Tolkien to the screen, it’s an exciting time to be a fan.

I know The Rings of Power has sparked endless debate, but I have to say—I love what they’ve done with it. The way they’ve adapted Sauron’s deception, the forging of the rings, and the power struggles of the Second Age? Incredible. It’s not a 1:1 adaptation of Tolkien’s appendices (because, let’s be real, that wouldn’t work as a TV show), but it captures the essence of his themes: power, corruption, and the danger of believing comforting lies.

Season 3 promises to jump forward in time, diving into the war between the elves and Sauron while setting the stage for the One Ring’s creation. That has me very excited—but also a little nervous. What if Amazon is setting up an early ending, just in case?

Then there’s Peter Jackson’s return. With Ian McKellen reportedly on board as Gandalf, I can’t help but wonder—what stories will they tell? Will it be a deep dive into the Fourth Age? A lost tale from Tolkien’s appendices? I hope it’s more than a nostalgia cash grab.

Whatever happens, one thing is certain: Middle-earth isn’t going anywhere. And I couldn’t be happier.

What are you most excited about—the next season of The Rings of Power or Peter Jackson’s upcoming movies? Let me know!

Editing my footage from the Elfia fantasy fair feels like stepping into a time machine. It’s freezing outside, but watching those warm, sunny September days again? Pure joy. Events like these are more than just fun—they create lasting memories.

One of my favorite encounters was with a German cosplayer dressed as Senshi, the mustachioed dwarven cook from Delicious in Dungeon. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a delightful anime about adventurers who literally cook and eat the monsters they fight. Think Dungeons & Dragons meets a cooking show. Strange? Yes. Entertaining? Absolutely.

During our chat, she mentioned another anime: Mononoke (not to be confused with Princess Mononoke). This visually stunning series follows a mysterious medicine seller who exorcises spirits by uncovering their form, truth, and motivation. It’s a deep, metaphorical take on human nature—and now, I need to watch it.

Cosplay, conventions, and unexpected anime recommendations—this is why I love these events. Have you seen Delicious in Dungeon or Mononoke? Let me know what you think!

Not so long ago, my friends recommended a movie that had been sitting on my Netflix homepage forever: Carry On. At the time, I scrolled past it, thinking, Eh, maybe later. But when they described it as a non-stop, old-school action thriller, I knew I had to give it a shot.

And wow—this movie is peak action movie nonsense in the best way possible. It’s got it all: an everyday guy caught in a criminal plot, high-stakes airport security drama, and ridiculous moments that make you yell, “That would NEVER happen!” But somehow, you don’t care, because it’s just so much fun.

The story? A security officer at LAX (who’s lost his confidence after failing the police academy) gets blackmailed into helping a criminal get past security. Cue high-tension moments, moral dilemmas, and a very Die Hard 2 vibe. Sure, the plot is full of holes—you mean to tell me a rookie TSA agent is left completely unsupervised at one of the busiest airports in the world? But hey, realism isn’t why we watch these movies.

If you love Die Hard, Air Force One, or any action movie where the hero gets way too deep into trouble, give Carry On a try. It’s not perfect, but it’s a blast. Have you seen it? Let me know what you think!

When Disney took over Star Wars, they wiped out the entire Expanded Universe, leaving fans heartbroken. Years of novels, comics, and games—gone, or rather, rebranded as Legends. While some elements have slowly crept back into canon (hello, Thrawn!), one major character remains absent: Mara Jade.

Now, a new rumor suggests that Disney is considering a Mara Jade TV series. Is it true? No idea. But it makes sense. Mara’s story is classic Star Wars—a villain turned hero, redemption, a personal connection to Luke Skywalker (even if Disney avoids that part). Plus, imagine a deep dive into the Empire from her perspective—think The Penguin meets Star Wars.

But here’s the catch: Dave Filoni has hinted that Star Wars needs fresh stories, not just rehashes of the past. Could a Mara Jade show fit that vision? Or is this just another fan-fueled rumor? Either way, I’d love to see it happen.

What do you think? Would a Mara Jade show work in today’s Star Wars universe?

It’s Fantasy Friday, and I’ve got two things for you: an inspiring interview with fantasy author and illustrator Robin Rozendal and an update on my own fantasy novel.

Meet Robin Rozendal: I met Robin at the Fantasy Festival in Arcen, and her creativity blew me away. Here’s why:

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  Massive, Original World: Her fantasy books explore living cities—yes, cities with thoughts, emotions, and even mental health struggles. It’s a concept I’ve never seen before, and it’s brilliant.

  
  


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  Multi-Talented Creator: She’s not just an author; she illustrates her own books and runs two YouTube channels (in Dutch) about writing and videography. Her writing journey even inspired me to start my own Booktube channel.

  
  

Her world-building is next-level, blending human characters with sentient cities that communicate through emotions and memories. If that doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what will.

My Novel Update: Inspired by creators like Robin, I finally gave myself permission to write. I’m in month two of my novel-writing journey:

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  January: Focused on plotting, world-building, and character sketches.

  
  


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  February: Drafting phase with a goal of 3,000 words a day. Surprisingly, I often exceed that, hitting 5,000 words or more.

  
  

The story has evolved beyond my original outline, and that’s part of the magic. Writing isn’t just about getting words on paper; it’s about discovering the story as you go.

If you’ve ever wanted to write, consider this your sign: start today. You might just find a new passion.

Want more insights into my writing process? Check out my daily updates on YouTube: My BookTube Channel.

Check out Robin Rozendal's Channel on YouTube
Visit her website and order her books here

If you’ve been holding your breath for Severance Season 2, exhale—it’s here, and it’s absolutely worth the wait. I’m Father Roderick, a priest and a geek, and today I’m diving into why this mind-bending series is still one of the best shows on television.

When I first talked about Severance, I raved about its originality, mystery, and sheer brilliance. But with the bar set so high, could Season 2 deliver? Spoiler-free verdict: YES.

What Makes Season 2 Stand Out:

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  Visual Storytelling: The cinematography is stunning—abstract, art-house vibes that feel both beautiful and unsettling.

  
  


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  Expanding the World: We finally see more of the outside world, blurring the lines between “innies” and “outies.”

  
  


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  Double Character Arcs: Each actor juggles two personas, creating layered, complex storytelling.

  
  


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  Mind-Blowing Episodes: Episode 4, in particular, feels like a standalone film with twists I never saw coming.

  
  

The Severance official podcast is also a must-listen. Featuring creators and cast members like Ben Stiller, it offers behind-the-scenes insights without spoiling future episodes.

If you haven’t started Severance yet, begin with Season 1. Trust me, it’s not just a show—it’s an experience.

You’ve probably heard the talk: "Superhero fatigue is real." With some recent Marvel and DC projects underperforming, it's easy to see why. But hold on—there’s a fresh wave of superhero content that might just change the game.

Take the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. The trailer has a retro vibe that's refreshingly different from the usual MCU fare. It feels like a breath of fresh air, showing that superhero stories can evolve by tapping into different eras and styles.

Here’s why the genre isn’t dead:

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  Superheroes are timeless. Characters like Superman have been reimagined for generations. James Gunn's new Superman promises a hopeful, optimistic take, breaking from the darker tones of past DC films.

  
  


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  Nostalgia sells. The vintage aesthetics in Fantastic Four and Wolverine’s classic yellow suit in Deadpool 3 prove that fans love a good throwback.

  
  


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  Creative cosplayers keep the spirit alive. I recently met German cosplayers rocking vintage X-Men outfits. Their passion for the source material shows how much these characters still resonate.

  
  

So, is superhero fatigue real? Maybe. But with fresh perspectives and creative takes, the genre has plenty of life left.

Want to hear more about my encounter with these amazing cosplayers? Check out the full podcast episode!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is making a comeback. No, this isn’t just another reboot announcement—we actually have some fresh details about the new series, and they’re worth talking about.

The big news? Sarah Michelle Gellar is returning as Buffy! But she won’t be the main character this time around. Instead, it seems the focus will shift to a new generation of vampire slayers, possibly with an ensemble cast. This could bring fresh energy, diversity, and broader appeal to the franchise while keeping that classic Buffy vibe.

Here’s what we know:

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  The show will stream on Hulu (likely Disney+ in Europe).

  
  


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  Gellar’s role will be more of a mentor, guiding new slayers.

  
  


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  No Joss Whedon involvement (thankfully, considering past controversies).

  
  

While reboots often feel like a cash grab, there's potential here. The original Buffy was groundbreaking, and with thoughtful storytelling, this new series could capture that same magic while addressing modern themes.

Curious about my full take on the reboot, nostalgia, and why reboots keep happening? Check out the latest podcast episode!

Hey there, fellow Star Wars fans! We've known for a while that Sigourney Weaver is part of The Mandalorian and Grogu movie. But in a recent interview, she dropped some exciting new details about her role, and it’s got me thinking this film might be more than just an extended TV episode.

Weaver revealed she’ll be sharing scenes with Grogu, who has grown up a bit and will showcase new abilities. That alone has me curious about how his character will evolve.

Even more intriguing? Weaver plays a character in a position of authority who sends the Mandalorian on a mission to the Outer Rim. This opens up a galaxy of possibilities:

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  Is she a political leader? Like a Mon Mothma type, pulling strings behind the scenes.

  
  


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  A crime boss? Maybe connected to the underworld, adding a gritty dynamic.

  
  


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  A Jedi? Fans are already speculating, but I’m not convinced.

  
  

The key takeaway? This isn’t just a money grab. The film aims to push boundaries, tell new stories, and avoid the “rehash trap” that some franchises fall into. And with Weaver's role hinting at fresh dynamics, the stakes just got higher.

Want to hear all my thoughts and theories? Check out the full podcast episode!