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Holly (1 KP) rated Pestilence in Books

Jul 17, 2018  
Pestilence
Pestilence
Laura Thalassa | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Grey morality (2 more)
Narrative voice
Provoked tears
The cover makes it seem like a dime a dozen romance (1 more)
Never addressed possible Stockholm syndrome
Unexpected
I downloaded this book to my kindle thinking it would be a quick mindless read for my daily commute.

It was not.

This is as a book that moved me to tears on said bus, hoping no one would see me and think I was crazy.

The author has created a world in which you find yourself torn between hating and caring for a mass murderer. She uses the idea of the Four Horseman to highlight both the redeemable and the irredeemable facets of humanity. The writing was very enjoyable, and overall this was a great read possibly because I was expecting a trashy romance and instead got death and disease.

There is still romance in the plot, but I’m on the fence about how about it. If you have an issue with overly possessive men who have no boundaries or idea of how much the human body can take, then I wouldn’t recommend it. I also feel as thoug Stockholm night play a lot in the heroines eventual love of Pestilence m, but it was never addressed or even hinted at.

If your looking for a slow burn romance, without the fluff, full of angst and darkness this is definitely worth a go.
  
Crowned with Guilt
Crowned with Guilt
S.K. Rose | 2018 | Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
5.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
All the angst you could want and more (0 more)
Remember the Reaper (book 1)
I could never say enough about this book. Not only was it an amazing read, but it’s the authors debut novel. She takes you on a journey you don’t want to ever end. The characters have such depth, you’re sucked into a world you never knew you needed to be a part of. There’s something I find so sweet and innocent about a child’s unconditional love. Especially when it’s shared with another kid who needs it so much. The bond that forms is her lifeline in so many ways. Tessa’s story is not one of unicorns and rainbows but she finds her escape in books, a prince she doesn’t feel she deserves, and a castle built of dreams. It’s dark, gritty, and doesn’t feel anything but real. She goes through so much in her young life, it changes her. The weight of what she feels as her fault sits heavy on her shoulders. There’s not much that can hurt a person as much as their own guilt slowly eating away at them. When all you see in the mirror is the villain and you lash out at anyone who tries to get close what hope is left.

This is the first book of a series.
  
S(
Sparks (Shock Me, #2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Barclay Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.

This book continues where Shock Me finished and you are left not knowing who to trust or where to turn. Donna, Spencer and Rebecca feel that they can only trust each other and Donna also feels the extra responsibility of trying to keep them safe too. There are a few more new players which help keep this book fresh and moving forwards. Donna, Spencer and Rebecca find answers to questions they had but also uncover more secrets. Just how long has this been going on and how widespread is it? Throw into the story the usual self confidence angst and boy troubles that high school brings and you are swept away into Donna's story.

The intriguing part for me about this series isn't so much the story, as fantastic as it is, but the characters themselves. Each character is individual with their own thoughts, feelings and flaws. You are never sure when reading what you will get - a bad boy who decides to be good, a good guy who does something against his conscience, an unknown who acts in a way different to that you expected - it's all here and much more.

A brilliant continuation to the series which leaves you gasping for breath on a cliff hanger ending. Highly recommended.
  
DN
Double Negative
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours as part of their blog tour, in return for a fair and honest review.

Wow, this book packs a punch in more ways than one. It is tough and gritty and doesn't spare your feelings as you read through. You will be neck deep in teenage angst, abuse, drugs, body issues, bullying but also friendships, teamwork and mentorship. This book covers it all and in such a way that you won't be able to stop turning the pages. You will need to read "just a little bit more."

One thing I will say is that I actually found it quite hard to read at the beginning before I got used to Hutch's 'voice'. I actually found it quite painful which is funny when you're not actually reading it. I was very pleased with him as he started to correct his grammar!

As he changes his attitude and takes up 'swimming', I found the book progressed in a wonderful and heartwarming way. His relationship with Maggie in particular brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion.

I thought the whole book dealt with subjects usually swept under the carpet and in a rough, in your face, dignified and respectful manner. Does that sentence not make sense to you? Read Double Negative and it will make perfect sense!
  
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Merissa (11731 KP) rated Guardian in Books

Dec 17, 2018  
G
Guardian
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Goddess Fish Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.

Holy Smoke, this book will give you something new to read. The story starts with 17-year-old Maggie suffering from being bullied by a jock, Serge. As you read, you find out that Maggie has strange abilities although she is quite content and able to deal with them. What makes this all the better is that her dad knows and helps too. There is no absentee parenting with this pair!

There is no slacking off in this book, you are literally carried from one thing to another. It has multiple layers and is woven together so well, that you will go where the book takes you instead of trying to figure it out beforehand.

Along with trying to solve a murder and not being killed in the process, you also have teenage angst in there of the uncertainty of knowing if someone likes you or not. There are also humorous moments, scary moments, tragic moments and sad. This book basically has it all.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I really hope there is more to come. Favourite line of the book has to be right at the end - "Who knew I'd have to die to start living?" Excellent stuff and highly recommended.
  
    Mine sirkler

    Mine sirkler

    Education and Social Networking

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    Mine sirkler Mine sirkler er et sosialt "atferdskart” utarbeidet for personer i autismespekteret....

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Rufus Wainwright recommended La Divina by Maria Callas in Music (curated)

 
La Divina by Maria Callas
La Divina by Maria Callas
1992 | Classical
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I discovered opera when I was about 13 with Verdi's Requiem . I started off a normal child and within two hours I became this opera queen. It was a religious conversion. Then after that, Maria Callas released La Divina 1 and La Divina 2, her greatest studio recordings from a particular period when I would say her voice wasn't quite at its zenith, but it was in this very interesting stage where it was matched with beauty and experience. So even though not all the notes were perfect you could definitely hear the angst and the pain and the passion that she had experienced in her career and life. I became enraptured by those records. They also had very iconic covers, that amazing photograph of her washed out against a black or white backdrop. It was also the kind of record that I could use to show others my point, and my passion, about opera. I could play it for a bunch of skinheads, heroin addicts, mods or punk rockers or whatever and they would physically freeze at the most dramatic points, because there's no way to deny her power at certain moments – whereas with a lot of opera it can be a hard sell. So they were my little secret weapons I could bring to my crazy underground parties and have a moment of respite from the horror of existence."

Source
  
If you have not read Volumes 1 and 2, please don't skip them, as they are important to the overall story.

More of the same, not necessarily a bad thing. Fulfills the Daily Minimum Requirement for angst.

Laura Kinney -- oh, my bad, they are still referring to her as "Laura X" -- is written well, with Yost and Kyle succeeding in developing the character as she tries to leave her previous life behind.

Unfortunately, she was not treated so well art-wise. Paco Medina was still the artist, except for the issues where a guest artist stepped up to fill-in: #29 (Duncan Rouleau) and #32 (BATTLE PUG's Mike Norton). The issues that didn't have Medina on the art were okay enough, but the issues he DID draw were an insulting disappointment. Laura was drawn with breasts too big for her, and the outfit she wore made he look she was a regular shopper at Whores R Us!

Overall, it was a good read, just not a great read like the previous two. I found the Nimrod story to be MEH, as I have never been a fan of character. Yeah, he's neat, but trying to include often creates ideas-never-dealt-with of paradoxes and such. But, outside of his appearance as this volume's "Big Bad", it was good, just not great. You may read it and feel differently perhaps.