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Tom Turner (388 KP) rated Valour in Books

May 12, 2021  
Valour
Valour
John Gwynne | 2014 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I find that most second books in a series tend to struggle a bit, especially if the series has more than three books. This is mainly due to there not being a natural arc for the individual book. Thankfully this was not the case with this book. Gwynne started strong with the first book, and has just bulked up. I will admit I did get lost at some points, but that's because the number of characters can be overwhelming at times. This however is no critism as the majority have their place, and I'm sure the ones that haven't quite done so already, will do in the next two books. Being it on!
  
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Alice (117 KP) rated After Elias in Books

Mar 3, 2021  
After Elias
After Elias
Eddy Boudel Tan | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Dundurn Press

This book was a delight! I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it as much as I did because usually, I'm not the biggest fan of literary fiction but this broke my heart. A touching story about loss, dealing with grief and also touches deeply on mental health and the importance of relationship and communication. I loved how this story unfolded and how we only ever knew Elias through the eyes of Coen adding to the mystery. The ending was not what I expected but I loved it. There is so much heart in this book and I definitely recommend it!
  
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
1976 | Drama
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Yes, Cassavetes again, and by now it’s a no-brainer as to who my favorite filmmaker is. This time he takes on the gangster/noir genre but does it in his own inimitable abstract-expressionist style, where time slows down or sometimes speeds up, so we never know exactly where we are in terms of a traditional story arc or act structures. We are in dreamland . . . an opium-induced reverie. This is a portrait of an artist in the guise of a strip club owner, and Ben Gazzara’s Cosmo Vitelli is a career-topping performance. The onstage burlesque routines are worth the price of admission, as is the one and only Mr. Sophistication, played by Meade Roberts."

Source
  
Soul Stripper (Soul Stripper, #1)
Soul Stripper (Soul Stripper, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I have literally just finished reading this and I'm impressed.

In a way it reminded me of Richelle Mead's "Georgina Kincaid" series with the succubus and not wanting to sleep with the good guy but in other ways it didn't.

The storyline was both interesting and fun and I found myself needing to keep reading so I could find out who was killing the other succubi and I have to admit I wasn't disappointed--though I did guess half right.

I enjoyed it enough to keep reading the series and will look forward to the next book when it is released later in the year.
  
Our Little Cruelties
Our Little Cruelties
Liz Nugent | 2020 | Thriller
8
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Less of a thriller to me, more of a family drama and a very well written one.

Focusing on the lives of 3 brothers we jump from one to the other backward and forwards in time in what could easily be a jarring experience but instead, Nugent cleverly keeps things clear and interesting. We know one brother is dead by the end but the whole family's story and circumstances are a really dysfunctional ride.

Hard to like any of the brothers but impossible not to want to know what they end up getting themselves into with their complex family dynamics. Would recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC, review is my own opinion
  
The Story of 90 Coins (2015)
The Story of 90 Coins (2015)
2015 |
7
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
It’s a lovely little short film, that’s very sweet and beautifully filmed. One for hopeless romantics everywhere.

Positives:
For a short film, this has impressive production values. The cinematography and, lighting is all beautifully done, giving the production a glossy and professional feel.
Who doesn’t love a sloppy love story once in a while? Yes, the leads perhaps have a few rough edges, but they give it lots of heart.

Negatives:
As a film that’s less than 10 minutes long, it doesn’t give much of a chance to develop a great story arc. The end of the piece in particular feels rather rushed. It could almost be a template for a longer 90 minute feature.
  
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
2021 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Additional characters (3 more)
Expanded story arc
In depth creativity
Snyders original JL vision
No green arrow cameo (0 more)
No longer a fan boy pipe dream
Zack snyders JL is more than a beautiful vision, its a masterpiece.
After his vision was sidelined for so long, we finally got to see his Justice League (part 1) endgame.
Plenty of In depth creativity, emotional input and a diverse story put this cinematic piece at the top of the food chain.

With its stunning visual effects, gritty Outlook and additional scenes both reshot and created, ZSJL is a solid story built from its source material stemming from its roots.

From 2+ hrs to 4 +hours the wait was worth it... #restorethesnyderverse
  
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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) created a post

Jun 1, 2023  
My May 2023 reads!

19 this month a bit better than other months for me.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
8 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
0 ⭐️⭐️
0 ⭐️
2 DNFS

My favourite book of the month is The Frangitelli Mirror by G.R. Thomas this was an ARC and Brilliant!
Also Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney was really good too!

My least favourite is The Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski I expected more.


My DNFS were not as high this month I just couldn’t get on with so many and I’m a great believer in not reading something just for the sake of it.