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Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Bear and the Nightingale in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Beautiful descriptions (1 more)
Nice worldbuilding
Good but overhyped
So I finally got around to reading this one - people have been raving about it all year long. And honestly - I don't see what the fuss is about. It's good, sure. But it's not Girls Made of Snow and Glass, or The Crown's Game, or Uprooted. It's not The Golem and the Jinni. I enjoyed it, but I think the hype is a little undeserved. I am, however, always a sucker for Russian-themed fairytales. (Probably why I liked The Crown's Game and The Crown's Fate so much.) And I am looking forward to the sequel, The Girl in the Tower, which just came out. (I have a hold requested on it from my library.) The third book in the Winternight Trilogy appears to be The Winter of the Witch, and is scheduled to be published in August.
The Bear and the Nightingale is set in Rus - a Russia-like country, but with magic, of course. Vasilisa/Vasya is a granddaughter of a witch, and has some abilities herself. Mostly just the ability to see things that other can't, and to talk to them. Through the course of the book, she avoids an arranged marriage, saves a priest, fights a priest, and tries like hell to save her village from the demons of winter. I loved her tenacity, and her love for the old spirits. The description of The Winter King and his home was absolutely enchanting. Overall a good book, but a bit overhyped.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
The Bear and the Nightingale is set in Rus - a Russia-like country, but with magic, of course. Vasilisa/Vasya is a granddaughter of a witch, and has some abilities herself. Mostly just the ability to see things that other can't, and to talk to them. Through the course of the book, she avoids an arranged marriage, saves a priest, fights a priest, and tries like hell to save her village from the demons of winter. I loved her tenacity, and her love for the old spirits. The description of The Winter King and his home was absolutely enchanting. Overall a good book, but a bit overhyped.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Gold Like the Sun (Sol #2)
8.0
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From New York Times bestselling author Erin Kellison, Gold Like the Sun is the second book in the...
Science Fiction Romance
Warrior Protect
9.5
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Two Kingdoms. Two problems. One solution. An arranged marriage is in the works to combine the lands...
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Aquaman (2018) in Movies
Jun 12, 2019
The underwater eye candy made it a fun watch!
I knew there was a reason a bought a 75" television. It is for movies like Aquaman. Ok fine, the screenplay isn't very good at times and I did not enjoy some of Aquaman's one liners, although I do not know if that is true to the comic character or not.
Having not known much about the character other than what has already appeared in the collective recent DCU films, I was eager to learn more about his origins and his universe.
His mother escapes her arranged marriage by coming to the surface and meeting a lighthouse keeper whom she grows to love and has their child. He will grow up to be the Atlantian who should be king but does not want the responsibility.
The film reminded me a lot of a Thor movie at times, just this time under water instead of an Asgard realm bereft with creatures big and small.
The real star of this was the underwater realm itself. The lighting, glowing and use of color was unlike any movie released to date I have seen and that says a lot. The visuals were not only groundbreaking and striking in their depth and complexity (which normally I rip on CGI puke movies), but served to compliment the actors and story in symbiosis.
I couldn't believe the number of negative reviews on IMDb for this film (although haters gotta hate everything these days). I think you can look past a little corny dialogue and let yourself get lost within the visual splendor that is Aquaman!
Having not known much about the character other than what has already appeared in the collective recent DCU films, I was eager to learn more about his origins and his universe.
His mother escapes her arranged marriage by coming to the surface and meeting a lighthouse keeper whom she grows to love and has their child. He will grow up to be the Atlantian who should be king but does not want the responsibility.
The film reminded me a lot of a Thor movie at times, just this time under water instead of an Asgard realm bereft with creatures big and small.
The real star of this was the underwater realm itself. The lighting, glowing and use of color was unlike any movie released to date I have seen and that says a lot. The visuals were not only groundbreaking and striking in their depth and complexity (which normally I rip on CGI puke movies), but served to compliment the actors and story in symbiosis.
I couldn't believe the number of negative reviews on IMDb for this film (although haters gotta hate everything these days). I think you can look past a little corny dialogue and let yourself get lost within the visual splendor that is Aquaman!
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Incarceron (Incarceron, #1) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
Original Review posted on <a title="Incarceron" href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-incarceron-by-catherine-fisher.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Note: Formatting may be lost due to copy and paste.
I didn't think I would like Incarceron. The synopsis wasn't very appealing during the selection at the book club meeting. The only thing that I found appealing was the very fact that a prison is "alive" and has a mind of it's own.
Finn is one of the prisoners of Incarceron, with no memories whatsoever from his childhood and believes that he has not been a part of Incarceron his entire life as others say. The Warden's Daughter, Claudia, is trying to escape an arranged marriage as a part of a scheme she doesn't want to be a part of for certain reasons and claims that Finn is from the Outside.
Both Claudia's and Finn's views are from separate "worlds" but they both eventually cross-sect each other. I would be lying if I said I liked Claudia's view over Finn. Finn's view, however gloomy his life may seem, is more adventurous with avoiding the Winglord and trying to find an escape route from Incarceron. Claudia's view, on the other hand, seems to be more of... avoiding schemes and wanting no part of it after she finds out the end results.
Despite the fact that the end was, in fact, spoiled away by one of my friends, I thoroughly enjoyed Incarceron. Catherine Fisher creates a fictional world in a supposed paradise of an animate prison built from centuries ago (I would love to see the prison myself... minus the conditions... of course).
Note: Formatting may be lost due to copy and paste.
I didn't think I would like Incarceron. The synopsis wasn't very appealing during the selection at the book club meeting. The only thing that I found appealing was the very fact that a prison is "alive" and has a mind of it's own.
Finn is one of the prisoners of Incarceron, with no memories whatsoever from his childhood and believes that he has not been a part of Incarceron his entire life as others say. The Warden's Daughter, Claudia, is trying to escape an arranged marriage as a part of a scheme she doesn't want to be a part of for certain reasons and claims that Finn is from the Outside.
Both Claudia's and Finn's views are from separate "worlds" but they both eventually cross-sect each other. I would be lying if I said I liked Claudia's view over Finn. Finn's view, however gloomy his life may seem, is more adventurous with avoiding the Winglord and trying to find an escape route from Incarceron. Claudia's view, on the other hand, seems to be more of... avoiding schemes and wanting no part of it after she finds out the end results.
Despite the fact that the end was, in fact, spoiled away by one of my friends, I thoroughly enjoyed Incarceron. Catherine Fisher creates a fictional world in a supposed paradise of an animate prison built from centuries ago (I would love to see the prison myself... minus the conditions... of course).
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Caraval in Books
Jan 2, 2020
A good read
Contains spoilers, click to show
Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.
But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic.
It was good!
Lots of twists and turns as Scarlett tries to find her sister in a world created by magic. After escaping her father Tally takes on a whole new persona to save both her and her sister from a life where they are beaten and tormented by a father that is pure evil. Scarletts search for Tally pairs her up with Julien who she falls for although promised to a count! Both her father and count track them down at the caraval in an attempt to drag them home so Scarlett can be married off to the count that's paid a lot of money for her!
Here Scarlett discovers the whole plot put into motion by her sister and the legend.
Looking forward to book 2!
Recommended
⭐⭐⭐

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic.
It was good!
Lots of twists and turns as Scarlett tries to find her sister in a world created by magic. After escaping her father Tally takes on a whole new persona to save both her and her sister from a life where they are beaten and tormented by a father that is pure evil. Scarletts search for Tally pairs her up with Julien who she falls for although promised to a count! Both her father and count track them down at the caraval in an attempt to drag them home so Scarlett can be married off to the count that's paid a lot of money for her!
Here Scarlett discovers the whole plot put into motion by her sister and the legend.
Looking forward to book 2!
Recommended
⭐⭐⭐

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Legendary: Caraval Book 2 in Books
Jun 17, 2020
104 of 200
Book
Legendary ( Caraval book 2)
By Stephanie Garber
A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.
The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.
Another great book from Stephanie Garber! This time game became real and it brought with it so much more than the first one. Think most people would have guessed who legend was half way through the book. We are also playing from Tella’s perspective instead of Scarlets. The fates are so intriguing I love their stories and can’t wait to see them and legend develop! Also how with their mother be after being stuck in a card for so long.
Book
Legendary ( Caraval book 2)
By Stephanie Garber
A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.
The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.
Another great book from Stephanie Garber! This time game became real and it brought with it so much more than the first one. Think most people would have guessed who legend was half way through the book. We are also playing from Tella’s perspective instead of Scarlets. The fates are so intriguing I love their stories and can’t wait to see them and legend develop! Also how with their mother be after being stuck in a card for so long.
Debbiereadsbook (1197 KP) rated Deadly Sins (Irish Mafia Kings, #1) in Books
Mar 21, 2024
Aria pushes ALL Quinn's buttons and then some!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I think this is the tamest Mafia book I've ever read and I really enjoyed it!
Quinn goes to kill Aria's father, in revenge for him killing Quinn's youngest brother, but taking Aria becomes an impromptu change of plan. While Aria is saved from one Mafia arranged marriage, she finds it's a case of, out of the frying pan, into the fire with Quinn. Will he let her go, when he gets what he wants from Aria's father? Or will he be her new jailor?
I liked this, I liked this a LOT.
Aria is headstrong and has her own mind, but she knows her place in her father's life. When he says jump, she asks, how high? Because anything else will get someone else hurt. Quinn is the head on the Lyons Irish Mafia Kings, the eldest Lyons. Getting revenge for his brother's death becomes his only plan, and then he has Aria to contend with. The woman pushes ALL his buttons and then some. Letting her go becomes the least pleasurable thing he has to do, but he does. He just has to hope she will come back to him.
My only niggle with this, I found the romance between Aria and Quinn sort of sprang out of nowhere. Quinn knew she was his, very early, but the romance, the love? That kinda walloped me upside the head, almost 3/4 of the way in. They were fighting, then she was gone.
BUT
A very enjoyable 4 star read.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I think this is the tamest Mafia book I've ever read and I really enjoyed it!
Quinn goes to kill Aria's father, in revenge for him killing Quinn's youngest brother, but taking Aria becomes an impromptu change of plan. While Aria is saved from one Mafia arranged marriage, she finds it's a case of, out of the frying pan, into the fire with Quinn. Will he let her go, when he gets what he wants from Aria's father? Or will he be her new jailor?
I liked this, I liked this a LOT.
Aria is headstrong and has her own mind, but she knows her place in her father's life. When he says jump, she asks, how high? Because anything else will get someone else hurt. Quinn is the head on the Lyons Irish Mafia Kings, the eldest Lyons. Getting revenge for his brother's death becomes his only plan, and then he has Aria to contend with. The woman pushes ALL his buttons and then some. Letting her go becomes the least pleasurable thing he has to do, but he does. He just has to hope she will come back to him.
My only niggle with this, I found the romance between Aria and Quinn sort of sprang out of nowhere. Quinn knew she was his, very early, but the romance, the love? That kinda walloped me upside the head, almost 3/4 of the way in. They were fighting, then she was gone.
BUT
A very enjoyable 4 star read.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
b.Young (97 KP) rated Butterfly Islands (Chronicles of the Twenty-One Butterflies Book 1) in Books
May 8, 2018
Girl pirates (4 more)
Magic
Quests
Amazing setting
Action & Adventure
Girl Pirates, Treasure, Sword Fights, and Adventure! Yes, please!!!
I read this book because the Kindle version was offered for free on Amazon.
I didn't know what to expect and I honestly thought it was going to be a failed version of some of my most loved pirate stories. But because it featured female pirates, I knew I HAD to read it! And, girl, am I glad I did!
This is the first of a series of 5 books and it did not disappoint! This book had action, adventure, life changing decisions, sword fights, a treasure hunt, pirate ships, and even a couple villains that I ended up truly hating.
The story begins with 15-year-old Casey fleeing her marriage to a much older, very cruel man, which was arranged by her abusive step-father. Casey struggles with leaving because she knows what horrible fate awaits her mother at the hands of her step-father.
As Casey makes her escape, in her wedding dress, she is easily trailed by the very sadists that insist she make good on her step-father's arrangement. Casey runs deeper into the jungle and is rescued by the Twenty-One Butterflies just as the dogs are loosed on her.
Once she observes the ways and learns the values of the group of women that are the Twenty-One Butterflies, Casey makes yet another life-altering decision to join them.
Adventure, danger, training, sword fights, and sisterhood ensue as Casey embarks on her journey to become a Twenty-One Butterfly.
I fully intend to continue the series and discover Casey's fate as well as the fates of the rest of the Twenty-One Butterflies!
I didn't know what to expect and I honestly thought it was going to be a failed version of some of my most loved pirate stories. But because it featured female pirates, I knew I HAD to read it! And, girl, am I glad I did!
This is the first of a series of 5 books and it did not disappoint! This book had action, adventure, life changing decisions, sword fights, a treasure hunt, pirate ships, and even a couple villains that I ended up truly hating.
The story begins with 15-year-old Casey fleeing her marriage to a much older, very cruel man, which was arranged by her abusive step-father. Casey struggles with leaving because she knows what horrible fate awaits her mother at the hands of her step-father.
As Casey makes her escape, in her wedding dress, she is easily trailed by the very sadists that insist she make good on her step-father's arrangement. Casey runs deeper into the jungle and is rescued by the Twenty-One Butterflies just as the dogs are loosed on her.
Once she observes the ways and learns the values of the group of women that are the Twenty-One Butterflies, Casey makes yet another life-altering decision to join them.
Adventure, danger, training, sword fights, and sisterhood ensue as Casey embarks on her journey to become a Twenty-One Butterfly.
I fully intend to continue the series and discover Casey's fate as well as the fates of the rest of the Twenty-One Butterflies!
Chain of Iron
7.0
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The Collector's First Edition features ten black-and-white character silhouettes by celebrated...