Magical Blade 1950 is a fantasy novel written by renowned author J.K. Rowling. Published in 2010, the book follows the journey of young wizard Lucas Hamilton as he discovers an ancient and powerful sword that possesses extraordinary magical properties. Set in the year 1950, the story takes place in a world where magic is a common part of everyday life. Lucas, a skilled and talented wizard, stumbles upon the Magical Blade during a routine exploration of an enchanted forest.
Scalpers are selling the swaddled up panda for up to Rmb2000 (about $300) he says, but then catches himself: "Am I allowed to say that for broadcast? Do you need an answer that's more in line with Chinese socialist values?" he asks NPR.
The design for Bing Dwen Dwen was chosen from over 5,800 submissions from China and 35 countries around the world as part of a global competition arranged by the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee. The bright colours of the halo around its face are a representation of the latest advanced technologies of the ice and snow sport tracks at the Games, while the heart on its left palm symbolises China s hospitality for athletes and spectators at the Winter Olympics.
Lucas, a skilled and talented wizard, stumbles upon the Magical Blade during a routine exploration of an enchanted forest. Intrigued by its mysterious aura, Lucas takes the sword back to his magical academy to study and understand its true potential. As Lucas delves deeper into his research, he uncovers the rich history and dark secrets surrounding the Magical Blade.
A fluffy panda mascot is all the rage at the Winter Olympics
The mascot of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Bing Dwen Dwen, made his debut in 2019 at the Shougang Ice Hockey Arena in Beijing.
Xinyu Cui/Getty Images
BEIJING — One of the stars of this year's Winter Olympic Games is its mascot: a fluffy panda named Bing Dwen Dwen.
The stuffed animal version has become so sought after that people are camping overnight to buy it.
Outside one of Beijing's largest official Olympic merchandise store on a recent day, the line is long and growing longer — despite a loudspeaker blaring the same line over and over: All Bing Dwen Dwen stuffed animals have sold out for the day.
Li Zhaoyang's still on his Lunar New Year break from high school, and he says he joined the line just to get in on all the buzz around Bing Dwen Dwen. He wants to collect the panda mascot as an Olympics memento.
One small problem I tell him: Bing Dwen Dwen is sold out. Even the 500 pandas allotted for pre-sale orders have been nabbed by people who lined up outside the store the night before.
Even those customers aren't so lucky. They will only be able to pick up their orders during the last week of February, after the Olympics Games have ended.
Bing Dwen Dwen, or "ice chubster" as his name roughly translates to, has skyrocketed in popularity all of a sudden, in part due to scarcity. Factories churning out soft collectibles are limiting production. The shortage has fueled a kind of mindless mania on social media for all things Bing Dwen Dwen.
Outside the Olympics store, Rose Ling and her young daughter also say they are in line simply to see what all the fuss is about.
Staff members dressed up as Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen (left) and 2022 Paralympics mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon stand in front of the Main Media Center last month in Beijing. Lintao Zhang/Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesStaff members dressed up as Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen (left) and 2022 Paralympics mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon stand in front of the Main Media Center last month in Beijing.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
"The line was huge just a few minutes ago," she says. "It wrapped around the corner just a few minutes ago, so we jumped in only to find out Bing Dwen Dwen is sold out."
For the more open-minded, there are other options. The Beijing Olympic Committee designed a Paralympics mascot named Shuey Rhon Rhon, a dancing red lantern available in cute, stuffed animal form as well.
But no one seems very eager.
"Xue Rongrong is just too ugly," says Roger Li, who's come with his friend to see what other Olympics-themed tchotchkes they can buy given Bing Dwen Dwen is beyond their purchasing power.
Scalpers are selling the swaddled up panda for up to Rmb2000 (about $300) he says, but then catches himself: "Am I allowed to say that for broadcast? Do you need an answer that's more in line with Chinese socialist values?" he asks NPR.
By the time I got into the Olympic souvenir shop, only a few gold bracelets and pins were left. No Bing Dwen Dwen. I could, however, sign up for a new credit card to enter a lottery for a chance to win one of the coveted bears.
Aowen Cao contributed research from Beijing.
- winter olympics
The design for Bing Dwen Dwen was chosen from over 5,800 submissions from China and 35 countries around the world as part of a global competition arranged by the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee. The designs were reviewed by Chinese and international experts, with the final selections made by teams from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and Jilin University of the Arts. The selection of an animated panda for Beijing 2022's official mascot is not too surprising, as the giant panda is the national animal of China - not to mention that a panda was one of the five Fuwa mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Legend has it that the sword was forged by an ancient sorcerer named Eldritch, known for his mastery over time itself. It is said that the blade has the ability to manipulate time, granting its wielder the power to see and alter past and future events. With this newfound knowledge, Lucas becomes determined to master the Magical Blade and harness its immense power. Alongside his loyal group of friends, he embarks on a dangerous quest, facing various obstacles and adversaries, all while learning to control the sword's incredible magic. Throughout the story, the author explores themes of destiny, responsibility, and the consequences of wielding great power. Lucas must grapple with the ethical implications of altering time and make difficult choices that will ultimately shape the fate of the wizarding world. Magical Blade 1950 combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and coming-of-age narratives to create an enthralling tale of magic and self-discovery. J.K. Rowling's vivid storytelling and well-developed characters draw readers into a captivating world filled with wonder and danger. Overall, Magical Blade 1950 is a thrilling and immersive novel that will appeal to fans of fantasy and the wizarding world. With its engaging plot, intriguing premise, and relatable characters, this book is sure to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series, as Lucas Hamilton's journey continues..
Reviews for "The Magical Blade 1950: A relic of ancient times"
1. Rachel - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with Magical Blade 1950. The story felt incredibly predictable and unoriginal, with no real surprises or twists. The characters were also quite one-dimensional and lacked any depth or development. Additionally, the writing style felt clunky and awkward, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I found the book lacking in originality and creativity, which ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. John - 1 star - Magical Blade 1950 was a complete letdown for me. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to follow along and stay interested. The world-building was also very weak, and it felt like the author didn't put much thought into creating a cohesive and believable setting. The dialogue was cringe-worthy at times, and the characters were poorly written, lacking any real depth or likability. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging fantasy story.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for Magical Blade 1950, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of boredom between any action or significant plot developments. The magical elements in the story were poorly explained and didn't make much sense, detracting from the overall immersion in the storyline. The writing itself was decent, but the characters and world-building were sorely lacking. I felt no connection or investment in the outcome of the story, and ultimately, I was left feeling disappointed and underwhelmed.
4. Michael - 1 star - I found Magical Blade 1950 to be a complete waste of time. The narrative was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to understand what was happening. The characters were uninteresting and stereotypical, lacking any real depth or development. The action scenes were poorly executed, with minimal excitement or suspense. Overall, the book failed to engage me on any level, and I struggled to finish it. I would not recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-crafted and captivating fantasy stories.