Search
Search results
Workout & Fitness Exercises
Health & Fitness and Sports
App
An application for body building, fitness, workout which you will enjoy to use in gym or even at...
Mortgage Calculator for iPhone
Finance and Utilities
App
Fed up with mortgage lenders telling you everything you don’t need to know? Confused by industry...
MuvaMoji by Amber Rose
Entertainment and Utilities
App
Presenting the official MuvaMoji app by Amber Rose. Featuring over 900 brand new emoji personally...
Nightingales in November: A Year in the Lives of Twelve British Birds
Book
Have you ever wondered what 'our' birds get up to when they're not pinching our peanuts, pilfering...
Merissa (12963 KP) rated Capture (Torsere #1) in Books
Aug 24, 2020
Capture is the first book in the Torsere series and we drop into a world where kingdoms are small but the dragons are great!!!
Ryneq is the King of Torsere, his sister is about to enter a marriage to the Elves, and he doesn't have time for a dalliance of any kind other than the odd night or two. Nykin is a young dragon rider, partnered with Fimor, and doesn't think he would be satisfied with just a night or two so is prepared to admire from a distance. Circumstances throw these two together to begin with but bravery and loyalty make it a long-term affair.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The twist with the timing of the bond with dragons was a new one on me. Nykin and Ryneq are wonderful characters that I want to know more about. The world-building is done so you get bits and pieces where relevant rather than an info dump. The descriptions of people and places make them all easy to see. There are a couple of steamy scenes but nothing too in-depth.
All in all, a brilliant start to a new series and I really can't wait to continue. 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!
Ryneq is the King of Torsere, his sister is about to enter a marriage to the Elves, and he doesn't have time for a dalliance of any kind other than the odd night or two. Nykin is a young dragon rider, partnered with Fimor, and doesn't think he would be satisfied with just a night or two so is prepared to admire from a distance. Circumstances throw these two together to begin with but bravery and loyalty make it a long-term affair.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The twist with the timing of the bond with dragons was a new one on me. Nykin and Ryneq are wonderful characters that I want to know more about. The world-building is done so you get bits and pieces where relevant rather than an info dump. The descriptions of people and places make them all easy to see. There are a couple of steamy scenes but nothing too in-depth.
All in all, a brilliant start to a new series and I really can't wait to continue. 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!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Knife Edge in Books
Aug 29, 2020
I was really looking forward to reading this having been a fan of Simon Mayo for many years in his other guise as a radio DJ so was quite disappointed that it didn't really do it for me.
The start was brilliant and had me hooked but it just went a bit "bleh" for me in the middle and although the ending was as good as the start, it just didn't make up for the middle because by that time I had lost a lot of interest and just carried on reading because I hate not finishing books. The characters were interesting but not particularly memorable enough to connect with me so I didn't really care what happened to them either way. The themes and plot of this book are up to date and you can certainly see them playing out in the real world unfortunately but it felt a little over complicated at times.
As usual, I am likely to be in the minority on this one as there have been many 4 and 5 star reviews given; maybe I was having a bad week! so I suggest you give a go for yourself. I have to say that this won't put me off reading Simon's books in the future purely based on the start and end of this particular book.
Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
The start was brilliant and had me hooked but it just went a bit "bleh" for me in the middle and although the ending was as good as the start, it just didn't make up for the middle because by that time I had lost a lot of interest and just carried on reading because I hate not finishing books. The characters were interesting but not particularly memorable enough to connect with me so I didn't really care what happened to them either way. The themes and plot of this book are up to date and you can certainly see them playing out in the real world unfortunately but it felt a little over complicated at times.
As usual, I am likely to be in the minority on this one as there have been many 4 and 5 star reviews given; maybe I was having a bad week! so I suggest you give a go for yourself. I have to say that this won't put me off reading Simon's books in the future purely based on the start and end of this particular book.
Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Miniaturist in Books
May 18, 2020
73 of 200
Book
The Miniaturist
By Jessie Burton
On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear and present her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways . . .
Nella is at first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets she realizes the escalating dangers that await them all. Does the miniaturist hold their fate in her hands? And will she be the key to their salvation or the architect of their downfall?
An absolutely beautiful written book! I found it hard to put down! Only thing I found a little disappointing was I needed more about the miniaturist and the mystery surrounding her. I found the friendships formed in this book so endearing, although it also shows as humans we may have become more excepting of race and sexuality but we are still in some countries struggling to accept each other! I went on to watch the Tv adaptation which was absolutely brilliant and so close to the books!
Highly recommend!
Book
The Miniaturist
By Jessie Burton
On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear and present her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways . . .
Nella is at first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets she realizes the escalating dangers that await them all. Does the miniaturist hold their fate in her hands? And will she be the key to their salvation or the architect of their downfall?
An absolutely beautiful written book! I found it hard to put down! Only thing I found a little disappointing was I needed more about the miniaturist and the mystery surrounding her. I found the friendships formed in this book so endearing, although it also shows as humans we may have become more excepting of race and sexuality but we are still in some countries struggling to accept each other! I went on to watch the Tv adaptation which was absolutely brilliant and so close to the books!
Highly recommend!
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Shining (1980) in Movies
Jun 7, 2020
A classic
This film is undoubtedly a classic and I would never suggest it isnt, although it's probably divisive for me to say that it's not the best film I've ever seen.
From a psychological horror point of view, this is fantastic and is exactly what you'd expect from a Stanley Kubrick film. The score and the cinematography are brilliant. This entire film fills you with such a sense of unease and nervousness, without relying on predictable jump scares like modern horrors. Jack Nicholson has always been one of my favourite actors and he puts in a great performance here as the tormented Jack Torrance. Stephen King really dislikes this film and I can see why considering how much it differs from the book. For me yes there are differences but the majority arent a major problem and I can still appreciate the film itself.
The biggest issue I have with this film is Shelley Duvall. I really cannot stand her acting and her portrayal of Wendy is so laughable and over the top. I really don't like it whenever she's on screen and considering how central she is to the story, this is a major disappointment. If the character of Wendy had been better acted, I wouldve scored this film much higher - she really impacted on my enjoyment of what should be a hugely tense and suspenseful film.
Overall a classic, but definitely not perfect.
From a psychological horror point of view, this is fantastic and is exactly what you'd expect from a Stanley Kubrick film. The score and the cinematography are brilliant. This entire film fills you with such a sense of unease and nervousness, without relying on predictable jump scares like modern horrors. Jack Nicholson has always been one of my favourite actors and he puts in a great performance here as the tormented Jack Torrance. Stephen King really dislikes this film and I can see why considering how much it differs from the book. For me yes there are differences but the majority arent a major problem and I can still appreciate the film itself.
The biggest issue I have with this film is Shelley Duvall. I really cannot stand her acting and her portrayal of Wendy is so laughable and over the top. I really don't like it whenever she's on screen and considering how central she is to the story, this is a major disappointment. If the character of Wendy had been better acted, I wouldve scored this film much higher - she really impacted on my enjoyment of what should be a hugely tense and suspenseful film.
Overall a classic, but definitely not perfect.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated A Study in Scarlet (The Sherlock Holmes Children's Collection #1) in Books
May 29, 2020
Wonderful Retelling For Children
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Stephanie Baudet has written over 50 books for children. Among them, The Sherlock Holmes Children's Collection, a retelling of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliant novels for children ages seven and up.
To give a fair and accurate review of the first book in the series, A Study in Scarlet, I read the original novel. I am not going to review Conan Doyle's work at this time. This review deals with Baudet's adaption. Although I will add, those who are not familiar with Holmes and Watson should start the series with this adaption. It introduces the characters when they first meet and agree to move into Baker Street together.
Baudet's adaption is so enjoyable and entertaining, if they were available years ago, I would have bought the entire collection for my children. The drawings are well done. All of the major points in the original work are presented clearly for children to understand and appreciate Conan Doyle's work.
To date, there are 12 adaptions published. None of them are Sir Author Conan Doyle's most famous work, The Hound of the Baskervilles. I appreciate that Baudet adapted his lesser-known work to allow children access to stories they may not have discovered otherwise.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/29/20.
Stephanie Baudet has written over 50 books for children. Among them, The Sherlock Holmes Children's Collection, a retelling of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliant novels for children ages seven and up.
To give a fair and accurate review of the first book in the series, A Study in Scarlet, I read the original novel. I am not going to review Conan Doyle's work at this time. This review deals with Baudet's adaption. Although I will add, those who are not familiar with Holmes and Watson should start the series with this adaption. It introduces the characters when they first meet and agree to move into Baker Street together.
Baudet's adaption is so enjoyable and entertaining, if they were available years ago, I would have bought the entire collection for my children. The drawings are well done. All of the major points in the original work are presented clearly for children to understand and appreciate Conan Doyle's work.
To date, there are 12 adaptions published. None of them are Sir Author Conan Doyle's most famous work, The Hound of the Baskervilles. I appreciate that Baudet adapted his lesser-known work to allow children access to stories they may not have discovered otherwise.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/29/20.