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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Dark Tower (2017) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
Should've Dreamed a Little Bigger
If brevity is the soul of wit, then at only 95 minutes The Dark Tower should have a few clever things to say for itself; not many of them seem to reach the screen, though. Very reminiscent of many other movies in which troubled young boys tumble into fantasy world which it proves to be their destiny to save.
Given it sets out to adapt a 4000+ page novel series with a devoted following, The Dark Tower was probably always on a hiding to nothing as a single movie aimed at a standalone audience. The disappointing thing is, really, that given it's about a vast multiversal setting filled with elementals and psychics and wizards and gunslingers and suchlike, it feels so timidly safe and familiar. The actual story is competently told, but at the end you really wonder what all the fuss was in aid of. Probably too weird for most newcomers and too short for fans of the books; good soundtrack, though.
Given it sets out to adapt a 4000+ page novel series with a devoted following, The Dark Tower was probably always on a hiding to nothing as a single movie aimed at a standalone audience. The disappointing thing is, really, that given it's about a vast multiversal setting filled with elementals and psychics and wizards and gunslingers and suchlike, it feels so timidly safe and familiar. The actual story is competently told, but at the end you really wonder what all the fuss was in aid of. Probably too weird for most newcomers and too short for fans of the books; good soundtrack, though.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Glasshouse in Books
Mar 1, 2018
The cover of this book actually put me off the contents the first few times I saw it. It isn't as if the cover is bad, and it actually reflects the book fairly well—but I like books about <b>people</b>, and when there's not a person anywhere on the cover, I have to be prettty bored to read the book.
I'm glad I did read it, although there were some rough bits. I need happy endings in my fiction. I just do, okay? This is pleasure reading, after all. And at one point the main character was so very far down that I felt hopeless for the him! Having experienced major depression, I fully recognized that he was very close to suicide. That wasn't very easy for me to read.
If gender bending is an issue for you, stay away from this one. It goes well beyond <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27341.John_Varley">John Varley's</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49842.Steel_Beach">Steel Beach</a>. I was tickled to see several casual references to polyamory.
I'm glad I did read it, although there were some rough bits. I need happy endings in my fiction. I just do, okay? This is pleasure reading, after all. And at one point the main character was so very far down that I felt hopeless for the him! Having experienced major depression, I fully recognized that he was very close to suicide. That wasn't very easy for me to read.
If gender bending is an issue for you, stay away from this one. It goes well beyond <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27341.John_Varley">John Varley's</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49842.Steel_Beach">Steel Beach</a>. I was tickled to see several casual references to polyamory.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Kill Switch (Tucker Wayne, #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I love James Rollins' Sigma Force series, and I've enjoyed Tucker and Kane's guest appearances, so I was looking forward to reading this story that focused on the two of them and not the whole Sigma team. I was a little nervous about it after seeing another author's name on the cover though. Not because I have anything against Grant Blackwood - I've never read his books - just because I was afraid the book would lose the James Rollins feel, if you know what I mean, but I wasn't disappointed in the writing.
In The Kill Switch, Sigma enlists the help of Tucker and Kane to get a scientist and his daughter out of Russia. They are pursued by the Russian military, secret service agencies, and hired assassins as they try to escape the country and then locate an ancient plant specimen that is the focus of the doctor's work. The story was very enjoyable. I'm looking forward to Tucker and Kane's next adventure, whether that is with Sigma Force or on their own.
In The Kill Switch, Sigma enlists the help of Tucker and Kane to get a scientist and his daughter out of Russia. They are pursued by the Russian military, secret service agencies, and hired assassins as they try to escape the country and then locate an ancient plant specimen that is the focus of the doctor's work. The story was very enjoyable. I'm looking forward to Tucker and Kane's next adventure, whether that is with Sigma Force or on their own.
Connie (244 KP) rated Super Fight in Tabletop Games
Jun 8, 2018
Silliness meets creative thinking (2 more)
Many expansions
Can be played with anyone who knows how to argue
A riot for all ages!
Super fight is pretty hilarious, actually. The basic premise is that you draw cards to create your fighter, and then you argue about whose fighter would win in a battle! The winner is picked by group consensus.
This is a game that can be played with basically anyone who can argue. I have played against some ridiculously hilarious children, amd some highly creative adults as well. There's no wrong answer... I mean, when you're trying to decide between a giant fire breathing out haha and a robot with lazers for eyes, the only way to win is to get creative!
It should also be said that there are multiple expansion packs for this game, each one a different color. For example, I believe th Pink expansion is anime-related, while the yellow is books/ book characters/ abilities.
I will have this available at most parties, and hope to see others playing it too!
This is a game that can be played with basically anyone who can argue. I have played against some ridiculously hilarious children, amd some highly creative adults as well. There's no wrong answer... I mean, when you're trying to decide between a giant fire breathing out haha and a robot with lazers for eyes, the only way to win is to get creative!
It should also be said that there are multiple expansion packs for this game, each one a different color. For example, I believe th Pink expansion is anime-related, while the yellow is books/ book characters/ abilities.
I will have this available at most parties, and hope to see others playing it too!
Merissa (13465 KP) rated Stalker in Books
Jun 15, 2018
Stalker by Lisa Stone
Stalker is the first book by Lisa Stone I have read, but I can guarantee it won't be the last. The premise of this book is simple enough - a Home Security man who gives his clients that little bit more, even though they don't know about it.
This was a well-paced novel, with plenty of action and suspense to guarantee you keep turning the pages. The scary part of this book is that it is all so simple, and in this day and age, so many options. There were parts that I knew were coming, however that didn't detract from the story in any way. There were still so many questions that needed answering.
With well-defined characters and situations, I found Stalker to be excellently written, with no editing or grammatical errors that jolted me out of the story. 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 my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This was a well-paced novel, with plenty of action and suspense to guarantee you keep turning the pages. The scary part of this book is that it is all so simple, and in this day and age, so many options. There were parts that I knew were coming, however that didn't detract from the story in any way. There were still so many questions that needed answering.
With well-defined characters and situations, I found Stalker to be excellently written, with no editing or grammatical errors that jolted me out of the story. 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 my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Where Trust Lies (Return to the Canadian West, #2) in Books
Jun 18, 2018
I received this book from the publishing company through Goodreads for free in return for an honest review.
As a person who loves historical fiction I was excited to et my hand on a new book that was within a genre I enjoy.I have read previous books that Janette Oke wrote which I enjoyed immensely. At the core, Where Trust Lies, is about relationships. Relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters.
In general the character, Elizabeth, was boring but she made up for it with her kind and loving heart. I like seeing the relationships between the different characters and how their choices effected their life. At the end of the story the plot changed and not for the good but even still the family held on their strong faith in God.
One of my biggest frustrations in a book is when it is predictable. When a book is predictable I am easily distractible and do not want to finish the book. Oke did a great job of ending the book, especially is a nice romantic way.
As a person who loves historical fiction I was excited to et my hand on a new book that was within a genre I enjoy.I have read previous books that Janette Oke wrote which I enjoyed immensely. At the core, Where Trust Lies, is about relationships. Relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters.
In general the character, Elizabeth, was boring but she made up for it with her kind and loving heart. I like seeing the relationships between the different characters and how their choices effected their life. At the end of the story the plot changed and not for the good but even still the family held on their strong faith in God.
One of my biggest frustrations in a book is when it is predictable. When a book is predictable I am easily distractible and do not want to finish the book. Oke did a great job of ending the book, especially is a nice romantic way.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated war/SONG in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Characters (2 more)
Plot
Writing
I am really struggling to write this review simply because I loved this book so much. As many of you know, I have a HUGE thing for vampires so to find a new vampire series has made me incredibly giddy. Armada West's war/SONG is a fast paced adventure that is sure to delight any vampire fan. This is one vampire novel that isn't too cliché and I loved the vampire vs. magi element in it.
What really stole the show in this novel were the characters. Each character was well thought out and made you yearn to learn more about them. I couldn't help but fall in love with Luca, and I found the heroine to be fascinating as well. Armada West certainly knows how to create characters you're going to miss once the book ends.
All in all, I really loved this book. I am genuinely surprised that this book doesn't have more reviews. I cannot wait to read more of Armada's books. Seriously, read it!
What really stole the show in this novel were the characters. Each character was well thought out and made you yearn to learn more about them. I couldn't help but fall in love with Luca, and I found the heroine to be fascinating as well. Armada West certainly knows how to create characters you're going to miss once the book ends.
All in all, I really loved this book. I am genuinely surprised that this book doesn't have more reviews. I cannot wait to read more of Armada's books. Seriously, read it!
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Lord of the Flies in Books
Aug 14, 2018
Not sure how this became a classic.
My school never required me to read this so I just never got around to it until a few years ago and I have to say I was not a fan. I found the entire book boring the characters terrible or writing wasn't really that great either, for the life of me I really cannot figure out how this book has made it into being a classic and it's still extremely popular. The whole idea of the book is really good but just the execution I found terrible I hated every single freaking character not even over exaggerating there.
I think if I would have been required to read this at a younger age like most people I may have liked it a lot more but reading it as an adult for the first time I feel really just spoil the whole thing for me plus you have to kind of be living under a rock and not to know what the books about and what happens in it.
I think if I would have been required to read this at a younger age like most people I may have liked it a lot more but reading it as an adult for the first time I feel really just spoil the whole thing for me plus you have to kind of be living under a rock and not to know what the books about and what happens in it.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle in Books
Sep 4, 2018
A mindbending mystery thriller
I'll be honest this books is completely bonkers, but bonkers in a good way. The central murder mystery time travelling plot is a tad convoluted, but it's still ridiculously enjoyable and I really struggled to put this down. It is a little difficult to keep up with at some parts and you do have to pause to collect your thoughts, however the writing style does help as it's fairly straight forward and doesn't try and overcomplicate things with over the top prose.
All of the 8 hosts are well rounded and well developed, and you care about the main character inhabiting them. The ending was truly a surprise, I hadn't been able to figure out the main murderer (plus all of the other sub plots too), and was pleasantly surprised with the explanation behind why the main character was in Blackheath in the first place.
This is a great entertaining read and one I'd love to see made into a 8-10 part tv series.
All of the 8 hosts are well rounded and well developed, and you care about the main character inhabiting them. The ending was truly a surprise, I hadn't been able to figure out the main murderer (plus all of the other sub plots too), and was pleasantly surprised with the explanation behind why the main character was in Blackheath in the first place.
This is a great entertaining read and one I'd love to see made into a 8-10 part tv series.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Life After Life in Books
Sep 25, 2018
Great idea but needs more of a central plot
This story is fairly similar to other books like The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, however it has its own unique spin on reincarnation/Groundhog day type experiences.
This is a very intriguing story about how the choices you may in life affect everything,but with Ursula being able to relive her life over and over again, constantly making different choices to change how her life plays out. For me it was interesting to pick up on some of the smaller details that change through each reincarnation. Ursula is a well written and in-depth character, although the same cant always be said for the rest of her family and other minor characters. My only problem with this is that other than Ursula reliving her life repeatedly, there's no central plot or grounding. Its just the same life over and over again with slightly different circumstances. There's nothing else to hold it all together and it can become a little repetitive (unsurprisingly).
This is a very intriguing story about how the choices you may in life affect everything,but with Ursula being able to relive her life over and over again, constantly making different choices to change how her life plays out. For me it was interesting to pick up on some of the smaller details that change through each reincarnation. Ursula is a well written and in-depth character, although the same cant always be said for the rest of her family and other minor characters. My only problem with this is that other than Ursula reliving her life repeatedly, there's no central plot or grounding. Its just the same life over and over again with slightly different circumstances. There's nothing else to hold it all together and it can become a little repetitive (unsurprisingly).