Latest news with #TheRook
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Book Review: 'Royal Gambit' by Daniel O'Malley finds magic in the murder of a royal family member
Author Daniel O'Malley returns to the world of his series he started with 'The Rook' with 'Royal Gambit,' an enjoyable and sometimes unwieldy novel about the supernatural operatives of a paranormal secret service investigating a string of bizarre murders. Gambit centers around the aristocratic Lady Alexandra Mondegreen (Alix) and her investigation into the mysterious murder of her childhood friend, the Prince of Wales. Alix has the unique talent of being able to shatter bones with just a touch of her hand, but she is resented by the other members of the service for the perceived favoritism that comes with her noble title. Her youth was spent as a secret bodyguard to Princess Louise, the woman who now finds herself next in line to the throne. This connection proves useful as the agency's way into investigating who at the palace (or outside of it) could be responsible for the death of the heir apparent and gives Alix a chance to prove her worth as an asset to the agency. O'Malley finds humor in showing how these agents with strange and sometimes absurd powers (one senior official can turn into a stegosaurus at will) adhere to the same bureaucracy and hierarchies as any other government organization. Along with coming to work on time and navigating office politics, there is a chance you will be the victim of a dinosaur stampede or watch your colleague turn into a tree. Alix also emerges as a compelling heroine, driven by her ambition to rise within the ranks of the Checquy and prove herself, yet deeply committed to uncovering the truth behind the tragedy that struck a family she has genuine affection for. A highlight of the book is her sometimes awkward, but humorous journey as a new lady-in-waiting to the princess, having to balance garden lunches with dangerous missions. Although intended as a stand-alone story, O'Malley assumes readers will quickly grasp the complexities of this world and how it operates without much prior knowledge. However, keeping track of the extensive rules and traditions of this secret service and upper-crust English society makes it difficult to keep engaged in the mystery at hand. The book gets bogged down in its mythology and is slow to give us plot developments. Further challenging the pacing of the novel are the constant additions to an over-large cast of characters, all with different supernatural abilities or aristocratic titles. All of these elements lead to a clunky conclusion that too easily ties up loose ends and loses the impact of the tragedy that started the story. The book would have benefited from more clever twists and paranormal action, as opposed to heavy exposition about this super-secret agency and the people who run it. Ultimately, this makes for a fun, elevated beach read for those who enjoy their mystery novels with supernatural leanings and a dry British sense of humor.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Lord Voldermort Casting Odds Latest: Here are the 9 actors in the frame to play the Dark Lord in the Harry Potter TV reboot
Production has now started on the new Harry Potter television series - with 22 cast members now revealed. The series will debut in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max - including in the UK where the channel is set to launch. An open casting call for young actors from the UK and Ireland was held last year - resulting in the new Harry, Ron and Hermione being cast, along with other younger characters such as Lavender Brown and Neville Longbottom. They join a cast of established actors who will once again bring the wizarding world of Hogwarts alive. It will be written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, whose previous screen credits include His Dark Materials, The Rook and The Man in the High Castle. Meanwhile Edinburgh-based author J.K. Rowling is on board as an executive producer. While we know who will play the majority of the main characters, there's still no word on who will play the evil Lord Voldermort - portrayed by Ralph Fiennes in the films. Here are the 9 actors the bookies reckon are in the frame for the role. 1 . Cillian Murphy - 2/1 The 2/1 favourite to play the Dark Lord is Cillian Murphy, who last year won a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in 'Oppenheimer'. He would certainly be a real coup for the casting team. | Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Tom Hiddleston - 9/4 No stranger to huge franchaises - or with playing baddies - English actor Tom Hiddleston is best known for playing trickster god Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He's 9/4 second favourite to become one of the most evil characters in the history of literature. | Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Paul Bettany - 3/1 Famous for playing J.A.R.V.I.S. and Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Paul Bettany have narrowed in recent weeks and he's now a 3/1 shot to be cast as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in arguably the world's second biggest franchaise. | Getty Images for Emirates Photo Sales 4 . George MacKay - 4/1 'Sunshine on Leith' star George Mackay wasn't even in the running a month ago, but now he's 4/1 fourth favourite to take over from Ralph Fiennes. | Getty Images Photo Sales
Zawya
17-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's Mazaya Developments to deliver The Rook in New Administrative Capital in Q4 2025
Egypt's Mazaya Developments is preparing to deliver The Rook, a 14-storey mixed-use development in the New Administrative Capital's downtown district, by December 2025, Chairman Mohamed Allam told Zawya Projects. The 2,650-square-metre (sqm) project, which includes offices and retail spaces, represents an investment of 1.2 billion Egyptian pounds ($24 million). Allam said the private developer is also advancing three additional commercial projects in the NAC, with total investments exceeding EGP 8 billion ($158 million). Gemini Red, a 16-storey tower spanning 2,370 sqm in the downtown district with an investment of EGP 1.5 billion ($30 million), will be completed next year 'Construction began in September 2024, and completion is expected by June 2026,' said Allam. He said the 16-storey Gemini Blue will be completed in December 2026. The EGP 1.5 billion mixed-use tower is spread over an area of 2,420 sqm. Allam said construction Norm Spaces, a 10-storey, EGP 5 billion ($99 million) commercial project in the MU23 district will start construction in the third quarter of 2025. (1 US Dollar = 50.60 Egyptian Pounds) (Reporting by Eman Hamed; Editing by Anoop Menon)
