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The Rock (1996)
The Rock (1996)
1996 | Action
There was a period during the late 90s, early 90s, where Nice Cage was in full action hero mode.

We're talking the likes of National Treasure, Con-Air, Face/Off. And this, his first entry in that mold from 1996.

Also starring Sean Connery in a Bind-in-all-but-name role, this sees Cage playing the part of an FBI chemical expert who has to accompany Connery and US Marines on a mission to infiltrate Alcatraz (Connery's role being as the only man to ever escape from said prison) after a group of disillusioned Marines - led by Ed Harris - seize control of the island and have chemical weapons pointing at San Francisco.

I think this may be the first Michael Bay film I ever saw; looking back on it now I can see that, even back then, it has all the hallmarks of one of his films!
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2538 KP) rated The Ninja’s Illusion in Books

Apr 17, 2026 (Updated Apr 17, 2026)  
The Ninja’s Illusion
The Ninja’s Illusion
Gigi Pandian | 2017 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder, Mayhem, and Magic in Japan
Jaya has a week off for Thanksgiving break, and she is heading to Kyoto, Japan, where her best friend, Sanjay, is appearing in a televised magic event along with a Japanese star. And Jaya is hoping to connect with a local professor who has just reached out for her help about a trading ship lost to history. Jaya has only been there for a few hours when she realizes a mysterious Ninja is following her. The magician that Sanjay is working with is keeping a secret close to his vest. Then, Sanjay and Jaya find a body at the bottom on an embankment. Can Jaya figure out what is going on in time to keep Sanjay safe?

This book emphasized magic a bit more than treasure hunts, but that element was still here. Either way, outside the pacing once or twice, I enjoyed this book. That included the bit of history we learned along the way. Sanjay annoyed me a little at times, but I understood where he was coming from most of the time. The rest of the cast were great, and I enjoyed the updates we got on the characters. If you haven’t picked up this book yet, you’ll enjoy it.
  
Butterfly Islands (Chronicles of the Twenty-One Butterflies Book 1)
Butterfly Islands (Chronicles of the Twenty-One Butterflies Book 1)
Chris Seabranch | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Girl pirates (4 more)
Magic
Quests
Amazing setting
Action & Adventure
Girl Pirates, Treasure, Sword Fights, and Adventure! Yes, please!!!
I read this book because the Kindle version was offered for free on Amazon.
I didn't know what to expect and I honestly thought it was going to be a failed version of some of my most loved pirate stories. But because it featured female pirates, I knew I HAD to read it! And, girl, am I glad I did!
This is the first of a series of 5 books and it did not disappoint! This book had action, adventure, life changing decisions, sword fights, a treasure hunt, pirate ships, and even a couple villains that I ended up truly hating.
The story begins with 15-year-old Casey fleeing her marriage to a much older, very cruel man, which was arranged by her abusive step-father. Casey struggles with leaving because she knows what horrible fate awaits her mother at the hands of her step-father.
As Casey makes her escape, in her wedding dress, she is easily trailed by the very sadists that insist she make good on her step-father's arrangement. Casey runs deeper into the jungle and is rescued by the Twenty-One Butterflies just as the dogs are loosed on her.
Once she observes the ways and learns the values of the group of women that are the Twenty-One Butterflies, Casey makes yet another life-altering decision to join them.
Adventure, danger, training, sword fights, and sisterhood ensue as Casey embarks on her journey to become a Twenty-One Butterfly.
I fully intend to continue the series and discover Casey's fate as well as the fates of the rest of the Twenty-One Butterflies!
  
You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)
You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)
Felicia Day | 2016 | Biography
10
9.0 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved absolutely everything about this memoir. Felicia Day perfectly bares her soul to anyone smart enough to pick up this treasure. At times raw and wildly hilarious, I've never related more to someone I've never met. Representation matters and I was more than happy to read this book based on Felicia alone but realizing early on that it catalogs a lot of her struggles with anxiety made it an even easier read. In many ways, this book shows just how down to earth and relatable Day is to the many people who love her and her work. I highly recommend giving You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) the chance it deserves and a place on your book shelf.