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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Dogon Initiative (The Deniables #1) in Books
Mar 31, 2019
Exciting and educational
Once again, Lance and James Morcan (a father and son writing team) have not disappointed and have written a book that is not only an exciting read but an educational one too. I had never even heard of the Dogon people before and what I know about astronomy would fit on the back of a postage stamp with plenty of room to spare! I now a little bit more about them both ?
This book is not only well written with a unique backstory and exciting plot but has brilliant characters. It's fast paced, full of action with many scenes of peril and danger that kept me reading well into the night apart from a bit of a lull in the middle which I can overlook given the rest of the book is almost non-stop action. I can see this transferring onto both big and small screens really well and with the right actors, would be a hit and something I would watch.
I can't wait to get to know more about this group of "Deniables" and look forward to what I hope are many more capers, scrapes and close shaves.
This book is not only well written with a unique backstory and exciting plot but has brilliant characters. It's fast paced, full of action with many scenes of peril and danger that kept me reading well into the night apart from a bit of a lull in the middle which I can overlook given the rest of the book is almost non-stop action. I can see this transferring onto both big and small screens really well and with the right actors, would be a hit and something I would watch.
I can't wait to get to know more about this group of "Deniables" and look forward to what I hope are many more capers, scrapes and close shaves.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) in Movies
Apr 23, 2019 (Updated Apr 23, 2019)
Marvel #11 admirably resists the temptation to simply provide more of the same crash-bang-wallop and has a go at a story with more of a focus on character and ideas (it still includes a lot of very familiar crash-bang-wallop, naturally). This being a Marvel Comics story, two of the world's most brilliant minds decide it is a very good idea to use an alien weapon of unknown provenance to create an immensely powerful global defence system; everyone is still highly surprised when this goes wrong and spawns genocidal robot Ultron. Just another day at the office if you're in the Avengers, I suppose.
The usual supremely accomplished blend of lavish set-pieces, character bits and jokes; with nine Avengers on the roster for the climax of the story, plus various supporting turns, you can almost feel Joss Whedon's script and direction buckling under the pressure of fitting everything in, to say nothing of the various bits of meta-plot carpentry required to set up the next batch of films. Nevertheless, a film which meets all reasonable expectations - even if it isn't one of Marvel's absolute first rank, it's still within touching distance.
The usual supremely accomplished blend of lavish set-pieces, character bits and jokes; with nine Avengers on the roster for the climax of the story, plus various supporting turns, you can almost feel Joss Whedon's script and direction buckling under the pressure of fitting everything in, to say nothing of the various bits of meta-plot carpentry required to set up the next batch of films. Nevertheless, a film which meets all reasonable expectations - even if it isn't one of Marvel's absolute first rank, it's still within touching distance.
Recommended gritty read
What a roller-coaster of a ride that was! I'm sure I experienced all the emotions known to man whilst reading this book - joy, surprise, sadness, disgust, anger, anticipation and fear to name but a few.
The characters are believable and brilliant although not all of them are particularly likeable. The story is gripping and had me hooked from start to finish and although I anticipated the end, it didn't disappoint or spoil it for me. The only complaint I have is the epilogue ... what the heck?!?! I found it cheesy and, in my humble opinion, totally unnecessary apart from tying up a couple of loose ends which could have been put elsewhere in the book however, this didn't ruin it for me it just made me "tut" and roll my eyes.
Kimberley Chambers isn't known as the "Queen of Gangland Crime Fiction" for nothing and I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy a gritty story that's not all about violence and hate.
Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
The characters are believable and brilliant although not all of them are particularly likeable. The story is gripping and had me hooked from start to finish and although I anticipated the end, it didn't disappoint or spoil it for me. The only complaint I have is the epilogue ... what the heck?!?! I found it cheesy and, in my humble opinion, totally unnecessary apart from tying up a couple of loose ends which could have been put elsewhere in the book however, this didn't ruin it for me it just made me "tut" and roll my eyes.
Kimberley Chambers isn't known as the "Queen of Gangland Crime Fiction" for nothing and I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy a gritty story that's not all about violence and hate.
Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated I Let You Go in Books
May 14, 2019
Cleverly written plot
I had heard so much about this story that I had to see what all the hype was about for myself. Trust me, it did not let me down! This is the new Gone Girl and I would urge you all to read it if you haven’t already. I awarded this story five stars as it is outstanding, well written, easy to read and I was hooked throughout. Yes! I devoured and loved it. This story made me feel many different emotions throughout and is a story I will always remember with a cleverly written plot. Readers will need to prepare themselves for many twists, turns and shocking outcomes ahead! I did not expect the outcome at all until all was revealed and I really was shocked! I cannot wait to read more by Clare Mackintosh if it is going to be as good as this. You will forget the world while reading this, I did. This is the perfect story for you ALL but more specifically for readers who enjoy a brilliant thriller, mystery, crime, suspense, contemporary and bestsellers genre’s. Enjoy, this is a book you will not regret buying!
Beckie Shelton (40 KP) rated A Child for the Devil in Books
Feb 8, 2018
i won this book through good reads first reads,and wow what a read, firstly i don't want to give to much away as i feel that would spoil the journey this book takes you on,ill start with saying this book is not what id usually pick up to read,but saying that a bit of change is good and can sometimes surprise you, its written in the first person which i usually find a bit irritating but in this case fitted the story perfectly,its also pretty violent in places which i didn't mind as the story line merited this,I always judge the merit of a book by how long it takes me to finish (i read this in a day)Once i started i needed to finish, i felt like i was on a personal journey with Conrad jones and Evie and i wanted to be there to the bitter end no matter the outcome.This was a brilliant read that keeps you captivated from beginning to end,its gritty and a real page turner which currently my partner is engrossed in i would definitely recommend this book a 5 star thumbs up from me.
Despite the hype and excitement, I was disappointed by The Cursed Child, but only because it tried to do too much. I loved returning to the wizarding world and seeing the world through the eyes of Albus Potter, but at the same time, I couldn't quite picture it as important scenes were hurried through, I thought, and I found it difficult to become fully submerged in it - but this may be because it is a screenplay rather than a novel.
I loved the interaction between Harry and Albus, their troubled relationship is at the heart of the play, and I enjoyed the banter between Albus and Scorpius. They are a right playful, troublesome pair indeed, complete opposites to their fathers in every way. It was a delight to see into the married life of Ron & Hermione and Harry & Ginny. Even after all this time, they have profound love and duty to one another. It was wonderful to see the ships still sailing.
Now on the whole, there is much JK could have done to make it better, but for the reasons I have highlighted, it is a brilliant additon to the Harry Potter series.
I loved the interaction between Harry and Albus, their troubled relationship is at the heart of the play, and I enjoyed the banter between Albus and Scorpius. They are a right playful, troublesome pair indeed, complete opposites to their fathers in every way. It was a delight to see into the married life of Ron & Hermione and Harry & Ginny. Even after all this time, they have profound love and duty to one another. It was wonderful to see the ships still sailing.
Now on the whole, there is much JK could have done to make it better, but for the reasons I have highlighted, it is a brilliant additon to the Harry Potter series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2440 KP) rated By Cook or by Crook (A Five-Ingredient Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Val Deniston is hoping to turn her gig at the athletic club snack bar into a catering gig, but when she shows up to meet with Nadia, she finds the woman stabbed on her kitchen floor. With the police focusing on Val’s cousin, she needs to sort through the suspects and find out who had the perfect recipe for murder.
What intrigued me the most about this book was the five refrain, I knew there would be five suspects and five clues. I was wondering how the author would pull it off without having to fill page time. She did it beautifully. There was always something happening that kept me engaged, and the way she pulled things together at the end was brilliant. I did have a bit of a hard time warming up to the characters, and the data dump early on didn’t help, but by the end I had grown to like them. I can’t wait to meet up with them again in another book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-by-cook-or-by-crook-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
What intrigued me the most about this book was the five refrain, I knew there would be five suspects and five clues. I was wondering how the author would pull it off without having to fill page time. She did it beautifully. There was always something happening that kept me engaged, and the way she pulled things together at the end was brilliant. I did have a bit of a hard time warming up to the characters, and the data dump early on didn’t help, but by the end I had grown to like them. I can’t wait to meet up with them again in another book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-by-cook-or-by-crook-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Merissa (13427 KP) rated No Limits (No Shame #2) in Books
Feb 27, 2018
No Limits (No Shame #2) by Nora Phoenix
No Limits is the second book in the No Shame series, and this time we focus on Josh, now that Indy and Noah have their HFN. Josh is happy for them, but wants a man of his own. At the same time, he doesn't want to lose Noah and Indy, so he doesn't really know what to do. With some 'subtle' prompting by Noah, Connor contacts Josh in the hope of going on a date. Josh deals with him in his usual blunt and honest style.
This story adds more to Indy and Noah's story, whilst filling in the blanks about Josh and Connor. Once again, this is original, so don't expect a 'normal' storyline. Nora Phoenix is pushing the boundaries between what you might expect and what you get. I for one think that it's absolutely brilliant, and once again, can't wait to read more.
Excellently written and with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this was once again a book to sit and read, whilst thoroughly enjoying every twist and turn. Absolutely recommended by me.
This story adds more to Indy and Noah's story, whilst filling in the blanks about Josh and Connor. Once again, this is original, so don't expect a 'normal' storyline. Nora Phoenix is pushing the boundaries between what you might expect and what you get. I for one think that it's absolutely brilliant, and once again, can't wait to read more.
Excellently written and with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this was once again a book to sit and read, whilst thoroughly enjoying every twist and turn. Absolutely recommended by me.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hereditary (2018) in Movies
Jun 16, 2018 (Updated Jun 16, 2018)
Never-knowingly-underwrought horror movie (looks like one of those post-horror movies for a bit; but no, it's a horror movie after all). Screwed up but nicely affluent family contends with aftermath of bereavement; is the mother right in her belief that supernatural forces are at work around them, or just a bit nuts?
First half is a horribly intense and rather oppressive study of grief and emotional dysfunction; not actually what you'd call scary, though. Second half is a much more traditional horror movie with spooky seances, severed heads a go go, waking nightmares, embroidered doormats and many other clichés - but still not actually what you'd call scary in any but the most superficial way. Plot is all over the place; all the bits that will make you jump are in the trailer, pretty much. Very possibly worth watching for a brilliant performance by Toni Collette, but this is the equivalent of a really good stereo in a car with a cruddy engine. The movie is atmospheric and the director shows promise, but if this is what counts as a great horror movie nowadays the genre is in serious trouble.
First half is a horribly intense and rather oppressive study of grief and emotional dysfunction; not actually what you'd call scary, though. Second half is a much more traditional horror movie with spooky seances, severed heads a go go, waking nightmares, embroidered doormats and many other clichés - but still not actually what you'd call scary in any but the most superficial way. Plot is all over the place; all the bits that will make you jump are in the trailer, pretty much. Very possibly worth watching for a brilliant performance by Toni Collette, but this is the equivalent of a really good stereo in a car with a cruddy engine. The movie is atmospheric and the director shows promise, but if this is what counts as a great horror movie nowadays the genre is in serious trouble.
Calum (17 KP) rated Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) in Movies
Jul 10, 2018
Catchy music/songs (3 more)
Good range of characters
Fun special effects
That museum scene
Story drags a little bit (2 more)
Somewhat predictable
Range of locations aren't very exciting
Great musical, okay everything else
Back in the summer of 2007 I was at a friends house. I was 10 years old and did not have much previous experience of music but decided to watch this. Looking back, I was probably a little too young for the language and adult themes but I can safely say that this movie single handedly got me into music. Even to this day I could recite every song word for word.
Aside from the amazing range of songs, it is quite a simple musical comedy. There are a good few funny moments but also a lot of jokes that just fall flat.. Let's be honest though, if you're a fan of Tenacious D, you aren't here for the comedy but for the music which I have to say again is simply brilliant! As long as you aren't too easily offended by some of the more vulgar scenes, this is a must watch!
Aside from the amazing range of songs, it is quite a simple musical comedy. There are a good few funny moments but also a lot of jokes that just fall flat.. Let's be honest though, if you're a fan of Tenacious D, you aren't here for the comedy but for the music which I have to say again is simply brilliant! As long as you aren't too easily offended by some of the more vulgar scenes, this is a must watch!