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Magical Friends and How to Summon Them
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In Magical Friends and how to summon them you'll be one of 4 powerful wizards who will try to win...
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Thirteen Minutes (2021) in Movies
Feb 25, 2022
A new disaster film, cue excitement. Even a low budget disaster film can be good…
Life is disrupted when a storm turns its eye on a small town. Residents are tested, and they must put their differences aside to help each other make it through safely.
... that thing I said above about even low budget disaster films being good? Yeah, I don’t know how much this cost (I’m assuming not a lot), but it was not good.
This could have been a great short that ran 13 minutes, instead, it’s 1 hour and 48 minutes long. Those extra 95 minutes are made of bloated storylines, and while they overlap, none of them really have any weight. Removing a couple could easily have allowed the others more time to develop and actually let the viewer become more invested.
Out of the cast I can’t really call out anyone. There are faces you’ll recognise from other things, and they’re generally solid actors, but in this... there wasn't really a lot for them to work with.
There are many moments that defy sensible behaviour, as you'd expect from a disaster film. Only one amused me, while the others were mainly annoying.
You either need to take yourself seriously, or embrace the inevitable ridiculousness behind the idea. If this had leaned hard into the ridiculousness it could have been great. 13 Minutes disappointed on so many levels that adding truly terrible effects may actually have helped! I won’t need to watch this again, a disaster film that barely has a disaster in it was not what I signed up for.
[Side note: Initially I gave this 2 out of 5 stars. I have since retracted a star for this film's sheer audacity.]
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2022/02/13-minutes-movie-review.html
Life is disrupted when a storm turns its eye on a small town. Residents are tested, and they must put their differences aside to help each other make it through safely.
... that thing I said above about even low budget disaster films being good? Yeah, I don’t know how much this cost (I’m assuming not a lot), but it was not good.
This could have been a great short that ran 13 minutes, instead, it’s 1 hour and 48 minutes long. Those extra 95 minutes are made of bloated storylines, and while they overlap, none of them really have any weight. Removing a couple could easily have allowed the others more time to develop and actually let the viewer become more invested.
Out of the cast I can’t really call out anyone. There are faces you’ll recognise from other things, and they’re generally solid actors, but in this... there wasn't really a lot for them to work with.
There are many moments that defy sensible behaviour, as you'd expect from a disaster film. Only one amused me, while the others were mainly annoying.
You either need to take yourself seriously, or embrace the inevitable ridiculousness behind the idea. If this had leaned hard into the ridiculousness it could have been great. 13 Minutes disappointed on so many levels that adding truly terrible effects may actually have helped! I won’t need to watch this again, a disaster film that barely has a disaster in it was not what I signed up for.
[Side note: Initially I gave this 2 out of 5 stars. I have since retracted a star for this film's sheer audacity.]
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2022/02/13-minutes-movie-review.html
Hazel (2934 KP) rated One For Sorrow (DI Callanach #7) in Books
Mar 6, 2022
This is an absolute cracker of a book; totally absorbing, riveting and a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
This is the first one in the series I have read ... I know, I know, where have I been? However, I do feel this can be read quite successfully as a standalone even though I know there is quite a lot of back story that I have missed. This didn't affect my enjoyment of this book one little bit though so don't let it put you off; if anything, it has forced me to put the previous 6 on my wish list it's just a shame my birthday has been an gone ... do you think I can ask for them as a Mother's Day gift foregoing the usual card, flowers and chocolates? I would say so 😀
From start to finish, I literally couldn't put it down ... yes I know this is a bit cliché and is said far too often but in this instance, it is a totally accurate statement. With excellent and believable characters, a fast pace and a tense and thrilling plot that had me guessing to the end, this is definitely going to be one of my books of 2022.
This has got everything you could want from a crime thriller from beginning to end and on that, the ending ... I actually gasped out loud and frantically swiping at my Kindle screen wanting to find out what happens next only to realise that there was no more which has left me waiting very impatiently!
Bravo Helen Fields, bravo ... just wow!
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
This is the first one in the series I have read ... I know, I know, where have I been? However, I do feel this can be read quite successfully as a standalone even though I know there is quite a lot of back story that I have missed. This didn't affect my enjoyment of this book one little bit though so don't let it put you off; if anything, it has forced me to put the previous 6 on my wish list it's just a shame my birthday has been an gone ... do you think I can ask for them as a Mother's Day gift foregoing the usual card, flowers and chocolates? I would say so 😀
From start to finish, I literally couldn't put it down ... yes I know this is a bit cliché and is said far too often but in this instance, it is a totally accurate statement. With excellent and believable characters, a fast pace and a tense and thrilling plot that had me guessing to the end, this is definitely going to be one of my books of 2022.
This has got everything you could want from a crime thriller from beginning to end and on that, the ending ... I actually gasped out loud and frantically swiping at my Kindle screen wanting to find out what happens next only to realise that there was no more which has left me waiting very impatiently!
Bravo Helen Fields, bravo ... just wow!
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Paint the Roses
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Paint the Roses is a 2-5 player cooperative logic deduction game that automatically adapts to your...
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Aug 20, 2022
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May 10, 2022
Merissa (11928 KP) rated The Fortuna Coin in Books
Jan 26, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)
You know how the blurb of a book stirs your interest? And then, if you're really fortunate, the book itself is so much better than anything you could have expected. Well, that was THE FORTUNA COIN for me.
This book is exactly what it says it is about - second chances and domestic violence. It doesn't pretty it up. It's all there, especially in the first few scenes. If you have any kind of triggers wrapped up in domestic violence, please be warned.
We go with Wendy as she time-travels back to the past, the chance to do over her life. She has hard choices to make, and she does them selflessly. It costs her a lot in one way, but she is enriched in another. She makes good friends and has her four daughters, all over again.
I can't say too much without giving away parts of the storyline, but I will say I was completely enthralled. I knew how I wanted Wendy to act, and I hated it when she didn't. But it was all for her reasons, not mine, so I guess it makes sense!
There is so much I want to say but can't, for fear of ruining it for someone else. I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down. It is a mixture of supernatural, contemporary, romance, and suspense - all delivered with perfect pacing and tension.
This was a fantastic story that I feel lucky enough to have read, and I have no hesitation in highly recommending it! Just watch out for triggers.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 26, 2022
This book is exactly what it says it is about - second chances and domestic violence. It doesn't pretty it up. It's all there, especially in the first few scenes. If you have any kind of triggers wrapped up in domestic violence, please be warned.
We go with Wendy as she time-travels back to the past, the chance to do over her life. She has hard choices to make, and she does them selflessly. It costs her a lot in one way, but she is enriched in another. She makes good friends and has her four daughters, all over again.
I can't say too much without giving away parts of the storyline, but I will say I was completely enthralled. I knew how I wanted Wendy to act, and I hated it when she didn't. But it was all for her reasons, not mine, so I guess it makes sense!
There is so much I want to say but can't, for fear of ruining it for someone else. I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down. It is a mixture of supernatural, contemporary, romance, and suspense - all delivered with perfect pacing and tension.
This was a fantastic story that I feel lucky enough to have read, and I have no hesitation in highly recommending it! Just watch out for triggers.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 26, 2022
Merissa (11928 KP) rated The Widow Wore Plaid (The Widows' Club #6) in Books
Jan 27, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)
THE WIDOW WORE PLAID is the sixth book in The Widow's Club series and, although I haven't read any of the previous books, I would recommend it, even if it's just so you get all the names lined up in your head.
Jane and Gareth have been together for a while and, although Gareth has asked her to marry him numerous times, Jane has always said no for fear of losing her independence. Gareth does everything in his power to soothe those fears and she eventually says yes. Not everyone is happy with that announcement though and their lives are in danger.
Not having read any of the other books, I wonder how much of their getting to know each other was mentioned then because, obviously, there's nothing here. They are already a done deal although Jane is going to stop taking precautions against pregnancy now it's official. Part of me missed that, the build-up, but in other ways, it made this all the more exciting as the story could concentrate on their peril, rather than dancing around each other.
After a slow start, this story builds up to a fitting ending. I would have preferred to have read it as part of a series, simply so I could keep everyone straight and fully understand the relationships that are already formed. Saying that, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 27, 2022
Jane and Gareth have been together for a while and, although Gareth has asked her to marry him numerous times, Jane has always said no for fear of losing her independence. Gareth does everything in his power to soothe those fears and she eventually says yes. Not everyone is happy with that announcement though and their lives are in danger.
Not having read any of the other books, I wonder how much of their getting to know each other was mentioned then because, obviously, there's nothing here. They are already a done deal although Jane is going to stop taking precautions against pregnancy now it's official. Part of me missed that, the build-up, but in other ways, it made this all the more exciting as the story could concentrate on their peril, rather than dancing around each other.
After a slow start, this story builds up to a fitting ending. I would have preferred to have read it as part of a series, simply so I could keep everyone straight and fully understand the relationships that are already formed. Saying that, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 27, 2022
Merissa (11928 KP) rated Blood Bound (Youkai Bloodlines #3) in Books
Jan 19, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)
BLOOD BOUND is the third book in the Youkai Bloodlines series, and we continue with Hide and Hiro's story, with Asagi, of course!
Hide still can't show Hiro his affection, which leads to a chasm between them that seems as though it can't be breached. Hiro ends up leaving and, in doing so, finds friendship and love with a human, Takanori. Unfortunately, it was doomed from the beginning (human, remember!). Not only that, Taka becomes mortally ill.
Now, I'm going negative first, so be warned. I have no idea if it was my review copy, but none of the chapters gave any indication about who was speaking or even what year it was. This caused me confusion as I tried to figure out just what was going on and when, as we flip from times and characters as the story progresses. Each time it happened, I got kicked out of the story as I scrambled to keep up.
Moving to the positive - you get a beautiful but all-too-short romance with Taka and Hiro. PLUS, and this was a real benefit to me, you get the inside knowledge and history on Hide, Hiro, and even a little on Asagi. This really helped to put into perspective each character, their view of the world, and how they cope with it.
On the whole, this was a great addition to the series and I can't wait to find out where we go next. Absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 19, 2022
Hide still can't show Hiro his affection, which leads to a chasm between them that seems as though it can't be breached. Hiro ends up leaving and, in doing so, finds friendship and love with a human, Takanori. Unfortunately, it was doomed from the beginning (human, remember!). Not only that, Taka becomes mortally ill.
Now, I'm going negative first, so be warned. I have no idea if it was my review copy, but none of the chapters gave any indication about who was speaking or even what year it was. This caused me confusion as I tried to figure out just what was going on and when, as we flip from times and characters as the story progresses. Each time it happened, I got kicked out of the story as I scrambled to keep up.
Moving to the positive - you get a beautiful but all-too-short romance with Taka and Hiro. PLUS, and this was a real benefit to me, you get the inside knowledge and history on Hide, Hiro, and even a little on Asagi. This really helped to put into perspective each character, their view of the world, and how they cope with it.
On the whole, this was a great addition to the series and I can't wait to find out where we go next. Absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 19, 2022
Merissa (11928 KP) rated Thorn of Secrets (My Darkest Secret #2) in Books
Jan 25, 2022 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)
THORN OF SECRETS is the second book in the My Darkest Secret series and we return to Madi's life as she tries to continue after the events of book one. And you REALLY need to read that for this one to make any sense.
Both Madi and Justin have someone else, and yet their bond refuses to be broken. They ignore it, or put it under the heading of 'family relations' but it is obvious that isn't what it is, and you read to find out just when they both stop fighting the inevitable.
Madi is determined not to let what happened with Jackson ruin her life. She is in college; Justice is being raised with a loving mom and family on hand to help, and Madi meets a new man, Chauncey, who allows her to feel comfortable.
Once again, told from Madison's perspective, you are with her through every situation, every emotion. As with the first book, this deals with some heavy topics so please be aware if you have any triggers. We reunite with old characters as well as meet new ones. You see Madi in different situations, although her inner core doesn't change.
There were parts of the book that didn't do anything for me - some of which are personal preferences, and some I felt had no bearing on moving the story forward - but overall, I enjoyed the story and felt it to be a good continuation of Madi's story.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 25, 2022
Both Madi and Justin have someone else, and yet their bond refuses to be broken. They ignore it, or put it under the heading of 'family relations' but it is obvious that isn't what it is, and you read to find out just when they both stop fighting the inevitable.
Madi is determined not to let what happened with Jackson ruin her life. She is in college; Justice is being raised with a loving mom and family on hand to help, and Madi meets a new man, Chauncey, who allows her to feel comfortable.
Once again, told from Madison's perspective, you are with her through every situation, every emotion. As with the first book, this deals with some heavy topics so please be aware if you have any triggers. We reunite with old characters as well as meet new ones. You see Madi in different situations, although her inner core doesn't change.
There were parts of the book that didn't do anything for me - some of which are personal preferences, and some I felt had no bearing on moving the story forward - but overall, I enjoyed the story and felt it to be a good continuation of Madi's story.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 25, 2022