# Parrydox

> Richard Parry: writer, liar, superhero


## Posts

- [Why You Liked ... Dispatch](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-dispatch/): Gaming, whether as a form of entertainment or art, has had a troubled relationship with ‘storytelling’. Many people comment on the story of games as being good or bad, but they often mistake agency for story. A story has a start, middle, and an end, with meaningful characters, consequences, and crucially, pacing! Games often suffer from a lack of these, but since you’re swinging the sword, the act itself is important, and you spend less time worrying about why you’re swinging it. Get this review on Spotify or Apple, or watch the YouTube version: Good or bad, it’s rare for Read More ...
- [The Well of Lethe: 8](https://parrydox.com/the-well-of-lethe-8/): Korvus must find Verity before they're both overrun by the Well's infestation. His problem? Nowhere near enough ammunition.
- [Why You Liked … Ghost Recon: Breakpoint (A 2025 Retrospective)](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-ghost-recon-breakpoint-a-2025-retrospective/): Ever wondered what happened to Ghost Recon: Breakpoint after all the launch drama? Well: this 2019 tactical shooter might've been better than we gave it credit for.  Join me as I revisit Ubisoft's controversial entry in the Ghost Recon franchise—from Jon Bernthal's compelling villain to the lush and varied open-world design of Auroa. We'll chat about the RPG mechanics that divided fans, the customisation options that keep things fresh, and whether the post-launch Ghost Experience mode redeemed the whole thing.  Is Breakpoint worth your time in 2025? Let's find out, hero.
- [The Well of Lethe: 7](https://parrydox.com/the-well-of-lethe-7/): Korvus exited the elevator on the medbay level. The lighting flickered, a sure sign of an ailing reactor or control system. Neither failure was survivable on Lethe. If both died, the oceans would hunger in, scouring the inside of the prison colony like the high-pressure acid bath it was. I need to hurry. He picked up his pace. Herald’s cannon was locked in its firing position over his left shoulder, ready for whatever might come. How much ammunition do we have?||:KORVUS HERALD:||It was a short jump, so there wasn’t much computational residue from the drive. It only leaves you eight Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … KPop Demon Hunters](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-kpop-demon-hunters/): Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters surprised me—what looked like animated fluff turned out to be a heartfelt spectacle channeling Jem and the Holograms. Three K-pop demon hunters use music and swords to fight evil while tackling deeper themes: the lies we're told growing up, crumbling expectations, and how ultra-wealthy oligarchs are basically real-world demons. With Spider-Verse animation, complex characters like antagonist Ji-noo, and messages about self-acceptance, it celebrates being weird as your superpower. It's revolutionary female empowerment wrapped in catchy beats—proving your 2am TikTok energy can literally save the world.
- [The Well of Lethe: 6.2](https://parrydox.com/the-well-of-lethe-6-2/): Navigating a ventilation shaft is grim, but for Korvus, finding what looks like shedded snakeskin is just the start of the weird. When he pops out, the guards are gone, his only company a sarcastic AI. Inmate Verity, a self-proclaimed former convict, helpfully suggests the missing guards went out the same way he came in, then accuses him of seeing God.
- [Why You Liked … Eenie Meanie](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-eenie-meanie/): I’m calling it: the Samara Weaving Effect is a thing, and Eenie Meanie is proof. I’ve seen her in everything from Ready or Not to this flick (a film that made me want to import a gas-guzzling muscle car). This movie gets her. This isn't your daddy's Ocean’s 11; it’s a heist of consequences where being a numpty actually costs you. It’s got car chases that’ll make you want to call a chiropractor and a story that’s less about a vault and more about feelings. Basically, it's a crime flick with a therapy session attached, and it's dope.
- [The Well of Lethe: 6.1](https://parrydox.com/the-well-of-lethe-6-1/): Korvus confronts Aris at the medbay, then needs to chart his own course.
- [Why You Liked … King Arthur: Legend of the Sword](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-king-arthur-legend-of-the-sword/): Guy Ritchie's 2017 "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" is the criminally misunderstood Arthur film you've never seen. Charlie Hunnam's brothel-raised brawler talks like he runs a protection racket, fighting for prostitutes and orphans with genuine heroism. This isn't courtly romance—it's gritty, funny, and grounded. Warner Bros. planned six films but spectacularly face-planted after mismarketing Ritchie's gangster-meets-legend vision. Sure, it mishandles female characters, but the visual spectacle still dazzles and Hunnam was born to wield Excalibur. A unique, entertaining take on ancient legend that deserved those promised sequels.
- [The Well of Lethe: 5](https://parrydox.com/the-well-of-lethe-5/): Korvus needs to see what's happening in the reactor core. Sometimes, his job truly sucks.
- [Why You Liked … Novocaine](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-novocaine/): Get ready to feel everything in a movie where the hero feels nothing! I'm breaking down "Novocaine," starring Jack Quaid, who delivers a pitch-perfect performance as Nate Caine – a guy literally immune to pain, yet who gives us all the feels. This action-comedy is a wild ride of dark humor and brutal, brilliant filmmaking, exploring what it means to find your inner hero. Plus, I'll dive into how the directors cleverly make us accomplices in Nate's "Pain Train™"—spoiler: we're all twisted. Discover why this unique film works on so many levels.
- [The Well of Lethe: 4](https://parrydox.com/the-well-of-lethe-4/): Korvus descends the Well to meet the monster in the basement.
- [4theWriters: How to Remix Reality (aka A Guide to Cultural Fusion in Storytelling)](https://parrydox.com/4thewriters-how-to-remix-reality-aka-a-guide-to-cultural-fusion-in-storytelling/): Ever wondered what Avatar: The Last Airbender has in common with 90s D&D arcade games? It’s how they raid the global spice rack to create fantasies we never knew we wanted. In my latest 4theWriters piece, I spelunk into the art of cultural fusion and give you my "Cultural Catalyst Framework"—a three-step guide for writers and GMs to build unique worlds for their novels or TTRPG campaigns. I even show how I used this exact system in my own books to justify werewolves that know kung fu. It’s a toolkit for remixing reality.
- [The Well of Lethe: 3](https://parrydox.com/the-well-of-lethe-3/): Now Korvus is heading deeper into the Well, what's Warden Mercer so interested in?
- [Why You Liked … The Monkey](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-the-monkey/): The Stephen King movie curse is real. But I’m here to tell you that The Monkey finally breaks it! In my latest review, I dissect how this film succeeds as a gory, hilarious dark comedy rather than a cheap jump-scare-fest. We're talking a career-best dual performance from Theo James as feuding twins, some of the most inventive kills I’ve seen in years, and a surprisingly insightful take on our own inner demons. It’s a blood-soaked blast with a brain, and you can check out my full breakdown right here.
- [The Well of Lethe: 2](https://parrydox.com/the-well-of-lethe-2/): Delve further into Lethe SC90982 with Corrector Korvus as he meets the one man who might know what's going on: Dr. Gideon Aris.
- [Why You Didn’t Like … The Crow (2024)](https://parrydox.com/why-you-didnt-like-the-crow-2024/): I was really hoping the 2024 reboot of The Crow would be a winner, but press F to pay respects. The film fundamentally misunderstands what makes a revenge story tick, spending geologically-relevant levels of time on backstory we already know, only to rob us of a satisfying payoff. From systemic pacing issues that kill the first hour to the frustrating misuse of great actors, this film fails all on its own. It had a perfect blueprint for success in the original graphic novel and instead chose to reinvent the wheel as a square.
- [The Well of Lethe: 1](https://parrydox.com/the-well-of-lethe-1/): Welcome to Lethe SC90982: a backwater prison colony choking on a high-pressure, acidic atmosphere. It’s a forgotten place for forgotten people, run by a jaded warden who’s just trying to keep the lid on a powder keg of terrorists and dissenters.  …And, of course, something else waits in the dark.  But before the killing in bulk starts, an enforcer from the monolithic Integrated Collective—a Corrector—arrives. And as the warden knows all too well from his own tragic past, when a Corrector shows up, well… that’s when the murder begins. This is for fans of: - Boots-on-the-ground military sci-fi like Aliens or Warhammer 40k. - Intense, visceral action that doesn't worry about blood on its shoes. - Rich, lived-in worlds where the tech is impressive but the synth-cotton collars are still too damn tight.  Let’s roll.
- [Why You Liked … Geostorm](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-geostorm/): I fully admit that enjoying Geostorm should be a crime. Trapped on a plane, I braced myself for a silly disaster flick full of space lasers and a paper-thin villain—and it has all of that. But this review argues that the film's ridiculous plot is just a cover for its real story: a surprisingly heartfelt drama about two brothers (played by Gerard Butler and Jim Sturgess) reforging their broken family bonds. It’s a movie about fixing relationships, not just saving the world, which is why I believe this B-movie has an A-grade heart.
- [Why You Ran Out of Whelms for … Thunderbolts*](https://parrydox.com/why-you-ran-out-of-whelms-for-thunderbolts/): Feeling whelmed by the MCU lately? Not overwhelmed, not underwhelmed… just… whelmed. Thunderbolts was meant to be the cure: a gritty, street-level story about tarnished heroes. We were promised steak, but we got another giant swirl of cinematic candy floss—all air and sugary spectacle, leaving you with nothing but ennui.  This film had the perfect ingredients for a grounded character study, but instead, it trips over the same creative fatigue that plagues the franchise. In this post, I analyse how a film with so much potential manages to squander absolutely all of it.
- [Why You Liked … M3GAN 2.0](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-m3gan-2-0/): M3GAN 2.0 is a criminally underappreciated gem and a far better film than its predecessor. I argue it’s not a horror movie, but a whip-smart action-comedy using synth-pop charm to deliver sharp critiques on AI and corporate greed. It cleverly learns from its robot ancestors, like KITT and Johnny 5, to become a self-aware spectacle with a surprisingly deep message about found family and morality. Packed with sublime performances and laugh-out-loud moments, it's a fun machine that offers a much-needed fresh take on our AI-driven future. It's the Friday night movie you didn't know you needed.
- [Why You Like … Really Dope Names](https://parrydox.com/why-you-like-really-dope-names/): Ever wondered why some Alien flicks are good as gold while others are just a bit shit? I reckon I’ve cracked the code, and it’s got sweet FA to do with the actual monster.  It’s all in the names of the ships. From the corporate dread of the Nostromo to the… well, the less said about the prequels the better. In this post, I break down this litmus test that separates the true cyberpunk classics from the monster-closet flicks. It's a proper deep dive.
- [Why You Like … The Loveable Lunkhead](https://parrydox.com/why-you-like-the-loveable-lunkhead/): Some B-movies shouldn't work, yet they do, often thanks to one specific type of hero. I call them the "Loveable Lunkhead": the chaotic good icon who does the right thing in the absolute worst way. Using Guy Pearce in Lockout, the mismatched leaders in Heads of State, and Dave Bautista in Army of the Dead as case studies, I break down why we’re so drawn to these charmingly flawed characters. It’s my ode to the heroes with surprising depth and the delightful fun of a perfect B-movie.
- [Why You Liked … The Electric State](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-the-electric-state/): The critics gave The Electric State a 5.9 and called it a soulless flop. My take? They missed the point so hard they must have been watching the movie through one of those daydreaming VR rigs.  In my latest video, I argue this supposed "failure" is actually a razor-sharp look at our current AI-slop apocalypse and asks the eternal question: "Are we the baddies?" We'll talk about a mail-bot built to fail, two soldiers who said "Fuck that" to war, and an ending that finally understands who should be doing the bleeding for progress. It’s good, actually.
- [Why You Liked … Ballerina](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-ballerina/): With John Wick ready for retirement (his knees have voted), Ballerina arrives not as a simple spinoff, but as a necessary passing of the torch. Ana de Armas's Eve brings the franchise back to the personal, gritty stakes that made it a hit, shedding the convoluted lore of later chapters. She fights with a clever viciousness that’s all her own, driven by a furious desire to get IN, not out. This is a triumphant return to what makes this world great: getting both mad and even.
- [Why You Liked … The Accountant 2](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-the-accountant-2/): Forget awkward holiday dinners. The Wolff brothers’ idea of family bonding involves dismantling a human trafficking ring, and I am here for it.  In my deep dive into The Accountant 2, I break down why this sequel is less about the "whodunnit" and more about the brilliant, action-packed story of brotherhood. I'll explore how Christian and Braxton’s unique dynamic works, why their fight scenes are a form of therapy, and how the film argues that for some, love is a deliberate, difficult calculation. It's a surprisingly heartwarming take on murder.
- [Why You Liked … Nimona](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-nimona/): Nimona (2023) almost died when Disney shuttered Blue Sky Studios at 70% completion, but Netflix's resurrection gave us something extraordinary. Chloë Grace Moretz delivers vocal shapeshifting mastery as the titular anarchic hero, while Riz Ahmed anchors perfectly as troubled knight Ballister. The film's genius lies in using disarming pink aesthetics to explore othering, identity, and radical acceptance without preaching. Through a gut-punch scene showing how fear is taught, Nimona becomes a parable for LGBTQ+ struggles and societal displacement. It's ultimately about friendship as shield against a world that misunderstands you—a pink-horned reminder that the most transformative stories fight to exist.
- [Why You Didn’t Like … Archive](https://parrydox.com/why-you-didnt-like-archive/): Gavin Rothery's Archive had everything needed for sci-fi greatness: stunning cinematography, brilliant performances from Theo James and Stacy Martin, and profound questions about AI consciousness that feel eerily relevant today. George's obsessive quest to resurrect his dead wife Jules through increasingly sophisticated AI iterations creates genuine emotional investment and explores the ethics of creating synthetic life. But then comes the ending, a devastating "it was all a dream" twist that obliterates 90 minutes of masterful storytelling. This isn't just a weak conclusion; it's a complete betrayal of audience trust that transforms a potential classic into a cautionary tale about narrative promises. Archive proves that even the most compelling premise can't survive cinema's most insulting trope.
- [Why You Liked ... The Gorge](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-the-gorge/): The Gorge: More Than Meets the IMDb Score? Why do some "average" movies resonate so deeply? My latest Scene & Unseen tackles "The Gorge." Despite a modest IMDb rating, this Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy sci-fi thriller is a cult classic in the making. It's not just guns and monsters; it's an unexpected US/Russian armistice and a powerful story of connection. I explore how two opposing operatives forge a bond, challenging indoctrination and making us question who the real monsters are. Discover the surprising depth and genre twists that make "The Gorge" hit different. Read/watch the full analysis now!
- [Why You (Might) Like … Disciples: Liberation](https://parrydox.com/why-you-might-like-disciples-liberation/): Disciples: Liberation – It's Me, Not You (Probably!)  It’s 2025, the Pope’s from Chicago, and I’m recommending a game I uninstalled: Disciples: Liberation. After 14 hours, I see its brilliance – a gritty story, fantastic characters (Avyanna & Orion!), and deep tactical combat. Yet, its army-building focus and specific challenge scaling weren’t my personal fit. This well-made tactical RPG deserves an audience, even if it’s not me. Hear my full "it's me, not you" breakdown for why you might love what I couldn't.
- [Why You Were Mildly Entertained by... Mission: Mehpossible — The Reckoning of Exposition](https://parrydox.com/why-you-were-mildly-entertained-by-mission-mehpossible-the-reckoning-of-exposition/): Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning isn’t a bad film. It’s just a painfully average one that forgets what makes this franchise tick. With a slow start, undercooked villain, and action scenes that trade ingenuity for spectacle, it struggles to stand alone or satisfy as a sequel. Tom Cruise still delivers, and Hayley Atwell shines, but the magic of masks, heists, and clever cons is sorely missed. It’s decent popcorn fare, but as a Mission: Impossible entry? This one never quite detonates.
- [Why You Liked ... Doom: The Dark Ages](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-doom-the-dark-ages/): Doom: The Dark Ages isn’t just more Doom. It’s smarter, meaner, and surprisingly thoughtful. In this review, I break down why this demon-slaying metal opera deserves to be called a masterpiece. From its gloriously brutal combat to its unexpectedly strong character work (yes, even Doom Slayer has feelings now), it’s a game that proves story = plot + character. Also, shoutout to Thira’s full armour and her dad’s shirtless thirst-trap energy. Doom finally grows up a bit, and it looks damn good doing it. Watch (or read, if you want to count the Warhammer jokes).
- [Why You Liked … The Accountant](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-the-accountant/): A Different Kind of Hero: Ben Affleck plays an autistic accountant with a moral code, a kill count, and a calculator (and somehow, it works). With the sequel out now, I revisited The Accountant to explore why this unlikely action film still hits so hard.  This isn’t just about bullets and balance sheets. It’s about what happens when a neurodivergent lead doesn’t just survive the story, but owns it.  I dig into representation, justice, evolution, and why Christian Wolff might be the most quietly revolutionary hero we’ve seen in years.  📘 Bring your spreadsheets and your feels. 🧠 Read the full breakdown here!
- [Why You Liked ... Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-star-wars-jedi-fallen-order/): Remember that one wall-run Cal definitely should’ve made but instead yeeted himself into a ravine? Yeah. We all do. And yet… we kept playing. Why? Because this game slapped harder than a Wookiee with abandonment issues. It wasn’t just lightsabers and trauma (though: yes), it was heart, grit, and the kind of hope Star Wars had misplaced in a ditch somewhere post-Last Jedi. This wasn’t about becoming a Jedi. It was about surviving, healing, and Force-pushing stormtroopers off cliffs. And honestly? That’s the dream.  [Full review here — bring your feelings and maybe a stim canister.]
- [Why You Liked … May the Fourth](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-may-the-fourth/): 2025 Edition. Despite Disney’s best efforts, there is Star Wars gold at the end of the rainbow. If you like reckoning with legacy, moral ambiguity, sacrifice, and found family, I’m here to make your Star Wars Day just as rosy as when A New Hope dropped way back in 1977… minus the bell bottoms we all pretend we never owned. Introduction People talk about Star Wars fatigue the same way they talk about superhero fatigue, as if it’s part of life now. Disney strip-mined Star Wars for all its joy in a relentless sequel churn. I’m positive one of the Bobs was to blame; Read More ...
- [Why You Didn't Like ... Plane](https://parrydox.com/why-you-didnt-like-plane/): Plane: the movie where the idea of “authenticity” is about as convincing as a safety briefing from a clown. You shouldn’t waste time on this movie, but you might be tempted to! It stars Gerard Butler, who won hearts and minds as Leonidas in 300, and Mike Coulter, who won hearts and minds as Luke Cage and Spartan Locke. I wanted to like this one. I hoped it might have the folksy charm of Butler’s outings like Gamer, but there’s no charm here. It all starts fairly badly; it’s clear the scriptwriters googled, “How do planes work?” and then used the top hit from Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Service Model](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-service-model/): The Future is Now, and It’s Not Great. Hello, valued consumer. I see you are engaging in anxiety brought on by literally everything. Would you like a soothing cup of tea? Good. Because today we’re panning for five golden things: Let’s begin. Sci-Fi, AKA the Original Horrible Prophecy Machine I finished Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Service Model, a book too close to prophecy to not be unsettling. There’s a lot this book made me think of, not least of which is that no one should ever call a robot Uncharles. Despite that, you should read Service Model. It’s charming, despite the doom. It’s funny, despite us Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Avowed](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-avowed/): Exploration, Companionship, and the Game That Deserved Better Reviews. What if the world doesn’t need saving? Well, tough rocks, the Living Lands of Avowed still need you to rescue them, but they’re at their best when you’re exploring, meeting dudes, and lighting the occasional villain on fire with a flaming sword. And honestly, that’s kind of beautiful. Introduction You start your epic quest in Avowed as the Envoy, one of the Emperor’s chosen from the land of Aedyr. There’s a plague called the Dreamscourge, and it is wreaking havoc on the empire’s citizens, and, more importantly for the Emperor, his throbbing desire to colonise Read More ...
- [Overthinking, but Professionally: Is LitRPG Just Escapism, or Something Deeper?](https://parrydox.com/overthinking-but-professionally-is-litrpg-just-escapism-or-something-deeper/): Is LitRPG just a guilty pleasure, or does it actually mean something? Let’s get a little more profound on this shower thought. This is Part 3 of a 3-part series on LitRPG: its past, how to write it, and why it keeps us coming back. LitRPG isn’t just about power-ups and progress bars. It taps into something deeper. Why do these stories hit so hard? Let’s autopsy why this genre is fundamental fantasy rather than a fad. Missed the earlier parts? Introduction There are a few genres that are experiencing break-out success, and with good reason. They scratch an underserved Read More ...
- [4theWriters: How to Write LitRPG Without Losing the Plot](https://parrydox.com/4thewriters-how-to-write-litrpg-without-losing-the-plot/): LitRPG is a genre where game mechanics and storytelling hold hands. The trick is making sure it doesn’t turn into a hostage situation. Writing LitRPG can be fun. You essentially get to play-act as a developer (either of tabletop or computer games) without having to put in years of work in another profession. You also get to create immersive worlds, craft intricate levelling systems, and finally give your meticulously built setting the starring role it deserves. What’s not to like? But there’s a trap: get too wrapped up in mechanics and you forget to tell a story, or put characters Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … LitRPG Before It Was Cool](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-litrpg-before-it-was-cool/): Think LitRPG started with Ready Player One? Think again. Long before you could grind levels in a LitRPG novel, Dream Park and Guardians of the Flame showed us what it meant to truly play the game. Modern LitRPGs let you exploit the system, but these classics forced you to survive it. This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on LitRPG: its roots, how to write it, and why it keeps us hooked. Before LitRPG was a genre, books like Dream Park and Guardians of the Flame set the foundations for game-inspired storytelling. This is where it all began—long before stat sheets took over. Introduction LitRPG (short for Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Argo](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-argo/): Man, seventies fashion didn’t treat us kindly, did it? Fashion isn’t the only thing that’s best left in the seventies, but we’ll get to governmental foreign policy in just a moment. Argo is an absolutely superb movie based on the true story of one of the most sublime counterespionage events in history. Or, I guess, known history, because they’re going to save some good shit out the back. Historical Context We follow Ben Affleck’s Tony Mendez, a CIA exfil expert set on the mission of extracting six US Embassy workers during the Iran Hostage Crisis that kicked off November 4, 1979. It follows the Read More ...
- [How to see your Writing More Clearly (Without Losing the Will to Live)](https://parrydox.com/how-to-see-your-writing-more-clearly-without-losing-the-will-to-live/): A real challenge with writing is the (very) long time between penning the first page and publication. It’s a huge amount of time to invest without getting feedback on how good the book is. There are tools to help, such as writer’s groups, and I’m going to share another: a self-starter you can use without the fear of another human making the You-Fucked-Up face. The real problem with humans is that, often, they want to make you feel good, or objectively think your feelings are things to be trashed. Getting good human feedback is super hard, because humans in general: Read More ...
- [Overthinking, but Professionally: Steam, GOG, and Epic (or, Who’s Really on Your Side?)](https://parrydox.com/overthinking-but-professionally-steam-gog-and-epic-or-whos-really-on-your-side/): Maybe you were once naïve enough to believe Ubisoft Connect would add something to your life; I’m not here to judge. Among this digital clutter, three stores actually matter: Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. First, the TL;DR—or as I call it, “The Algebra of Access and Aggravation.” I promise, this is only make-believe math: Now let’s overthink why Steam, GOG, and Epic are (mostly) on your side—or to badly misrepresent Tron, “For the Users!” Let’s also be professional about why publisher launchers are the worst thing since loot boxes, and how—despite exclusives—Epic might actually be on the right side Read More ...
- [Reinvention, the Mask and the Cost: Being the Hero You Choose to Be](https://parrydox.com/reinvention-the-mask-and-the-cost-being-the-hero-you-choose-to-be/): Some of the most compelling stories ever told don’t involve capes, laser eyes, or spandex that never rips. But they do borrow the superhero blueprint to make them unforgettable. From fantasy epics to space operas, from gritty urban crime tales to historical dramas, the core themes that make superhero stories powerful (reinvention, the mask, and the cost of becoming something more) can give any genre a much-needed punch in the narrative gut. I’m about to unleash some storytelling hacks that will elevate your heroes from oddly-boring-despite-the-great-hair to I-must-analyse-their-backstory-in-a-3,000-word-Reddit-post level. Whether you’re writing romantasy (love triangles, but with swords!) or epic space opera (and yes, Read More ...
- [Why You Liked ... Kate](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-kate/): Imagine being dropped into a world of danger with only your principles. Kate brings her code of ethics to a gunfight. Kate – The Action Heroine Hollywood Forgot We Needed There’s something to be said for an action film that doesn’t just throw a random actress into a catsuit and hope for the best. Kate, Netflix’s neon-soaked revenge thriller, does something rare. Kate gives us a female assassin who actually looks like she knows what she’s doing. Mary Elizabeth Winstead isn’t here to pose dramatically in leather and execute impractical spinning kicks. She fights like someone who’s… well, let’s have a look. [Montages Read More ...
- [Overthinking, but Professionally: Why TikTok Survived the Briefest Ban in History](https://parrydox.com/overthinking-but-professionally-why-tiktok-survived-the-briefest-ban-in-history/): Zen and the Art of Doomscrolling: How TikTok Beat the Ban and Left Silicon Valley in Therapy.
- [Microsoft Might Accidentally Win Gaming](https://parrydox.com/microsoft-might-accidentally-win-gaming/): Microsoft is thinking about making a handheld, but their worst enemy isn’t Sony, Nintendo, or even the ghost of Zune. It’s Windows. That OS that fights controllers like they owe it money. What if Microsoft finally fixed Windows for a handheld… and then, in the biggest “hold my beer” moment ever, they drop a Windows-runs-natively update for Xbox? Suddenly, the Series X isn’t just an Xbox (it’s a Steam machine, or Epic games hub, or hell, GOG’s on there too). Xbox gamers get Game Pass and Steam, making Microsoft the undisputed gaming warlord of both couch and commute. Meanwhile, Sony and Nintendo Read More ...
- [Why You Liked ... Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-banishers-ghosts-of-new-eden/): In my first-ever game review, I tackle Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, a haunting RPG where love, loss, and moral dilemmas take center stage (with some flawed-but-fun combat on the side). I unpack its bittersweet story, its obsession with meaningful side quests, and whether I can survive as a game reviewer without invoking the wrath of gamer purists. Spoiler: I’m probably already on thin ice, but if you’ve ever wanted an existential crisis with your ghosts, this one’s for you. Read on, and let’s see if I should stick to movies.
- [Extraordinary Connections in Ordinary Lives](https://parrydox.com/extraordinary-connections-in-ordinary-lives/): My four-part series on Extraordinary Connections in Ordinary Lives!
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 60](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-60/): The queen gave them more than a day. She put them up in her keep. People had made a fuss about Armitage until Geneve stared them down. She didn’t know what to say, so settled for glaring. Rumors spread about the Adept who’d cut down a Champion, so the glare was enough. Armitage said he thought it funny but didn’t laugh. He watched Sight of Day a lot and spent time with the Feybrind when he thought no one was looking. Geneve needed answers. She left the castle alone, on foot. No one had seen Tristan, and she feared him Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 59](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-59/): When Nicolette fell, so did Meriwether’s hands. The compulsion to not speak was gone. He scrambled to his feet. You saw the divine. Geneve brought the Storm. She beat a Champion, blade on blade, and saved, like, everyone. She knelt in a crumpled huddle beside Israel. The pool of red beneath the Knight didn’t grow. He was well dead, so Meriwether didn’t go there.  He found himself by Vertiline’s side. Blood still flowed from her arm. How she was still alive was a mystery. Maybe the Chevalier was too ornery to give up. He yanked off his belt, then worried the Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 58](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-58/): Geneve’s eyes snapped open, breath dragging through her chest. Her body felt raw, her mind bloody. Memory after memory snicked into place, pieces of a puzzle, fragments of a person, held apart from the rest of her for thirteen years. Each one hit with the force of a punch. Israel is my father. Vertiline knew. My mother sold me. She stood on weary legs. The witch Nicolette faced Meriwether. He held Geneve’s borrowed steel with trembling arms. She could see the fear in him, burning like a bonfire. Terrible, and wonderful, that he would bring his beautiful, fragile self between her and Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 57](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-57/): It wasn’t her first memory, just the first to arrive. Geneve felt it slot into place like a wooden piece from a child’s puzzle. It had the same bright, lacquered edges children love, painted in brilliant vermilion. She stood in a town square. Or above it: her feet were on wooden planks, coarse cut and rude. To her left and right were the tall faces of her fellow slaves. Tall, because she was five, but for all she was young she felt something was terribly wrong. A slave to her right was Feybrind. Worn, faded pelt. Patchy, because even they Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 56](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-56/): Meriwether stood atop what might have been a nice taverna, if not for the dead milling in the courtyard out front. To his left, a woman with dead-white hair glared hate at the risen below. To his right, Sight of Day stood with a bow, arrow nocked, but no apparent desire to use it.  It wouldn’t make much difference. There’s a thousand dead below, and he’s got maybe thirty arrows. White-Hair sniffed. “You want to go in there?” She pointed at the bank, around which most of the dead’s attention focused. “Want? Hell, no. Need? Yes.” Meriwether flexed his hand. It Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 55](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-55/): The air tasted of copper. The hair on Geneve’s nape rose. Her fingers felt thin, too weak to hold her borrowed blade. Or perhaps it was her soul, too weak to hold her body upright after the compromises she’d made to get here. I’m no Knight. I’ll never be Israel and can’t touch Vertiline. And here I am, standing with them, against a Champion. Nicolette’s poise was faultless. Her stance was exactly as written by the Three. Her glass blades moved with precision even clockwork couldn’t give. Every part of her was matchless perfection. The Three walked not with her, but in her. She Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 54](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-54/): Meriwether and Sight of Day made good speed for about ten minutes until they hit a snag. The snag was about two meters tall, clothed in shabby robes. The Vhemin High Priest stood in the middle of the road, wearing a scowl that shifted to a mad-tinged grin when he caught sight of Meriwether. “You!” “Ah.” Meriwether offered a small bow, then darted down an alley to the left. Sight of Day, initially on his heels, paced past him almost effortlessly. The Feybrind vaulted onto a fence to the left, spun, and held his hand out to Meriwether. Scrambling over, Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 53](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-53/): The day of Geneve’s Trial dawned like any other. Perhaps a little more sun, a little more fear. She made her preparations, then went into the mess to eat. Breakfast was big and hearty. A scrap of folded paper was delivered to her by a Postulant while she ate. She felt her belly grow cold as she opened it. TRESWARD’S TRIAL OF NOVICE GENEVE THE CHARGE OF FREEZING THE CHARGE OF BEASTS THE CHARGE OF FIFTY THE CHARGE OF THE TREE That was it. Two tests other than the expected fights and killing of her tree. A single day’s Trial. Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 52](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-52/): Geneve marched with Israel and Vertiline to the Brook District. It had been a sleepy enough settlement within Ravenswall. Not too wealthy, not too poor. Artisans made it their home. Nothing was tactically significant about it, except for one thing. It was right in Nicolette’s path. Meri’s plan made sense: head to the Brook District and meet Nicolette head on. Aside from the warm comfort of her old friends Iz and Tilly, she had the bulwark of Armitage’s presence. Nicolette nearly bested two Knights, but an Adept plus a very large Vhemin might make all the difference. Geneve doubted it. Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 51](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-51/): It wasn’t thunder. It was the Storm, held by a Champion’s leash. Nicolette marched on Queensfane Village. The Witch Knight held an army of the dead on a tether of lost souls, burning a choking, corrupted path through the belly of Ravenswall. And she really, really wanted Meriwether. Screams made faint by distance carried on the wind. They may as well have been the cries of gulls. Lightning lashed the sky, cracking the Three’s whip as Nicolette came to finish them. The dragon hadn’t managed to kill Nicolette. Israel hadn’t bested her, even with Vertiline’s help. She wanted Meriwether, or Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 50](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-50/): Geneve ‘borrowed’ good silver regals from Vertiline before heading for the apothecary. The Chevalier said she was going to ‘get drunk’ and ambled off, leaving their wagon in the care of a stable boy who looked struck dumb by her pale beauty. It made Geneve grumpy, because no one looked at her that way. Her amber skin and red hair were not a thing people seemed to want. No Novice at the Tresward paid her attention. Boys and girls snuck off, but none took her hand. I must be plain. She shook her head, locks lashing in anger. I’ll never be Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 49](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-49/): Geneve felt the throne room was too hot. Too many eyes on her, with far, far too many people watching. She waited, unsure of what to do with her hands. Queen Morgan sat on her throne, her Coven arrayed about the room, with her honor guard front and center. She’d said to Armitage, Please hide, and he’d said, Fuck off, but she’d held his hands and he’d nodded, hulking back to the antechamber. Sight of Day went with him, tail lashing, gold eyes hard like metal. The Feybrind said nothing, but his eyes reminded her of her duty. Duty to her Tresward, and to Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 48](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-48/): The path to the throne room wasn’t direct. Queen Morgan didn’t provide a convenient route from the front door to her throat. Near as Meriwether could tell, she closeted herself behind six sets of vaulted doors, each with six guards. Thirty-six fellows and a lot of wood and steel. It spoke to a learned sense of caution. The guards were what you’d expect: steely-eyed, hard-faced, and holding weapons in a way that said, I know how to use this, and I mean to. Naturally, they had an escort. The largest man Meriwether had ever seen held the rear. He made Israel Read More ...
- [Why You Liked… Editing with AI (and how to avoid alcoholism)](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-editing-with-ai-and-how-to-avoid-alcoholism/): Editing is like flossing—necessary, infuriating, and occasionally involving bloodletting. Enter AI editing tools like Claude and ChatGPT: the MVPs of catching rogue commas or the worst gaslighters you’ll ever meet? Check out my break down of when these tools shine, when they hallucinate (can trebuchets launch that far?), and how to stop them from rewriting your emotional gut punches. If you’ve ever wondered whether AI is your new best friend or an overenthusiastic intern, this is for you. Spoiler: they hate your love for em dashes.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 47](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-47/): “You want to go to an apothecary?” Vertiline drove the wagon, reins loose in easy hands. “What’s this got to do with a kiss?” “You love Israel,” blurted Geneve. Vertiline snorted. “You’re fifteen. You know nothing of love.” “Fourteen.” “Exactly my point.” The Chevalier’s pale cheeks held no hint of flush. “Out of curiosity, and merely to pass the long, wearying journey, why would you say that?” “Israel and Kytto don’t like each other.” Geneve counted on her fingers. “But they work together to help me.” “So?” “Because you need them to.” Geneve looked at the floorboards beneath her feet.  Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Stardust](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-stardust/): What do you get when you combine Marvel heroes, DC villains, and a fantasy world where stars literally fall? Stardust is a 2007 cinematic gem that took Neil Gaiman’s whimsical novel and turned it into pure magic. Featuring Claire Danes as a literal star, Charlie Cox as a lovesick hero, and Michelle Pfeiffer as the most fabulous witch in film history, it’s a feast of adventure, humour, and heart. Sure, it has some 2007 awkwardness (looking at you, Captain Shakespeare jokes), but its charm lingers like glitter. It’s a love letter to magic—and to the stories that surprise us. 
- [Dragon Age: The Veilguard Launcher](https://parrydox.com/dragon-age-the-veilguard-launcher/): Here's a script to stop EA from spamming you with ads everytime you play Dragon Age.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 46](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-46/): Queensfane Village lay at the core of Ravenswall’s crescent design. Geneve kept her eyes open and her mouth shut as they entered the city. They needed to pass three more walls to get to the hub of the city. Almost fifty thousand souls called this place home, and many would sell out a fallen Knight for a single silver regal. Her helmet drew the odd passing eye, but not so much as Armitage’s bear, Beck. People looked on in awe or scurried away in fear as their personal stock of courage allowed. Children followed in their wake, wide-eyed at first, Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 45](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-45/): They set no guard. Exhausted as they were, they dropped off where they lay at the fireside. The night approached, cold and hard, waking Meriwether from a dream where he drowned in a sea made of doubts and fears. The night was alive with the sound of small insects singing for a mate, or whatever it was insects did at the border of a blasted desert wasteland.  He got up, eyed the stars, and decided it was about two o’clock. Too early for tea, and too late to return to sleep. Meriwether pottered about the camp, trying to move quietly. Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 44](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-44/): “There’s nothing for it. You’re going to have to cheat.” Kytto scowled at her, as if his idea was her fault. Geneve picked up a breastplate from the floor, walking it to a pile. Her Trial was next month. She was out of time. “I don’t want to cheat.” “Do you want to die?” “No.” “Then you need to cheat.” “How?” Geneve dropped the breastplate with a clatter. The Smithsteel never scratched, no matter how indelicate she was with it. “How do I beat fifty Novices who can use the Storm without it at my side?” “That’s not the hard Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 43](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-43/): The world swayed, a gentle rolling insistence that kept her mind at peace. Geneve saw light, then dark, followed by more light. Her body hurt, but her soul felt at peace, like she’d given away the piece of herself she didn’t want or need. She didn’t remember her failure commanding the Storm, how she let Israel and Vertiline down, or why she traveled with a sinner. If she’d died in this state she’d have thought, it’s enough. The gentle rolling led to discomfort. Light became heat, and the dark cold, until Geneve was reminded of having someplace to be, and something Read More ...
- [Why You Didn’t Like … Furies](https://parrydox.com/why-you-didnt-like-furies/): If you’re wondering why Furies didn’t hit the mark, you’re not alone. Netflix promised a high-octane French thriller, but instead delivered a mildly annoying baguette of mediocrity. Lyna’s leap from student to lethal action hero is fast—like, super-fast—leaving believability in the dust. And while she might have been our heroine, it’s Elie who steals the show with the only hint of emotional depth here.  It’s another case of Netflix’s “quantity over quality” binge, where they give us content faster than we can question it. Furies left me questioning… why.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 42](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-42/): Meriwether’s teeth hurt, and that was the good part. He’d grabbed the discs, hoping to give Geneve a rest from burning pieces of her life to ash to help everyone but herself, and that’s when the hurting started. It hurt a lot, and everywhere at once. It felt like a hot wire was pushed through his skin, into his bones, but all over his body. When he hit the floor, his mind drifted. He felt like a leech had sucked something out of him. A component without a name. While his hands were on the discs, he’d felt his life Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 41](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-41/): Geneve’s own Trial was a thing she grew to fear. The years marched on, relentless, and still the Storm evaded her. On her fourteenth birthday, it was announced her Trial would be next year. Kytto said it was ‘bullshit.’ No one forced a Novice to Trial, but he wanted to help her pass. The Smith never held the Storm, but he eyed her form, and swore it was the best he’d seen from any Novice. Perfection even Chevaliers couldn’t manage. Israel and Vertiline sparred with her. Blades of wood, not glass or steel, but even with a stick Israel could Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Barbie](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-barbie/): In 2023, Barbie reminded us that a 64-year-old doll could be more than just fashion and pink plastic. Margot Robbie brings Barbie’s “girls-can-do-anything” energy to a pastel world with zero guns, Ryan Gosling delivers 110% pure Kenergy. Together they turn Barbieland into a clever critique of, well, everything. It’s a movie that says “eat a dick” to patriarchy with dance-offs instead of showdowns. Barbie’s charm isn’t just in the nostalgia; it’s the playful nudge to imagine a world with less grudge and more glitter. And honestly, who doesn’t need that? #GivePinkAChance
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 40](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-40/): Geneve felt sick. It wasn’t just the poison. It felt like her soul needed care, a little time out, to just put its feet up and relax. She knew it’d only been days, but Geneve felt she’d run north for what felt like forever. Cut off from her fellow Knights, Geneve had done the best she could. She’d brought the sinner north, and during their time together, she’d learned he wasn’t a sinner. Meri wasn’t evil, any more than Sight of Day was, or even the monster, Armitage. She’d met evil people before, and none traveled with her. Iz and Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 39](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-39/): This is bullshit. It’s a lot of bullshit! Meriwether sprinted until he couldn’t anymore, then tried to push himself to merely run, breath running ragged in his chest. I need a plan, and I need it fast. Fire chewed the camp ahead. Meriwether headed toward it, Sight of Day at his side. The cat’s golden eyes were hard, like he hunted dangerous prey. His bow was in hand, and Meriwether was reminded that here he was, with a borrowed knife and no skills. Hey. I’ve got some skills. He hunkered beside a tent as it verged a makeshift road. Vhemin ran past, heading south. Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Gen V](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-gen-v/): I’ll admit I paused The Boys after season 3. I was burnt out from all the exploding heads and moral ambiguity. But Gen V? It hit different. Less world-ending chaos, more “What do I even do with my life?” vibes. It’s still violent, still messy, but it’s personal in a way that makes you feel like your high school drama was just as epic. With relatable characters (shoutout to Jordan and Marie) and satire that actually means something again, Gen V brings the superhero genre back to life—without giving you superhero fatigue. Plus, exploding dicks. Always a bonus.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 38](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-38/): Geneve stood atop the keep’s battlements, watching Wincuf walk away. The thug limped. Lucent Eleni claimed his injuries were past her skill with Sway, but she’d re-attached the Novice’s arm in times past. Cleric Eleni wasn’t telling the whole truth. They’d turned him out with silver regals in his pocket, a good Tresward Smithsteel sword, and a total lack of their blessing. The young man cursed them all, and Geneve in particular. She didn’t take it personally because she’d won. Footsteps turned her from the view and her reflection. Tilly walked toward her, armor gleaming in the sun. “Novice.” “Hello.” Read More ...
- [Why you liked … Dragon Age: Vows and Vengeance](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-dragon-age-vows-and-vengeance/): Ever wonder what happens when The Witcher gets a Dragon Age makeover? Dragon Age: Vows and Vengeance is here to answer that, and it’s superb! This podcast-slash-radio play is all about character depth and side quest obsession. From assassins to mages, it’s like they packed the entire Dragon Age cast into one epic story, without any boring “kill-ten-rats” nonsense. The stakes are high, the villains are very villain-y, and the sound effects are… intense.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 37](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-37/): Geneve approached the temple with her head high, red locks flowing in the desert wind. She’d donned her armor for this, because challenging Vhemin without steel around your heart was foolish, no matter how many patterns you knew. She didn’t have her helm because she’d left it on the sands to signpost supplies for old friends, so she’d need to keep her guard up. At least, I hope they’re still old friends. The desert was uncomfortably warm, the sands radiating the day’s heat back at her. Armitage looked happy enough, his leather armor strapped on tight. If his broken arm Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 36](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-36/): Meriwether lay on his belly, peering over a dune’s rise into the encampment below. It looked like a small military setup. He spied a makeshift smithy, complete with bellows and furnace. Horses were listless in a pen with a fabric gazebo to keep the sun off. Tents lay in neat rows, and Vhemin patrolled like soldiers. They were equipped with new-looking armor, but didn’t wear it the same way a human might. Many made do with a cuirass, not bothering to strap the breastplate and backplate together. It couldn’t be heat, what with them being cold-blooded, but it could be plain old Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Salem’s Lot](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-salems-lot/): In Why You Liked: Salem’s Lot, I talk about why this two-hour vampire speed-run deserves more love than the Internet gave it. Sure, it’s not the book, but unless you’ve got a 439-page attention span, you’ll appreciate the tight pacing, creepy crucifix scenes, and hypnotised kids. Plus, with stellar performances (yes, Dr. Cody’s a woman now, deal with it), it’s more than just a vampire checklist. If you’re still pining for bell-bottoms and classic King, this remake will have you dusting off your garlic and mirrors.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 35](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-35/): The stables yielded Geneve’s prize: an ox-wagon front assembly. The hitch was sound oak, linked to two metal-rimmed wheels. Too heavy for her, but with four? Manageable. They also stole chain and pulleys, a set of hammers, and shovels. Kytto’s hand to hand training might not have been good for beating Wincuf, but working beside the Smith taught Geneve a thousand things most Knights would never know. They hustled the assembly from the stables with whispers and giggles. A few times they had to freeze, fearing a night-delivered noise as discovery, but through the Three’s grace no one found them. Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Wicked little letters](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-wicked-little-letters/): Politeness Can Suck It  Wicked Little Letters is the lovechild of Jane Austen and a pissed-off sailor, delivering more curse words per capita than any English village has a right to handle. Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman bring a riot of hilarity and heartfelt moments to a story about fake niceties, real friendship, and calling out people who are massive twats. If you like your comedies with a side of sharp-tongued social commentary and some seriously inventive insults, this movie is an absolute banger. Oh, and there’s a murder. But mostly it’s about being a good mate.​
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 34](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-34/): “Meri!” Geneve stabbed her blade into the sand, dropping to a crouch before him. His hands were in front of his eyes, and blood leaked down his face. “Let me see.” Sight of Day was beside them faster than thought. The Feybrind’s fur soft hands pushed Geneve away gently, but very firmly. He touched Meriwether’s face, trying to coax the young man’s hands from his eyes. Meriwether hunched away, a low, anguished moan coming from him. Sight of Day glanced at Geneve. {Keep him calm. Try not to hit him again.} She watched him run into their shelter. “Meri? I’m sorry. Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 33](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-33/): Meriwether chewed the inside of his lip. “Could you be more specific?” “There’s not a lot of room for confusion, runt.” Armitage scratched an armpit. “You want food, we find someone who’s got it and punch it out of them.” “I got that part,” Meriwether said. They trudged along the sand. The sun’s hammer beat the cold right out of him. While the brutal frigid night left him aching, the blasting heat of day wasn’t much of an improvement. “The missing piece of the puzzle is where we might find people.” Geneve walked to his left, eyes downcast. “The horses Read More ...
- [Why You Didn’t Like … Shining Vale](https://parrydox.com/why-you-didnt-like-shining-vale/): Shining Vale had potential: haunted house, troubled heroine, and some family drama sprinkled in for flavor. But instead of giving us spooky fun, it dusts off the ol’ “crazy woman” trope and asks us to enjoy watching a mom spiral into madness. Spoiler alert: it’s not that fun. With gaslighting, victim-blaming, and a finale that makes The Babadook look like a warm hug, this show turns its leading lady into the ultimate villain… of her own life. Ghosts? Optional. Regret? Guaranteed.
- [Why You Didn’t Like … Hold Your Breath](https://parrydox.com/why-you-didnt-like-hold-your-breath/): Hold Your Breath promises a spooky tale of dust, doom, and drifters, but instead, it just dusts off some tired old tropes. Gaslighting? Check. A “crazy” woman who just can’t be trusted? Check. A mysterious Grey Man who might just be her mental breakdown in disguise? Triple check. It’s less about chills and more about the thrill of watching a capable woman unravel, one cow-feeding mishap at a time. If you’ve ever felt like the villain in your own life story, Hold Your Breath has got you covered… with condescension and laudanum.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 32](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-32/): After Kytto gave her Requiem, he’d told her to get a good night’s sleep. Geneve had no intention of doing that. Sleep wouldn’t help her now. Wincuf was already completing his Trial, and if the monster didn’t need sleep, neither did she. She snuck into the long hall of combat where the fight would take place tomorrow. Geneve knew she’d stand as Wincuf’s last fight. He’d have his eyes on her, working his way down the line of opponents with one thought. Kill Geneve. She knew he’d cut her down like a single blade of grass against the scythe. Geneve Read More ...
- [Why You Didn’t Like … Wolfs ](https://parrydox.com/why-you-didnt-like-wolfs/): Ever wonder how a movie starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt could be... boring? Wolfs pulls off that impossible feat by turning 90 minutes of action-comedy into a marathon of “fuck yous.” Think of it like watching two drunk dads argue at a BBQ. Spoiler: We deserved better.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 31](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-31/): Geneve didn’t know why she felt angry. Since leaving the partnership of her fellow Knights, she’d felt… off balance. Like the ground beneath her feet swayed, or she’d taken too much summer wine. The colors seemed different, and her heart was confused about true north. It kept telling her there was something wrong with the Tresward, and it also told her the Tresward protected her. It’d taken her in when there were no other options. Knights fought the scourges of the world. Their Light kept the darkness at bay. Geneve glanced sideways at Armitage. Darkness like the Vhemin. That was the problem, Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Dragon Age: Absolution](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-dragon-age-absolution/): In Dragon Age: Absolution, they didn’t just crank a story about a heist in Tevinter—I threw in the emotional rollercoaster of family. Not the cuddly, warm kind either; more like the "who the hell are these people?" type. Add a sprinkle of side quests that make you rethink your life choices, and you’ve got more than just a quest for an artefact. This one's about finding trust in unexpected places—and probably losing it just as fast. Side note: Who knew chaos could be so relatable? 
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 30.5](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-30-5/): Meriwether ran after the others until his side hurt. He didn’t look back. The pursuing Knights would make it or they wouldn’t. Looking wouldn’t change anything and seeing the smoke creatures on his heels would just make his last moments more terrifying. Troubles trotted along at his side, and he thought he sensed something snide in the horse’s sideways glances. He imagined her thinking, Is this the best you can do? His cloak billowed free of his head in the rush, but it didn’t matter. A little sunburn wasn’t the thing likely to kill him right this moment. He saw Armitage lead the Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 30](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-30/): Meriwether felt uneasy, a sick, queasy feeling that seemed to go further than his belly. It seeped unto his diaphragm, making it hard to breathe, and tickled his heart, causing his blood to pound in his ears. Knights are coming.  “This is bullshit,” he offered. Sight of Day nodded, golden eyes sympathetic. His right hand moved, fingers up, then splaying down as if tossing something vile on the ground. Geneve ran a weary hand through red hair. “He says it’s bullshit, too.” The special flavor of bullshit was Armitage’s plan. He wanted to run them close to the dead city, drawing out Read More ...
- [Why You Liked … Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker](https://parrydox.com/why-you-liked-dragon-age-dawn-of-the-seeker/): In Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker, we follow Cassandra Pentaghast, a badass warrior with a serious anger management problem (but in a cool way). She’s on a mission to save the world, one blood mage at a time, while stabbing anyone who gets in her way. This film mixes epic action with the deep lore we love from the games. If you’ve ever thought, “I need more sword fights and moral dilemmas in my life,” this one’s for you.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 29](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-29/): Wincuf’s Trial was like any other: bloody. All were different, except for two things. The Novice must fight fifty peers and must also destroy their tree. There were no rules within those two constraints. Tradition said the Novice selected their foes. They would normally pick the biggest opponents to prove their worth to the Three. Wincuf chose forty-nine opponents before his last: Geneve. That was why she stood in ill-fitting armor along with forty-nine others, waiting to cut Wincuf down. Wincuf didn’t have to beat them. He just had to survive. Get through them out the gates at the end, Read More ...
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 28](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-28/): The plague lands. Some called them a desert, others a misery, but all people agreed: if you stepped on the sands, your life was forfeit. Geneve knew she might be able to walk the blasted steppes. The Light in all Knights kept them safe from disease and most of the ravages of time, but the sands were forbidden to all. No Knights came back from trying to cross them. The Tresward Great Library held no clues as to what lay in the middle. All maps ended at the border of such areas with a simple word: DANGER. The world was littered with plague Read More ...
- [Why You Didn’t Like … Borderlands](https://parrydox.com/why-you-didnt-like-borderlands/): In Borderlands, chaos reigns supreme, and not even a loot chest can save you from the WTAF narrative. Lilith, played by Cate Blanchett, is back on Pandora, looking for a girl who might have the key to—you know what? The plot doesn't matter. Brace for a run-down on this year's best example of poor decision-making. Hashtag all the insanity.
- [Blade of Glass: Chapter 27](https://parrydox.com/blade-of-glass-chapter-27/): Meriwether now wore good, sensible clothes that he’d not be seen dead in under normal circumstances. My circumstances haven’t been normal for most of my life. So, they’d do. His pants were rugged, and he’d found a sweater of good wool. Mice made a home in it and appeared a little upset he evicted them. It was warm and dry, and he felt like he might get some heat back in his bones before day’s end. Even better, his new clothes didn’t smell like straw. The scarecrow shirt he left behind after making a new home for the mice with it. Read More ...

## Pages

- [Our Future is Forfeit](https://parrydox.com/future-forfeit-reading-guide/): Want #cyberpunk directly to your brain, but don’t know where to start? This handy graphic might help. Click to embiggen.
- [](https://parrydox.com/get-on-the-list/): Enter your email address to sign up to Roll for Narrative, where storytelling meets sci-fi, movies, and games. I’m exploring the art of great tales, one critical hit (or fumble) at a time. You can eject at any time.
- [The Ezeroc Wars](https://parrydox.com/ezeroc-wars-reading-guide/): Not sure what order to read the Ezeroc Wars? This handy graphic might help. Click to embiggen.
- [Renegade or Hero?](https://parrydox.com/): 📚 Find your next adventure. Choose your story. Latest Release: Dawn’s Warden A world on the edge. A guardian out of time. A darkness that cannot be stopped. The Dawn’s Warden trilogy begins where steel, sorcery, and destiny collide. Just want to relax? Enjoy a free ebook! What started as a solo RPG journal experiment became a 20,000-word journey through kindness, grief, and the best gelato in fantasy fiction. This gentle story about healing, community, and second chances is now yours to keep. Based on The Hearthlight Chronicles by Henrique de Aguiar, The Light That Remains is now compiled into a free ebook. Read More ...
- [Hey. You found me.](https://parrydox.com/the-man/): Richard Parry grew up on a steady diet of cartoons, observed around the edges of his parents’ watchful gaze. He started writing bad fiction at an early age, but has had 40 (…plus) years to think about the error of his ways. He’s worked as a senior marketing manager in one of the world’s top tech companies, which sounds cool, but it wasn’t all cocaine parties. Richard’s managed to wrangle “Best Novel” and “Best New Talent” shortlistings from the Sir Julius Vogel Awards. He specialises in stories where heroes save the world/universe (why limit yourself?) through action scenes and clever Read More ...
- [The Legend](https://parrydox.com/blog/)


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