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Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated Dragon's Rock in Books

Aug 13, 2018  
DR
Dragon's Rock
Tim Bowler | 2002
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Although a slow starter, there were points when I actually scared myself a little. A very good read!
  
The Raven Boys
The Raven Boys
Maggie Stiefvater | 2012 | Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.7 (35 Ratings)
Book Rating
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#1 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3053741934">The Raven Boys</a> - ★★★★
#2 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3255973750">The Dream Thieves</a> - Not Read Yet

<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Book-Review-Banner-30.png"/>;

Even if Blue hadn't been told her true love would die if she kissed him, she would stay away from boys. Especially the ones from the local private school. Known as Raven Boys, they only mean trouble.

<b>But this is the year that everything will change for Blue.</b>

This is the year that she will be drawn into the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys. And the year Blue will discover that magic does exist.

<b>This is the year she will fall in love.</b>

<b><i>"Blue, I know you're not an idiot. It's just, sometimes smart people do dumb things."</i></b>

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<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b>

I enjoyed The Raven Boys. I have been meaning to read this book for such a long time, and I am so happy I finally managed to scratch it off my list. 

I loved the beginning and I loved Blue and her witch family. It gave me vibes of Charmed - a TV Show that was my favourite when I was growing up. 

Her family does readings and Blue has known her prediction her whole life. She knows that if she kisses her true love, he will die. Even though everyone else in her family has powers, Blue doesn’t. Her power is to amplify other people’s superpowers. So when her family does a reading and Blue is present, they can predict the future better. 

When Blue meets The Raven Boys, she knows they’re trouble. But there is an opportunity for her to really see and feel magic, something she hasn’t ever done before, and this temptation will be too much for her to resist. 

<b><i>"Once Arthur knew the grail exited, how could he not look for it?"</i></b>

<b>I loved The Raven Boys gang.</b>

They were awesome, and brutal, and handsome and smart. They all had their own challenges and character development throughout the book and I enjoyed watching them grow.

I was and still am so unsure about that ending and the fact that I was left more confused than when I started reading the book. There is a feeling I have like I need to re-read this book to fully understand everything, and it’s not a very good vibe.

I still enjoyed it and would definitely read the second book, but I was hoping this would be one of my favourite books and it wasn’t. Maybe the next time around, eh?

I highly recommend it if you love fantasy, magic, handsome boys and young-adult books in general. It is a very interesting book, with lots of mysteries and twists, and a very confusing ending (which some may enjoy). 

<b><i>"People shout when they don't have the vocabulary to whisper."</i></b>

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Erika (17789 KP) rated Alita: Battle Angel (2019) in Movies

Feb 18, 2019 (Updated Feb 18, 2019)  
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
2019 | Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
The fight/action scenes (0 more)
Everything else (0 more)
This movie was on the borderline between good and just ok, I rounded up. I was irritated because the theater where I have the subscription with was only showing the film in 3D. I'm not a huge 3D fan, and don't think anything is really added by it.
I know James Cameron was supposed to be the main draw, but I think he's pompous, and Avatar is not a good movie (IMO/it's lame and a snore). I was there mainly for Robert Rodriguez, he's a BFD here.
Essentially, it's Ghost in the Shell with a different story around it. I loved the fight/actions scenes, I was riveted by those. But, everything around it was kind of lame with bad dialogue and an unnecessary love story.
I also hated that it left on a cliffhanger. The movie drastically under-performed, leading to the worst Presidents' Day box office in the US since 2004. Likelihood of a sequel? Slim to none.
  
TG
The Generosity Factor
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Have you ever read a book and rolled your eyes so many times that you thought they would get stuck like that? Well, if you're looking for a book to experience the feeling, this is the book for you.

Personally, the thought behind this book was interesting and I hoped that I would learn something from it. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. All this book talked about was God. God this, God that, etc. It was done in such a preachy way, I couldn't enjoy it. I kept wishing that it was more subtle and not preachy.

I am not a religious person but I usually can get through religious books without wanting to gag myself with a spoon. I'm glad that I didn't purchase it and that it was a gift.

If you're a religious person, you may like this book. I personally found it way too preachy and not something I would ever recommend.
  
CB
Curse Breaker (Red-Line, #4)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had the opportunity to read a book in a different genre than I usually do (I read cozy mysteries). The first part of the book was romance and suspense with a good plot and an unexpected twist of who done it and why. I was drawn to the characters and hoped that my favorite wasn't going to turn out to be the murderer. I thought the book was complete (at about 70% on my Kindle) and then the story took a turn. I don't want to spoil anything for the reader, but it was a big surprise as to what happens and how our couple survives the plot twist. I have to admit that I enjoyed the first part of the book more than the last half, but all in all, it was a good book for those who enjoy mystery, romance, suspense, and a bit of supernatural.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
  
Doctor Sleep (2019)
Doctor Sleep (2019)
2019 | Horror
Originally, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to see this film. I'm not a huge fan of horror, but I am a fan of Kubrick's The Shining. I'm not a huge fan of Stephen King, his writing style is obnoxious to me.
Anyway, I had no idea as to what to expect out of this film. While it was long, it was nicely paced, and I was never bored. I thought Euan McGregor was a great Danny. The story line was interesting, and I liked the new characters introduced.
My favorite part was the end, when they returned to the Overlook.
Also, with the way it was shot, you could tell the director was a huge fan of Kubrick's film. The overhead shots were a good choice.
Overall, I really enjoyed the film. BUT, seriously, the recurring lady in the bathtub freaked me out for a few days and I made sure my shower curtain was drawn all of the way back.
  
Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther (2018)
2018 | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Obviously I've seen this film a bunch of times, but this last watch I looked at it from a political point of view and it showed the movie in a whole new light. I had to watch it most recently for a class and it really made me think about how much I didn't like T'Challa through most of it. I think he has great intentions but I think Killmonger does too. His methods are just flawed. It's really interesting, though, to see a film play more with the idea of a protagonist not being 100% good or an antagonist be 100% bad. I definitely felt for both Killmonger and T'Challa and I understand where they're coming from.

Other than that, I thoroughly love this film. I think Shuri is an incredible character and Winston Duke is a phenomenal actor. I'm really excited to see what the second one looks like and where they will take us next.
  
I have previously read one of Christobel’s novels - The Crooked House - which although I enjoyed I found it a confusing read and I felt the same way about The Loving Husband although there was less enjoyment with this one.

Full review on my blog - <a href="https://readingstuffnthings.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/the-loving-husband-by-christobel-kent.html">Reading Stuff 'n' Things</a>
  
A Man Called Ove
A Man Called Ove
Fredrik Backman | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.8 (28 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’ll be honest, it took me a few chapters to get in to this book. Once I did, I was hooked! Ove reminds me of my grandpa so much!! And that ending, I cried like a baby. You leave this book wishing that you had a neighbor like Ove living on your street. What an amazing, well written, real life character.
  
The Martian (2015)
The Martian (2015)
2015 | Sci-Fi
It wasn't a perfect adaption, but I still liked it, nonetheless. I had a problem with Jessica Chastain (but, I have problems with her in every movie that has her in it), she was wooden. Matt Damon did well as Watney, and the other supporting characters were great.
The BEST thing I overheard in the movie theater was 'is this a true story?'