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I Was Anastasia
9.5
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In an enthralling new feat of historical suspense, Ariel Lawhon unravels the extraordinary twists...
Anastasia Romanov Russian Revolution insane historical fiction Anna Anderson
Twisted Fate
8.0
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The world Megan James thought she knew has been slowly unraveling. Her father disappeared and was...
Post Apocalyptic Apocalypse Dystopia Dystopian Zombies
Merissa (14122 KP) rated The Chase (Dangerous Games #3) in Books
Jan 16, 2026
THE CHASE is the third book in the Dangerous Games series, and although it said it could be read as a standalone, I do feel that reading the other books would have helped it just a little.
Elias works at a bodega and volunteers at an animal shelter. He is invisible to a lot of people. He has saved up his money and sent in a request to ForbiddenX to make his dark fantasy come real. It's one that will make him feel seen, which is something he lacks in his life. Andre is the one who makes his fantasy come true, in more ways than one. Andre reacts in certain ways because of his history, which I learnt about by reading the story. However, I still don't know the full brunt of what went on and how the men were affected.
There is a connection between Elias and Andre, but it is oh so fragile and easy to break. Both of them have reasons for who they are and what they do, but their personalities don't always allow for cool, calm explanations.
While I understand the connections with Elias and his father, I enjoyed the story more before that part. After Ernesto gets involved, I didn't enjoy it quite as much. This is where the prior knowledge would have come in handy.
All in all, a dark, obsessive story that I enjoyed, but I now want to read the rest in the series.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 15, 2026
Elias works at a bodega and volunteers at an animal shelter. He is invisible to a lot of people. He has saved up his money and sent in a request to ForbiddenX to make his dark fantasy come real. It's one that will make him feel seen, which is something he lacks in his life. Andre is the one who makes his fantasy come true, in more ways than one. Andre reacts in certain ways because of his history, which I learnt about by reading the story. However, I still don't know the full brunt of what went on and how the men were affected.
There is a connection between Elias and Andre, but it is oh so fragile and easy to break. Both of them have reasons for who they are and what they do, but their personalities don't always allow for cool, calm explanations.
While I understand the connections with Elias and his father, I enjoyed the story more before that part. After Ernesto gets involved, I didn't enjoy it quite as much. This is where the prior knowledge would have come in handy.
All in all, a dark, obsessive story that I enjoyed, but I now want to read the rest in the series.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 15, 2026
Dragon's Mate Volume Three: Books 8-11
6.0
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Dragon shifters, an ancient clan under attack and unexpected fated mates. Discover the magic in this...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Shattered Warrior ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 11 in Books
Jan 9, 2023
7 of 235
Kindle
Shattered Warrior ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 11)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Detective Orlando Trovatelli is a glutton for punishment when it comes to matters of the heart and not even his shifter instincts can keep him on course. It's bad enough that he has feelings for the Vampire Queen, who is mated to one of the most powerful males of the Tehrex Realm, but then he falls for Jaidis, a mated cambion. He clings to the pathetic excuse that Jaidis's mate is abusing her and the Goddess will reconsider and give Jaidis to Orlando in the end. He learns how wrong he is the night he arrives at Jaidis's house to find her lying in a pool of her own blood while struggling to save her unborn baby. Orlando is prepared to move heaven and earth to save Jaidis's life, but ultimately all he can guarantee Jaidis is that he will protect her unborn son. Struggling with his new responsibilities, Orlando isn't prepared to deal with the aftermath of the new archdemons. With his Omega on one side of the fence and Zander on the other, Orlando is forced to choose between his loyalty to the Dark Warriors and disclosing their existence to humans. After everything Orlando has been through, he questions the Goddess and whether his faith in her has been in vain.
This was my favourite so far! I possibly say that every book but Orlando is just perfect and he’s been so unlucky in love and although Ember is a little bit of a selfish cow it’s nice to see him get his happy ending! Oh and the little pops of Izzy through these books are always a joy. Looking forward to The King of Khoth!
Kindle
Shattered Warrior ( Dark Warrior Alliance book 11)
By Brenda Trim and Tami Julka
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Detective Orlando Trovatelli is a glutton for punishment when it comes to matters of the heart and not even his shifter instincts can keep him on course. It's bad enough that he has feelings for the Vampire Queen, who is mated to one of the most powerful males of the Tehrex Realm, but then he falls for Jaidis, a mated cambion. He clings to the pathetic excuse that Jaidis's mate is abusing her and the Goddess will reconsider and give Jaidis to Orlando in the end. He learns how wrong he is the night he arrives at Jaidis's house to find her lying in a pool of her own blood while struggling to save her unborn baby. Orlando is prepared to move heaven and earth to save Jaidis's life, but ultimately all he can guarantee Jaidis is that he will protect her unborn son. Struggling with his new responsibilities, Orlando isn't prepared to deal with the aftermath of the new archdemons. With his Omega on one side of the fence and Zander on the other, Orlando is forced to choose between his loyalty to the Dark Warriors and disclosing their existence to humans. After everything Orlando has been through, he questions the Goddess and whether his faith in her has been in vain.
This was my favourite so far! I possibly say that every book but Orlando is just perfect and he’s been so unlucky in love and although Ember is a little bit of a selfish cow it’s nice to see him get his happy ending! Oh and the little pops of Izzy through these books are always a joy. Looking forward to The King of Khoth!
Merissa (14122 KP) rated Solomon's Sieve (Knights of Black Swan #7) in Books
Apr 6, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
This book starts with a speed date from hell and someone talking to you from the afterlife - I kid you not! Only Victoria Danann could bring those things together and make it work in such a way that it seems absolutely 'normal'.
Being back with the Black Swan is always a pleasure and this book is no different. After six previous books, there is a sense of familiarity with how characters will react, what they will say, what their body language will tell you.
The one thing I will say about this book - and it is also the reason I am only giving 4 stars instead of the usual 5 to Victoria - is that it is such a busy book! There are a lot of things going on so you will need to read carefully. For example, you have the Sol/Farnsworth story, Raif and Mercy, B Team being brought back from retirement, Z Team having their babysitting mission, and Rosie having her sabbatical. Unfortunately for me, it felt like there was so much going on that I missed out on parts. I would have loved for Raif and Mercy to have their own story, linked with Farnsworth's search. I felt like they were only in the book for a couple of scenes and now they're together.
This is my only 'niggle' with the book and of course, I can still highly recommend this series as one of the best paranormal romances that I have read. These books are definitely keepers and are to be kept, cherished and re-read for years to come.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 6, 2016
Being back with the Black Swan is always a pleasure and this book is no different. After six previous books, there is a sense of familiarity with how characters will react, what they will say, what their body language will tell you.
The one thing I will say about this book - and it is also the reason I am only giving 4 stars instead of the usual 5 to Victoria - is that it is such a busy book! There are a lot of things going on so you will need to read carefully. For example, you have the Sol/Farnsworth story, Raif and Mercy, B Team being brought back from retirement, Z Team having their babysitting mission, and Rosie having her sabbatical. Unfortunately for me, it felt like there was so much going on that I missed out on parts. I would have loved for Raif and Mercy to have their own story, linked with Farnsworth's search. I felt like they were only in the book for a couple of scenes and now they're together.
This is my only 'niggle' with the book and of course, I can still highly recommend this series as one of the best paranormal romances that I have read. These books are definitely keepers and are to be kept, cherished and re-read for years to come.
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 6, 2016
The Life She Wants
7.0
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From behind the curtains, Sarah spotted the man coming out of the house, followed by the woman. It...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Pale Immortal (Land of the Dead 1) in Books
Oct 24, 2023
157 of 235
Kindle
Pale Immortal ( Land of the Dead 1)
By Anne Frasier
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The legend:
A hundred years ago, in what is now called Old Tuonela, a killer known as the Pale Immortal walked the streets. When darkness fell children were rushed inside, doors and windows locked up tight. Some claimed the Pale Immortal bathed in blood, and that blood flooded the streets until the ground became saturated.
Even after the Pale Immortal's reign of terror ended, people were afraid. His death had come too late.
Many claimed the ground was cursed, and so a mass exodus took place. Every single person relocated to a new development five miles from the old one. A better location, they claimed. And prettier. On a bluff overlooking the river. Why had anyone settled at the old place, in such a dark valley?
Let's pretend Old Tuonela doesn't exist. Let's pretend we always lived here, in the new place.
Even though a hundred years has passed, many locals still like to pretend Old Tuonela isn't just beyond the outskirts of town where the softly rolling hills end abruptly, the valleys become dark and deep, and the roads turn back on themselves.
Look closely through the trees and you might see it on the other side of the Tuonela River.
This was different and kept me thinking all the way through about whether it was supernatural or not and if I’m perfectly honest I’m still not sure. The premise is really interesting and I a little confusing in the middle. But overall a really decent read. I do know I need to visit this place though it’s definitely drawn me in.
Kindle
Pale Immortal ( Land of the Dead 1)
By Anne Frasier
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The legend:
A hundred years ago, in what is now called Old Tuonela, a killer known as the Pale Immortal walked the streets. When darkness fell children were rushed inside, doors and windows locked up tight. Some claimed the Pale Immortal bathed in blood, and that blood flooded the streets until the ground became saturated.
Even after the Pale Immortal's reign of terror ended, people were afraid. His death had come too late.
Many claimed the ground was cursed, and so a mass exodus took place. Every single person relocated to a new development five miles from the old one. A better location, they claimed. And prettier. On a bluff overlooking the river. Why had anyone settled at the old place, in such a dark valley?
Let's pretend Old Tuonela doesn't exist. Let's pretend we always lived here, in the new place.
Even though a hundred years has passed, many locals still like to pretend Old Tuonela isn't just beyond the outskirts of town where the softly rolling hills end abruptly, the valleys become dark and deep, and the roads turn back on themselves.
Look closely through the trees and you might see it on the other side of the Tuonela River.
This was different and kept me thinking all the way through about whether it was supernatural or not and if I’m perfectly honest I’m still not sure. The premise is really interesting and I a little confusing in the middle. But overall a really decent read. I do know I need to visit this place though it’s definitely drawn me in.
David McK (3868 KP) rated The Hunger Games (2012) in Movies
Jun 5, 2022
So, the pop-culture behometh that was (is?) 'The Hunger Games'.
It's a trilogy of Young Adult (I hate that term! Us older adults can like them, too ...) novels, made into a quartet of movies.
This is the first in both the novels and the movie series.
While, yes, I have read those novels - I'm not sure, but maybe after originally having watched this film back in 2012 or so? - I can't really remember the full ins and outs of the plot - except the obvious! - although I am sure that, as always, liberties will have been taken, as movies and prose are two distinct mediums.
Set in the future dystopia of Panem (post apocalyptic America?), once every year the 12 districts are forced to randomly choose and send two teenagers - one boy and a girl - to The Capitol to participate in a televised fight to the death inside a giant man-made arena. Katniss Everdeen is one of those chosen from District 12, volunteering to take her sister's place when her sisters name is chosen during her first year of mandatory participation. The film (like what I remember from the book) draws a clear distinction between those from The Capitol - who view this all as a grand sport, and who are very definitely the haves of this world against those from the various districts (the have nots), while also taking the opportunity to make a point about how those in power can treat and abuse those without.
Yes, it's violent.
Yes, I'm sure some of the bloodier parts of the book were cut in order to get the PG-13 rating it does.
Yes, Jennifer Lawrence shines in the lead role
Yes, that *is* Chris Hemsworth's (otherwise known as the MCU's Thor) brother Liam.
It's a trilogy of Young Adult (I hate that term! Us older adults can like them, too ...) novels, made into a quartet of movies.
This is the first in both the novels and the movie series.
While, yes, I have read those novels - I'm not sure, but maybe after originally having watched this film back in 2012 or so? - I can't really remember the full ins and outs of the plot - except the obvious! - although I am sure that, as always, liberties will have been taken, as movies and prose are two distinct mediums.
Set in the future dystopia of Panem (post apocalyptic America?), once every year the 12 districts are forced to randomly choose and send two teenagers - one boy and a girl - to The Capitol to participate in a televised fight to the death inside a giant man-made arena. Katniss Everdeen is one of those chosen from District 12, volunteering to take her sister's place when her sisters name is chosen during her first year of mandatory participation. The film (like what I remember from the book) draws a clear distinction between those from The Capitol - who view this all as a grand sport, and who are very definitely the haves of this world against those from the various districts (the have nots), while also taking the opportunity to make a point about how those in power can treat and abuse those without.
Yes, it's violent.
Yes, I'm sure some of the bloodier parts of the book were cut in order to get the PG-13 rating it does.
Yes, Jennifer Lawrence shines in the lead role
Yes, that *is* Chris Hemsworth's (otherwise known as the MCU's Thor) brother Liam.