Bunnie Xo will always keep it candid about what work she’s had done.

Bunnie Xo, 46, shared her thoughts on plastic surgery while chatting with Denise Richards about their recent facelifts during a Monday, August 3, episode of her “Dumb Blonde” podcast.

“I was so happy to see that you’re open about yours too,” Richards, 55, told her.

Bunnie Xo replied, “Yeah absolutely! First of all, and this is no shade to anybody in the industry, but if you’re gonna get work done, just f***ing be honest about it.”

Richards then said that she “understands” if some stars don’t want to come forward and say anything, “but if you’re asked about stuff, I think … I couldn’t say nothing.”

“I feel like our ‘job’ as people that are online and pushing a narrative of our lives, I feel like we owe that to the public,” Bunnie Xo explained. “That might just be me, but I feel like we, especially as women, because there’s such a false beauty standard of trying to uphold and I never want a little girl to look at me and be like, ‘I want to just look like her.’ It’s like, girl, I don’t even look like me. So I always want to be honest.”

Richards said she’s just as curious as the next when it comes to who’s had work done. “I also wanna know what everyone’s using, what’s everyone doing?” She went on to share that she got her first breast implants when she was 19 years old. “I was so private about it and I never said anything to anyone and I think the first time it was even out was [when] Howard Stern asked me a question.”

At the time, she was “honest” about the procedure. “I think it’s good to share what we’re doing and different serums and peptides or whatever.”

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They both then complimented each other’s facelifts. Richards, for her part, only planned to get a neck lift until her friend and her doctor convinced her to go big or go home. “The only thing he didn’t do was my lower lids,” she said, noting she got an upper blepharoplasty and a brow lift — which she said was “a pain” to recover from.

Bunnie Xo added that her recovery was also “so freaking painful” and felt like she was “choking” from her neck lift. Later this month, she’s getting a skin pinch under her eyes and “some fat transfer.”

“And then I’m done!” Bunnie Xo said with a laugh.

One of cinema’s most surprisingly enduring and durable franchises just can’t stop, it would seem. Thirty years on after it appeared in theaters with a rather modest bump, this one still refuses to miss the target. After the series survived mixed reviews, lead actor changes and the transition of direct-to-video to streaming, it’s now one of Netflix‘s most reliable brands after its latest arrival found a huge audience. And that’s enough for another mission.

Sniper: No Nation has become a major streaming success following its recent arrival on Netflix, climbing the platform’s global charts and performing particularly well in the United States. Better still for fans, star Chad Michael Collins has now confirmed that the story isn’t over, revealing that Sniper: No Nation – Part II is officially on the way. Following the film’s breakout success on Netflix, Collins responded to several fans on Instagram asking whether the cliffhanger ending would be resolved, to which he responded: “Coming soon.”

Just to drive home the point, he also repeated the response multiple times in different replies before teasing the sequel further with a pair of parachuting emojis, all but confirming that Sniper: No Nation – Part II is now moving forward. Now, Sony Pictures haven’t announced anything officially yet but these movies get made like a bullet from a gun so we won’t need to wait long.

While Sony Pictures has yet to officially announce a release date, the franchise has historically maintained a rapid production schedule, suggesting fans may not have to wait long before Brandon Beckett returns.

What’s ‘Sniper’ About?

​​​​​​​

The Sniper franchise first debuted in 1993, introducing Tom Berenger as legendary Marine sniper Thomas Beckett, alongside Billy Zane as his inexperienced partner Richard Miller. Beginning with 2011’s Sniper: Reloaded, Collins took over as Beckett’s son, Brandon Beckett, becoming the franchise’s central star across the next decade. No Nation also reunites Collins with Berenger, bringing father and son together after they’re branded enemies of the state and forced to fight both mercenaries and their own government. The latest installment also features Ryan Robbins (Tracker) as Zero and Keston John, best known to many gamers as the voice of Russell Adler in the Call of Duty: Black Ops franchise.

Sniper: No Nation is currently streaming on Netflix in the United States. The film is also available to rent or purchase digitally through services including Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Google TV.

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Release Date

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January 29, 1993

Runtime

98 Minutes

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Director

Luis Llosa

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Once fringe, science fiction has been mainstream for decades, producing some of the biggest blockbusters and bestsellers of all time. That said, the genre is still packed with hidden gems, forgotten classics, and forward-thinking stories that don’t get as much attention as they deserve. These books are the focus of this list.

The titles below are relatively obscure, certainly by the standards of Dune, Star Wars, and other cultural juggernauts. They span a range of styles, tones, and concepts, from genetic engineering and AI to collapsing civilizations and alien languages. What’s important is that they are worth checking out if you’re a fan of speculative tech and space-faring adventure; they’re no less worthy because you’ve probably never heard of them.

10

‘The Stars My Destination’ (1957)

Image via Gollancz SF Masterworks

“Gully Foyle is my name, and Terra is my nation.” Although not appreciated on release, The Stars My Destination is now recognized by fans as an important precursor to the cyberpunk subgenre. It centers on antihero Gully Foyle, an illiterate, directionless laborer who is abandoned in space after a passing ship refuses to rescue him. However, he miraculously survives, setting the stage for a remarkable character arc that sees him become an unstoppable force driven entirely by revenge.

From here, we follow the character on a violent journey through a future society reshaped by humanity’s ability to teleport through a process known as jaunting. Other memorable pieces of speculative tech in the story include “jaunt-proof” rooms and an exceptionally powerful explosive powered by telepathy. That said, the plot is the real appeal, boasting rapid pacing, femmes fatales, and impressive psychological complexity, and a ton of corporate intrigue.

9

‘Downbelow Station’ (1981)

Image via DAW

“It was never simple. It never had been.” Downbelow Station is a space opera that leans hard into politics rather than just fancy gadgets or freaky aliens. Set during the devastating Company Wars, it follows an ensemble cast of diplomats, military commanders, merchants, refugees, and ordinary civilians struggling to survive as humanity’s interstellar colonies fracture into competing factions. Much of the action centers on the Pell space station, whose strategic importance makes it the focal point of the conflict.

Downbelow Station bucked convention by shifting the focus away from grand space battles and instead building its plot around negotiations, logistics, economics, and the social, even psychological, consequences of prolonged warfare. It’s a tale of martial law, tricky geopolitics, and coups d’état. That relative realism means that the book is way more interested than most space operas of its time.

8

‘Norstrilia’ (1975)

Image via Gollancz

“Man is not meant to own the universe.” Riffing on the Chinese classic Journey to the West, Norstrilia tells the story of Rod McBan, an awkward young heir from the isolated planet Old North Australia, whose accidental fortune makes him the richest person in the galaxy. However, his wealth draws unwelcome attention, and eventually places him at the center of a vast political conspiracy spanning humanity’s distant future.

Norstrilia is jam-packed with colorful characters and striking ideas, including telepathy, genetically engineered underpeople, intergalactic stock trading, ancient computers, brutal methods of population control, a government that claims authority over all of humankind, and a highly prized drug that grants the user immortality. All these ideas are in service to the novel’s core themes around wealth, privilege, and identity. The book has also been praised for its lyrical, dreamlike, and frequently emotional prose.

7

‘Neverness’ (1988)

Image via Voyager

“The universe is a question asking itself.” With Neverness, author David Zindell takes the basic structure of Arthurian legend and builds it into a sweeping, intellectually ambitious sci-fi odyssey. The tale centers on Mallory Ringess, a gifted pilot and mathematician who embarks upon a dangerous quest across the galaxy in search of ultimate knowledge. Along the way, he encounters artificial intelligences, alien civilizations, philosophers, genetic engineers, and transcendent mysteries that challenge everything he thought he knew about the universe.

The worldbuilding here is familiar: math unlocks interstellar space travel, and computers rule much of the galaxy. However, the plot takes unexpected turns, too: the protagonist meets a god, lives for a while as a Neanderthal, and eventually learns that an alien race hid important information in human DNA. In other words, the book’s wellspring of ideas is seemingly inexhaustible.

6

‘Rogue Moon’ (1960)

Image via Science Fiction Book Club, U. S. A.

“We become what we survive.” This one starts with a juicy premise: scientists have discovered a mysterious alien structure on the Moon that kills every human who attempts to explore it. Their solution is to create perfect human duplicates, allowing explorers to repeatedly die while transmitting their experiences back to Earth. Edward Hawks volunteers for the mission and confronts not only the deadly labyrinth itself but also profound questions about identity and consciousness.

The alien maze is a funhouse of traps, meaning that traversing it is as suspenseful as it’s entertaining — for the reader, anyway. However, author Algis Budrys also gets philosophical with that conceit. Indeed, the whole book could be seen as an allegory about death and mortality, with the duplicates serving as a metaphor for successive generations of humans, who do our best, get as far as we can, then die and pass the torch to those who follow us.

5

‘Embassytown’ (2011)

Image via Del Rey

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“Language is the continuation of coercion by other means.” This one is among the very best books by quirky writer China Miéville, who also gave us the YA fantasy Un Lun Dun and the bizarro epic Perdido Street Station. While not quite as grand and surreal as some of his other projects, Embassytown might be the smartest.

It takes place on Arieka, a distant planet inhabited by an alien species known as the Ariekei, whose unusual biology makes them incapable of speaking anything they do not believe to be literally true. Human ambassadors work in genetically engineered pairs, producing two synchronized voices that the aliens perceive as a single act of language. Like the incredible Arrival years later, this sci-fi story hinges around communication. Miéville uses the premise to explore the relationship between language, thought, identity, and political power.

Image via Harper Voyager

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“The dead do not think logically.” In Metaplanetary, Tony Daniel imagines a far-future solar system connected by powerful technology known as the Grist, allowing matter, information, and even consciousness to travel across enormous distances. Humanity has expanded throughout the planets and orbital habitats, but this apparently unified civilization contains widening cracks. There’s political repression, rampant inequality, and a growing conflict between the authoritarian Inner System and the rebellious outer worlds.

The book does a good job of balancing speculative technology with layered characters and sharp themes. Daniel immerses us in a world of uploaded minds and sentient machines, yet his true concerns are really with classic, humane themes: centralized power, colonial resistance, and the dangers of allowing communication infrastructure to become an instrument of control. There are strong parallels with our current environment of algorithmic manipulation and budding technofeudalism, which makes it all the more eerie.

3

‘Beggars in Spain’ (1993)

Image via Harper Voyager

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“Regret is not productive. Nor is guilt, nor grief.” The central idea in this one is a striking medical breakthrough: scientists develop a genetic modification that allows children to live without sleep. These “Sleepless” individuals gain thousands of productive hours throughout their lives, along with improved intelligence and longevity. But what initially appears to be an unquestionable advantage soon creates a deep social divide between the modified minority and the ordinary people who increasingly resent them.

The book revolves around genetic engineering in various forms, using these concepts to poke at weighty themes like privilege, meritocracy, prejudice, and society’s obligations to those who have little. Frighteningly, these concepts are not that farfetched at all; in fact, they’re happening now, albeit in other, less fantastical ways. Gene editing is progressing in leaps and bounds, and some people fear we’re heading to a world where the rich and powerful encode these advantages in their kids’ very DNA.

2

‘Engine Summer’ (1979)

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“Time, I think, is like walking backward away from something: say, from a kiss.” Engine Summer unfolds in a distant future where our current era of electricity and technology has collapsed and vanished into legend, leaving behind a post-apocalyptic world that is almost medieval. The story is narrated by Rush That Speaks, a young man who leaves home in search of his beloved Once a Day and gradually discovers fragments of the mysterious civilization that existed before.

Refreshingly, the book mostly avoids info dumps and heavy exposition, instead letting the reader figure things out on their own, reconstructing the past from snatches of information and drawing individual conclusions. Author John Crowley also nails the way that objects and words from our own time linger on, half-understood, sometimes treated by the people of this world as magic relics. Thus, he lets us look at our society in a new way by presenting it through future, ignorant eyes. Engine Summer makes us appreciate the marvel around us, but it also acts as a cautionary tale.x

1

‘A Canticle for Leibowitz’ (1959)

Image via Bantam Books

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“Bless me, Father, I ate a lizard.” Although this book is regarded as a classic by sci-fi fans, many people might still not have heard of it. With some parallels to Engine Summer, A Canticle for Leibowitz takes place in a nuclear-ravaged future where civilization has fallen. An order of Catholic monks is devoted to preserving the surviving fragments of scientific knowledge. Their founder, Isaac Edward Leibowitz, was an engineer whose technical documents became sacred relics after society turned violently against learning in the aftermath of the catastrophe.

The novel is divided into three sections tracing humanity’s slow recovery, each era rediscovering knowledge preserved by the monastery. However, each era also repeats some of the arrogance that destroyed the old world in a continuous, seemingly inevitable loop. Through it all, author Walter M. Miller Jr. critiques the idea that progress is inevitable, arguing instead that knowledge and understanding must not be for their sake only; instead, they must be consciously safeguarded, lest we begin sliding backward.

A Maryland man was charged with second-degree murder following a fight near the Baltimore Inner Harbor. According to the Associated Press, James Fitzsimmons fought with another man, James Britt, before pushing him into the water. The incident went down on Sunday (August 2) afternoon.

RELATED: Maryland Hairstylist Convicted After Dragging Teen Client In Viral Payment Dispute (VIDEO)

Details About The Baltimore Inner Harbor Incident

According to court documents, police have obtained surveillance video showing James and James fighting in an alley. It’s unclear what led to the fight between the men or whether they knew each other prior to. Eventually, footage shows James Britt retreating from the area. Then, he crosses the street toward the water at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Soon after, James Fitzsimmons caught up to Britt and pushed him into the harbor, police said. While speaking to investigators, Fitzsimmons, who is from Parkville, told them that Britt jumped into the water. He also said Britt’s girlfriend told him he couldn’t swim. In response, Fitzsimmon allegedly said, “Oh well,” and walked away.

What Happens Next?

Rescue divers responding to a reported drowning found James Britt in the Inner Harbor. Officials declared the 37-year-old dead at a hospital. Now, Fitzsimmons, 36, is accused of killing Britt, who is from Baltimore. His charges include second-degree murder, manslaughter and assault. James is due back in court on August 27. No attorney is listed for him in court records, and no phone number could be found, per the AP.

Recent Drowning Deaths

In an unrelated incident, last month, a mother died while trying to save her 4-year-old from drowning. The child had fallen into the St. Johns River in Florida. She hopped in to rescue him and managed to hold her son above water, but was submerged in the process. Despite being pulled onto a boat and receiving CPR, the mother of six later died in the hospital’s ICU.

Another drowning in July had a more similar undertone to the James Fitzsimmons’ case. A 17-year-old was accused of drowning a 13-year-old in South Carolina by holding him under the water, along with another unidentified teen.

RELATED: 17-Year-Old Charged With Murder After Allegedly Drowning 13-Year-Old Who Was Awaiting Foster Care Placement

Fans hoping to see Stassi Schroeder continue hashing her issues out on a House of Stassi reunion will have to keep waiting, according to the reality star herself.

“I don’t want a reunion. No reunion,” Stassi, 38, said on the Friday, July 31, episode of the “It Girl” podcast when asked whether Andy Cohen would host a reunion for the new Hulu show. “We will work it out in season 2.”

Stassi previously sat through her fair share of reunion specials while starring on Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules. She became a fan favorite when the show premiered in 2013 but was fired alongside Kristen Doute at the end of season 8 in 2020 following a racism scandal involving their former costar Faith Stowers.

More recently, Stassi got a chance to return to reality TV with an appearance on Vanderpump Villa. She later hosted the reunion for season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. While answering questions for “It Girl,” Stassi got brutally honest about how her hosting skills compared to her predecessor Nick Viall.

Related: ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Cast: Then and Now

While some things never change, the cast of Vanderpump Rules is used to a shake-up … and a touch-up. Vanderpump Rules was introduced to Bravo viewers during a special episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in January 2013. Season 1 starred Lisa Vanderpump, Stassi Schroeder, Scheana Shay, Jax Taylor, Katie Maloney, Tom Sandoval […]

“All the girls would agree [that I did a better job]. You couldn’t even hear him. He was so low energy,” Stassi quipped. “My publicists hate me right now. You know [these quotes] are going to get picked up and Nick is going to go on his Substack and write about it — after he puts it into Chat[GPT].”

Stassi is now back in front of the camera as the star of her own Hulu show, House of Stassi, which debuted last month.

“Even when I started Vanderpump Rules, the goal was then to always do something even bigger after that,” Stassi told TV Insider in July. “Granted, Vanderpump Rules was huge. We didn’t even know how big it was. We still, I don’t think, understand how big it was or whatever, but I never thought it would be Vanderpump Rules or nothing. Anyone who goes on Bravo, they’re like, ‘Oh, I want to get a spinoff out of this.’ Everyone will tell you that. And so it was always like, ‘OK, what can I do after this?’”

In the series premiere, Stassi shared her unfiltered thoughts about how Vanderpump Rules protected the men on the show more than the women.

Related: ‘Vanderpump Rules‘ Stars Who Left the Series: Where Are They Now?

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Several Vanderpump Rules stars have stepped away from the Bravo series over the years. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Deal of the Day Summer’s […]

“I loved Vanderpump Rules, but it also is literally what we’re gonna have PTSD about and have to talk to therapists about for the rest of our life,” Stassi told Katie Maloney. “It was always, ‘Make the girls look psychotic, make the girls look like they have issues.’ They covered for the boys, they covered for the men.”

In a confessional, Stassi elaborated on her “mixed feelings” toward the show that started her career.

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“I’m so appreciative of it, and it’s given me so many opportunities. But it normalized so much darkness,” she continued. “It rewarded so much darkness until it didn’t. And then coming back to reality TV, I’m like, ‘Are you being a dumb bitch?’”

Stassi added: “I’m scared of reality TV, but it’s all I know. I love it, but I’m also traumatized by it. But I can’t stay away from it. But I was not gonna let Vanderpump Rules be my legacy. I had to make this happen. I had to.”

House of Stassi is streaming now on Hulu.

One of the reasons why fantasy books enjoy such a dedicated audience is the way they create intriguing worlds that readers can escape to. Whether the approach is meticulous and highly detailed or intentionally simple yet effective, this act of creating imaginative worlds is one of the hallmarks of great fantasy. But while all fantasy books aspire to some degree of inventive world-building, only a handful have truly succeeded at this endeavor.

These are the books that truly engage with the fundamental building blocks of their worlds, expertly drawing readers in and keeping them engaged for years and years. Again, sometimes this takes the form of painstaking detail; other times it’s not about the details but about their effectiveness; either way, the result is a series you can’t help but devour. With that in mind, here’s our handpicked selection of fantasy book series that have truly masterful world-building.

1

Discworld (1983–2015)

Image via Terry Pratchett / Doubleday / Transworld Publishers

Created and primarily written by English author Terry Pratchett, Discworld is a fantasy comedy series comprising novels, graphic novels, short stories, and related works, all connected by the titular setting. Discworld (the planet) is a magical flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants, in turn standing on the back of a giant turtle. The novel series includes a whopping 41 books, beginning with 1983’s The Colour of Magic. Pratchett also wrote 11 short stories within the series.

A brilliant satire of classic fantasy, science fiction, folklore, and contemporary culture, Discworld is widely regarded as one of the greatest fantasy comedy series of all time. The books masterfully use their wit to illustrate deeper truths about the real world, and also to bring out the absurdities of human existence through their mocking, self-aware tone. Over the course of their publication, the Discworld books became regular bestsellers and garnered several accolades, including the Prometheus Award and the Carnegie Medal.

2

The Lord of the Rings (1954–1955)

Image via HarperCollins

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is arguably the most influential piece of 20th-century fantasy literature. A sequel to Tolkien’s The Hobbit and part of the greater Middle-earth legendarium, The Lord of the Rings unfolds a single epic story divided into three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. The plot follows young hobbit Frodo Baggins, who embarks on a quest to destroy the One Ring, an artifact tied to the power of the Dark Lord Sauron.

Textually, The Lord of the Rings is a masterpiece of high fantasy literature that paints a beautiful (and exhaustively detailed) tapestry of numerous characters, settings, and motifs. But metatextually, the appendices at the end of the third book are where you see Tolkien’s full mastery of world-building. Painstakingly crafting entire languages, cultures, and histories, these notes are what transform the already-epic story into a full-fledged world that fans have returned to over and over for generations.

3

Mistborn (2006–Present)

Image via Brandon Sanderson / Tor Books

Written by Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a collection of dark fantasy novels organized into four eras, beginning with the trilogy, Mistborn: Era One. Each era takes on a new genre: fantasy in the first and detective fiction in the second, with the forthcoming third and fourth eras reportedly exploring the early computer age and a space opera setting, respectively. Era One revolves around a secret group of Allomancers — individuals who wield magical powers by consuming certain metals, following their attempts to overthrow a dystopian empire.

Among fantasy authors, Brandon Sanderson is particularly renowned for his intensive world-building, and this is most famously seen in the meticulously designed magic system at the heart of the Mistborn novels. All the books in the series that have been released so far have earned high acclaim from critics and readers, and they’re pretty much the gold standard for modern fantasy. Mistborn has also expanded beyond its literary roots to include audiobooks, video games, and board games, with multiple screen adaptations currently in development at Apple TV.

4

The Earthsea Cycle (1968–2001)

Image via Ursula K. Le Guin / Atheneum Books / Harcourt

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Written by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Earthsea Cycle is a classic high fantasy series that explores a magical world of sea and islands. Consisting of five novels and a short story collection, the series begins with a young and impulsive mage named Ged whose recklessness unleashes an evil shadow into the world. From there, the story expands to include several characters from across its world, growing into a truly epic saga.

The Earthsea Cycle is notable within the fantasy genre for several reasons, from its foundational take on the magical academy setting to its use of deep philosophical themes and Taoist motifs. Breaking from the contemporary tradition of setting fantasy stories in worlds that are essentially medieval Europe, Earthsea presents a racially and culturally diverse setting that lives and breathes on its own, without drawing from real-life parallels. The result is one of the most fascinating and memorable fantasy worlds of all time, and The Earthsea Cycle remains a true landmark of the genre.

5

A Song of Ice and Fire (1996–Present)

Image via George R. R. Martin / Bantam Books

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Created by George R. R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire is a high fantasy novel series that depicts a violent world torn apart by civil war, beginning with the first and most recognizable book, A Game of Thrones. The epic saga follows several interconnected plotlines set within the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and its neighboring continent, Essos, including a brutal war of succession, an exiled princess coming into her power, and the return of magic and supernatural threats from beyond a giant wall of ice. Five books of the series have been released so far, with two more in the works, and it’s also inspired several spin-offs.

While A Song of Ice and Fire is often hailed as a 21st-century counterpart of Tolkien’s work, Martin’s fantasy saga differentiates itself through its political and historical realism. The real masterstroke lies in the fact that, despite the dragons and wights and other magical forces, the story is ultimately a reimagining of the historical War of the Roses, using historical facts and references to illustrate its world. The series became a household name with the release of its phenomenal HBO adaptation, as well as the greater TV franchise that it has since inspired.

6

Broken Earth Trilogy (2015–2017)

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Written by N. K. Jemisin, the Broken Earth Trilogy is a collection of science fantasy novels that begins with 2015’s The Fifth Season. The trilogy is set on a planet with a single supercontinent called the Stillness, which experiences a catastrophic “fifth season of climate change every few centuries.” The books also feature individuals called Orogenes, who have the power to cause geological upheaval by manipulating energies.

The Broken Earth Trilogy is a unique entry on this list in that, while its world feels like one of fantasy, the underlying architecture is pure science fiction. With powerful socio-political themes, fascinating characters, and a highly original use of the unreliable narrator trope, the books are easily among the greatest novels of the 21st century. Every book in the series has won a Hugo Award for Best Novel, making Jemisin the first African-American writer to win in that category, the first to win three years in a row, and the first to win for all books in a trilogy.

7

The Craft Sequence (2012–2017)

Image via Tor Books

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Written by Max Gladstone, The Craft Sequence is a series of urban fantasy novels that’s set in a universe where gods and magic are real, but unlike anything you’ve seen before. The series utilizes a magic system called the Craft, which bases magic on laws and contracts, equating magicians to lawyers. The series begins with 2012’s Three Parts Dead, which follows Craftswomen Tara Abernathy and Elayne Kavarian as they deal with the unexpected death of the fire god Kos, uncovering a complex conspiracy in the process.

Critically acclaimed and popular with readers, The Craft Sequence is easily one of the most exciting fantasy series of recent decades, bringing both excellent worldbuilding and entertaining humor to its proceedings. The magic system at its heart is both original and intriguing, with effects and consequences that are truly wild. Additionally, each of the six books in the sequence is a standalone story that can be read in any order, making it an accessible read for newcomers. Since 2023, Gladstone has also been writing a second series set in the same universe titled The Craft Wars.

8

The Wheel of Time (1990–2013)

Image via Prime Video

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A series of high fantasy novels that draws inspiration from both European and Asian mythologies, The Wheel of Time was written primarily by Robert Jordan, with Brandon Sanderson as co-author of the final three installments. Set in the magical World of the Wheel, the series explores the cyclical history of its world and its people, primarily revolving around the prophesied reincarnation of a being with the power to destroy the world or save it. Though it was originally planned as a trilogy, the series includes 14 books, a prequel novel, and three companion books.

One of the bestselling fantasy book series since The Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time is an acclaimed favorite of critics and readers alike that has earned high praise for its detailed world, interesting magic system, and massive cast. Taking inspiration from Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, and Zoroastrian philosophies, the series crafts a truly unique and engaging world that far exceeds all expectations. The books have, in turn, inspired comic book adaptations, a collectible card game, a video game, a roleplaying game, and a soundtrack album, not to mention an acclaimed Prime Video series adaptation starring Rosamund Pike.

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Release Date

2021 – 2025-00-00

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Prime Video

Showrunner

Rafe Judkins

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Directors

Sanaa Hamri, Ciaran Donnelly, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Thomas Napper, Maja Vrvilo, Wayne Che Yip

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Amanda Kate Shuman, Dave Hill, Rohit Kumar, Justine Juel Gillmer, Celine Song, Rammy Park, The Clarksons Twins, Katherine B. McKenna

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Marvel fans are getting a clearer picture of how Spider-Man: Brand New Day ended up with Destin Daniel Crettonbehind the camera.

During a recent interview promoting the film, Cretton revealed that after stepping away from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Marvel Studios later approached him about directing what eventually became Avengers: Doomsday. However, the filmmaker ultimately turned it down because he didn’t feel he was the right creative fit for the story.

“When I told Kevin Feige I didn’t think I was the right fit for that,” Cretton explained, “he mentioned ‘Spidey’ in the room, which was a huge relief to me because I thought he’d be like, ‘OK, see you later.’”

Cretton also explained that his decision wasn’t about walking away from Marvel. Instead, it came down to finding a personal connection with the material.

“I don’t do any movie just to do the movie. Until I find an intimate, personal connection to the material, I don’t feel like I could do a good job,” he said, adding that simply directing a major franchise film wasn’t enough reason to commit.

Doom and Kang [marvel comics]

Originally, Cretton had been announced as the director of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty in 2022 following the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. After he exited the project in late 2023, Marvel eventually reworked its Multiverse Saga plans, replacing Kang with Doctor Doom and transforming the film into Avengers: Doomsday under directors Anthony and Joe Russo.

Rather than returning for another Avengers ensemble, Cretton found a project that resonated with him creatively in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The film has already become a massive success, earning record-breaking box office numbers and setting the stage for Spider-Man’s future in the MCU.

Looking back, the decision appears to have worked out well for both Marvel and Cretton. The Russo brothers are steering the next Avengers event, while Cretton has delivered one of the biggest Spider-Man films in the franchise, proving that sometimes the right project is simply a better fit than the biggest one.

Atlanta renters at 17th Street Lofts say they’re paying hefty rent for their luxury apartments. But are dealing with roaches, flooding, break-ins, and other safety concerns. The complex is managed by RPM Living, and reportedly charges upwards of $4,000 a month.

From squatters allegedly living in the building to infestations, flooding, and stealing — what’s really going on at the 17th Street Lofts?

The Shade Room’s Justin Carter is getting some answers on ‘TSR Investigates.’

More On The Alleged Roaches, Flooding & Break-Ins Inside Atlanta “Luxury” Apartment

According to Justin Carter, Carla Brown was paying at least $3,000 a month in rent at the 17th Street Lofts. Whitney Hairston, another former tenant, says she witnessed roaches scaling the walls. But things got out of hand when maintenance staff allegedly stole a Presidential Rolex out of her unit. Per Hairston, a collector’s Louis Vuitton bag also went missing.

Furthermore, when she attempted to get out of her lease, she was allegedly told she’d have to pay at least $15,000. Though Hairston wasn’t happy and apparently waited until her lease was up, fellow resident Maya Carter chose to pay a $5,000 fee and bounce.

Per Carter, her experience was a “nightmare.” Trey Moore, another former tenant, says he even formed a “tenant union.” This, to encourage residents to speak up.

Scroll above to watch as Justin Carter tours the property himself. Additionally, he details how records show that the property’s management company, RPM Living, has been hit with several lawsuits. Lastly, Carter even receives more details from Moore about his experience.

17th Street Lofts Responds

The 17th Street Loft issued a response to Justin Carter, stating, “At RPM Living, our residents are at the heart of everything we do. We hold our teams and communities to the highest standards and are committed to delivering consistent, meaningful resident experiences that build trust and foster long-term relationships.”

“We take all resident concerns seriously and respond promptly to maintenance and service requests. Residents of 17th Street Lofts, including Mr. Moore, have been in consistent communication with our team regarding their concerns. The video and related evidence referenced date back more than a year, to 2025, and reflect issues that were addressed at the time they were reported. Beyond resolving those specific concerns, our team implemented several preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. We have no record of the theft or unauthorized entry mentioned in your piece and only enter resident homes when a work order is submitted or for emergencies. Pest control remains an ongoing priority for our community. During summer months, elevated temperatures and organic waste, including food debris in trash areas, can contribute to increased pest activity. For that reason, we continue to provide regular pest management services, closely monitor conditions throughout the property, and take proactive steps to minimize these issues for our residents,” they added.

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A$AP Rocky called out logo designer Allan Peters after Peters shared the rapper’s private message on Instagram. Furthermore, the recording artist announced he won’t be working with the designer.

RELATED: Okay! Ice Spice Pops Out At A$AP Rocky’s Final Tour Stop & Fans Can’t Stop Hitting Replay (VIDEO)

A$AP Rocky Calls Out Logo Designer Allan Peters

The artist — whose real name is Rakim Athelston Mayers — responded in the comment section after Peters shared his private message on Instagram. Mayers recently sent the logo designer a DM on the platform to inquire about his logo revision prices.

“Good morning Allan, how much do u charge for brand logo revisions? Assuming you would be willing to do so, I would be honored,” Mayers wrote. “Love ur work, God bless.”

An excited Peters shared the private DM publicly with the caption, “I have no words.” And A$AP Rocky responded in the comments. He also noted he wouldn’t be working with Peters.

“THIS IS JUST DISTASTEFUL,” replied the rapper. “WELL I GUESS WE WONT BE WORKING, BEST OF LUCK BUDDY.”

Fans Reacted And The Jokes Commenced

Fans reacted after A$AP Rocky’s response was shared on TSR’s Instagram page, and many reactions showed empathy for Peters. However, Roomies could not resist a few jokes as well.

User @meet.lesa Social wrote, “media got y’all out here missing blessings.”

User @dhatboi_nes replied, “From having no words to having no deal …life comes at you fast.”

@herealeazyeconomicz co-signed the sentiment. “Stay quiet until the deal is sealed.”

However, the situation may not be a total loss for Peters. User @vybzpromoja made a good point. “He is right. But bro was just excited. 😢 good thing is…the attention this going viral will give the artist so he will get much more work now.”

Rihanna Returns To Barbados Serving Body-Ody

Meanwhile, his partner Rihanna was seen serving body-ody in Barbados celebrating the Crop Over Festival on Monday, August 3. The ‘Diamonds’ singer  was seen at the Grand Kadooment Day Parade, and she was dressed to impress! Carnival-style masquerade costumes are traditional wear for the Crop Over Festival, and Rihanna did not disappoint. RiRI was wearing a hot pink and turquoise peacock-feathered costume with sparkling beads. Video shared by Live Bitez featured the artist on a parade float with other women dressed in traditional costumes, and they appeared to have a good time.

RELATED: The Big 3! Rihanna & A$AP Rocky Celebrate Riot’s Birthday With A Spider-Man Party (VIDEO)

Denise Richards addressed the assumption that she is still in love with her ex Charlie Sheen.

During the Monday, August 3, episode of Bunnie Xo‘s “Dumb Blonde” podcast, Richards, 55, was asked about her involvement in Sheen’s September 2025 docuseries, aka Charlie Sheen.

“That’s the thing some people, I think, misunderstood,” Richards noted. “I did a documentary. I didn’t see the second part — I saw the first part. I love him as [my kids’] dad. And it’s not even a brother-sister relationship.”

Richards clarified that she didn’t see Sheen as a best friend either, adding, “We’re friends. I mean, do you know what I mean? I can’t talk to him the way I can talk to some other friends of mine. And I love him. I always have love for him being their dad. But as far as romantic love, no. Not at all.”

Bunnie, 46, pointed out how aka Charlie Sheen appeared to hint at unresolved feelings between the pair.

“Glad we cleared that up because I did watch the documentary, and from the way they shot the documentary … I don’t want to say they made it seem like you still had feelings for him, but there’s so much there with you guys,” Bunnie said.

Richards replied, “There’s a lot of emotion because there’s things that he didn’t even know. A lot that he did not know and how I had to navigate so much s***.”

Aka Charlie Sheen highlighted the actor’s rise to stardom and subsequent fall amid addiction struggles. Richards and Sheen’s ex Brooke Mueller were interviewed about their respective relationships with him.

Now, Richards clarified that she and Sheen, 60, have a “great relationship” — and he is in a good place with their daughters. (The former couple, who were married from 2002 to 2006, share Sami, 22, and Lola, 21.)

“It has its moments because sometimes it’s better than others,” the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum admitted. “I hope one day they feel comfortable enough and safe enough where they could just be open and say certain things.”

Related: Denise Richards, Brooke Mueller’s Marriage Revelations in Charlie Sheen Doc

Charlie Sheen’s Netflix documentary included brutally honest revelations from his famous ex-wives Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller. Aka Charlie Sheen, which premiered on Wednesday, September 10, featured separate interviews with Richards, 54, and Mueller, 48, where they addressed the highs and lows of being with Sheen, 60. Richards and Sheen’s youngest daughter, Lola, 20, and […]

Richards also revealed that Sheen lives nearby. “I can give him s*** and joke around with him. He respects me, and I respect him, too,” she added. “I want only the best for him and want him to do well. He knows if he needs anything, I’m here. I think it’s important for us, always, to maintain a relationship. We have daughters.”

The actress continued: “I think, along the way, that was hard for him. I would say, ‘No matter what’s going on with you and I, let’s put our s**** aside. They don’t need to be dragged into anything.’ And oftentimes that wouldn’t happen, and it is what it is. But at the end of the day, he knows that I only have their best interest [in mind], and his, too.”

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During Monday’s podcast episode, Richards acknowledged the challenges she faced while trying to support Sheen amid his struggles with substance abuse, saying, “When I met him, people thought that, ‘Oh, she reformed a bad boy.’ That’s not the case.”

Richards recalled Sheen’s behavior taking a turn.

“The person I met had been sober for four and a half years, went to AA, was very focused and just a very calm, nurturing person. And that’s who I fell in love with,” she shared. “Whenever we went sideways with our marriage … I really believe that he loved me.”