Some of My Favourite Media:
Jop's Latest Highly Rated:
JOP
Welcome to my curator page!
Like most people on this funny, little planet do, I struggle my way through life on a daily basis. Between (and if I’m very honest, also during) these struggles, I keep myself sane by dreaming. Dreaming about far off places, cultures and worlds. About wonderful and unique stories, and the possibility that, one day, my own writings will pave the way for other dreamers.
When I immerse myself in a story, I love it when I can lose myself in the thoughts and feelings of well-developed characters. Ideally, the story of these characters is supported by a clever plot and world building that is well thought out. Bonus points if the story has themes that are completely intertwined with the plot and characters. However, the balance may be slightly different, as long as most of the building blocks are in order. Bad writing is something I can never overlook. When it comes to games, I find narrative and/or atmosphere more important than game elements. Also, I like dragons.
When I’m not creating stories myself or living life, I read, game or watch movies and TV series to satisfy my eternal hunger for good stories.
Stories of hope against all odds
The found family trope
Character driven stories
Well-written emotions
Well-foreshadowed plot twists
Proper lgbtqia+ and bipoc representation
Diversity of fantasy species
Religious/spiritual themes and original invented religions as long as they are well executed
Good continuity
Giant creatures that wreak havoc such as dragons, krakens and the like
Flat or boring characters
When something truly devastating happens in a character’s life, but they never visibly mourn or even address it happening
When the stakes in a story grow beyond the point where it is relatableViolence and torture that are especially graphic
Lack of diversity
Really competitive games
Bad writing
Pet PeeveS
Storylines in which an (evil) imposter occurs and the main characters have to discover them
Senseless love triangles
When a writer has to tell how a character feels but can’t also show it
Plot twists without proper foreshadowing
Long-lasting mysteries that receive a lot of screen time but are poorly (or not at all) unravelled
Characters who are generally quite intelligent or capable but suddenly make stupid choices because it is necessary for the plot
Unsubtle info dumping
Recent Contributions
Review: Damsel – Netflix
Elodie, the daughter of a Lord, agrees to marry the prince in order to secure a better future for her people. The union seems like something out of a classic fairy tale, but a terrible secret will soon be uncovered…
Curator Question: Do you prefer books or films?
Another question for our curators: would they rather read or listen to a book, or have the story told through a television screen?
Review: Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster – Jonathan Auxier
Life isn’t easy when you’re a chimney sweep in Victorian London. However, it’s the only life the young eleven-year-old Nan Sparrow has ever known. First under the tutelage of the Sweep, a man she loved as her father. Later, after the Sweep’s mysterious disappearance, she continued this existence in the name of a new cruel master. However, Nan’s life is about to change, when she discovers that a sentimental piece of char is actually a golem left to her by the Sweep.
Curator Question: Which fantasy/sci-fi character would you like to go on a date with?
Our curators consider dating characters from their favourite fantasy and sci-fi stories. With whom would they want to have a cozy rendezvous?
Curator Question: 2024 Resolutions
Our Curators discuss their 2024 New Year’s Resolutions – what is on their to be read/watch/listen/play list for the coming year?