Lisa Dawn's Blog: The Princess Blog

Review: Bye Sweet Carole

Bye Sweet Carole is a horror adventure game that is entirely hand-drawn in the style of classic Disney movies. It has been in the works for about four years, which seems reasonable, considering how time-consuming it is to draw every frame by hand in the style of Dragon's Lair. The gameplay is inspired by an old Super Nintendo game called Clock Tower, but its plot, themes, and overall vibe resemble a more obscure point-and-click adventure game called Tsioque. Although Bye Sweet Carole is classified as horror, it is not particularly scary and is made to appeal to the Disney Princess crowd, which has a tepid relationship with horror. A better description of the game's genre would be "psychological thriller," which tends to be reserved for movies and books, even though many games fit this genre as well.

Bye Sweet Carole tells the story of Lana, who lives in a Gothic-inspired orphanage called Bunny Hall in Victorian England. She spends the majority of the game chasing down letters written by her best friend, Carole, that she believes contain hints to solving her mysterious disappearance. The game's puzzles involve collecting key items that Lana must use to escape various traps that confine her within the depths of Bunny Hall while outrunning nightmarish monsters that will go away if she ducks into tight spaces and holds her breath. The historical aspects of the game, such as the Suffragette movement and the pressure to find a suitor, feel disjointed from the supernatural elements, which include girls turning into bunnies and Studio Ghibli-like creatures, such as Mr. Baesie, a friendly life-sized doll that can remove its head at will. This dichotomy foreshadows that the gameplay elements might not take place in the real world.

Of course, the biggest selling point of Bye Sweet Carole is the artwork, which looks exactly like a movie from the Disney Renaissance. Lana is intentionally designed with classic Disney Princesses in mind and is informed by Mr. Baesie that she is the missing princess of a faraway kingdom called Corolla, which the villainous Mr. Kyn wants to steal from her. Most of the game uses a dark color palette, which makes the occasional bright pink elements pop. I particularly enjoyed the border that appears around items are added to the inventory, which contains birds resembling the ones from Cinderella  holding a bright pink ribbon and spools of thread. Every time the player dies as Lana, the birds carry her dress back onto the stage, which magically turns into her. Lana uses her pink hair ribbon to transform between her bunny and human states, which unleashes a blast of bright pink sparkles across the screen. One chapter takes place at a formal ball where Lana wears a beautiful princess gown, and there's even a dancing minigame.


This game is challenging, but not too frustrating. There were a couple of times where I got stuck solving a puzzle, but I always managed to find my way out without needing a guide. It helps that there are only so many items in the inventory at one time. Chances are good that if you find something new, it will unlock another area. Conversely, if an area is locked, you probably just need to find the next available item. Running away from monsters is nerve-wracking, but not too stressful since there are plenty of places to hide in just about every room. There are a few key points where players are required to use stealth tactics and will die instantly if they reveal themselves at the wrong time, but this doesn't come up often enough to be a hindrance. There are also a couple of easy boss fights during the climax. The animated cutscenes alone could probably work as a linear movie, but the gameplay element adds an opportunity to connect with Lana on a deeper level.


Since it came out in 2025, Bye Sweet Carole contains a few heavy-handed messages about feminism and the patriarchy, which I could take or leave. The main story is learning what happened to Carole, but the political themes are tied into it. The game takes place at the beginning of the Suffragette movement, which is interesting from a historical perspective, but doesn't affect anything from the actual gameplay, which makes the overarching message less prominent when you're busy dodging ghouls and finding missing cranks. Lana is more interested in friendship than romance, which is fine, as a recurring theme is her refusal to grow up. There was only one scene where the anti-patriarchy message got oo heavy-handed. There is also a queer romance hinted at, but not expanded upon, which fits neatly into the main story. Overall, the themes of grief, loss, and tragedy are woven into the plot much better than the political messaging, thanks to some surprising twists during the game's climax.

Bye Sweet Carole is a visually stunning and charming horror-adventure game that blends elements of classic Disney animation with a unique narrative and challenging puzzles. While its themes of feminism and the patriarchy feel somewhat heavy-handed at times, they are woven into the story in a way that feels organic, if not always impactful. The game's real strength lies in its beautiful artwork, engaging gameplay, and metaphorical storytelling that explores Lana's inner demons. If you're a fan of point-and-click adventure games or are simply looking for a game with a unique art style, Bye Sweet Carole is definitely worth checking out, especially if you're in the mood for something a little dark.

Review: Winx Club - The Magic Is Back

It seems like everyone was talking about the new Winx Club reboot prior to its release. Now that it's finally out, no one seems to care anymore. If you're looking for a place to discuss your favorite fairy princesses (and some awesome non-princess fairies), I've got you covered. Winx Club: The Magic Is Back uses a tongue-in-cheek tagline as a promise that this show will deliver more of the original magic of Winx than the horrendous live-action Fate: The Winx Saga, which was both a commercial and technical failure. Does it deliver on that promise? For the most part, yes. This reboot starts over from the beginning of Bloom's story, with lots of Easter eggs for fans of the original 2004 Italian cartoon, along with new characters and plot points to keep it feeling fresh.

Since Winx Club has been around for over 20 years, it's been rebooted a few times to prevent the characters from aging out of their target age group. Yet, none of the reboots thus far have successfully captured the magic of the original series until now. The Magic Is Back attempts to remedy that. Bloom is reintroduced as a 16-year-old girl, and the pilot is a fast-paced throwback to the original 2004 pilot, covering Bloom's discovery of magic when she rescues veteran fairies Stella and Flora from a troll and her enrollment in the Alfea School for Fairies. There, she meets Damien, a new character who becomes vital to the plot of the new reboot. He gradually integrates himself into every aspect of the Winx Club world by enrolling in Alfea, crushing on one of the Winx girls, and teaming up with the Trix.

The Magic Is Back is a far more faithful reboot to the original Winx Club overall than Fate: The Winx Saga. However, it still borrows some of the more progressive elements of that adaptation in an attempt to modernize it for a new audience. For instance, the rivalry between witches and fairies is no longer encouraged by the headmistresses of Alfea and Cloud Tower due to the two schools being forced to work together after an off-screen disaster that demolished Cloud Tower. Now, both witches and fairies attend classes at Alfea side by side. Of course, this new development does little to change the nasty attitudes of the Trix, who are still bent on destroying the Winx. Specialists can now be female, thanks to the introduction of a new character named Robin, and the potential for male fairies is implied by Damien's enrollment in Alfea, though he is ultimately selected as a warlock instead.

The Winx girls' behavior is certainly reminiscent of their counterparts from the original 2004 animation, but it almost feels like they have become caricatures of themselves due to the lack of character growth in this reboot's first 13 episodes. Bloom no longer has to deal with the drama of Prince Sky lying about his identity because he is up front with her from the start. Diaspro, his obnoxious fiancée, tries to cause problems for her but is more of a minor annoyance than any sort of real threat. The closest the show gets to character development for the main cast is an episode where they are forced to experience simulations of their worst fears, yet this felt forced and contrived. The vast majority of growth and development in this season went to Damien, who didn't actually get more screen time than the Winx girls, but excelled in terms of growth and plot development.

I also want to take a moment to discuss what they did to Tecna. Oh, Tecna, how far you've fallen. Of all the changes they made to the story, Tecna's was by far the most egregious. In the original series, she was the cool, nerdy best friend who was just as happy to help you fix your computer as she was to chat about boys at a slumber party. This version of the show coded her as autistic in the most insensitive way possible. She had an annoying, grating voice, constantly said the most hurtful things possible to her friends, and acted as though she had no concept of emotion. Though the episode about their worst fears reveals that she didn't like this about herself, her attempts to improve were either played off for humor or forced. I absolutely think it's possible to portray an autistic character in a likable manner. Entrapta from She-Ra and The Princesses of Power is an excellent example of this. It just didn't work here. Giving Tecna a different voice with the same dialogue could have helped with this issue. Even if they were trying to make her sound like a robot, Siri and Google Assistant's voices still sound more human.

With so few shows on the air with a brightly colored feminine aesthetic, Winx Club: The Magic Is Back should be a boon to Magical Girl fans seeking something new from Western animation. While it successfully recaptures some of the original series' magic and introduces fresh elements, it falls short in character development and nuanced portrayals for the original cast. The show's attempts to modernize and diversify the characters are commendable, but missteps, such as Tecna's handling, are glaring. If you're a fan of the original or are looking for a lighthearted, action-packed series for young audiences, you might find this reboot enjoyable. However, for those seeking depth and thoughtful characterizations, it may not fully hit the mark. Join the discussion in the comments below and share your thoughts on this reboot – have the Winx girls recaptured the magic, or does the show need more time to find its footing?

Princess Crown Is an Old RPG That Just Doesn't Care

When I decided to play a fan translation of an old 1997 Sega Saturn RPG called Princess Crown, I was expecting something cute and simple along the lines of Disney Princess Enchanted Journey or maybe even Rhapsody. What I was not expecting was an unforgiving full-length fighter RPG with story elements like demon possession taking place in a Barbie movie-like world of fairies, mermaids, and unicorns. This game simply does not care about pinning down a target audience, and I both love and hate it for that at the same time. Developed by Atlus, the game never received an official Western release, and, having played it, I can completely understand why. It suffers from a massive identity crisis that even some of the darker princess games I've played are more straightforward about. Truly, this game would have no market in the West. The fact that it exists at all is amazing.

It all begins so innocently. A little girl asks her grandmother to read her a story, and she pulls out what appears to be a sweet fairy tale book. We learn early on that Gradiel, a 13-year-old princess who is crowned queen at the beginning of the story, is a warrior princess who is unmatched with a sword, which was a common trope in the '90s. This makes it seem like a feminist fairy tale for little girls, which still seems fairly innocent at first. Gradiel's two sisters, Eriel and Sidrael, are more traditionally feminine, resembling the dynamic from the Princess Fantaghiro series. Then Eriel gets possessed by a demon living inside a book in a hidden room in the castle, and we begin to wonder if the grandmother at the beginning of the game should have selected a different book to read to her granddaughter.

Another reason this game suffers from an identity crisis is the battle system, which struggles with many of the flaws of early '90s RPGs, creating endless frustration for players who don't want their entire lives to be consumed by a game. Instead of a turn-based combat system, Princess Crown uses a relentless battle style that resembles games like Street Fighter, in which the player must constantly dodge attacks while trying to maintain combos without running out of stamina, which would leave them prone to more attacks. The limited number of items they are allowed to carry makes healing a struggle because it is so easy to run out before reaching the next town. The aesthetic of this game is extremely appealing to little girls who aren't interested in fighting games, yet I can imagine most of them rage-quitting early on, giving the game an extremely niche target audience of hardcore fighting gamers who also like princesses, fairies, and mermaids.

Despite the frustrating gameplay and surprising story elements, its world and characters are lovely and unique. Gradiel is the perfect balance of femininity and strength with her purple hair, chain mail dress, and iconic golden crown. She is assisted by Aria, a magical, glowing fairy that radiates beams of colored light, knocks down enemies when Gradiel is in a rough spot, and drops helpful items during battle. Although there is no love story (she's only 13; get your head out of the gutter), most of the supporting characters are beefed-up warrior men, aside from a cute little pink witch girl who provides a minor annoyance at the beginning of the game. What's that? You thought a fairy tale book would provide fun, relatable sidekicks or a romantic subplot? Well, this game doesn't care. It throws everything into a blender, and you get whatever comes out.

I was also surprised by the scope of the game. It looks like such an innocent kid-friendly version of bigger RPGs, but this world is fully fleshed out. There is an expansive map with numerous towns, sidequests, and hidden dungeons. Every time I thought I was getting close to the end, the game would surprise me with a new plot point, one of which surprisingly resembles "Beauty and the Beast," but it doesn't get as much attention as I would have preferred. Even after Gradiel's story ends, the game continues with additional stories told from the perspectives of three other characters that must be completed in order to unlock the "true ending." To be honest, I got fed up with having to replay the same story three more times, but that's okay because I'm sure the game doesn't care.

Princess Crown is a true oddity, a game that defies categorization and pushes boundaries in ways both fascinating and frustrating. Its unique blend of fighting gameplay and fairy tale aesthetics makes it a niche title that would have likely struggled to find an audience in the West, which is perhaps why it remained unreleased outside of Japan. Despite its flaws, the game's world and characters are undeniably charming, and its influence can be seen in later Atlus titles like Odin Sphere. For fans of fighting RPGs or those curious about the Sega Saturn's hidden gems, Princess Crown is a must-play experience – but be prepared for a challenge, and don't say I didn't warn you.

Review: A Frigid Hope

A Frigid Hope by Amanda Thompson is the latest book I've read from the multi-author Hope Ever After series. This book is a pleasant retelling of "The Snow Queen" that combines elements of the original story with other traditional fairy tale tropes. Like many "Snow Queen" adaptations, it is more faithful to Hans Christian Andersen's original work than Frozen was. It also features a traditional fairy tale romance by aging up the protagonists and transforming them into royalty. It was a quick and easy read that felt both nostalgic and refreshing.

Princess Bianca has no shortage of suitors, but she only has eyes for one prince, who she doesn't believe would even be willing to offer her his hand. When she learns that her parents convinced Prince Percival to be a contender, she is over the moon. Unfortunately, the very next day, he is selected to be a tribute for the wicked snow queen, Kira. Every man selected for this task must live in her ice palace until their hearts become completely devoid of emotion and return as empty shells. Determined to hang onto her hopes of a happy marriage, Bianca researches a way to end Kira's eternal winter once and for all.

Although this book is part of the Hope Ever After series, it would have made an interesting addition to the Sacrificed Hearts multi-author series because it is one of the only stories I've read in which men are regularly sacrificed to a wicked entity instead of maidens. This reversal of the classic trope plays well into the "Snow Queen" fairy tale, since it is about a woman rescuing a man from captivity. The book takes it a step further by making these captures a recurring event. This increases the significance of Bianca's desire to end Kira's icy reign because it would only save the man she loves, but countless others after him.

Even though the story is set around a sad scenario, the book gives an overall cozy vibe with very little violence or danger. The author includes the portion of the fairy tale in which a well-meaning older woman tries to pull the heroine into a peaceful life as her mother, but not the more precocious bandits and robber girl, who give off harsher dispositions. Bianca has a fun animal sidekick in the form of a mythological winged wolf, which adds humor and levity to her quest to rescue Percy.

A Frigid Hope is a satisfying retelling of "The Snow Queen" that brings a fresh perspective to the classic tale. With its cozy vibe, engaging characters, and humorous moments, this book is a heartwarming addition to the Hope Ever After series, which was created to inspire hope by fighting against human trafficking. Bianca's determination to rescue Prince Percival and end Kira's reign is a compelling narrative that will leave readers rooting for her from start to finish.

Everything We Know So Far About Frozen 3

Disney has had a double feature in the works for a few years now to conclude the Frozen saga. What's better than one sequel but two? New plot details were recently revealed about Frozen 3, which is set to debut in November 2027, the month of Disney Princess movies. Per a translated Twitter post from Disney China, “In this new chapter, witness the wedding of the century in Arendelle as Queen Anna walks down the aisle and joins Elsa on a new magical journey filled with unknown challenges. And what’s even more exciting: the royal family is about to welcome a mysterious new member!” This sounds like a return to classic princess movies of the past, which have become rarer in the modern Disney canon and may represent a nostalgic return. However, it also proves that Disney still prefers to milk franchises that are over a decade old rather than create new ones for modern generations.

When Frozen first premiered in 2013, I fell headfirst for all the hype and found that it didn't quite live up to my high expectations. However, seeing the decline in princess media from recent years has given me more respect for the insanely popular franchise, particularly after the lovely musical that recently aired on Disney+. Frozen 2 , on the other hand, has yet to grow on me as it feels like the whole movie was an excuse to keep Anna and Elsa out of the Disney Princess line by making them both queens and maintaining their individual branding. A two-part sequel has the potential to improve some of the flaws with the second movie or exacerbate them. Only time will tell.

Even though there's a lot of discourse about the new details of the upcoming sequels, the summary doesn't actually reveal that much information. We already knew Anna would be marrying Kristoff because he proposed to her in the previous movie, and since they're getting married in the movie, the "new addition" to the family is unlikely to be a baby. The wedding between Anna and Kristoff takes the first movie full circle, since that focused on Anna's failed engagement, and now we can see her having a successful one. Speculation that the lost relative will be from the magical Northuldra tribe introduced in Frozen 2 is the most likely prediction, considering that's the side of the family that Elsa gets her powers from and has potential to be explored more extensively.

The fact that the writers made the decision early on to split this film into two parts could mean that they are placing more focus on the story than they did in the second movie. This may be promising considering that this is one of the only films princess fans have to look forward to that isn't a live-action remake. However, it could also mean that the two sequels could be bloated with unnecessary exposition that will overcomplicate the already extensive lore of the Frozen universe. If the story really is so complex that it can't be told in a single film, it might make more sense to turn it into a series, though Disney has not had a very good track record with those lately. Not only was the Tiana series cancelled, but the Moana series got retooled into a sequel, demonstrating that Disney is placing more focus on film right now than serial content.

The upcoming Frozen 3 and Frozen 4 films promise to bring back the magic of classic Disney princess movies, with Anna's wedding to Kristoff and a mysterious new family member set to shake things up in Arendelle. While the details are sparse, the potential for character growth and new challenges is exciting. Whether this installment will live up to expectations or enhance the flaws of its predecessor remains to be seen. Are you excited for more Frozen sequels or would you prefer to see more original content from Disney? Let me know in the comments!

Review: The Glass Gate

The Glass Gate by Hanna Sandvig is a lovely portal fantasy from her Faerie Tale Romance series of fae retellings about characters from the real world who enter gateways to the land of the fae where they live out classic fairy tales. This book is similar to others I've read from this series and includes a few fun cameos. Hanna's books are unique because they all feature modern protagonists who are relatable to us as readers, allowing us to vicariously live out their fairy tales. This story draws inspiration from "Cinderella," though it has many unique elements that stand apart from other retellings.

Ella is an aspiring fashion designer who wants a break from her daily grind of helping out her stepfamily. Her mixed Japanese heritage has always made her feel like an outsider in the real world. It seemed like a no-brainer when her bestie Amber took her out for a nighttime getaway to the hidden land of Tír Na nÓg to party with the fae and finally have a chance to blend into a crowd. When she gets there, she meets Prince Tiernan, a fae who is bound by magic to find a bride by his 200th birthday. She is propositioned to pretend to be his girlfriend for a while so he could avoid potential matches from his family before his upcoming engagement ball. This seems like a great way to get away from her family for a while, especially since time moves more slowly in the fae realm.
What I liked about this book, as well as the Faerie Tale Romance series in general, is that the protagonists feel like real young women with real problems that are covered with sensitivity and grace. For instance, Ella struggles with anxiety and explains her mental health in detail without dancing around the issue. She also has lactose intolerance and identity issues from her mixed race. The incorporation of Japanese culture also made this book unique as a "Cinderella" retelling as I rarely see versions of "Cinderella" where her beloved mother's dress that she wants to wear to the ball is a beautiful kimono. Ella's fashion designer aspirations are equally relatable and reminiscent of the 2021 Amazon Prime adaptation of the story.
The romance in this book is cute, though it felt like more of a subplot next to Ella's career aspirations. Prince Tiernan comes off as stubborn and pompous at first, but he changes after getting to know Ella. The biggest obstacle between them is the fact that she hides her identity as a human. He is surprised by her kindness toward the fae servants since she is pretending to be fae royalty but doesn't act like one. This makes her the target of some assassination attempts, but the book is not violent and handles danger swiftly, allowing it to maintain its overall cozy feel. There are many times that the supporting characters outshine the main cast with their vibrant personalities and are the ones pushing for Ella and Tiernan to get together.
The Glass Gate is a charming addition to the Faerie Tale Romance series, offering a fresh take on the "Cinderella" tale with its relatable protagonist, vibrant supporting cast, and thoughtful exploration of mental health, identity, and cultural heritage. Ella is a unique version of "Cindrella" with similar goals to the 2021 streaming adaptation and lots of traits that make her stand apart from other interpretations of the character. With its cozy tone and sweet romance, this book is a delightful read for fans of fae retellings and fairy tale romances.

Sea Prince and the Fire Child Is the Most Magical Faery Movie You've Never Seen!

It's been a rough decade for faery princess media. With the exception of the upcoming Winx Club reboot, the hyperfeminine fae aesthetic has all but faded away into a lost relic of the 1980s and early '90s. Hidden in the depths of cinema history is a treasure trove of lost media that has been sealed away in the depths of old memories. Most studios don't have the motive or budget to reintroduce their old franchises to new audiences the way Disney does. One animated fantasy movie from the '80s that made a comeback a decade ago is The Last Unicorn, which premiered in 1982 with its tragic story, moving soundtrack, and beautifully dark imagery that came straight from the pages of Peter S. Beagle's novel. On the Eastern front, a tonally similar anime movie came out in 1981 that I only learned about recently.

Sea Prince and the Fire Child , also known as Legend of Sirius, is a visual and emotional spectacle of epic proportions from a time when creativity was celebrated in the media. It's a tragic faery love story that I wish I had seen when I wrote my book, Rebirth: A Faery's Tale, because the similarities are uncanny. It has some of the most gorgeous fantasy imagery I have ever seen and could give Fantasia  a run for its money. The movie has a timeless feel to it that instantly pulls viewers back to the innocence of their childhood, but that doesn't mean the story is childish. In fact, it's quite mature and risqué considering that its subject matter and colorful characters would be classified as kiddy fare by many unenlightened viewers.

The movie tells the story of Sirius and Malta, two star-crossed lovers who are destined to rule over opposing factions of water and fire. The legendary prologue explains that these two groups were once allies who became enemies after an act of jealousy and greed. Sirius, the prince of the water kingdom, is destined to take the place of his father as the god of the seas, while Malta, the princess of the fire kingdom, is destined to become the new fire goddess. When these two magical entities meet, they fall in love instantly, threatening the lives of everyone in both kingdoms. Their love changes the tides of history, bringing out the best and worst of the magical beings residing in both their worlds.

The imagery in this movie is striking and unforgettable. Sirius's kingdom is filled with colorful talking crabs, fish, and eels that predate The Little Mermaid. Malta's world is an ethereal wonderland filled with glowing faeries whose bodies are formed of flames. They answer to a beautiful goddess who oversees their world as well and protects an enchanted holy flame that maintains the peace between them and the water kingdom. However, this world is far from peaceful. Many tragedies strike numerous characters throughout the film, including the ones that seem too cute to have anything bad happen to them. This deeply emotional storytelling makes this high fantasy setting feel more grounded in a dream-like reality.

If you're looking for a poignant and nostalgic blast from the past, this is the movie for you. Sea Prince and the Fire Child is a hidden gem of animated fantasy, offering a timeless and emotionally resonant tale of star-crossed lovers set against a backdrop of magical wonder and tragedy. With its stunning imagery and mature themes, this 1981 anime classic is a must-see for fans of fantasy and romance. It is currently available to watch on YouTube in both English and the original Japanese. Are you a fan of this movie? Do you know of any other hidden gems from this era? Let me know in the comments!

Review: Ice and the Elves

Ice and the Elves is the latest book in Anabelle Raven's Elves & Legends series. Like the other books in this series, it is an extremely loose fairy tale retelling that is essentially an original story. This particular book draws inspiration from "Sleeping Beauty" by incorporating themes of dream magic. It takes place in the same high fantasy world as the other Elves & Legends books, in which there is a rivalry between humans and elves. This book directly follows the events of Nolan and the Elf, in which an elf and a human fall in love, and explores the fallout of their actions. It is a dark story centered around a war setting, which may not be every fairy tale fan's cup of tea.

Ice and the Elves is a second-chance romance that begins after a lot of important events have already taken place, which requires the reader to catch up through expository dialogue and description. Kendrick is an elf prince seeking revenge for his parents' murder by a king and queen from another elven kingdom. Aneira is the princess of that kingdom and does not approve of her parents' actions. Before the book begins, Kendrick met Aneira and fell in love with her, but determined that they couldn't be together due to their conflicting positions. The story starts with their tepid reunion, in which they must settle their differences in the midst of a massive war taking place between multiple factions.

For me, the strongest element of this book, as well as the series, is the worldbuilding and magic system. Anabelle has created a rich world of elven kingdoms that feels authentic, flawed, and believable. The racism between humans and elves is a common theme in fantasy as well as, unfortunately, real life, and was handled well in this book. Aneira is so convinced that her sister would never choose to marry a human that she sends an entire army to rescue her from her loving spouse. This stubborn pessimism plays into her refusal to believe that Kendrick still has feelings for her after their previous dalliance.

The story takes place in the middle of a war and is packed with action. Although there is no gratuitous violence, it might not be ideal for readers seeking a cozy romance. However, the war setting feels more like a background character for a large portion of the book, as a lot of time is spent with Aneira and Kendrick alone together, facing their inner demons of the past. The fighting tactics used throughout the book are fascinating. They stem from the individual magical abilities of the characters. Aneira has ice magic that she uses to freeze her enemies, while Kendrick can manipulate other people's dreams, a useful tactic for sending messages and gathering information.

Ice and the Elves expands upon the richly detailed and complex world of the Elves and Legends series. Its war-torn backdrop will appeal to fans of darker fairy tale retellings like Once Upon a Time. The backstory of the characters was very interesting, and I would have loved to read more about their first meeting. Maybe these scenes were included in another book from this series, but all of their references to their earlier relationship in this book narrated through dialogue. With its unique magic system and nuanced exploration of racism and second chances, it is a compelling read for fans of fantasy and romance.

Why Princession Orchestra Missed the Mark for Me

When I first heard there would be a new anime about singing princess Magical Girls, I was stoked. I love all of those things, so how could combining them go wrong? I couldn't wait to write about Princession Orchestra. I waited with baited breath for the first episode to air. Then I watched it and realized I had very little to say about it. Now, I am 20 episodes in, and I still don't have a lot to say. The series fulfills its promise on a most basic level. However, the majority of its charm comes from aesthetics and very little else.

Despite what the title would lead you to believe, Princession Orchestra pays more homage to Alice in Wonderland than it does to princess stories. In fact, there are so many Wonderland references peppered throughout the show that I personally think Wonderland Orchestra would have been a more appropriate title. The show takes place in a beautiful fantasy world called Alicepia, which is powered by an app that only girls can access. When the main characters show up, Alicepia is being threatened by the Jammerwocks, which is ruled by a group of vengeful boys whose motive was only revealed recently. They must transform into magical "princesses" and sing the Jammerwocks out of their wonderland.
Although the idea of musical attacks sounded really cool in theory, it isn't done well in Princession. The little I've seen of  K-Pop Demon Hunters  did a much better job of using musical numbers as a method to defeat enemies. The girls in this show each get one signature song that begins playing immediately after they transform, and their lips move to the lyrics even if their bodies are doing something unrelated. Since the songs are playing in the background on a different audio track from the dialogue, it's jarring to see their mouths move when it doesn't actually feel like they're singing. Since the songs are always the same, they usually have little relevance to the individual episode's storyline or battle.
Initially, I was more excited about this show than the current season of Precure, which is also based around singing. Having seen both, I have to begrudgingly admit that Precure did a better job with the theme. There are so few modern Magical Girl shows to compete with Precure that it really was about time for the long-running brand to get some good competition. Princession Orchestra just isn't it. While You and Idol Precure boasts distinctive characters with interesting personalities and struggles, the three leads in Princession come off as generic and bland.
Princession Orchestra's visually stunning world and musical elements aren't enough to save it from its lackluster storytelling and generic characters. Despite its promising premise, the show falls short in execution, making it a disappointing addition to the Magical Girl genre. However, that doesn't mean the concept of singing Magical Girls is inherently bad. Do you have a favorite musical series in this genre? Let me know what it is in the comments!

This Upcoming Horror Game Looks Just Like a Classic Disney Movie!

The first time I saw preview footage from Bye Sweet Carole, I thought it had been rotoscoped from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It wasn't, but this perception was a result of the game's distinct look that is reminiscent of hand-drawn films from Disney's Renaissance and Golden Age eras. The nostalgic aesthetic is a huge selling point for the game. It is difficult to find anything in the modern era that recreates this style so perfectly. The game's protagonist, Lana, bears features that are similar to the character models for both Belle and Snow White.

It is not unheard of for a video game to use hand-drawn animation. Dragon's Lair and Cuphead are some examples of this. However, it is an exceptionally rare medium for interactive storytelling due to the amount of time it takes to animate every possible player scenario. Few people are willing to put this amount of time and effort into modern games because of how much easier it is to take advantage of new technology. Bye Sweet Carole goes that extra mile by painstakingly animating every frame in a lush gothic environment that is reminiscent of scenes from Beauty and the Beast and Alice in Wonderland . The trailer looks like an advertisement for an animated film from the '90s, complete with a haunting musical soundtrack.

This narrative adventure tells the story of Lana, who lives in a mysterious orphanage called Bunny Hall. When her best friend, Carole, goes mysteriously missing, Lana must embark on a fantastical journey to find her that takes her to places beyond her wildest imaginings. The game's horror element is the latest in a growing trend that combines the innocence of princess stories with the grimdark overtones of nightmares and danger. Slay the Princess is another recent game that successfully combined these genres. Many people commented on Bye Sweet Carole's trailer that they don't like horror but will make an exception for this game. I find myself agreeing with that assessment.

Bye Sweet Carole recently announced an October 9th release date, which means there's another month left before players can experience this gothic fantasy. It will be available on most gaming platforms, making it accessible to a variety of gamers. The nature of the hand-drawn format will probably limit the scope of actual gameplay, as seen in the above video sample. It looks like a sidescroller through beautiful environments. Players will have several abilities they can activate when they control Lana, including the power to turn into a bunny. It seems there's more to Bunny Hall than meets the eye. Considering the amount of labor that goes into animation, it is likely to be a short but beautiful game.

Bye Sweet Carole is a visually stunning game that combines the whimsy of fairy tales with the darkness of horror, set in a beautifully hand-drawn world reminiscent of Disney's classic films. With its unique art style, haunting soundtrack, and intriguing storyline, this game is sure to captivate fans of fantasy and adventure. Will you join me on October 9th in Bunny Hall? Let me know in the comments if you're excited for this game or if you were hoping for something a little lighter.