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ClareR (5950 KP) rated The Betrayals in Books
Dec 14, 2020
Firstly, I should say that The Betrayals is a phenomenal book. It opens up a whole new world to the reader. It brought to mind the type of society that I imagine we would have had under National Socialism: men in charge and better educated than women, women expected to know their place, only state sanctioned religion permitted, and those of other religions or schools of thought are ‘disappeared’. I really would have liked to have read more about this outside world, but I don’t feel short changed at only having read about what happens within the confines of Montverre. It is strange actually, that such a major part of Montverre, the grand jeu, is never explicitly talked about. We get the impression as a reader that it’s a performance consisting of maths, music, philosophy and state sanctioned religion. It’s held in extremely high regard: studying it is a sure fire open door to a position of power afterwards.
So what IS The Betrayals about? Well, betrayal, actually. Everyone is backstabbing and lying to everyone else in this book, and they’re lucky if they live to regret it. It’s the cloistered version of Dallas (with less sex)! I loved it. This was a hard book to put down, and one I steamed through far too quickly. This ticks a lot of boxes for me: historical fantasy (double whammy straight away), a mystery to solve, dystopian and a smattering of magical realism. I’m glad it looks like a book that could have a sequel - even if it never as one. It leaves the reader able to make up their own next moves (yes, I do that).
Huge thanks to the publisher for providing me with a NetGalley copy of this book - it was one of my reading highlights of 2020.
So what IS The Betrayals about? Well, betrayal, actually. Everyone is backstabbing and lying to everyone else in this book, and they’re lucky if they live to regret it. It’s the cloistered version of Dallas (with less sex)! I loved it. This was a hard book to put down, and one I steamed through far too quickly. This ticks a lot of boxes for me: historical fantasy (double whammy straight away), a mystery to solve, dystopian and a smattering of magical realism. I’m glad it looks like a book that could have a sequel - even if it never as one. It leaves the reader able to make up their own next moves (yes, I do that).
Huge thanks to the publisher for providing me with a NetGalley copy of this book - it was one of my reading highlights of 2020.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Suburbicon (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Suburbicon is a peaceful, idyllic, suburban community with affordable homes and manicured lawns -- the perfect place to raise a family, and in the summer of 1959, the Lodge family is doing just that. But the tranquil surface masks a disturbing reality, as husband and father Gardner Lodge must navigate the town's dark underbelly of betrayal, deceit and violence.
I saw this trailer so many times in the run up to the Unlimited Screening. It initially intrigued me, I'm not a particular fan of Matt Damon, but I do like Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac the more I see him. Both Moore and Isaac seemed at home in this 50s setting, but Damon didn't feel very convincing.
The story had a lot of potential. Lodge wants to kill his wife who has become bitter towards him since he caused an accident that left her in a wheelchair. The plan is to stage a home invasion that leads to her death. This will leave room for her twin sister to move in and take her sister's place in the family. But when a suspicious insurance investigator comes sniffing around the case things start to fall apart. In the background of this though there is a story about the new African-American neighbours that have moved into the property behind the Lodge's. I know that this is fitting for that era, and some sort of big "distraction" was needed for a lot of things to work, but it just felt very detached from everything.
This isn't one that I'd watch again, I feel like it's going to fade into obscurity in my mind and in about ten years someone is going to ask me if I've seen it and I won't be able to remember.
I saw this trailer so many times in the run up to the Unlimited Screening. It initially intrigued me, I'm not a particular fan of Matt Damon, but I do like Julianne Moore, and Oscar Isaac the more I see him. Both Moore and Isaac seemed at home in this 50s setting, but Damon didn't feel very convincing.
The story had a lot of potential. Lodge wants to kill his wife who has become bitter towards him since he caused an accident that left her in a wheelchair. The plan is to stage a home invasion that leads to her death. This will leave room for her twin sister to move in and take her sister's place in the family. But when a suspicious insurance investigator comes sniffing around the case things start to fall apart. In the background of this though there is a story about the new African-American neighbours that have moved into the property behind the Lodge's. I know that this is fitting for that era, and some sort of big "distraction" was needed for a lot of things to work, but it just felt very detached from everything.
This isn't one that I'd watch again, I feel like it's going to fade into obscurity in my mind and in about ten years someone is going to ask me if I've seen it and I won't be able to remember.
Shayari Collection~ A perfect collection for hindi shayari, gujarati shayri and love shayari
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Merissa (13169 KP) rated Ignited (Daywalker Academy #6) in Books
Aug 4, 2020
Ignited is the sixth and final book in the Daywalker Academy series and it is certainly a case of light blue touch paper and retire. I sincerely hope you spare however long it takes you to read this book on one go because, trust me, you will not want to put it down!
Secrets and betrayal, it's still going down and Franky is still in the middle of it. You see less of other characters in this one as Franky, Zoltan, and Soren take the lead. Zoltan is still growly and grumbly and Soren is still a pain in the ass (Franky's words, not mine).
Reading this book makes me think of what it must be like travelling by tornado. You are whipped around from place to place, never knowing what will happen when your feet touch the ground. Poor Franky. Although I like reading about it, to live your life that way must be exhausting. No wonder she wanted to sleep!
I have loved this series and am sad to see it come to an end. I really need to know about Fenrir and Myst, plus Leo. I found it a tad upsetting that the gang has split up but that just gives me more reasons to hound Ms. Daniels into follow up stories.
A brilliant end to the series that I highly recommend - but just remember to keep your mitts off Tenebris and Zoltan! Yes, I am greedy and I don't share! 😉🤣
One final thought just because I can - oh, Daren!!!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Secrets and betrayal, it's still going down and Franky is still in the middle of it. You see less of other characters in this one as Franky, Zoltan, and Soren take the lead. Zoltan is still growly and grumbly and Soren is still a pain in the ass (Franky's words, not mine).
Reading this book makes me think of what it must be like travelling by tornado. You are whipped around from place to place, never knowing what will happen when your feet touch the ground. Poor Franky. Although I like reading about it, to live your life that way must be exhausting. No wonder she wanted to sleep!
I have loved this series and am sad to see it come to an end. I really need to know about Fenrir and Myst, plus Leo. I found it a tad upsetting that the gang has split up but that just gives me more reasons to hound Ms. Daniels into follow up stories.
A brilliant end to the series that I highly recommend - but just remember to keep your mitts off Tenebris and Zoltan! Yes, I am greedy and I don't share! 😉🤣
One final thought just because I can - oh, Daren!!!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
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