Escape Velocity

A curated Collection of Fantasy and Science Fiction Media

More Posts By Lotte

Review: Six Crimson Cranes – Elizabeth Lim

Six Crimson Cranes is a retelling of the fairy tale “The Wild Swans” by Hans Christian Andersen, set in an East Asian fantasy world. The story follows Shiori, a stubborn princess. She and her six brothers have been cursed by their stepmother. Together with her animated paper bird Kiki, Shiori must learn to work hard and learn humility, in order to break the curse.

Review: The Priory of the Orange Tree – Samantha Shannon

On the island of Inys, the queen of a thousand-year old line is believed to keep the coming of the Nameless One, the great wyrm from the Abyss, at bay. One of her handmaidens, brought by an ambassador from the far south, is far more than she seems. Across the ocean on the other side of the Abyss, on the dragon-worshipping Island of Seiiki, a young girl dreams of joining the clan of dragon riders, training hard every day to force her dream to come true. In the same city, an old man spends his days on a trading post, banished from across the ocean and dreaming of lost love and his return. As the wyrms of the world stir, their fates will converge.

Review: The Legend of Vox Machina – Amazon Prime

The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated series based on the popular tabletop role-playing game, “Critical Role.” The story follows a group of adventurers known as Vox Machina. Together, they embark on dangerous quests, battle monsters, and uncover mysteries in the fantasy world of Exandria. The series captures the thrilling and often humorous moments of the group’s epic journeys, showcasing their individual strengths, vulnerabilities, and the bonds they forge along the way.

Review: Critical Role

Critical Role is a web series starring a bunch of nerdy-ass voice-actors who sit around and play Dungeons & Dragons, weave stories and aim to leave the world better than they found it.

The show follows the adventures of a group of unlikely heroes as they navigate a fantasy world, taking on quests and battling dangerous enemies. Led by Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer, the group’s engaging role-play and penchant for storytelling has gained them an audience of millions.

Review: Nimona – Netflix

“Nimona” is an animated movie based on the graphic novel of the same name by N.D. Stevenson. The story revolves around a knight who has fallen from grace, Sir Ballister Blackheart. He is joined by a young shapeshifter named Nimona, as they try to uncover the truth of who is really responsible for the crime Ballister has been framed for.

Nimona, with her whimsical and unpredictable nature, brings a lot of chaos to Ballister’s earnest attempt to find out who was truly responsible for his own banishment. But who, really, is she even?

With its witty dialogue, vibrant animation, and engaging storyline, “Nimona” explores what it’s like to be an outsider in a world that likes to keep outsiders firmly behind a wall.

Review: Everything Everywhere All at Once – Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert

Evelyn Quan Wang is a tired Chinese American trying to run a shabby laundromat with her husband Waymond. Nothing is easy: Evelyn’s marriage is in shambles, and so is her relationship with her daughter.
When the business is audited by the IRS, Evelyn is suddenly thrust into an adventure beyond her wildest imagination.

Review: Shadow and Bone – Netflix

Alina Starkov is an orphan who has grown up in an orphanage alongside her best friend Mal. When they pass through the Fold – a barrier through the land that is cast in darkness and populated by monsters – Alina discovers that she has the power to create light, making her the only legendary sun-summoner: the one who can destroy the Fold. She becomes a symbol of hope, but also finds herself with a target on her back. Danger lurks all around her, but all Alina really cares about is finding her way back to Mal.

Review: A Starstruck Odyssey – Dimension 20

In a spaceship shaped like a hot dog, we find a motley crew of space travellers: Grouchy Captain Norman “Skip” Takamori, Navigator Riva, a somewhat naive alien enthusiastically endorsing a pyramid scheme, engineer Gunnie, who is deep in medical depth after a tragic space accident, business executive Margaret Encino, who is working from home out of the ship’s escape pod, All-purpose android Sundy Sidney and a clone with a vengeance called Barry Syx. As they travel the galaxy looking for work, they find themselves tangling with some of the biggest forces in the universe.

Review: Outlander – Diana Gabaldon

It is 1945 and Claire Randall, a former WWII nurse, is on a second honeymoon with her husband. During their idyllic trip through Scotland, Claire accidentally stumbles through a magical stone circle and ends up 200 years in the past.

Review: Dragon Age: Inquisition – Bioware

Review of the video game Dragon Age: Inquisition. A giant explosion has destroyed the conclave at Haven, killing everyone inside – except you. They say you are the chosen one. The herald sent by holy Andraste herself to save the world of Thedas from the Breach in the sky that was created by the explosion. You are the only one who can close the tears in the veil that separates the world from the Fade – the world of spirits, and demons. You become the figurehead for the Inquisition, an organisation created to defend everyone against the forces of evil.