Search
Search results
David McK (3248 KP) rated The Blooding (Matthew Hawkwood, #5) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The most recent book (at the time of writing) in [a:James McGee|223959|James McGee|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1389430491p2/223959.jpg] Matthew Hawkwood series, this is primarily set during the 'forgotten war' of 1812 between Great Britain and the fledgling USA, with Hawkwood newly arrived in the country while trying to get home to London from his escapades in France in the previous novel ([b:Rebellion|11254850|Seeds of Rebellion (Beyonders, #2)|Brandon Mull|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388247992s/11254850.jpg|16181497]).
I say mostly as, for approximately the first half, the novel actually flits back and forth - almost chapter about - between current events and those of Hawkwood's childhood (also in the States).
I also have to say that, as the series has progressed, it has seemingly moved further and further away from it's original Bow Street Runner in the Regency period: moving closer, perhaps, in mold (IMO) to the classic Sharpe stories of Bernard Cornwell, and - as a consequence - becoming in danger of losing it's own flavour that originally made it stand out.
Having said that, however, this - I felt - was an improvement on the previous book, which I personally struggled somewhat to connect with.
I say mostly as, for approximately the first half, the novel actually flits back and forth - almost chapter about - between current events and those of Hawkwood's childhood (also in the States).
I also have to say that, as the series has progressed, it has seemingly moved further and further away from it's original Bow Street Runner in the Regency period: moving closer, perhaps, in mold (IMO) to the classic Sharpe stories of Bernard Cornwell, and - as a consequence - becoming in danger of losing it's own flavour that originally made it stand out.
Having said that, however, this - I felt - was an improvement on the previous book, which I personally struggled somewhat to connect with.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Close to Home in Books
Dec 29, 2019
Absorbing
This is the first in a series of novels starring DI Adam Fawley and his team and what a start to the series this is. I actually missed this first time round and was only reminded I had it when I was sent book 4!
Packed with fantastic characters not all of which are particularly likeable but all of whom are well developed and with interesting stories to tell in their own right. The story line is a difficult one to read being that of child abduction and exploitation however this is not written in a gratuitous way but with care and attention although not is all as it seems and so begins DI Fawley's task of unravelling just what has happened to young Daisy.
This is a fast paced, gripping and absorbing story that had me reading it in quick time in order to discover the secrets and lies contained within the twists and turns of this excellent book and I highly recommend this to those of you who love a great police procedural.
Thank you to Penguin Books (UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Packed with fantastic characters not all of which are particularly likeable but all of whom are well developed and with interesting stories to tell in their own right. The story line is a difficult one to read being that of child abduction and exploitation however this is not written in a gratuitous way but with care and attention although not is all as it seems and so begins DI Fawley's task of unravelling just what has happened to young Daisy.
This is a fast paced, gripping and absorbing story that had me reading it in quick time in order to discover the secrets and lies contained within the twists and turns of this excellent book and I highly recommend this to those of you who love a great police procedural.
Thank you to Penguin Books (UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018) in Movies
Jul 21, 2019
Lackluster
I'm really not sure what prompted them to make this film. Instead of following on from the American version of Dragon Tattoo, they've instead chosen to skip the other 2 books in the original trilogy and go to what is probably the weakest book in the Lisbeth Salander series so far. And sadly, the film isnt any better.
Claire Foy is probably the only real highlight of this film as she's really rather good as Lisbeth. The rest of the cast are alright but nothing special though. There also doesn't appear to be much chemistry between Lisbeth and Mikhael and their conversations and interactions in this film are really rather dull and meaningless. And then there's the plot itself. Similar to the book, the plot is quite convoluted and a little over the top. And actually rather boring and lacklustre. There are some bits of action thrown in but not enough to hold interest and this film feels like it drags on for far too long. This is yet another unnecessary film made worse by the fact that they havent even bothered to follow the series in order.
Claire Foy is probably the only real highlight of this film as she's really rather good as Lisbeth. The rest of the cast are alright but nothing special though. There also doesn't appear to be much chemistry between Lisbeth and Mikhael and their conversations and interactions in this film are really rather dull and meaningless. And then there's the plot itself. Similar to the book, the plot is quite convoluted and a little over the top. And actually rather boring and lacklustre. There are some bits of action thrown in but not enough to hold interest and this film feels like it drags on for far too long. This is yet another unnecessary film made worse by the fact that they havent even bothered to follow the series in order.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated A Literal Mess in Books
Jan 14, 2019
Strong Debut
Allie Cobb has returned home to Rushing Creek, Indiana for her father's funeral. While his death wasn't a surprise, it has still hit her hard. She's not prepared for tragedy to strike her small town a second time when the body of Thornwell Winchester is found. He was one of Allie's father's literary clients, and also the father of Allie's best friend, Sloane. When Sloane becomes the police's chief suspect, Allie steps in to find out the truth. Can she do it?
This book is more serious in tone than many of the cozies I read, but given what brings Allie home, that is completely appropriate. I never found that overwhelming, and the book doesn't dwell on it. After all, this is a mystery, and it isn't long before we are off meeting Thornwell and the potential suspects. I was intrigued by the red herrings and enjoyed the twists as we headed toward the logical climax. The suspects are strong, but I was really impressed with the series regulars. They have pasts and baggage that brought them to the page fully formed. I'm interested to see how that dynamic plays out as the series progresses.
This book is more serious in tone than many of the cozies I read, but given what brings Allie home, that is completely appropriate. I never found that overwhelming, and the book doesn't dwell on it. After all, this is a mystery, and it isn't long before we are off meeting Thornwell and the potential suspects. I was intrigued by the red herrings and enjoyed the twists as we headed toward the logical climax. The suspects are strong, but I was really impressed with the series regulars. They have pasts and baggage that brought them to the page fully formed. I'm interested to see how that dynamic plays out as the series progresses.
Merissa (11805 KP) rated Shoot The Gap (Big Play, #4) in Books
Jan 17, 2019
Shoot The Gap (Big Play #4) by Jordan Ford
In the final book of the series, we have Tyler and Sam's story. They have been best friends forever, but Tyler thinks that he needs something 'special' to make him stand out from his team mates. That something comes in the shape of Roxy Carmichael. Will Tyler open his eyes and see what is right in front of him, or will he stumble around in the dark and lose what he's already got?
This story wraps up all the previous story lines into one amazing climax. We see more of Tyler and Sam's home life, and the differences are there to see. Whereas one family is full of life and love, the other is clinical and detached. Professions of love are made, but to be honest, even after reading it all, I have my doubts!
With the full crew here helping to complete the story, the pages near enough turn themselves. Everything comes out to the harsh light of day and only time will tell how they all survive the fallout.
Absolutely recommended, both this book and the series.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This story wraps up all the previous story lines into one amazing climax. We see more of Tyler and Sam's home life, and the differences are there to see. Whereas one family is full of life and love, the other is clinical and detached. Professions of love are made, but to be honest, even after reading it all, I have my doubts!
With the full crew here helping to complete the story, the pages near enough turn themselves. Everything comes out to the harsh light of day and only time will tell how they all survive the fallout.
Absolutely recommended, both this book and the series.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
AJaneClark (3962 KP) rated Lord of Misrule (The Morganville Vampires, #5) in Books
Dec 13, 2019
In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, a master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil undead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.
Violent black clouds promise a storm of devastating proportions. As student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against the elements - both natural and unnatural- the unexpected happens; Morganville’s vampires start to vanish one by one. Discovering why leads Claire to one last choice: swear allegiance to Bishop... or die.
As the fifth book in the Morganville series by Rachel Caine, the main characters and their relationships are well and truly established. True to form Lord of Misrule is well written, the storyline flows from point to point and continues to surprise and encourage you to want more. I always find these books to be an easy and enjoyable read, not too taxing or time consuming, but still give the reader what they need. I did find there were perhaps too many things going on in this chapter of the series, but perhaps all will be revealed in book 6.
Violent black clouds promise a storm of devastating proportions. As student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against the elements - both natural and unnatural- the unexpected happens; Morganville’s vampires start to vanish one by one. Discovering why leads Claire to one last choice: swear allegiance to Bishop... or die.
As the fifth book in the Morganville series by Rachel Caine, the main characters and their relationships are well and truly established. True to form Lord of Misrule is well written, the storyline flows from point to point and continues to surprise and encourage you to want more. I always find these books to be an easy and enjoyable read, not too taxing or time consuming, but still give the reader what they need. I did find there were perhaps too many things going on in this chapter of the series, but perhaps all will be revealed in book 6.
David McK (3248 KP) rated Flying Colours in Books
Feb 8, 2020
Chronologically the seventh (of eleven) of CS Forester's Hornblower series of books, this was actually the third published in the series, and follows on pretty much directly from the ending of 'Ship of the Line', with Hornblower and his men captured by the French after he had to surrender the HMS Sutherland at the end of that previous book.
Unlike the other entries, this one takes place largely on land, with the majority - a good two thirds, say - of the novel dealing with Hornblower's (and Bush, and Brown) captivity, escape from the same and journeys across France before a daring raid that sees him recapture and return home (where he has been presumed dead) with a (now re)captured British vessel.
As such, this is perhaps more character-driven than we have been used to so far, with large swathes of the book concerned with Hornblower himself and his mental state, riven with self-doubt and jealousy, and unsure of how his surrender will be viewed at home: a home where he is both unhappily married and awaiting the birth of his third child (after the death of his previous two to Smallpox).
Unlike the other entries, this one takes place largely on land, with the majority - a good two thirds, say - of the novel dealing with Hornblower's (and Bush, and Brown) captivity, escape from the same and journeys across France before a daring raid that sees him recapture and return home (where he has been presumed dead) with a (now re)captured British vessel.
As such, this is perhaps more character-driven than we have been used to so far, with large swathes of the book concerned with Hornblower himself and his mental state, riven with self-doubt and jealousy, and unsure of how his surrender will be viewed at home: a home where he is both unhappily married and awaiting the birth of his third child (after the death of his previous two to Smallpox).
Ronnie (304 KP) rated Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian: Bk. 5 in Books
Apr 23, 2020
The great prophecy tells that the fate of the world will rest in Percy Jackson’s hands when he turns sixteen. In the summer leading up to his sixteenth birthday Kronos’s evil army of monsters rampages through New York, with only Percy and his demigod friends to try and defeat them. What will become of the great prophecy, in the final instalment of the Percy Jackson series.
I loved this book! I put off reading it for ages because I struggled to get through the battle of the labyrinth, but once I picked up the last Olympian, I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the action, the fighting between Percy and Kronos. It was amazing getting to see more of everyone’s past, especially Luke and Annabeth’s. Seeing the demigods speak to their godly parents was so new and a wonderful thing to see. I have to say that my favourite part of the book was the humour. Even in the middle of an epic battle with the Titan lord someone would find something funny to say or Percy would come up with a comedic anecdote. I can’t wait to start reading the Heroes of Olympus series!
I loved this book! I put off reading it for ages because I struggled to get through the battle of the labyrinth, but once I picked up the last Olympian, I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the action, the fighting between Percy and Kronos. It was amazing getting to see more of everyone’s past, especially Luke and Annabeth’s. Seeing the demigods speak to their godly parents was so new and a wonderful thing to see. I have to say that my favourite part of the book was the humour. Even in the middle of an epic battle with the Titan lord someone would find something funny to say or Percy would come up with a comedic anecdote. I can’t wait to start reading the Heroes of Olympus series!
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated The Berenstain Bears' Nature Rescue in Books
Feb 23, 2020
The Berenstain Bears Nature Rescue is a really good book for all. It teaches us about nature and birds. This one is about learning about different kinds of birds. Like the yellow popinjay. This almost put everyone into an almost war.
The story plot is mostly learning about what is important birds are to peoples. The way the author or authors wrote this makes it easy for early readers to learn about habitats and a lot what around them. Woods and birds are important. There may be more than one way to solve a problem.
The wood bears want to build cottages for more bears and families. Who will come out on top? The story and plot are to learn about birds and saving though birds before they are gone forever. Find out what brother and sister and other cubs do.
It is good for early readers as well. The pictures are done well. I enjoy the images that are drawn. This book is made for all age groups. I enjoy this series as well as many others. One of the best series of my childhood and still is.
The story plot is mostly learning about what is important birds are to peoples. The way the author or authors wrote this makes it easy for early readers to learn about habitats and a lot what around them. Woods and birds are important. There may be more than one way to solve a problem.
The wood bears want to build cottages for more bears and families. Who will come out on top? The story and plot are to learn about birds and saving though birds before they are gone forever. Find out what brother and sister and other cubs do.
It is good for early readers as well. The pictures are done well. I enjoy the images that are drawn. This book is made for all age groups. I enjoy this series as well as many others. One of the best series of my childhood and still is.
An Introduction to High-Frequency Finance
Ramazan Gencay, Michel Dacorogna, Ulrich A. Muller and Richard Olsen
Book
Liquid markets generate hundreds or thousands of ticks (the minimum change in price a security can...