Film and Book Reviews
for 2006
Films released in 2006
V For Vendetta directed by James McTeigue

For Evey Hammond, the 5th of November will never be the same again.
Day Watch directed by Timur Bekmambetov

The second episode in the series adapting Sergei Lukyanenko's Night Watch novels.
Hogfather directed by Vadim Jean

The midwinter festival of Hogswatch takes a deadly turn in this adaptation of a Terry Pratchett novel.
Superman Returns directed by Bryan Singer

Nostalgia abounds as the fashion for underpants worn over tights makes a comeback.
Final Fantasy VII : Advent Children directed by Tetsuya Nomura

The movie sequel to Final Fantasy VII reintroduces some old friends in new guises.
Pan's Labyrinth directed by Guillermo del Toro

In the Spain of 1944 young Ofelia finds a kingdom of fairies and magic.
Underworld Evolution directed by Len Wiseman

Kate Beckinsale fights vampires and werewolves whilst never getting a hair out of place.
Children of Men directed by Alfonso Cuaron

Humanity faces extinction through infertility in this adaptation of a P.D. James novel.
Pulse directed by Jim Sonzero

Something is up with the computers, and a psychology student tries to find out why despair is spreading through the campus like an infection.
The Covenant directed by Renny Harlin

A group of young men are gifted with magic powers. But if they can't resist the temptation to use them, those powers could tear them apart.
Renaissance directed by Christian Volckman

A cop investigates the disappearance of a young scientist in this near-future noir thriller.
Idiocracy directed by Mike Judge

500 years in the future all of the smart people have died out, and it is up to an average guy from our time to put things right.
Highlander 5 : The Source directed by Brett Leonard

The fifth instalment in the Highlander series.
Eragon directed by Stefen Fangmeier

A young farm boy discovers a dragon egg, and finds that everything changes. Including most of the original plot of the book.
A Scanner Darkly directed by Richard Linklater

This adaptation of a Philip K. Dick novel depicts a man struggling with madness, paranoia and addiction in a near-future dystopia.
Lady in the Water directed by M. Night Shyamalan

A mysterious woman from the sea turns up with a mission to enlighten mankind, before time runs out.
Dragon directed by Leigh Scott

A princess makes her way through a forest and past the perils of evil elves and a fire-breathing dragon.
Books published in 2006
Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett

Tiffany Aching put a foot wrong, and now the winter is in love with her in this Discworld novel.
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

In the first episode of The First Law series some very different characters fight for truth, survival, or simply to look good.
Last of the Wilds by Trudi Canavan

The second episode in the Age of the Five introduces new characters and cultures to the series.
The Lies Of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

A group of skilled con artists meet their match in the midst of an underworld turf war. The first novel in the Gentlemen Bastards sequence.
The Oracle's Queen by Lynn Flewelling

The epic conclusion to the Tamir Triad sees a young queen fight to unite her country.
A Destiny of Fools by Ejner Fulsang

The human race is dying out, and Sophie Zapata isn't convinced it deserves to be saved.
To Love a Sagelord by Paul Massey

The first novel in the fantasy series, The Return to Enlightenment.
Traitor to the Blood by Barb and J. C. Hendee

The fourth episode of the Noble Dead saga sees the half-elf Leesil and his dhampir companion Magiere investigate Leesil's past.
Voice of the Gods by Trudi Canavan

In the third episode of The Age of the Five Auraya faces a stark choice between her gods and the people she has grown to love.
The Culled by Simon Spurrier

In a brutal post-Apocalyptic world one man fights his way across America to find the source of a message.
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

Five young sisters escape to a secret life of magic and dancing once a month, but adult responsibilities and dangers threaten to ruin it.
Storms of Vengeance by John Beachem

The first book in the epic fantasy series The Lorradda Stone.
GemX by Nicky Singer

A young man discovers a crack in his perfect face. In a world where genetic perfection is all-important, his flaw could prove fatal.
Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Claire Danvers is worried about missing class. But in a town full of vampires she has more to fear than bad grades and parental disapproval.
Cracking Grace by Steven Stromp

A girl bereaved of her mother and a statue in a cemetery find themselves asking the same questions.
After Dolly by Ian Wilmut and Roger Highfield

After Dolly the sheep made headlines the scientist behind her creation discusses the implications of her birth.
John Constantine, Hellblazer: Stations of the Cross by Mike Carey

John Constantine loses his memory in this contemporary occult graphic novel.
Infoquake by David Louis Edelman

The human body is the battleground when ruthless corporations clash in this far future thriller.
Junk Science by Dan Agin

A look at how scientific truths are under attack from pressure groups, corporations, and other interested parties.
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Bella studies Romeo and Juliet whilst two supernatural families square up against each other in Forks in this sequel to Twilight.
Sebastian by Anne Bishop

An incubus takes a journey into the darkest corners of his own heart.
Winterbirth by Brian Ruckley

A young man battles for survival and for his people in this icy, epic fantasy. This is the first episode of The Godless World.
The Odyssey Gene by Kfir Luzzatto

Kfir Luzzatto's first full-length science fiction novel tackles prejudice based on genetic differences.
The Turning by Paul J. Newell

People are disappearing, and one man may hold the key to solving the mystery.
Situation Vacant by Gabrielle Staples

The first novel in the high fantasy Pelarian series.
The King's Heir by Johan Pihl, Raphael Vasconceles, Gina Jenkins and Geoffrey Bonn

A pirate fantasy set in the world of the Aethans.
A Craving For Blood by Mark H. Walker

This dystopian future sees natural humans fighting against the oppression of genetically enhanced super-soldiers.