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AR
Always Remembered
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ARC when I signed up and was selected to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed are solely my own.

I loved this final installment of the Never Forgotten series. The book picks up where the last one left off. This beautiful and well detailed story will leave you in its grip as the surprises just keep coming and we find ourselves dealing with many emotional moments throughout this book.. The relationship between Meara and Kieran continues to deepen and Evan learns the truth about himself. Kelly Risser did an amazing job in creating and weaving this mystical series and you will not be disappointed with how this story ends. Please note that all three books in the series must be read in order. Make sure that you add this entire series to your MUST read list and I look forward to reading more by this very creative author.
  
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Book Divas (227 KP) rated The Blast in Books

Dec 12, 2017  
TB
The Blast
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review when I signed up to host the book tour.

I LOVED this story! This was truly an emotional read for me because it is the way I can see such a post apostalistic event to occur and I also got attached to the characters.

It's a beautiful day with people doing everyday things and out of nowhere it happens; the world as we know it suddenly changes. Two families come together and bear witness to the end of our way of living. I found myself becoming a part of the storyline and feeling like I had to do whatever necessary to survive and protect the ones I loved not only from the elements but from other survivors as well.

This intricate and well written story will pull you in and your heart will pound as you turn the pages. You'll find yourself shedding tears of sadness and joy. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
  
The Idiot: A Novel
The Idiot: A Novel
Elif Batuman | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
4
4.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ARC of this book for an honest and unbiased opinion. That being said, the best thing about this book is that it's over...and I can read pretty much anything.

Early on in the book, the main character, Selin, talks about how there are times when her mother hands her books she's read and says "Read this and tell me the point." I wish I had someone I could hand this book to and say that to.

A rambling stream of consciousness, a book of self-discovery, Selin is this 19 year old who has no idea who she is. And I remember being 19 and not having a clue. It's why I wanted to read this book. But I didn't feel like there was any sort of resolution. There were more misadventures and things that made her unhappy and feel displaced in the world. And then...more passive aggressive whining about how she didn't know what she wanted to make her happy.
  
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
2017 | Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Characterization (2 more)
Plot
Sets/CGI
The humor feels a bit forced (0 more)
Great, but not as good as the first
Don't get me wrong, I love this film. And Baby Groot, can't forget him. But as good as this film was on it's own, it doesn't quite live up to the original.

The first had such an easy, unself-conscious joy to it. The jokes flowed and felt organic. And that's still mostly the case here. But there are several spots, especially with Drax and Nebula, where the humor feels forced. Drax and Nebula's characters both feel a touch 'off', overall.


On the other hand, Peter and his relationships are written very well. Yondu's arc and character growth are amazing. The rest of the plot is strong and the stunts and CGI are awesome.


Personally, my favorite part was the resolution at the end and Peter's realization. So emotional, heart-warming and in-character, without being sappy or weird.
  
Girls Made of Snow and Glass
Girls Made of Snow and Glass
Melissa Bashardoust | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
9
8.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wonderful plot, subverted tropes, lesbian romance (0 more)
A bit of stilted dialogue at the beginning, some predictable actions by characters (0 more)
One of my best books of 2017!
I received an ARC of this book through Goodreads and got to read it before the release date (September 5th! GO GET IT!) and I was SO excited to read it. It did not disappoint! This is her debut novel, and the story is absolutely fantastic. It’s billed as a “fantasy feminist fairy tale” and I think it lives up to that pretty well. There are no princes in this story. There are a couple of men – the King, the Queen’s father, and the Huntsman, but they are not who the story is about. The story really is about the relationship between the Queen/stepmother and her stepdaughter, the Princess.

You can read my full review here: https://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/book-review-girls-made-of-snow-and-glass/
  
SW
Silent Weapon (Street Soldier #2)
Andy McNab | 2017
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an arc copy from Netgalley of this book for an open and honest review.
I was surprised to find that I really liked this book, more than I expected too. It was well written and interesting. The plot was current and hits home as to just how much work goes on behind the scenes to thwart terrorism and I love how 2 different departments worked together. Its scary and real about radicalisation and I was plesed to see there were no type casts in this story.
There were a few things that made this a 4 star rating- in some areas I felt the story was perhaps a little rushed (near the beginning) and some parts could have been more polished. As I was reading this I felt I had missed something (I didn't know there was a prequel to this) I didn't know the whole background story which threw me off.
But the storyline was greatc and kept me hooked :)
  
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
2019 | Sci-Fi, Thriller
Contains spoilers, click to show
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie from start to finish, an emotional rollercoaster that I think was the best way to culminate a 22 movie comic book arc.
This film had everything, all the Marvel characters you know and love, a homage to the past films, a cap Vs cap showdown and a battle the likes of which has never been seen.
Even though it is a film I desperately want to see again and again I did downgrade it from full marks as there are plot holes, especially as they are so careful not to mess with the time line, even though the final battle does mess with the timeline completely. Unless there is something that can later be explained.
Overall, I laughed, I cried and I was fully entertained with this movie and would recommend to anyone as long as they have seen the earlier marvel releases.
To conclude I love Avengers: Endgame 3000!
  
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Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Twisted in Books

May 22, 2019  
Twisted
Twisted
Steve Cavanagh | 2019 | Thriller
10
9.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THREE THINGS:

1. The police are looking to charge me with murder.
2. No one knows who I am. Or how I did it.
3. If you think you've found me. I'm coming for you next.
After you've read this book, you'll know: the truth is far more twisted...

When Maria Cooper accidentally uncovers one of her husband Paul’s secrets she enlists her lover Daryl in a plot to get even.
This book is full of suspense and intrigue with lots of twists and turns.
Just when you think you've got it worked out there's another revelation that blows your theory away.
The characterization is excellent, the storytelling first class and the final reveal is kept for the very last page.
Can't wait to see what Steve Cavanagh comes up with next; definitely a book I would recommend reading.

Thanks a lot to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
  
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Action scenes (1 more)
Story
Underwhelming end to the arc
So after X-Men First Class we got Days of Future Past, which led to Apocalypse, and now Dark Phoenix, While the first three were good entertaining movies, and even though Apocalypse wasn't the strongest it still entertained, and the came Darl Phoenix, which is sadly and wholly underwhelming 1 hour 54 minutes.

Sophie Turner should have shined in the film, the performance felt stilted and in place, painful to watch, the knock on effect from this, you feel no empathy for Jean Grey.

One scene is more laughable than tense when Jean/Dark Phoenix with with Erik/Magneto.

As the house of mouse now owns Fox I suspect a reboot may not be as far away with, on general, Disney / Marvel knowing how to do a great superhero movie.

The best bot about this film ? the badges you can get at Frankie and Benny's
  
Iced Under
Iced Under
Barbara Ross | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It’s a cold, quiet February in Busman’s Harbor until Julia’s mom gets a mysterious package in the mail. Inside is a necklace, a family heirloom worth seven figures, that disappeared in the 1920’s. What happened to it all those years ago? And who sent it today?

This is definitely a different plot for a cozy, but I really loved it. Yes, there is a murder, but it comes in later and the mystery of tracking down family and the story behind the necklace takes center stage. Honestly, I like the break from the familiar formula. The characters are fun as always, especially the new ones. And I might have cried (in a good way) through the last couple of chapters. Fans of the series will appreciate this one best, but they will love it.

Note: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-iced-under-by-barbara-ross.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.