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Star Wars, volume 4: Crimson Reign
5.0
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Luke Skywalker’s quest for answers takes a dangerous turn! As the Rebellion tries to pull itself...
Root of All Evil
8.0
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Rumors of a meth operation in rustic Fayette County catch the attention of Pennsylvania State...
Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge
9.0
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In deepest winter, beware the coldest hearts . . . London, 1850. Constance Horton has...
Historical fiction
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Shadow (Pendulum #2) in Books
Nov 25, 2019
Shadow is the second book in the Pendulum series of novels by Will Elliott. Following on immediately from the first book, The Pilgrims (reviewed previously) it follows the adventures of Eric, a regular guy who ends up in the mysterious and dangerious world of Levaal.
Taking up the story where the predecessor left off, this is a book of regrouping and answers. Following the destruction of the wall between the two halves of Levaal seemingly unstoppable forces are unleashed. The pendulum has started to swing - and signals the end of life on Levaal if it is not stopped.
This book is one of regrouping and answers. The various players were scattered at the end of the first book and now some of them arrive at the same destination. We also have answers to a number of questions from the first book, which given how many questions there were really is a considerable relief. Mysterious protagonists with opaque drives are all very well (and probably required these days to raise any story above the rest) but it is really good to see that Elliott really does know what is going on (even if as a reader it still not entirely clear). The description of how magic works was particularly good, and as with the first book this is a really strong point in the creation of the mythology here.
Most of the characters are the same faces, but there are a few new ones. Most notably Shadow who is referred to a couple of times in the first book (mostly in terms of Eric potentially being Shadow). The title character appears here as a main character and drives most of the plot. Clearly a being of power, the back story of where Shadow came from and why is also touched on. The great dragons who apparently rule the world also take a more direct hand and are as devious and manipulative as expected.
Meanwhile the Arch Mage is losing control of Vous as he nears godhood and the unpredictable destruction wrought by Vous is creating a dangerous instability as the forces representing the Castle fragment into their own factions, each with their own agenda,
The writing continues to be strong, the story moves again at some pace although inevitably there is a lot more talking and exposition as the nature of the threats are explained. Elliott's inventiveness is not diminished with more odd characters and situations and locations at every turn.
Although light on actual plot, this book is clearly required as a bridge between the first book and the third, giving the reader enough information to understand exactly what is going on before what is shaping up to be a strong and no doubt surprising finale.
Taking up the story where the predecessor left off, this is a book of regrouping and answers. Following the destruction of the wall between the two halves of Levaal seemingly unstoppable forces are unleashed. The pendulum has started to swing - and signals the end of life on Levaal if it is not stopped.
This book is one of regrouping and answers. The various players were scattered at the end of the first book and now some of them arrive at the same destination. We also have answers to a number of questions from the first book, which given how many questions there were really is a considerable relief. Mysterious protagonists with opaque drives are all very well (and probably required these days to raise any story above the rest) but it is really good to see that Elliott really does know what is going on (even if as a reader it still not entirely clear). The description of how magic works was particularly good, and as with the first book this is a really strong point in the creation of the mythology here.
Most of the characters are the same faces, but there are a few new ones. Most notably Shadow who is referred to a couple of times in the first book (mostly in terms of Eric potentially being Shadow). The title character appears here as a main character and drives most of the plot. Clearly a being of power, the back story of where Shadow came from and why is also touched on. The great dragons who apparently rule the world also take a more direct hand and are as devious and manipulative as expected.
Meanwhile the Arch Mage is losing control of Vous as he nears godhood and the unpredictable destruction wrought by Vous is creating a dangerous instability as the forces representing the Castle fragment into their own factions, each with their own agenda,
The writing continues to be strong, the story moves again at some pace although inevitably there is a lot more talking and exposition as the nature of the threats are explained. Elliott's inventiveness is not diminished with more odd characters and situations and locations at every turn.
Although light on actual plot, this book is clearly required as a bridge between the first book and the third, giving the reader enough information to understand exactly what is going on before what is shaping up to be a strong and no doubt surprising finale.
Conversation Therapy Lite - Questions for Expressive Language, Pragmatics, & Cognition
Medical and Education
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Conversation Therapy gets people talking! Now you can try this professional speech therapy app to...
Case Files Psychiatry, 5th Ed., (60 Clinical Cases - Lange Case Files by McGraw Hill Medical)
Medical and Education
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Sixty high-yield psychiatry cases helps students sharpen their diagnostic and problem-solving skills...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Gemini Man (2019) in Movies
Oct 13, 2019
In the world of Covert Ops; Henry Brogan (Will Smith) is the go to man. He is a highly-skilled assassin who answers the call when he is asked to dispatch dangerous individuals that threaten the peace and stability of the world.
Henry is so skilled that he takes on impossible tasks and completes them as if they were routine as he was recruited from the Military as he stood out as a unique and talented soldier.
When a successful mission does not go as precise as he would have liked; Henry decides to retire much to the chagrin of his supervisor who wishes him well despite being upset over losing such a highly-valued asset.
Henry meets with an old friend from the military who has done very well for himself financially since his service days. He tells Henry that his last target was not a dangerous threat to the population but rather a respected genetics worker. Henry has some misgiving but realizes there may be some truth to what is being told to him and agrees to meet with a contact of the departed scientist in Hungary.
Henry’s meeting does not go unnoticed as he soon has teams of soldiers attacking him and he is forced to flee with his undercover surveillance Danny (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) as they are pursued by deadly agents at every turn.
As the pair make their way to Columbia to try to plan their next move; an elite assassin makes a move on Henry and it takes all of his skills to barely survive and encounter which leaves them scrambling for answers. As suspicions mount, Henry and his team look for answers and what the eventually discover rocks the core of their very foundation.
Henry soon finds himself facing his most dangerous enemy yet as his past has come back to haunt him and there may be no escaping the threat it poses.
The film is directed by Ang Lee and while fairly linear in plot and character development and progression; the movie does offer a fresh take on some Science Fiction staples and does raise some interesting questions in the process.
The action sequences are solid and allow for the film at moments to break into a frantic pace before throttling back. The cast is solid and Will Smith continues his impressive comeback and it was nice to see him playing a more hardened and world-weary individual despite the occasional lapses into his normal screen persona.
In the end “Gemini Man” offers some flawed but entertaining escapist entertainment that delivers all the best of what fans have come to expect from Will Smith and more.
3.5 stars out of 5
http://sknr.net/2019/10/11/gemini-man-2/
Henry is so skilled that he takes on impossible tasks and completes them as if they were routine as he was recruited from the Military as he stood out as a unique and talented soldier.
When a successful mission does not go as precise as he would have liked; Henry decides to retire much to the chagrin of his supervisor who wishes him well despite being upset over losing such a highly-valued asset.
Henry meets with an old friend from the military who has done very well for himself financially since his service days. He tells Henry that his last target was not a dangerous threat to the population but rather a respected genetics worker. Henry has some misgiving but realizes there may be some truth to what is being told to him and agrees to meet with a contact of the departed scientist in Hungary.
Henry’s meeting does not go unnoticed as he soon has teams of soldiers attacking him and he is forced to flee with his undercover surveillance Danny (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) as they are pursued by deadly agents at every turn.
As the pair make their way to Columbia to try to plan their next move; an elite assassin makes a move on Henry and it takes all of his skills to barely survive and encounter which leaves them scrambling for answers. As suspicions mount, Henry and his team look for answers and what the eventually discover rocks the core of their very foundation.
Henry soon finds himself facing his most dangerous enemy yet as his past has come back to haunt him and there may be no escaping the threat it poses.
The film is directed by Ang Lee and while fairly linear in plot and character development and progression; the movie does offer a fresh take on some Science Fiction staples and does raise some interesting questions in the process.
The action sequences are solid and allow for the film at moments to break into a frantic pace before throttling back. The cast is solid and Will Smith continues his impressive comeback and it was nice to see him playing a more hardened and world-weary individual despite the occasional lapses into his normal screen persona.
In the end “Gemini Man” offers some flawed but entertaining escapist entertainment that delivers all the best of what fans have come to expect from Will Smith and more.
3.5 stars out of 5
http://sknr.net/2019/10/11/gemini-man-2/
Case Files Anesthesiology, 1st Edition
Medical and Education
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“The book targets medical students, but even junior anesthesia trainees would find it very...
Auburn (57 KP) rated The Raging Ones (The Raging Ones, #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
This is my first sci-fi read for awhile and it was a doozy. The plot, characters, and setting were interesting and new but the book felt disconjointed. I felt the first part while they were on the planet was one book and then when they reached space it became another book.
I enjoyed the three characters together and the quips they had. The relationship was well thought out and well done. It felt like a love triangle but it wasn't. I don't think there really was any romance? A touch? I am not sure.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and I am sure if I was a bigger fan of sci fi at the moment I might, but I found myself confused and just not interested about 60% of the way through. Hopefully the second will bring answers and put the story all together.
I enjoyed the three characters together and the quips they had. The relationship was well thought out and well done. It felt like a love triangle but it wasn't. I don't think there really was any romance? A touch? I am not sure.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and I am sure if I was a bigger fan of sci fi at the moment I might, but I found myself confused and just not interested about 60% of the way through. Hopefully the second will bring answers and put the story all together.
Dana (24 KP) rated Salem's Lot in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I have not read too much by Stephen King, but I do consider him a great author. This book, in drawing inspiration from Bram Stoker's Dracula (which I didn't know until I read the forward of the book) is an excellent read! Like all of his books, there was the overarching creepy vibe to the setting and the characters. I didn't really trust any of them at any point in the story, which I think is the point. There is no reliable narrator in this.
It was cool to see the allusions to Dracula, the almost letter writing style was awesome because it comes directly from the source.
This book begs the question of what would happen if Dracula took place in a modern day town of middle America and answers that question well. I can't wait to pick up another book by Stephen King!
It was cool to see the allusions to Dracula, the almost letter writing style was awesome because it comes directly from the source.
This book begs the question of what would happen if Dracula took place in a modern day town of middle America and answers that question well. I can't wait to pick up another book by Stephen King!