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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Sister, maiden, monster in Books
Apr 9, 2024
68 of 220
Book
Sister, Maiden , Monster
By Lucy A. Snyder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Humanity has been irrevocably changed by a virus that radically alters its victims...yet life goes on.
Three women must band together to try to survive. Erin and Savannah are helping usher in the new world, while Mareva has been burdened with a very special task ― one she's too horrified to even acknowledge.
This is absolutely brilliant I didn’t want to put it down. It’s so well written. Following a the covid pandemic the world gets thrown into another apocalyptic virus. This is a fantastic comic horror/end of days novel. It is graphic so please read any trigger warnings. I’m so glad I found this author her writing style is definitely something I want to read more of!
Book
Sister, Maiden , Monster
By Lucy A. Snyder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Humanity has been irrevocably changed by a virus that radically alters its victims...yet life goes on.
Three women must band together to try to survive. Erin and Savannah are helping usher in the new world, while Mareva has been burdened with a very special task ― one she's too horrified to even acknowledge.
This is absolutely brilliant I didn’t want to put it down. It’s so well written. Following a the covid pandemic the world gets thrown into another apocalyptic virus. This is a fantastic comic horror/end of days novel. It is graphic so please read any trigger warnings. I’m so glad I found this author her writing style is definitely something I want to read more of!
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Perfect Liars: Perfect for fans of HBO’s hit TV series Big Little Lies in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I enjoyed Rebecca Reid’s compelling debut novel Perfect Liars.
Perfect Liars is a thoroughly satisfying character driven psychological thriller. It’s cleverly plotted and clear from the beginning, despite being paced on the slow side, that it is a compelling tale.
The characters are somewhat unlikeable in that they are typical stereotypical pretentious, entitled, self-centered women. The story is told using a dual timeline, past and present. Whilst they display a close friendship to the world it is deeply flawed.
There are certain parts of the storyline that I felt were a little too unbelievable and that is why this does not get a full five stars from me.
A fantastic debut by Rebecca Reid and I very much look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel at this time.
Perfect Liars is a thoroughly satisfying character driven psychological thriller. It’s cleverly plotted and clear from the beginning, despite being paced on the slow side, that it is a compelling tale.
The characters are somewhat unlikeable in that they are typical stereotypical pretentious, entitled, self-centered women. The story is told using a dual timeline, past and present. Whilst they display a close friendship to the world it is deeply flawed.
There are certain parts of the storyline that I felt were a little too unbelievable and that is why this does not get a full five stars from me.
A fantastic debut by Rebecca Reid and I very much look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel at this time.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated 12 Years a Slave (2013) in Movies
Sep 6, 2017
Cast and acting is spectacular (1 more)
Fantastic direction by Steve McQueen
Harrowing, disturbing beyond belief
It's taken me four years to watch this film out of fear I'd be seriously disturbed by the end of it. And no doubt it is disturbing.
The story of Solomon Northrup entails a free black man in America being kidnapped and then sold into slavery. He is gifted and educated, on top of having led a free life with his wife and children, hence in many ways it can be seen as even more traumatic knowing what is already out there.
What's interesting is the complicity of others involved, including other African Americans who have had to turn the other cheek in order to survive. The white men are despicable in this film, the brutality is truly horrifying.
It goes without saying Chiwetel Ejiofor is fantastic as Solomon, he's understated which makes his acting all the more moving. Michael Fassbender is particularly gratuitous in his role as a slave owner. Lupita Nyong'o is absolutely outstanding, playing a woman brutalized by the master for his own disgusting needs. The women go through a particular hell in this horrid period of history. You'll need a strong countenance to watch this.
The story of Solomon Northrup entails a free black man in America being kidnapped and then sold into slavery. He is gifted and educated, on top of having led a free life with his wife and children, hence in many ways it can be seen as even more traumatic knowing what is already out there.
What's interesting is the complicity of others involved, including other African Americans who have had to turn the other cheek in order to survive. The white men are despicable in this film, the brutality is truly horrifying.
It goes without saying Chiwetel Ejiofor is fantastic as Solomon, he's understated which makes his acting all the more moving. Michael Fassbender is particularly gratuitous in his role as a slave owner. Lupita Nyong'o is absolutely outstanding, playing a woman brutalized by the master for his own disgusting needs. The women go through a particular hell in this horrid period of history. You'll need a strong countenance to watch this.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women in Books
Aug 21, 2021
There was something about the synopsis of Creatrix Rising by Stephanie Raffelock that really sucked me in. When I read it, I knew that it was a book I would fall in love with. I wasn't wrong!
Creatrix Rising is full of great anecdotes. Reading them, I really felt like I was getting to know the author. Stephanie Raffelock does not hold back in some of the stories which helps to make her book all the more real. While reading, I felt as if Stephanie stripped herself down to her soul for me to see and bared it all especially while reading about her time as a teenager in Los Angeles. Reading Creatrix Rising made me want to actually meet Stephanie Raffelock because she just seems like such an inspiration and an amazing woman! In fact, reading some of what happened in Stephanie's life sort of paralleled mine.
Stephanie Raffelock does a fantastic job at describing what a "creatrix" is. She writes "Creatrix is a distinctly feminine word that simply means a woman who makes things." Raffelock says the world creatrix should replace crone which has such a negative connotation, and I agree! From there, Raffelock gives us plenty of personal stories about different women she has come across in her life that fit the creatrix characteristics. In each story, I felt like I was getting to know these women. I wanted to know these women. Stephanie Raffelock's writing is so beautiful and descriptive. It's hard not to feel like her stories are yours. In fact, it was difficult to not picture different women in my life that fit the bill of a creatrix. I put this down to Raffelock's wonderful writing. She definitely knows how to get her point across in such a sweet and beautiful way. Raffelock also teaches us that there is no shame in getting older and how we really should embrace aging as it's not a bad thing at all but quite the opposite.
Another thing I really loved about Creatrix Rising is at the end of each chapter, there is a section entitled "For Reflection, Activity, and Journaling." This section summarizes the main point of each chapter and asks a few in depth questions for the reader to ponder on. Be prepared to have a journal next to you because you will want to answer these questions. They will really make you think long and hard and look deeper into yourself and others. It's such a great and relaxing mental exercise. At the end of the book, if you decide to write down your answers to Stephanie Raffelock's questions, you will have your own little mini book either to keep for yourself or to share with others. If you need a little bit of help, Raffelock lists some fantastic resources to help you on your journey. I also feel that these questions would be great for a book group's discussion if this was a book picked for a book group which I would totally recommend that!
If you decide to read Creatrix Rising (which you really should), here's my personal advice. Do NOT skip the epilogue. Stephanie Raffelock says that she wrote this book in 2020 when the Corona Virus had just really taken off. Raffelock's epilogue for Creatrix Rising is all about the Corona Virus, but she uses symbolism painting the Corona Virus as a beautiful woman that takes everyone by surprise. My jaw was on the floor the whole time I was reading the epilogue. Again, Raffelock's talent for writing really did shine through in her epilogue. I would have never thought to compare Corona Virus to a beautiful woman, but reading Stephanie's story, I realized just how right she was.
Trigger warnings for Creatrix Rising include profanity, some drug use, death, some violence, and some politics.
All in all, Creatrix Rising is a beautiful masterpiece of a book that will leave its reader thinking of all the women in their life that they have come across and how these women have affected them. Although this book mentions unlocking the power of midlife women, I really think men would enjoy it just as much as they also think about the women that have touched their lives. I would definitely recommend Creatrix Rising by Stephanie Raffelock to everyone aged 18+ who are after a beautifully written book that will really make them think.
--
(A special thank you to Lone Star Literary Life and Stephanie Raffelock for providing me with a hardcover of Creatrix Rising in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
Creatrix Rising is full of great anecdotes. Reading them, I really felt like I was getting to know the author. Stephanie Raffelock does not hold back in some of the stories which helps to make her book all the more real. While reading, I felt as if Stephanie stripped herself down to her soul for me to see and bared it all especially while reading about her time as a teenager in Los Angeles. Reading Creatrix Rising made me want to actually meet Stephanie Raffelock because she just seems like such an inspiration and an amazing woman! In fact, reading some of what happened in Stephanie's life sort of paralleled mine.
Stephanie Raffelock does a fantastic job at describing what a "creatrix" is. She writes "Creatrix is a distinctly feminine word that simply means a woman who makes things." Raffelock says the world creatrix should replace crone which has such a negative connotation, and I agree! From there, Raffelock gives us plenty of personal stories about different women she has come across in her life that fit the creatrix characteristics. In each story, I felt like I was getting to know these women. I wanted to know these women. Stephanie Raffelock's writing is so beautiful and descriptive. It's hard not to feel like her stories are yours. In fact, it was difficult to not picture different women in my life that fit the bill of a creatrix. I put this down to Raffelock's wonderful writing. She definitely knows how to get her point across in such a sweet and beautiful way. Raffelock also teaches us that there is no shame in getting older and how we really should embrace aging as it's not a bad thing at all but quite the opposite.
Another thing I really loved about Creatrix Rising is at the end of each chapter, there is a section entitled "For Reflection, Activity, and Journaling." This section summarizes the main point of each chapter and asks a few in depth questions for the reader to ponder on. Be prepared to have a journal next to you because you will want to answer these questions. They will really make you think long and hard and look deeper into yourself and others. It's such a great and relaxing mental exercise. At the end of the book, if you decide to write down your answers to Stephanie Raffelock's questions, you will have your own little mini book either to keep for yourself or to share with others. If you need a little bit of help, Raffelock lists some fantastic resources to help you on your journey. I also feel that these questions would be great for a book group's discussion if this was a book picked for a book group which I would totally recommend that!
If you decide to read Creatrix Rising (which you really should), here's my personal advice. Do NOT skip the epilogue. Stephanie Raffelock says that she wrote this book in 2020 when the Corona Virus had just really taken off. Raffelock's epilogue for Creatrix Rising is all about the Corona Virus, but she uses symbolism painting the Corona Virus as a beautiful woman that takes everyone by surprise. My jaw was on the floor the whole time I was reading the epilogue. Again, Raffelock's talent for writing really did shine through in her epilogue. I would have never thought to compare Corona Virus to a beautiful woman, but reading Stephanie's story, I realized just how right she was.
Trigger warnings for Creatrix Rising include profanity, some drug use, death, some violence, and some politics.
All in all, Creatrix Rising is a beautiful masterpiece of a book that will leave its reader thinking of all the women in their life that they have come across and how these women have affected them. Although this book mentions unlocking the power of midlife women, I really think men would enjoy it just as much as they also think about the women that have touched their lives. I would definitely recommend Creatrix Rising by Stephanie Raffelock to everyone aged 18+ who are after a beautifully written book that will really make them think.
--
(A special thank you to Lone Star Literary Life and Stephanie Raffelock for providing me with a hardcover of Creatrix Rising in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
Erika (17788 KP) rated Black Panther (2018) in Movies
Feb 18, 2018
I'm only giving this movie a 9, because I've honestly seen the same story line in dozens of movies. AND, I felt like the previews gave way too much away.
But, although the story was predictable, it was still very well done. The afro-futurism was so amazing, the costumes were so good, and I loved that they brought in all sorts of different cultures on the continent to Wakanda.
The cast did a brilliant job, and I loved that the warriors were women.
Now, Killmonger: Micheal B Jordan did a fantastic job with the villain. This villain was one of the better ones in the MCU, in a sea of generic villains (Loki excluded). Killmonger (as well as Loki) was a sympathetic (IMO) villain, there was a reason for his fall into villainy, being a product of his circumstances. You understood where he was coming from, and damn, his last line was intense.
Now: Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis. I had a major Hobbit flashback when Ross went to Klaue, I was half-hoping they were fixin to have a riddle-off.
But, although the story was predictable, it was still very well done. The afro-futurism was so amazing, the costumes were so good, and I loved that they brought in all sorts of different cultures on the continent to Wakanda.
The cast did a brilliant job, and I loved that the warriors were women.
Now, Killmonger: Micheal B Jordan did a fantastic job with the villain. This villain was one of the better ones in the MCU, in a sea of generic villains (Loki excluded). Killmonger (as well as Loki) was a sympathetic (IMO) villain, there was a reason for his fall into villainy, being a product of his circumstances. You understood where he was coming from, and damn, his last line was intense.
Now: Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis. I had a major Hobbit flashback when Ross went to Klaue, I was half-hoping they were fixin to have a riddle-off.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Homemaker [Audiobook] in Books
Jul 16, 2023
![The Homemaker [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/b86/7ccfd102-d8a0-4e75-a411-d494ffffeb86.jpg?m=1689507288)
I have read and enjoyed one of Shari's previous books, The Stolen Twins, but this is entirely different but no less enjoyable.
This is a twisty and disturbing thriller that had me hooked from the first to the last word. Told from the perspectives of three very different women who all live within the same area but whose story is the one to believe?
Written at a good pace, with excellent characters, excellent twists and a fantastic narrator that only adds to the story, this is a great book that I would recommend to others who enjoy this genre. I do, however, have to say that there were times where I thought it was a little over the top but I just went with it because if you can't suspend reality in fiction, when can you?
My thanks go to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of The Homemaker.
This is a twisty and disturbing thriller that had me hooked from the first to the last word. Told from the perspectives of three very different women who all live within the same area but whose story is the one to believe?
Written at a good pace, with excellent characters, excellent twists and a fantastic narrator that only adds to the story, this is a great book that I would recommend to others who enjoy this genre. I do, however, have to say that there were times where I thought it was a little over the top but I just went with it because if you can't suspend reality in fiction, when can you?
My thanks go to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of The Homemaker.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Nurse Betty (2000) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
As bleak, jaundiced, and jet-black of a comedy as we've gotten in quite some time - this would make a perfect double feature with 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 or any of LaBute's other riveting provocations. But unlike even those others, this somehow manages to also have some sort of a happy ending? This really is fantastic; a well-rounded, bizarre, humorous (if not always consistently hilarious), completely solitary curio and a cleaner/better example of a woman flourishing in the knocking down of the toxic men in her life than 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳. Not to mention it has a surprisingly positive view of women in general without resorting to that insulting, disingenuous T-shirt-ready brand of corporate faux-feminism that stagnates the pond in many of today's films of the sort. Cast is insanely good, legit one of Freeman's best performances and Kinnear isn't too far behind. LaBute really was something, God could you imagine if comedies could still get screenplays like this, sell big, and be in awards contention?
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Reddening in Books
Oct 27, 2019
Fantastic
Contains spoilers, click to show
One million years of evolution didn't change our nature. Nor did it bury the horrors predating civilisation. Ancient rites, old deities and savage ways can reappear in the places you least expect.
Lifestyle journalist Katrine escaped past traumas by moving to a coast renowned for seaside holidays and natural beauty. But when a vast hoard of human remains and prehistoric artefacts is discovered in nearby Brickburgh, a hideous shadow engulfs her life.
Helene, a disillusioned lone parent, lost her brother, Lincoln, six years ago. Disturbing subterranean noises he recorded prior to vanishing, draw her to Brickburgh's caves. A site where early humans butchered each other across sixty thousand years. Upon the walls, images of their nameless gods remain.
Amidst rumours of drug plantations and new sightings of the mythical red folk, it also appears that the inquisitive have been disappearing from this remote part of the world for years. A rural idyll where outsiders are unwelcome and where an infernal power is believed to linger beneath the earth. A timeless supernormal influence that only the desperate would dream of confronting. But to save themselves and those they love, and to thwart a crimson tide of pitiless barbarity, Kat and Helene are given no choice. They were involved and condemned before they knew it.
I was lucky enough to have a signed limited edition brought for my birthday first off the art work is just brilliant. After trying my hardest not to devour it within two days I made it last and enjoyed it so much. The imagery was just fantastic helped along with pictures posted by Adam showing his inspiration while writing. Chapter 21 all I can say is poor Steve. You felt everything these two women experienced from Helene's swim to Kat's captivity. The one thing I didn't like while reading was my kids and husbands need to keep interrupting me!! Thank you Adam for another fantastic book!

Lifestyle journalist Katrine escaped past traumas by moving to a coast renowned for seaside holidays and natural beauty. But when a vast hoard of human remains and prehistoric artefacts is discovered in nearby Brickburgh, a hideous shadow engulfs her life.
Helene, a disillusioned lone parent, lost her brother, Lincoln, six years ago. Disturbing subterranean noises he recorded prior to vanishing, draw her to Brickburgh's caves. A site where early humans butchered each other across sixty thousand years. Upon the walls, images of their nameless gods remain.
Amidst rumours of drug plantations and new sightings of the mythical red folk, it also appears that the inquisitive have been disappearing from this remote part of the world for years. A rural idyll where outsiders are unwelcome and where an infernal power is believed to linger beneath the earth. A timeless supernormal influence that only the desperate would dream of confronting. But to save themselves and those they love, and to thwart a crimson tide of pitiless barbarity, Kat and Helene are given no choice. They were involved and condemned before they knew it.
I was lucky enough to have a signed limited edition brought for my birthday first off the art work is just brilliant. After trying my hardest not to devour it within two days I made it last and enjoyed it so much. The imagery was just fantastic helped along with pictures posted by Adam showing his inspiration while writing. Chapter 21 all I can say is poor Steve. You felt everything these two women experienced from Helene's swim to Kat's captivity. The one thing I didn't like while reading was my kids and husbands need to keep interrupting me!! Thank you Adam for another fantastic book!

Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic in Books
Jan 12, 2018
This book is FANTASTIC. I was enthralled from start to finish, and frantically looked up the author to make sure she is writing a sequel. (She is, thank goodness!) I absolutely loved the main character, Nora, and the acerbic magician Aruendiel. Even while cheering for the opposite side, I even enjoyed reading about Raclin and Ilissa, the villains of the novel.
In Nora Fischer, we have a modern, independent, feminist woman transported to a place and time where women are inferior (by nature, most think.) There are even linguistic influences that make them inferior; women speak with a lot of "um" and "well" type words in their speech, while men don't. When Nora protests that this makes women's speech sound weaker, she's told that that's "just how women speak." Seeing her confronted with the sexism ingrained within the medieval style culture, and seeing her confront Aruendiel with how sexist it actually is, was a wonderful sub-plot of the book.
The main plot was well-paced and interesting - after being kidnapped by Ilissa at the beginning of the book, and enchanted into being a beautiful, love-struck little ninny, Nora recovers herself with the help of Aruendiel, and spends the rest of the book evading re-capture and finding her place in this new world. The descriptions are colorful, the characters are deep and fascinating, and the land and culture itself shows just how much thought went into creating this world. This is an absolutely spectacular debut novel, in my opinion, and I cannot WAIT for the sequel, since Barker did leave a few questions unanswered at the end of the book. I really can't rave about this book enough. If you like fantasy, (or Pride and Prejudice, since this book, while not attempting to be a retelling or anything, had a lot of the same feel) you should really pick this one up.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
In Nora Fischer, we have a modern, independent, feminist woman transported to a place and time where women are inferior (by nature, most think.) There are even linguistic influences that make them inferior; women speak with a lot of "um" and "well" type words in their speech, while men don't. When Nora protests that this makes women's speech sound weaker, she's told that that's "just how women speak." Seeing her confronted with the sexism ingrained within the medieval style culture, and seeing her confront Aruendiel with how sexist it actually is, was a wonderful sub-plot of the book.
The main plot was well-paced and interesting - after being kidnapped by Ilissa at the beginning of the book, and enchanted into being a beautiful, love-struck little ninny, Nora recovers herself with the help of Aruendiel, and spends the rest of the book evading re-capture and finding her place in this new world. The descriptions are colorful, the characters are deep and fascinating, and the land and culture itself shows just how much thought went into creating this world. This is an absolutely spectacular debut novel, in my opinion, and I cannot WAIT for the sequel, since Barker did leave a few questions unanswered at the end of the book. I really can't rave about this book enough. If you like fantasy, (or Pride and Prejudice, since this book, while not attempting to be a retelling or anything, had a lot of the same feel) you should really pick this one up.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Kelly (279 KP) rated The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1) in Books
Jan 7, 2019
A fantastic start to an epic tale
Contains spoilers, click to show
The Eye of the World is the first of many books in The Wheel of Time series, firstly wrote by Robert Jordan, and finalised by Brandon Sanderson after Jordan’s death, following the story of several characters from Emonds Field.
In my opinion The Eye of the World is the strongest book in the series, and is a fantastic hook to get you to read the following books. Although the series centres around many characters, the true main character of the first book is Rand al’Thor, a reluctant hero, who discovers he has magical abilities, which could ultimately destroy him. In an attempt to save Emonds Field, Rand and his friends flee, accompanied by an Aes Sedai (a female with magical powers). The story primarily details the journey of the group (either together or in smaller groups), detailing regular encounters with the dark ones forces. As such the story does follow the predictable fantasy format of -unlikely hero discovers that they have magical powers, and then goes on a journey to save the world, however it is an enjoyable tale.
The male characters in the book are diverse and entertaining- I struggled to decide which was my favourite character as they all had likeable features. One thing about the book, which does takeaway from
It’s score is Jordan’s portrayal of female characters. I found a lack of diversity amongst those female characters who were on the side we are led to route for, and some stereotyping of women. This was evident even amongst female characters that were meant to be in power. The women as a whole in the novel always needed a man to support them (for
Example Moiraine needing Lan, Egwene needing Rand, there are a few isolated incidents of independence amongst these female characters, but this was often as an exception to the rule. This is addressed a little in later books in the series, but not in the The Eye of the World.
In my opinion The Eye of the World is the strongest book in the series, and is a fantastic hook to get you to read the following books. Although the series centres around many characters, the true main character of the first book is Rand al’Thor, a reluctant hero, who discovers he has magical abilities, which could ultimately destroy him. In an attempt to save Emonds Field, Rand and his friends flee, accompanied by an Aes Sedai (a female with magical powers). The story primarily details the journey of the group (either together or in smaller groups), detailing regular encounters with the dark ones forces. As such the story does follow the predictable fantasy format of -unlikely hero discovers that they have magical powers, and then goes on a journey to save the world, however it is an enjoyable tale.
The male characters in the book are diverse and entertaining- I struggled to decide which was my favourite character as they all had likeable features. One thing about the book, which does takeaway from
It’s score is Jordan’s portrayal of female characters. I found a lack of diversity amongst those female characters who were on the side we are led to route for, and some stereotyping of women. This was evident even amongst female characters that were meant to be in power. The women as a whole in the novel always needed a man to support them (for
Example Moiraine needing Lan, Egwene needing Rand, there are a few isolated incidents of independence amongst these female characters, but this was often as an exception to the rule. This is addressed a little in later books in the series, but not in the The Eye of the World.