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ClareR (5686 KP) rated Body of Stars in Books

Jan 16, 2024  
Body of Stars
Body of Stars
Laura Maylene Walter | 2021 | Dystopia, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Body of Stars is an enjoyable YA novel set in the near future. This is a world where the markings on a woman’s body predict the future for not only themselves, but for their families as well.

Instead of this phenomenon giving women autonomy over their own lives, it seems that it’s the same old story. Their bodies are a commodity, mapped out by a government organisation, checked over by their fathers when their markings change during puberty. They are warned not to show themselves off or be by themselves, lest men can’t control themselves as they’re driven wild with lust. So far, so stereotypical.

Celeste Morton is excited by the prospect of this transition, and her brother Miles is desperate to practice his interpretation skills on his sister. But when Celeste transitions, a terrible fate is revealed. And in a desperate bid to keep this a secret, Celeste experiences the worst thing that can happen to a changeling.

I have to admit to being very frustrated whilst reading this. There’s nothing feminist about this story - there is a good argument for why feminism is necessary though. Misogyny is rife in the world of this book! To be honest, the story could have run in exactly the same direction without the need for freckles, moles and other markings. It was depressing that even in an alternative near future, women would be experiencing the same restrictions and abuse that so many live through today.

This was a novel that I loved to hate - the frustration was immense! Do I recommend it? Well yes, but be prepared for the deep breathing, calming exercises that you’ll need!
  
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Clair (5 KP) rated Flawed in Books

Sep 29, 2017  
Flawed
Flawed
Cecelia Ahern | 2016 | Children
8
8.5 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
I've really enjoyed this YA book by Cecelia Ahern. So different from the fluffy romantic stuff she usually writes.
Set in a world where you are punished for making ethical or moral mistakes. If you are found to have made a bad decision, have lied, have stolen, have been disloyal or have stepped out of line, you are sent to trial and if are found guilty are branded with an F on various parts of your body depending on your error of judgment. From then on, the persons life is controlled by whistle blowers and the rules they in force. It's a good setup and I've sped through it - it's not the best written YA book I've come across but something about it has meant I haven't been able to put it down.
  
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Book Divas (227 KP) rated Look Past in Books

Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)  
LP
Look Past
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This read had me feeling a range of emotions; from heartache to anger to pride. Avery was born in the wrong body and has always identified as a male. That in itself is already hard to deal with as people and his peers are constantly giving him grief and calling him all sorts of things from freak to queer but now he also has to deal with an unforeseen tragedy that has everyone reeling.

This author's gripping tale of lost love, tragedy, bigotry and acceptance captured me from the very beginning with a beautifully written story line and characters that draw you in. As the mother of a teenager that identifies as a female I highly recommend this to everyone and thank the author for this well written book.
  
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Chelsea (449 KP) rated It (2017) in Movies

Sep 11, 2017  
It (2017)
It (2017)
2017 | Drama, Horror
9
7.9 (355 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Creepy (3 more)
FELT like the book
The cast was amazing
Details were there, but hinted at
I liked the movie as a whole. Not really "scary" more creepy. One thing though, this movie was much less like the book than the original movie... without any BIG spoilers...
Mild Book to Movie Spoilers:

Changes right off the bat include, obviously the time period, no fort building scene, Georgie's body wasn't found by the sewer, most of the ways the kids first meet IT, they don't say "beep beep Richie"... (aside from once)
There are much bigger changes I can't mention here.
SPOILER END...

All in all, I did really enjoy it! It definitely felt like the book. Better than the original in many ways. I'm looking forward to the second one!
  
12th of Never (Women's Murder Club, #12)
12th of Never (Women's Murder Club, #12)
James Patterson | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am a huge fan of James Patterson. The Women's Murder Club is my favorite series. This book did not disappoint at all.

This time, Lindsay Boxer is having a baby. She and Joe Molinari successfully got married in the last book and now baby makes three. Lindsay is just getting back to work and boy does she have her hands full. A body has been stolen from the ME's office. An old case she helped the FBI on has resurfaced and there is a professor who is dreaming about murders before they happen.

All of this is a lot for a regular cop to handle, but add in the emotions of just having a baby and trying to catch a killer and will Lindsay be able to handle it all.
  
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ALilLacey (2 KP) rated Every Day in Books

Mar 4, 2019  
Every Day
Every Day
David Levithan | 2013 | Children
8
7.6 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
When I read the description of this book I got really excited. It's Quantam Leap from my childhood 90's tv viewing! A person waking up in a different body each day and having to take on their role and decide how to live. Every day did have a similar element however 'A' as this person is called can access previous memories of these peoples lives in order to carry on their day as normal. I had a hard time connecting with the love story in this book as the girl was pretty young but overall I liked the logical thinking of 'A' and how 'A' lived this life. I did feel like had more questions than answers by the end however. I guess I'll leave my questions and answers up to my imagination.
  
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Lenard (726 KP) rated Brightburn (2019) in Movies

Jun 2, 2019 (Updated Jun 3, 2019)  
Brightburn (2019)
Brightburn (2019)
2019 | Horror
We need to talk about Brandon
A childless couple in small town Kansas discover a spacecraft in their barn with a baby inside. They raise the child as their own, trying to give him flyover zone morals. So far, the story seems very familiar. However, ten years later, puberty hits Brandon hard. He gains super strength, the power to fly at the speed of light, and glowing red heat vision. He is also obsessed with human anatomy, but not the usual body parts, more like the liver and kidneys. His grey-haired mother and farmer father try to set him straight, but his alien vehicle calls out to him and tells him to destroy the world. What in the name of Caesar's Ghost is going on in Kansas?
  
AG
A Grim Almanac of Norfolk
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Written in almanac form  'A Grim Almanac of Norfolk 'covers over 300 hundred years of Norfolk history. There is a story for everyday of the year and is accompanied by many black and white illustrations. Naming just a few you can find tales of  bizarre accidents, smuggling, body snatching ,murder and much more. Because of the style of writing it is easy to dip in and out of with no need to read from front to back. The book is well presented and must have taken the author many hours of research to complete the book , I am enjoying reading the book and those with an interest in social history will find it interesting , however some people may find it repetitive as the book has a running theme.