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Black as night (2021)
Black as night (2021)
2021 | Drama, Horror, Thriller
6
5.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Good cinematography (1 more)
Endearing characters
Narration is a bit odd (0 more)
Fun, but not amazing
Black as night is an Amazon movie, about vampires causing havoc in the predominantly poor black community in New Orleans.

It follows a young girl, who after suffering a family tragedy for to vampiric influence, decides to get her Buffy on and take vengeance.

It's a fun Blumhouse film, but it's made almost for quite a young audience (like, too young to actually watch it). Some of the characters are good, but the narration from the protagonist throws the feeling of the film off for me, and I don't know why.

All in all, it's not bad, and worth a watch, but it's by no means a good vampire film.
  
Elementary  - Season 1
Elementary - Season 1
2012 | Drama
A modern-day transplantation of Sherlock to the States, released roughly aroudn the same time as the-also-contemporary-set-BBCs-Sherlock and also starring Lucy Liu as Doctor Joan Watson (instead of Jim Watson) alongside Johnny Lee Millers Sherlock, I was one of those who couldn't quite see the point of this when it first came out.

Well, that, and because it wasn't easily viewable in the UK, until I recently came across it on Amazon Prime.

Having new seen season 1, I do have to say that - while enjoyable enough in its own right, and while lifting some aspects of the Sherlock tales (Moriarity and Irene Adler being the big 2) - I still feel that there is little in common with source.
  
The Pumpkin Man
The Pumpkin Man
Luke Martin | 2012 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a short but steamy coffee break book that tells the story of Gemma, the witch. She doesn't have much of a social life (being a witch) so every year she bespells a pumpkin man to do all the chores she hates. As a perk to herself, she also asks him to make love to her each year. However, one year a wolf shows up and the tale takes on a new twist.

Although this is only a short story, it covers a year of time. Well-written and with enough of a story to make it enjoyable, this has humour, passion and loneliness. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

* Verified Purchase on Amazon - October 2012 *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 11, 2016
  
Her Love, Her Dragon: The Saga Begins (Dragon Guards 0.5)
Her Love, Her Dragon: The Saga Begins (Dragon Guards 0.5)
Julia Mills | 2014 | Erotica, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you love Julia Mills' Dragon Guards series, then you really should read this book. This short story tells you how they came to be, how the first person was merged with the first dragon. This is a romantic story, a tale of such deep and meaningful love between two people that nothing can sunder their connection.

With amazingly life-life characters, full of life, action and adventure; this is a novella to be savoured. The Dragon Guards series is simply outstanding, and that is how I would describe Her Love, Her Dragon: The Saga Begins. Simply Outstanding and a must-read for all dragon lovers! Highly recommended.

* Verified purchase on Amazon - November 2014 *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 12, 2016
  
Dragonwyck
Dragonwyck
Anya Seton | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b>WARNING:</b> Do <b>NOT</b> read the first Editorial Review at Amazon, just titled Review (it says it's a Kirkus review after the fact), it gives away the whole book.
Here's a link to a good review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2N2VZK2COV9LK/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=156849484X

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I enjoyed this fast and easy Gothic read - my first Anya Seton book! Not much to say, the plot was predictable, yet absorbing, the characters were fine - although Miranda was a bit too distant as the heroine, and the little historical tidbits were interesting, although they didn't quite flow with the storyline.

One of the reasons I read this is because I've seen the film version of Dragonwyck playing on TCM and/or FMC, and I plan to catch it next time! :D
  
Into the Jungle
Into the Jungle
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Erica Ferencik does it again! In a much more subtle and nuanced way she gives us just as much anticipation, excitement and uncertainty as in her debut. This novel is much more complex in its research, dynamics and characters. While it may seem slow in some spots, you later realize that, much like the Amazon, it is just a brief, and later appreciated, respite from the almost constant anxiety and slow burn of trepidation and exaltation that the rest of the novel delivers. The end felt a bit rushed and, in my opinion, could have easily benefited from another fifty pages but, even so, it was a wonderful foray into a reality that most of us will never live and even fewer would survive. A definite must read!
  
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Normally I love Valerie Bowman and I have a weakness for childhood friends-to-lovers stories. That being said, I was disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as I thought I would. Of course it was predictable. I could have laid out the plot for you before I even opened it. But that hasn’t bothered me before. I like the main couple although I lost patience with hero’s stubbornness.

I can’t pinpoint anything exactly wrong with this novel. I just felt…underwhelmed once it ended? I love Valerie Bowman and will continue to read her novel, but this novel just didn’t do it for me like she usually does.
Buy Now
Amazon
  
Hilary dreams of become a pirate. But she' s a girl and the daughter of an admirable. Still, at the first chance, she runs away and joins up. Tasked with finding a treasure using a map with no markings, she might be in over her head. Can she do it?

This was a complete delight. The characters are warm and charming, the plot moves forward quickly, and the book is filled with great humor. I can't wait for the next one to come out (fall of 2014, but I'm not counting at all). Definitely recommended for anyone in the target middle grade audience or older.

NOTE: I got this book via the Amazon Vine program.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-magic-marks-spot-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.