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Star Wars, Volume 2: Operation Starlight
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a compilation volume of Charles Soule's mainline Star Wars run, collecting issues 7 through 11 of said run that is set after the events of The Empire Strikes Back.

And what can I say about it?

It's OK: nothing all that special, but nor is it the worst Star Wars I have read.

there's also a whole plot arc about stealing an old translator droid from Coruscant, that feels like it would have been the perfect place to cross over with Doctor Aphra (a character that, truth be told, I never really took too all that much) but which completely squanders that opportunity - I also felt that Poe Dameron's parents (and the fate of at least one of them) is shoehorned just a tad too much for my liking.
  
Star trek strange new worlds
Star trek strange new worlds
2022 | Sci-Fi
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
This, I feel, is a strong contender to be the best of the recent Star Trek shows.

It's just a pity that so few have seen it, locked away behind yet another streaming subscription paywall.

This goes back to the original, story-of-the-week, style of Star Trek storytelling (although there is a plot arc running throughout in that Captain Pike knows of his fate), with Ethan Peck reprising his role as Spock from whaterver-season-it-was (3?) of Star Trek: Discovery, as does Anson Mount as Captain Pike and Rebecca Romijin as Number One.

As it is so heavily serialised, some of the episodes are better than others: the standout one, for me, being the penultimate episode which borrows heavily from Alien(s) and Predator!
  
Disclaimer: I received an unedited ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this story from the beginning. It's a new spin on vampire lore, and there are other supernatural beings, as well. We find out about Anna's past throughout the book, as she goes into a trance to "relive" part of her life from the night she was turned, to determine how Jaxson knows her (after having a pretty steamy interaction with him). Her best friend Paige and Paige's boyfriend Ozzie, a hunter, come to protect her while in her trance, and the twists just keep coming throughout the story.

I also greatly enjoyed the use of music throughout the book. I knew pretty much all of the songs mentioned, and they were each relevant and used perfectly to describe certain situations, especially the ending. And speaking of the ending, it's definitely a cliffhanger, so I can't wait to see what happens next! An entertaining read, and one I would recommend to those who like the supernatural and supernatural romances.

My only issue (other than wishing it was longer and/or I had the second book already) was with some of the dialogue. I thought it was stilted at times, as characters would switch back and forth between using and not using contractions within the same sentence or paragraph, which didn't seem natural to me. Also, some of the inner dialogue within Anna's or Paige's head felt a little too descriptive. I know it was used to explain things and further the story, but it struck a small chord with me, as I just didn't think it was natural. (However, I was reading an unedited ARC, so this may be changed in the final version.)

4 stars, and I really want to read the next one =)
  
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
1928 | Biography, Drama, History
6
8.4 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
This was another first for me. Previous to watching this silent “masterpiece” Dreyer was a name I had only read in film history essays and when anyone writing for Sight and Sound wants to look clever. As a stepping stone to what could be achieved it is of course a valuable historic document. As a film to be enjoyed almost 100 years later, it is all but unwatchable at 110 minutes. There is perhaps a half hour’s worth of story and images, merely extended and repeated to an excruciating degree. It’s not that it is silent, or has very strange religious overtones that don’t resonate now in the same way they once might – because it is very beautiful and remarkable in small sections – it is that a monotony of accusation, followed by denial, followed by crying, followed by spiritual revelation is all there is to it. And it goes on and on and on until you really could not care less.

The story of Joan of Arc is extraordinary, but this is not the story of Joan of Arc, it is her passion only, as in her trial and execution. The close ups of Maria Falconetti as the eponymous saint are all you can really take away from it in the end. Her odd beauty and commitment to the role do leave a lasting impression, but the two dimensional fire and brimstone evil of her accusers is just too much, even comic, to behold and believe in 2021. For study purposes, seeing where certain techniques and shot ideas had their Genesis, for example, it is of great interest. As a film to watch and enjoy it has sadly outlived its worth. When you consider Fritz Lang’s M was only 3 years later, it all comes into context.
  
Resilience (The Demon and Shadows Duology #1)
Resilience (The Demon and Shadows Duology #1)
Kandi Vale | 2020 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
132 of 200
Kindle
Resilience ( The Demon and Shadows Duology book1)
ARC copy
By Kandi Vale

Ok folks strap in it’s a bit of a long one!!

*** The books do include scenes of BDSM and scenes of a sexual nature. Adults only ***

I was extremely lucky and privileged to be given the chance to read the ARC of Kandi vales new book Resilience which is the first book in a Duologly featuring Joro and Mattheus from the slivered souls trilogy. I was first introduced to this author in February 2019 and I absolutely fell in love with the world she has created. This new book tells the story of Joro and Mattheus, we get to see how Joro came to be the person she is now. It is full of action and some of the hottest sex scenes I’ve read, now don’t let me mislead you with the sex scenes they are also some of the best I’ve seen written. If BDSM is not to your taste I’d still recommend reading this book as they are done so well in my opinion (and I can only write from my opinion so don’t shoot me). This book had me hooked from the prologue and it was one of those books that kept you hooked! It answered so many questions and brought every emotion you can think of.
I can not wait for book 2 to see how this ends! I’m a huge fan of supporting authors like Kandi these writers put their heart and soul into the worlds they build and you can definitely see it in her work!

So I highly recommend you check this book out when it officially releases Tuesday 28th July!!

In the meantime go find slivered book 1 of the slivered souls trilogy

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40901021
  
Time's Orphan (Odriel's Heirs #3)
Time's Orphan (Odriel's Heirs #3)
Hayley Reese Chow | 2023 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
TIME'S ORPHAN is the absolutely amazing finale in the Odriel's Heirs series and features the lost Time Heir, Emara. I won't go into the story apart from saying you absolutely MUST read this as a series. Although following different timelines and characters, it is all necessary to understand the overall story arc.

Ever since Jago in book one, the Time Heirs have been slippery characters - mentioned but not seen. There is a reason for this and, oh, but it's hard reading! Emara is a brave character, scared and alone for most of her life, but does she ever come into her own!!! Everything ties up here. All the other books, the story arc, Shad, it's all here and I was gripped by every word.

I was so happy to see Shad in here and to finally learn his back story. Absolutely perfect but I won't spoil it. In fact, everyone is in here, just what I wanted in the final book. That doesn't take anything away from Emara though. It is 100% her story and I loved it.

My time in Okarria might be over for now but it won't be the last time I visit. These books are now on my wish list to be bought as real-life copies. That way I can re-read whenever I want to and, if I don't want to re-read, I can gaze at the gorgeous covers.

A stunning series from the very beginning and HIGHLY recommended by me. 10 out of 5 stars for beings so utterly brilliant!

** 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!
  
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Merissa (12894 KP) rated Leveling The Field (KTS #3) in Books

Jun 14, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)  
Leveling The Field (KTS #3)
Leveling The Field (KTS #3)
Elise Faber | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
LEVELING THE FIELD is the third book in the KTS series, and once again, I am recommending you read it as part of a series, rather than a standalone, as there is an overall story arc you will need to follow.

Jesse is strong and confident until it comes down to herself and then those nasty, niggling doubts surface. She longs for the fantasy of having someone love her for her, but the one she wants only sees her as a friend. Leo IS Jesse's friend but she is so much more than that to him. He feels he is not good enough for her! I loved Hannah and Lily's solution to this!

Oh, man! What a story! I loved the arc and where it is going. My heart was in my mouth for the teams when they were in a pickle 😉 I really want to know just who is behind everything and see them get their just desserts. What I love about Ms Faber's writing style though is that you get pulled into the technicalities, the big bad, whilst still being so invested in the love story being played out before you. Neither side suffers as the story continues, making it perfect.

The pacing is perfect, the romance delightful, and the steamy moments are HOT. All in all, this was a brilliant read that I highly recommend. Now I'm impatient for Hannah and Lily'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!
Jun 14, 2021