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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Bungalow Mystery (Nancy Drew, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
While out of town, Nancy meets Laura, a recent orphan who is about to meet her new guardians. However, when Nancy meets them, she thinks that something is off about these adults. Meanwhile, Mr. Drew asks Nancy to help him figure out how bearer bonds have disappeared from a bank in town. Can Nancy juggle these two cases? Or is there a connection?
I can’t remember if I read this one as a kid or not, but I quickly got caught up in the fun as an adult. There is plenty of action. Some of the twists were a little obvious, but I couldn’t figure out how everything quite fit together until the end. We still haven’t met Nancy’s usual friends, but with the emphasis on plot and action, the characters are thin anyway.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-bungalow-mystery-by-carolyn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I can’t remember if I read this one as a kid or not, but I quickly got caught up in the fun as an adult. There is plenty of action. Some of the twists were a little obvious, but I couldn’t figure out how everything quite fit together until the end. We still haven’t met Nancy’s usual friends, but with the emphasis on plot and action, the characters are thin anyway.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-bungalow-mystery-by-carolyn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The House on the Cliff (Hardy Boys, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Frank and Joe Hardy are thrilled when their father, Fenton, gives them an assignment as part of his latest case. He asks them to go up on the cliff and watch the bay for smugglers. They find the perfect spot near an abandoned house. Yet, they soon hear a cry for help from inside, have part of the telescope stolen, and witness an attempted murder. What’s going on?
This book is a perfect example of some of the weaknesses of the series – characters always making the perfect deduction right away and the thin characters. But even rereading it, I found it very fun. It helps that there is plenty of action. Kids today will get caught up in the story just as I did as a kid and rereading it as an adult.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-house-on-cliff-by-franklin.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book is a perfect example of some of the weaknesses of the series – characters always making the perfect deduction right away and the thin characters. But even rereading it, I found it very fun. It helps that there is plenty of action. Kids today will get caught up in the story just as I did as a kid and rereading it as an adult.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-house-on-cliff-by-franklin.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated House Broken in Books
Feb 15, 2018
House Broken There a family mystery that Geneva does not understand. Thing go from bad to worse once her mother has an accident and need to recuperate. Geneva is relaxant to do so. Her husband convenience her to bring her mother in to stay.
Geneva start to investigate about the relationship between her older sister Paris and their mother. Geneva mother Helen has dealt with since her eldest daughter turned sixteen. There mother had to do something about it to stop what was going on. That thing see had to do is something Paris and her mother could not forgive her for it.
Ella and Charlies get themselves in trouble as well. Things gets worse after their grandmother comes to stay for a little while. Things start to startle Geneva while her mother starts to put some things together. It a fun read but not for children. It deals with teenage things and adult things. My rating is a 5/5 stars.
Geneva start to investigate about the relationship between her older sister Paris and their mother. Geneva mother Helen has dealt with since her eldest daughter turned sixteen. There mother had to do something about it to stop what was going on. That thing see had to do is something Paris and her mother could not forgive her for it.
Ella and Charlies get themselves in trouble as well. Things gets worse after their grandmother comes to stay for a little while. Things start to startle Geneva while her mother starts to put some things together. It a fun read but not for children. It deals with teenage things and adult things. My rating is a 5/5 stars.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Spider Bones (Temperance Brennan, #13) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Definitely not one of the best of the series. The science plot twist was a bit of a surprise, but the "who is this guy?" was telegraphed (for me, at least) pretty early on. I'm fairly tired of the on again, off again love thing with Ryan, but the depiction of Brennan's relationship with her young adult daughter is very accurate to this mother of a 20-year-old. Bringing in the "gangsta" angle seemed ridiculous to me, but I suppose there had to be some immediate danger somewhere to keep the publisher interested.
I still enjoy the television show <i>Bones</i> far more than the novels, which is unusual - but the show has more humor. I don't think I'd read novelizations based on the show, however, because a lot of the humor requires the chemistry between the actors as well as good scriptwriting. There are few authors who can translate that from screen to text.
I still enjoy the television show <i>Bones</i> far more than the novels, which is unusual - but the show has more humor. I don't think I'd read novelizations based on the show, however, because a lot of the humor requires the chemistry between the actors as well as good scriptwriting. There are few authors who can translate that from screen to text.
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Boys Next Door in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Hot steamy action from the first page but soon wears a bit thin as there's more sex than storyline to the book and I'm finding I'm scanning through the sex scenes the further I get in to the book just in the hope of finding some thing more interesting. This would have been a good book if a little more thought had gone into the writing, it needs more depth. I disliked the crudeness of some of the descriptions and it could have been more sensual but THEN, just when I think this is going to be a standard read the last couple of chapters are captivating. They have feeling and emotion, everything the rest of the book didn't have and I'm now feeling robbed that the rest of the book wasn't the same.
In the end the last few chapter more than make up for the rest, this is an adult read and I did enjoy it in the end.
3.5 Stars
In the end the last few chapter more than make up for the rest, this is an adult read and I did enjoy it in the end.
3.5 Stars
Connie (244 KP) rated Super Powereds: Year 3 in Books
Jun 8, 2018 (Updated Jun 8, 2018)
The series you NEED to read!
Drew has done it again. After Year 2 I was worried that there would be nowhere new and exciting to go... But boynwas I wrong! I've never been so glad to be wrong, either. The twists and turns of the plot would do ANY Subtlety hero proud!
The Melbrook crew has made it to their third year, and things get even tougher as they go. A lot of questions (and a little bit of romance) keep the ball rolling, and we start to see the adult more and more in each of the students. Situations aren't what they seem at first sight, and not everyone is who they claim to be. How do you find trust in a world where everyone has a hidden identity?
This series is building toward a fantastic climax, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
This book has about 650 pages and cost $6 via Kindle.
The Melbrook crew has made it to their third year, and things get even tougher as they go. A lot of questions (and a little bit of romance) keep the ball rolling, and we start to see the adult more and more in each of the students. Situations aren't what they seem at first sight, and not everyone is who they claim to be. How do you find trust in a world where everyone has a hidden identity?
This series is building toward a fantastic climax, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
This book has about 650 pages and cost $6 via Kindle.
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated What Would She Do? 25 True Stories of Trailblazing Rebel Women in Books
Jun 4, 2018
My classroom library is somewhat lacking when it comes to non-fiction. I often have a difficult time finding non-fiction that is engaging for a middle school audience.
While I think that this will interest my students, as an adult reader, it's a bit lacking in depth.
I like the bite-sized chunks of information and the bold illustrations of each woman profiled in the book. The biographical information is just the right amount for this age group.
What I really objected to was the attempt to provide life advice from each woman. After each biography, the author imagines a modern real life question readers might have and then attempts to answer that question as the woman who was just profiled might. The whole thing feels incredibly contrived and, at times, not even loosely connected to the woman who was just profiled. I think I actually cringed with some of them because of how cliche and didactic they are.
While I think that this will interest my students, as an adult reader, it's a bit lacking in depth.
I like the bite-sized chunks of information and the bold illustrations of each woman profiled in the book. The biographical information is just the right amount for this age group.
What I really objected to was the attempt to provide life advice from each woman. After each biography, the author imagines a modern real life question readers might have and then attempts to answer that question as the woman who was just profiled might. The whole thing feels incredibly contrived and, at times, not even loosely connected to the woman who was just profiled. I think I actually cringed with some of them because of how cliche and didactic they are.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Logan (2017) in Movies
May 29, 2018
The Wolverine film we've all been waiting for
Finally we get a decent gory, angry Wolverine and for once a dark, violent character being stuck with a child doesn't make him more mild, it made her more ... violent.
The film sees Logan caring for Charles Xavier struggling with dementia and catastrophic seizures, driving a limousine to make ends meet in a world where mutants are outlawed. He ends up journeying across America with young Mexican mutant Laura, whose powers match Wolverine's. While the plot is not particularly new or complex, it is good enough to carry the action.
The action is so much darker and more bloody than in any other X-Men film - I strongly believe Deadpool opened the door for them to make a truly adult film (not like that!), with no spandex in sight.
I see this as the final chapter in Hugh Jackman's time as Wolverine, though I can see more life still in the X-Men franchise (or a re-boot thereof).
The film sees Logan caring for Charles Xavier struggling with dementia and catastrophic seizures, driving a limousine to make ends meet in a world where mutants are outlawed. He ends up journeying across America with young Mexican mutant Laura, whose powers match Wolverine's. While the plot is not particularly new or complex, it is good enough to carry the action.
The action is so much darker and more bloody than in any other X-Men film - I strongly believe Deadpool opened the door for them to make a truly adult film (not like that!), with no spandex in sight.
I see this as the final chapter in Hugh Jackman's time as Wolverine, though I can see more life still in the X-Men franchise (or a re-boot thereof).
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Mask of Shadows in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I first read the description of Mask of Shadows I knew I had to read it. It sounded absolutely fascinating and something just a little bit different than the normal Fantasy Young Adult novels on the market. The first thing that stood out to me was the gender fluid nature of the main character. It was well done. I loved the openness of this book and the fact that it wasn't highlighted too much. I loved how different Sal was and how the gender fluidity was there but more realistic in a sense.
The plot was intense and it kept my attention. I loved how it was Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones meets Selection. It was interesting to read and it had some twists and turns that had me on my toes.
Ultimately, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure.
When I first read the description of Mask of Shadows I knew I had to read it. It sounded absolutely fascinating and something just a little bit different than the normal Fantasy Young Adult novels on the market. The first thing that stood out to me was the gender fluid nature of the main character. It was well done. I loved the openness of this book and the fact that it wasn't highlighted too much. I loved how different Sal was and how the gender fluidity was there but more realistic in a sense.
The plot was intense and it kept my attention. I loved how it was Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones meets Selection. It was interesting to read and it had some twists and turns that had me on my toes.
Ultimately, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Divergent in Books
Jul 10, 2018
This was a great novel. I really enjoyed the characters and I found that I could relate to many of them. For those of you who are worried that it's going to be "Hunger Games," it's not. It's the same genre but it is definitely different.
I am a little upset that it took me this long to read this novel. I read too many reviews stating that it was Hunger Games 2.0 but it isn't. I'm a fan of dystopian lit. This is definitely dyshtopian. It will have the same feel as Hunger Games but it is different.
I really liked this book. It was fast paced, well written for a young adult novel, and truly entertaining. I wish I had more time over the Christmas holiday to read more. This is easily a novel I could have finished within a day where I didn't have familial obligations.
If you're hesitant to read this novel, I suggest that you pick it up.
I am a little upset that it took me this long to read this novel. I read too many reviews stating that it was Hunger Games 2.0 but it isn't. I'm a fan of dystopian lit. This is definitely dyshtopian. It will have the same feel as Hunger Games but it is different.
I really liked this book. It was fast paced, well written for a young adult novel, and truly entertaining. I wish I had more time over the Christmas holiday to read more. This is easily a novel I could have finished within a day where I didn't have familial obligations.
If you're hesitant to read this novel, I suggest that you pick it up.