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Merissa (12346 KP) rated The Betrayer (Crossing Realms Series #3) in Books
Mar 13, 2019
The Betrayer (Crossing Realms Series #3) by Rebecca E. Neely
The Betrayer is the third book in the Crossing Realms series, and I would definitely recommend you read books one and two first, as the characters and the storylines DO crossover.
Saying that, this book is about Curtis and Jordan. Curtis is the geeky computer Keeper - and you know I do love me a geek! Jordan is the betrayer, and yet there is so much more to her. In fact, you could even say she is the key to the Second Rebellion. I won't say anymore as I don't want to give away any spoilers. What I can say is this book is a great read!
It picks up where The Watcher left off, and the story goes along in leaps and bounds. The pacing is smooth, and not a single word is wasted. Everything is there for a reason, and it is thoroughly enjoyable. I love this world, and the characters that live there. I have enjoyed all three books so far in this series, and I really hope this isn't the last one. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Saying that, this book is about Curtis and Jordan. Curtis is the geeky computer Keeper - and you know I do love me a geek! Jordan is the betrayer, and yet there is so much more to her. In fact, you could even say she is the key to the Second Rebellion. I won't say anymore as I don't want to give away any spoilers. What I can say is this book is a great read!
It picks up where The Watcher left off, and the story goes along in leaps and bounds. The pacing is smooth, and not a single word is wasted. Everything is there for a reason, and it is thoroughly enjoyable. I love this world, and the characters that live there. I have enjoyed all three books so far in this series, and I really hope this isn't the last one. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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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Christine A. (965 KP) rated Good Girls Lie in Books
Jan 10, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
J.T. Ellison's latest work, Good Girls Lie, is set in an elite boarding school which is set atop a hill in the small town of Marchburg, Virginia. The students are only the best girls who are hand-picked each year by the dean. However, it is not a young adult book. It is a thriller full of secrets, secret societies, lies, and a strict honor code that is not always followed.
In the beginning, I found it difficult to get into the book but I am glad I kept reading. Several reviewers described it as fast-paced but I disagree. It is a slow burn but it does definitely burn. The twists were both expected and unexpected but worked well.
It opens with a body being found then flashes back to learn the events that lead up to the death. It is not a new tactic but, with the story, it works well.
J.T. Ellison is best known for her Lt. Taylor Jackson series. The 8th book, "Field of Graves" was published in 2015. She has teamed up with Catherine Coulter to write "A Brit in the FBI" series. The 6th book in the series, The Last Second, was published in 2019.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/10/2020.
J.T. Ellison's latest work, Good Girls Lie, is set in an elite boarding school which is set atop a hill in the small town of Marchburg, Virginia. The students are only the best girls who are hand-picked each year by the dean. However, it is not a young adult book. It is a thriller full of secrets, secret societies, lies, and a strict honor code that is not always followed.
In the beginning, I found it difficult to get into the book but I am glad I kept reading. Several reviewers described it as fast-paced but I disagree. It is a slow burn but it does definitely burn. The twists were both expected and unexpected but worked well.
It opens with a body being found then flashes back to learn the events that lead up to the death. It is not a new tactic but, with the story, it works well.
J.T. Ellison is best known for her Lt. Taylor Jackson series. The 8th book, "Field of Graves" was published in 2015. She has teamed up with Catherine Coulter to write "A Brit in the FBI" series. The 6th book in the series, The Last Second, was published in 2019.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/10/2020.
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2271 KP) rated Christmas Cupcake Murder in Books
Dec 12, 2020
A Fine Short Story Stretched
There is a stranger in Lake Eden, and no one knows who he is – including the man himself. Hannah and her mother find him one day mostly starved, and get him to the hospital. When he is revived, he doesn’t remember his name, but asks to be called Joe Smith instead of John Doe. Hannah makes it her mission to find out who he really is. Can she help him recover his memory?
This book takes us back in time to the early days of the series, and it is fun to see some of those relationships knowing what has happened to the characters since then. The plot is definitely different for a cozy, but I liked it for the variety. Unfortunately, the plot is drowned out by talk of food. I skimmed parts of the book, and I didn’t miss any part of the plot. The plot does get stronger as the book goes along, and I liked the way the story finished. This series always has an abundance of recipes, and this book is no exception with twenty new treats to try, including seven cupcakes. If you are a fan of the series and set your expectations accordingly, you’ll be fine. But otherwise, there is no need to read this book.
This book takes us back in time to the early days of the series, and it is fun to see some of those relationships knowing what has happened to the characters since then. The plot is definitely different for a cozy, but I liked it for the variety. Unfortunately, the plot is drowned out by talk of food. I skimmed parts of the book, and I didn’t miss any part of the plot. The plot does get stronger as the book goes along, and I liked the way the story finished. This series always has an abundance of recipes, and this book is no exception with twenty new treats to try, including seven cupcakes. If you are a fan of the series and set your expectations accordingly, you’ll be fine. But otherwise, there is no need to read this book.
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Merissa (12346 KP) rated Who am I: Prequel to the Semiramis series in Books
Oct 11, 2019
Who am I: Prequel to the Semiramis series is exactly what it says. It is a short novella giving you an insight into the main character's childhood. It shows you just what Alex goes through and why she is the person she is at the beginning of Semiramis Awakened (book one in the series).
It is exceedingly well-written and packs a punch for all it is so short. You will feel for Alex before you even really know her, which is exactly how it should be. The writing is the usual high standard you would expect from a Maya Daniels book, and although there is no world-building per se, it still gives you enough to give you an inkling into Alex's world.
I have already read the three books in this series, and am waiting oh so patiently (!!!!) for the fourth book to arrive. Therefore I already know Alex and what she goes through. Did this impact my enjoyment of this story? Absolutely not. You don't have to read it in order to gain maximum enjoyment out of it. Absolutely recommended!
* 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!
It is exceedingly well-written and packs a punch for all it is so short. You will feel for Alex before you even really know her, which is exactly how it should be. The writing is the usual high standard you would expect from a Maya Daniels book, and although there is no world-building per se, it still gives you enough to give you an inkling into Alex's world.
I have already read the three books in this series, and am waiting oh so patiently (!!!!) for the fourth book to arrive. Therefore I already know Alex and what she goes through. Did this impact my enjoyment of this story? Absolutely not. You don't have to read it in order to gain maximum enjoyment out of it. Absolutely recommended!
* 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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Merissa (12346 KP) rated Pieces of Us (Missing Pieces #3) in Books
Aug 3, 2020
Pieces of Us is the third and final book in the Missing Pieces series and what a fantastic finale it is! We reunite with Justin and Dallas as Justin continues to make slow but steady progress. He still can't remember everything but is enjoying all his firsts - again.
If you are looking for a high angst book then I'm afraid you've picked the wrong series. The angst here is all about Justin's accident and the impact it has, in ways neither he or Dallas could have envisaged, with just one exception - Justin's mother. The relationship between Justin and Dallas is as rock-solid as ever, with them given ample support by Davo and Sparra.
I loved how this book and the whole series played out. My heart broke for Justin as he planned for a future when Dallas wouldn't want him and it also broke for Dallas when he realised what Justin was talking about. The ending, for me, was perfect. We got the HEA I craved whilst still being realistic to Justin's limitations.
This trilogy is a definite heart-breaker that will give you the warm fuzzies. Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended by me.
* 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!
If you are looking for a high angst book then I'm afraid you've picked the wrong series. The angst here is all about Justin's accident and the impact it has, in ways neither he or Dallas could have envisaged, with just one exception - Justin's mother. The relationship between Justin and Dallas is as rock-solid as ever, with them given ample support by Davo and Sparra.
I loved how this book and the whole series played out. My heart broke for Justin as he planned for a future when Dallas wouldn't want him and it also broke for Dallas when he realised what Justin was talking about. The ending, for me, was perfect. We got the HEA I craved whilst still being realistic to Justin's limitations.
This trilogy is a definite heart-breaker that will give you the warm fuzzies. Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended by me.
* 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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Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Twilight Heist (Outlaws #2) in Books
Feb 12, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Tuck is in a group of thieves called The Outlaws. Leo is a lone wolf who doesn't let people in. He is friends with one of the Outlaws, Dan, but even he doesn't know about his past and Leo is not about to divulge the information to anybody any time soon! Tuck's past comes calling when somebody from his past calls on him for help. Is there more than meets the eye to this job?
This is book number 2 in the Heist series by Katherine. In my opinion, it could be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed finding out about the characters and didn't feel I had missed out on anything by not reading the first book. However, I will be looking to download the first book and any more that may come in the series as I have thoroughly enjoyed what I've read.
I've read a few series by Katherine now and I feel that no matter what she's writing it pulls you in and takes you with it she is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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. *
Tuck is in a group of thieves called The Outlaws. Leo is a lone wolf who doesn't let people in. He is friends with one of the Outlaws, Dan, but even he doesn't know about his past and Leo is not about to divulge the information to anybody any time soon! Tuck's past comes calling when somebody from his past calls on him for help. Is there more than meets the eye to this job?
This is book number 2 in the Heist series by Katherine. In my opinion, it could be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed finding out about the characters and didn't feel I had missed out on anything by not reading the first book. However, I will be looking to download the first book and any more that may come in the series as I have thoroughly enjoyed what I've read.
I've read a few series by Katherine now and I feel that no matter what she's writing it pulls you in and takes you with it she is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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. *
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Dean (6927 KP) rated The Handmaid's Tale - Season 1 in TV
Dec 18, 2017 (Updated Aug 14, 2018)
Disturbing vision of the near future
Finally got around to watching this series after seeing very high reviews for it. I haven't read the book and didn't know anything about the story beforehand. It's an interesting if dark and disturbing vision of western society being taken back a couple of hundred years. I did find some of the mid season episodes a bit slow and less dramatic at times. Overall though an excellent series.
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Mariafrancesca (30 KP) rated A Discovery of Witches - Season 1 in TV
Mar 31, 2019
Say what you want but a girl needs her share of brooding vampires and this shows provides just that. I knew the book but I wasn’t very keen to continue the series as I didn’t like reading from her POV, but I always loved the mythology the author built and a TV series is perfect for me.
The locations are amazing (even though I’ve never seen Venice so empty xD) and the story is compelling. Can’t wait for the second season!
The locations are amazing (even though I’ve never seen Venice so empty xD) and the story is compelling. Can’t wait for the second season!
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Alexandria (2 KP) rated Tower Of Dawn in Books
Jan 24, 2018
I thought this book would ruin the Throne of Glass series as Chaol was one of my least favourite characters up to that point but it astounded me in being really gripping, following both chaols problems as well as Nesryn and new character Yrene Towers who are both far more interesting characters than Chaol in my opinion. As always Sarah J Maas writes beautifully with plots you could never hope to see coming. Can't wait for the next installment in the series.
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2271 KP) rated Some Like It Hot-Buttered (Double Feature Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
A new series from a favorite author left me a little cold. I didn't find it nearly as funny as his old books, and the mystery was weak. What's funny about this is the series centers around the owner of a comedy movie theater. Owner Elliot Freed investigates when a man is poisoned by his pop corn during the nightly double feature.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-some-like-it-hot-buttered.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-some-like-it-hot-buttered.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.