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Mike Carlson (115 KP) rated The Amazing Spider-Man : 24/7 in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Daze in the life
This collection of loosely-strung vignettes varies in quality. It happens, especially when you have half a dozen issues with as many creators.
The first story, "Loose Ends", offers a promising future foe in Kraven's daughter. It's a follow-up to a story told elsewhere.
Next is "Marked". It features a "D-list" (according to Spider-Man) villain going by The Spot. He should be upgraded to more of a threat seeing as he doesn't set off the Spidey Sense anymore.
Following this is "Birthday Boy". Pretty much a character-centric filler with Wolverine. It's not bad - none of these really are - it just feels like treading water.
The 2 part "Face Front" features the Fantastic Four. The story about dabbling in an alternate dimension's affairs is cliche, and the focus on a mindwipe about Spidey's identity starts to grate after a while.
Finally, we have the 3 part "24/7". This is the most entertaining of the bunch. Peter goes on a superhero spree for days, simply to annoy the newly-elected mayor. It also introduces an acid-spitting version of the Vulture.
The first story, "Loose Ends", offers a promising future foe in Kraven's daughter. It's a follow-up to a story told elsewhere.
Next is "Marked". It features a "D-list" (according to Spider-Man) villain going by The Spot. He should be upgraded to more of a threat seeing as he doesn't set off the Spidey Sense anymore.
Following this is "Birthday Boy". Pretty much a character-centric filler with Wolverine. It's not bad - none of these really are - it just feels like treading water.
The 2 part "Face Front" features the Fantastic Four. The story about dabbling in an alternate dimension's affairs is cliche, and the focus on a mindwipe about Spidey's identity starts to grate after a while.
Finally, we have the 3 part "24/7". This is the most entertaining of the bunch. Peter goes on a superhero spree for days, simply to annoy the newly-elected mayor. It also introduces an acid-spitting version of the Vulture.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Waffles and Pancakes in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a charming story about bullying and its effects, as told through the pictures and words of hamsters. Waffles and Pancakes haven't been acting themselves ever since a certain trip to the vet, where they met a guinea pig named Oscar. He bullies them and makes them feel bad and afraid. Once their owners figure out what's wrong, they talk to the boy who owns Oscar, and he's mean to them for coming to his house. The boys learn he doesn't have many friends, and he's a bully to make up for his hurt feelings at being alone. They all decide to be friends, including Oscar, Waffles, and Pancakes, and the story has a very happy ending.
This would be a great book to share with younger kids and older ones alike. Everybody has been involved in bullying in some way, either as the bully, the one being picked on, or the friend of either. It's time to put a stop to bullying, and I believe this story would be an excellent starting point to have that discussion. Wonderfully written and illustrated!
5 stars
This is such a charming story about bullying and its effects, as told through the pictures and words of hamsters. Waffles and Pancakes haven't been acting themselves ever since a certain trip to the vet, where they met a guinea pig named Oscar. He bullies them and makes them feel bad and afraid. Once their owners figure out what's wrong, they talk to the boy who owns Oscar, and he's mean to them for coming to his house. The boys learn he doesn't have many friends, and he's a bully to make up for his hurt feelings at being alone. They all decide to be friends, including Oscar, Waffles, and Pancakes, and the story has a very happy ending.
This would be a great book to share with younger kids and older ones alike. Everybody has been involved in bullying in some way, either as the bully, the one being picked on, or the friend of either. It's time to put a stop to bullying, and I believe this story would be an excellent starting point to have that discussion. Wonderfully written and illustrated!
5 stars
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated The Boy (2016) in Movies
Sep 16, 2018
The boy done...ok actually
When me and the missus first saw a trailer for this movie, we actually laughed.
It seemed so old fashioned, with a Goofy premise that just seemed out of place, more at home in a Vincent Price flick.
However, there was budget behind this film, strong casting and performances and a good patient build towards a big finish that was pretty effective.
This is very much an old premise, and as mentioned before, is pretty much an update of an old theme and had the casting and writing fallen short, it would have not been much more than another straight to dvd movie.
However the lead actors are sincere enough, and the cinematography eye-catching enough that you can stick with it, as it builds towards the scares and climaxes.
Give it a go if you are caught short on things to watch, it's not a high octane thriller, it's not a scare a minute, but it is a good story well told and not a bad way to spend an evening.
It seemed so old fashioned, with a Goofy premise that just seemed out of place, more at home in a Vincent Price flick.
However, there was budget behind this film, strong casting and performances and a good patient build towards a big finish that was pretty effective.
This is very much an old premise, and as mentioned before, is pretty much an update of an old theme and had the casting and writing fallen short, it would have not been much more than another straight to dvd movie.
However the lead actors are sincere enough, and the cinematography eye-catching enough that you can stick with it, as it builds towards the scares and climaxes.
Give it a go if you are caught short on things to watch, it's not a high octane thriller, it's not a scare a minute, but it is a good story well told and not a bad way to spend an evening.
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Body of Christ in Books
Jan 31, 2019
One of the things I love about horror is the potential for wildly imaginative happenings. Like fantasy, some crazy things can take place–only with horror, it’s more attuned to the things we fear. In Mark Matthews Body of Christ, we see the fantastic in strange, everyday behaviors.
Body of Christ tells the story of two children simultaneously, one a young boy whose mother is abusive and father kills himself, the other a girl whose mother has died and her father neglects her. Both children are peculiar in their own ways, and it is deliciously disturbing. Despite how messed up the story is, I can’t help but feel a bit of pity for the children and that’s a good thing, considering they’re the herald of bad things to come.
The story is quick-paced, with no time wasted. Considering my short attention span, this is a plus. Boredom often leads to me not finishing a story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this work. I feel that the plot was unique and I love the way Matthews describes his horrific things.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my unbiased opinion.
Body of Christ tells the story of two children simultaneously, one a young boy whose mother is abusive and father kills himself, the other a girl whose mother has died and her father neglects her. Both children are peculiar in their own ways, and it is deliciously disturbing. Despite how messed up the story is, I can’t help but feel a bit of pity for the children and that’s a good thing, considering they’re the herald of bad things to come.
The story is quick-paced, with no time wasted. Considering my short attention span, this is a plus. Boredom often leads to me not finishing a story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this work. I feel that the plot was unique and I love the way Matthews describes his horrific things.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my unbiased opinion.
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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Silence (Hush, Hush, #3) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
Well first off let me say that it must have been a good 5/6 months since I read Crescendo, book 2 in the Hush, Hush series and with the number of books I get through in a month, I'll admit I'd forgotten a lot of what went on in the first two.
However, this book was kinda perfect in that respect since I felt like Nora with her amnesia and got to relive a lot of the first two books as she did.
I still love Patch and think he's one of the best things about the series. There's just this bad boy/kick arse vibe going on with him that I find a little...hot?
And let me tell you, some of the scenes in this between him and Nora are scorching and getting hotter, especially now she's aged a year.
I'm going straight onto Finale so I don't have the same problem I had between books 2 and 3 as I don't think the last book will be as co-operative plot wise.
However, this book was kinda perfect in that respect since I felt like Nora with her amnesia and got to relive a lot of the first two books as she did.
I still love Patch and think he's one of the best things about the series. There's just this bad boy/kick arse vibe going on with him that I find a little...hot?
And let me tell you, some of the scenes in this between him and Nora are scorching and getting hotter, especially now she's aged a year.
I'm going straight onto Finale so I don't have the same problem I had between books 2 and 3 as I don't think the last book will be as co-operative plot wise.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Forever (The Abandoned, #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
3.5 stars
Where to start...?
I'll start with Kate. I wasn't her biggest fan. As Hain described her she was just a "spoilt brat" and I have to agree. I'll admit that she started to mellow the further we got through the book but not much. Yeah, I get that being told you've been reincarnated for the past god knows how long would be hard to accept but to be such a bitch to everyone?
As for Kev, he seemed to be a bad boy but he was doing his best to get out of that lifestyle and I liked him for that.
The storyline was interesting. It kept me reading, which is always a good thing. I was thrown off by her not having that mark but that bit at the end...a nice revelation that has me intrigued enough to want to continue this series.
One thing that did wind me up a little. The fact that Kate could say "f*ck" but would use every other word possible for the word "sh*t", such as "faeces" and "excrement". I didn't understand that at all.
Where to start...?
I'll start with Kate. I wasn't her biggest fan. As Hain described her she was just a "spoilt brat" and I have to agree. I'll admit that she started to mellow the further we got through the book but not much. Yeah, I get that being told you've been reincarnated for the past god knows how long would be hard to accept but to be such a bitch to everyone?
As for Kev, he seemed to be a bad boy but he was doing his best to get out of that lifestyle and I liked him for that.
The storyline was interesting. It kept me reading, which is always a good thing. I was thrown off by her not having that mark but that bit at the end...a nice revelation that has me intrigued enough to want to continue this series.
One thing that did wind me up a little. The fact that Kate could say "f*ck" but would use every other word possible for the word "sh*t", such as "faeces" and "excrement". I didn't understand that at all.