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India's New Independent Cinema: Rise of the Hybrid
Book
This is the first-ever book on the rise of the new wave of independent Indian films that is...
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Talent (Descended From Myth #2) in Books
May 31, 2023
Okay, so I'm fickle. Hands up, I admit it. I didn't think that anyone could knock Daniel of his Hottie Spot, but it appears that Porter has just gone and done it!
Claire is a Talent, but she feels that she isn't really worth much as all she can do is "fix brains." Personally, I think that's brilliant, but that's her lesson to learn. Porter is brought on board by Anna and Daniel, and works hard to prove himself. Three Guardians are chosen to 'fight' for the position of Claire's Guardian, but circumstances throw Porter and Claire together.
The best bit about this is I simply couldn't imagine Claire with anyone else. In fact, there is a point when she is with someone else, and I hated it! I needed her to be back with Porter, like right now! I'm sure he's a good guy (even if he is a tad self-obsessed) but I didn't like him, simply because he wasn't Porter.
Once again, fast-paced but not in a rushed way, this story moves along, full of action and mayhem. Well written and with no editorial or grammatical errors that I found, I can highly recommend this series. Loved book one and book two.
So my question is - when can I get my grubby mitts on book three?!?!
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 21, 2016
Claire is a Talent, but she feels that she isn't really worth much as all she can do is "fix brains." Personally, I think that's brilliant, but that's her lesson to learn. Porter is brought on board by Anna and Daniel, and works hard to prove himself. Three Guardians are chosen to 'fight' for the position of Claire's Guardian, but circumstances throw Porter and Claire together.
The best bit about this is I simply couldn't imagine Claire with anyone else. In fact, there is a point when she is with someone else, and I hated it! I needed her to be back with Porter, like right now! I'm sure he's a good guy (even if he is a tad self-obsessed) but I didn't like him, simply because he wasn't Porter.
Once again, fast-paced but not in a rushed way, this story moves along, full of action and mayhem. Well written and with no editorial or grammatical errors that I found, I can highly recommend this series. Loved book one and book two.
So my question is - when can I get my grubby mitts on book three?!?!
* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 21, 2016
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated I'm Your Venus in Books
Oct 19, 2018
Sylvia’s Back on the Space Case
Sylvia Stryker has landed a job on the new Moon 6. Again, she's in charge of the uniform department, but this time she's legitimately on the ship. Neptune is also on board this cruise, with the destination being Venus. Everyone is determined to make things go smoothly for the passengers. However, the ship has barely set out when Sylvia finds a dead body outside the uniform department's door. Then Neptune comes to her with a surprising plea for help. Can she figure out what is going on?
Yes, this book has a science fiction setting, but it is still mostly a mystery. In fact, the setting is developed just enough for us to feel at home, but the story doesn't stop to explain every little detail to us. Still, there are some fun nod to pop culture science fiction and some of the tech they do have in this book would be very cool. There are a trio of characters we spent a lot of time with, and they are the best developed. The rest of the cast is still strong enough for the parts they play in what happens. The plot is quite a ride, with plenty of keep us engaged and the pages flying. I read the book in just two days, in fact. I do feel like some of the character's actions over the course of the book weren't completely explained at the end, but that is my only complaint. I'm looking forward to getting to book three as soon as my schedule allows to see how some of the threads introduced here play out.
Yes, this book has a science fiction setting, but it is still mostly a mystery. In fact, the setting is developed just enough for us to feel at home, but the story doesn't stop to explain every little detail to us. Still, there are some fun nod to pop culture science fiction and some of the tech they do have in this book would be very cool. There are a trio of characters we spent a lot of time with, and they are the best developed. The rest of the cast is still strong enough for the parts they play in what happens. The plot is quite a ride, with plenty of keep us engaged and the pages flying. I read the book in just two days, in fact. I do feel like some of the character's actions over the course of the book weren't completely explained at the end, but that is my only complaint. I'm looking forward to getting to book three as soon as my schedule allows to see how some of the threads introduced here play out.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Golden Gate in Books
Apr 19, 2021 (Updated Apr 19, 2021)
The City Spies Cross the Pond
As this book opens, Brooklyn and Sydney, two of the team of City Spies, are on board a ship for a week of marine biology targeted at young women. While they certainly do appreciate the science they are getting, they are really there to covertly guard two of the other teens on the ship. And it’s a good thing, too, when Umbra agents show up trying to kidnap the girls. Meanwhile, there is a new lead on a mole inside MI-6 and a lead in a secret project for Mother, the spy in charge of all the City Spies. Might it tie into the kidnapping?
Last year, I fell in love with these characters with the first book in the series, and I’m delighted to say that this book was just as good as the first one. The story kept me engaged the entire way, and there were times I was turning pages as quickly as I could to find out what would happen next. While all of the characters get their moments to shine, this is really Sydney’s book since she sees the most growth. One thing I love is how much the characters care for each other, so we see them working through conflicts they have. I might have even teared up a time or two as I read. We also get plenty of laughs along the way. I especially enjoyed the scenes in San Francisco since I recognized so many of the places they went. Kids will love this book. I know I’m already anxious to find out what happens next.
Last year, I fell in love with these characters with the first book in the series, and I’m delighted to say that this book was just as good as the first one. The story kept me engaged the entire way, and there were times I was turning pages as quickly as I could to find out what would happen next. While all of the characters get their moments to shine, this is really Sydney’s book since she sees the most growth. One thing I love is how much the characters care for each other, so we see them working through conflicts they have. I might have even teared up a time or two as I read. We also get plenty of laughs along the way. I especially enjoyed the scenes in San Francisco since I recognized so many of the places they went. Kids will love this book. I know I’m already anxious to find out what happens next.
ClareR (5721 KP) rated Dangerous Women in Books
Aug 31, 2021
This book had me in its grip form start to finish - there was so much going on right from the beginning: the woman who tricked her way on board, the murder, the relationships between the women, the relationships between the women and the matron (who was the most in-matronly matron I could have EVER imagined!), and the relationship between the matron and the ships captain.
The dialogue between the women seemed authentic to me. These convicts came from all parts of the British Isles: London, the West Country, Scotland, Ireland. What connected them though, was their crimes all appeared to be the result of their sex and poverty. They were all working class women who had acted out of desperation, and it was really interesting to hear their stories.
I know this is a work of fiction, but the Rajah did exist, as does the quilt that the women were working on. The quilt is now on display in the National Gallery of Australia. I googled it - it’s beautiful. How anyone could have produced it whilst on a ship in the ocean, I have no idea 🤢
The conditions on board must have been appalling. At the start, the Matron instructs the women to scrub their quarters, but they would have been cramped, their toilet was below decks (buckets), and seasickness along with poor food would have made quite some heady aroma! They may have been convicts, but I was impressed by their stoicism in these circumstances.
I felt that I learnt an awful lot whilst reading this, as well as being thoroughly entertained - it’s a fabulous book!
The dialogue between the women seemed authentic to me. These convicts came from all parts of the British Isles: London, the West Country, Scotland, Ireland. What connected them though, was their crimes all appeared to be the result of their sex and poverty. They were all working class women who had acted out of desperation, and it was really interesting to hear their stories.
I know this is a work of fiction, but the Rajah did exist, as does the quilt that the women were working on. The quilt is now on display in the National Gallery of Australia. I googled it - it’s beautiful. How anyone could have produced it whilst on a ship in the ocean, I have no idea 🤢
The conditions on board must have been appalling. At the start, the Matron instructs the women to scrub their quarters, but they would have been cramped, their toilet was below decks (buckets), and seasickness along with poor food would have made quite some heady aroma! They may have been convicts, but I was impressed by their stoicism in these circumstances.
I felt that I learnt an awful lot whilst reading this, as well as being thoroughly entertained - it’s a fabulous book!
Sam (74 KP) rated Kill The Boyband in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I’ve never read a book with dark humour quite like this. It was brilliant. The jokes are definitely inappropriate, and that’s why I loved them so much. It’s unusual to get humour like this in YA so it was definitely worth it. The only bit of humour I wasn’t completely on board with were the sexual harassment jokes, but it did fit the theme of teenage fantasies so I’m not going to complain too much about that.
It is definitely written for the boy band generation, which I somehow sort of managed to avoid. I say ‘sort of’ because I’ve still gone through that phase of obsessing over a band. I just love the way it portrays crazy fan girls.
It could easily be One Direction fanfiction with how bizarre it is, but I’m not complaining about that! It just made it even more funny and painfully relatable.
I started this book expecting not to like it, and I finished loving it! I just wish it had a nicer cover!
It is definitely written for the boy band generation, which I somehow sort of managed to avoid. I say ‘sort of’ because I’ve still gone through that phase of obsessing over a band. I just love the way it portrays crazy fan girls.
It could easily be One Direction fanfiction with how bizarre it is, but I’m not complaining about that! It just made it even more funny and painfully relatable.
I started this book expecting not to like it, and I finished loving it! I just wish it had a nicer cover!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Out of Circulation (Cat in the Stacks, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Charlie Harris has joined the Friends of the Library board in time for their annual Christmas fundraiser. Unfortunately, he’s walked into a feud that has been going on for years between the elderly Ducote sisters and Vera Cassity, who likes to think of herself as a bigger deal in town than she is. The night of the gala, Vera takes a tumble down the stairs and breaks her neck. With the sheriff looking at Azalea, Charlie’s housekeeper, he needs to figure out what really happened.
As a fan of the Southern Ladies series, I was quite anxious to read the book that introduced the Ducote sisters. They are as much fun here as they are in their own series. We get to see a different side of a couple of series regulars as well, which I really enjoyed. The plot was strong and kept me going until the surprising yet logical conclusion.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-out-of-circulation-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As a fan of the Southern Ladies series, I was quite anxious to read the book that introduced the Ducote sisters. They are as much fun here as they are in their own series. We get to see a different side of a couple of series regulars as well, which I really enjoyed. The plot was strong and kept me going until the surprising yet logical conclusion.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-out-of-circulation-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
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