Search
Search results
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Unbreakable (The Legion, #1) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
Obviously choosing to dissect Kami Garcia's solo series as my next audiobook victim was a bad idea... a very bad idea...
Basically, I'm saying I give up on Kami Garcia. No offense, but after my horrid experience with the first couple of books of her <i>Beautiful Creatures</i> series she wrote with Margaret Stohl and then <i>Unbreakable</i>, I'm not sure I want to read another of her books (aside from maybe reading <i>Dangerous Creatures</i>).
<i>Unbreakable</i> sort of has a good idea – emphasis on sort of. Garcia's first debut solo novel follows Kennedy Waters, a girl who doesn't actually believe in ghosts until she finds her mother dead. Shortly after, a ghost makes an attempt to kill her as well, and is stopped by Lukas and Jared Lockhart, two brothers who are part of a centuries-old secret society made up of five members trying to stop a demon released by their ancestors hundreds of years ago. However, Kennedy isn't entirely too sure about whether or not she really belongs with this secret society called the Legion of the Black Dove.
For a person who doesn't watch <i>Supernatural</i> much, it's really weird when I get though, oh... 33 pages, that I realize a book is almost an exact carbon copy of the few episodes I watched.
For instance, there are two brothers in <i>Supernatural</i> and there are two brothers in <i>Unbreakable</i>. Are Sam and his brother identical? No.... not that I'm aware, which is only a small difference between the two books. Brother Pair 1 (<i>Supernatural</i>) and Brother Pair 2 (Unbreakable) apparently hunt demons for a living. At least, that's what I think Pair 1 did – correct me if I'm wrong, avid fans who are bound to be more accurate than me.
Oh, and there's a demon hunting around for a certain person... or a certain group of people. I'm pretty sure there was a demon hunting Brother Pair 1 for quite awhile in the episodes I actually watched (give me a break. I was bored. <i>Supernatural</i> just seemed interesting). Fun fact: possession involved in both TV show and book.
The mere fact that <i>Unbreakable</i> matched the few episodes (I believe they were reruns) I watched didn't bother me too much – it was a potential love triangle between Kennedy, Jared, and Lukas that eventually drove me up the wall. If Garcia isn't careful enough, the tension between Jared and Lukas could eventually set the book on fire – Lukas spends a good part of his time between fighting vengeful spirits and other things rubbing something that Jared did wrong in his face. It gets bad enough that both brothers reach the point of throttling each other's throats and Kennedy going between them and stopping them.
I felt like I was watching a scene from a <i>Twilight</i> (I'm starting to appreciate this series). <i>Lux</i> (because I totally snuck a few peeks in the third one), and pretty much any other book that has a love triangle in which 66% of them nearly start a brawl while the rest of the 33% pretty much yells, "STOP!"
By then, I was definitely not sticking around for five to go down to four just because of a mistake.
I did, however, like the world of Legion. It's certainly not a life I would want, but I definitely enjoyed the basic idea behind the series, Candice Accola's narration of <i>Unbreakable</i>, and the sound effects used in the audiobook.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/dnf-audiobook-review-unbreakable-by-kami-garcia/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Basically, I'm saying I give up on Kami Garcia. No offense, but after my horrid experience with the first couple of books of her <i>Beautiful Creatures</i> series she wrote with Margaret Stohl and then <i>Unbreakable</i>, I'm not sure I want to read another of her books (aside from maybe reading <i>Dangerous Creatures</i>).
<i>Unbreakable</i> sort of has a good idea – emphasis on sort of. Garcia's first debut solo novel follows Kennedy Waters, a girl who doesn't actually believe in ghosts until she finds her mother dead. Shortly after, a ghost makes an attempt to kill her as well, and is stopped by Lukas and Jared Lockhart, two brothers who are part of a centuries-old secret society made up of five members trying to stop a demon released by their ancestors hundreds of years ago. However, Kennedy isn't entirely too sure about whether or not she really belongs with this secret society called the Legion of the Black Dove.
For a person who doesn't watch <i>Supernatural</i> much, it's really weird when I get though, oh... 33 pages, that I realize a book is almost an exact carbon copy of the few episodes I watched.
For instance, there are two brothers in <i>Supernatural</i> and there are two brothers in <i>Unbreakable</i>. Are Sam and his brother identical? No.... not that I'm aware, which is only a small difference between the two books. Brother Pair 1 (<i>Supernatural</i>) and Brother Pair 2 (Unbreakable) apparently hunt demons for a living. At least, that's what I think Pair 1 did – correct me if I'm wrong, avid fans who are bound to be more accurate than me.
Oh, and there's a demon hunting around for a certain person... or a certain group of people. I'm pretty sure there was a demon hunting Brother Pair 1 for quite awhile in the episodes I actually watched (give me a break. I was bored. <i>Supernatural</i> just seemed interesting). Fun fact: possession involved in both TV show and book.
The mere fact that <i>Unbreakable</i> matched the few episodes (I believe they were reruns) I watched didn't bother me too much – it was a potential love triangle between Kennedy, Jared, and Lukas that eventually drove me up the wall. If Garcia isn't careful enough, the tension between Jared and Lukas could eventually set the book on fire – Lukas spends a good part of his time between fighting vengeful spirits and other things rubbing something that Jared did wrong in his face. It gets bad enough that both brothers reach the point of throttling each other's throats and Kennedy going between them and stopping them.
I felt like I was watching a scene from a <i>Twilight</i> (I'm starting to appreciate this series). <i>Lux</i> (because I totally snuck a few peeks in the third one), and pretty much any other book that has a love triangle in which 66% of them nearly start a brawl while the rest of the 33% pretty much yells, "STOP!"
By then, I was definitely not sticking around for five to go down to four just because of a mistake.
I did, however, like the world of Legion. It's certainly not a life I would want, but I definitely enjoyed the basic idea behind the series, Candice Accola's narration of <i>Unbreakable</i>, and the sound effects used in the audiobook.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/dnf-audiobook-review-unbreakable-by-kami-garcia/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Strong Island (2017) in Movies
Sep 15, 2017
Hugely tragic, a family destroyed
I wasn't sure what to expect with this new Netflix documentary film especially as it was tipped alongside the likes of The Confession Tapes and The Keepers.
However, this was rather different. This wasn't about getting to the bottom of a mystery. This was about a family's personal tragedy - in this case, the family of the director Yance Ford. At the time of this film she had not started her transition to becoming transgender, so he now refers as a male.
His story is about the death of his older brother William, shot dead by a white man in dubious self defence circumstances. It shows how his family struggled to cope in the aftermath, and there's a scene where the director cries in agony and it is sheer horror to watch it. A delicately tragic insight into Ford's trauma.
However, this was rather different. This wasn't about getting to the bottom of a mystery. This was about a family's personal tragedy - in this case, the family of the director Yance Ford. At the time of this film she had not started her transition to becoming transgender, so he now refers as a male.
His story is about the death of his older brother William, shot dead by a white man in dubious self defence circumstances. It shows how his family struggled to cope in the aftermath, and there's a scene where the director cries in agony and it is sheer horror to watch it. A delicately tragic insight into Ford's trauma.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Close Your Eyes in Books
May 10, 2018
I think this book was incredible. It tells the story of two women who are deeply connected in an unimaginable way. Lauren is a real-estate agent in Texas. She and her brother Alex have been living with the thought that their father murdered their mother when they were just kids. Now Lauren is unable to commit to her long time. boyfriend and Alex is off to Baghdad with Doctors without Borders. Alex has been the only constant in Lauren's life, how is she going to survive without him?
Sylvia is in her forties and pregnant. She is leaving Colorado and her boyfriend Ray and heading back home to New York. There, she is hoping her best friend Victoria will blethered for her, just as Sylvia had been there countless times before.
When their paths cross, they will both find out life changing things.
Sylvia is in her forties and pregnant. She is leaving Colorado and her boyfriend Ray and heading back home to New York. There, she is hoping her best friend Victoria will blethered for her, just as Sylvia had been there countless times before.
When their paths cross, they will both find out life changing things.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Shivers in the Night in Books
May 27, 2019
Clever twists (1 more)
plot
From Campfire type to suspense this ten story book has a little something for almost any fan of the diverse horror genre.
In 'The Baby' you learn how hard it can be trying to be brave in front of an older brother walking at night in the dark of rural Oklahoma. Not all gifts are what they seem as you will learn in 'Mr. Sweater's Gift'. The Law will never be the same in 'Revenger' as a small town judge goes to the extremes of having the punishment fit the crime. Detective Clint Mahan has his work cut out for him as he juggles his serial killer case with an aggressive FBI agent in the who done it story 'In Stitches'.
Shivers in the Night is independently published by the Yukon Writer's Society, it includes stories from beginner authors to published authors.
In 'The Baby' you learn how hard it can be trying to be brave in front of an older brother walking at night in the dark of rural Oklahoma. Not all gifts are what they seem as you will learn in 'Mr. Sweater's Gift'. The Law will never be the same in 'Revenger' as a small town judge goes to the extremes of having the punishment fit the crime. Detective Clint Mahan has his work cut out for him as he juggles his serial killer case with an aggressive FBI agent in the who done it story 'In Stitches'.
Shivers in the Night is independently published by the Yukon Writer's Society, it includes stories from beginner authors to published authors.
Lindsay (1796 KP) rated A Heart's Betrayal (A Journey of the Heart #4) in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
Colleen Coble takes us on another journey. We are lead to another action filled story. We learn about Ben's Oldest sister Emma. What a way to be introduced her. She does not know what happen to her brothers except that they traveled west.
Emma is dealing with the death of her husband. A woman comes in with her son and claims that she is the wife of Emma's late husband. Her home is taken from her. Emma decides to leave her home and go to help Sarah.
She arrives at the fort where Sarah and Rand are stationed. What will happen to them? Rand and Sarah and Emma are then transferred to a new station in the army and where Sarah friend and Rand brother, Jacob are stationed.
Thre are surprises and turns the story continues. What will happen with Emma? Will faith and trust prevail?
Emma is dealing with the death of her husband. A woman comes in with her son and claims that she is the wife of Emma's late husband. Her home is taken from her. Emma decides to leave her home and go to help Sarah.
She arrives at the fort where Sarah and Rand are stationed. What will happen to them? Rand and Sarah and Emma are then transferred to a new station in the army and where Sarah friend and Rand brother, Jacob are stationed.
Thre are surprises and turns the story continues. What will happen with Emma? Will faith and trust prevail?
Well here is my review. I never write reviews as I get a bit tongued tied!
I was lucky enough to win a free copy of Matthew crow's `In Bloom` from the good reads giveaway.
I have never read anything from this author before,so I didn't know what to expect,but I can tell you I wasn't disappointed.
The story is told by fifteen year old Francis Wootton who has recently discovered he has leukaemia. Francis is very intellectual and grown up for his age,this could be due to his dysfunctional family( gay brother,absent father,mad grandmother).
During Francis treatment he meets Amber and their love blossoms,crow covers love,relationship,bravery and hardship within this book
I think this book would be classed as young adult,and very much reminds me of sue Townsend's Adrian mole.
I will be looking out for more books from this author.
I was lucky enough to win a free copy of Matthew crow's `In Bloom` from the good reads giveaway.
I have never read anything from this author before,so I didn't know what to expect,but I can tell you I wasn't disappointed.
The story is told by fifteen year old Francis Wootton who has recently discovered he has leukaemia. Francis is very intellectual and grown up for his age,this could be due to his dysfunctional family( gay brother,absent father,mad grandmother).
During Francis treatment he meets Amber and their love blossoms,crow covers love,relationship,bravery and hardship within this book
I think this book would be classed as young adult,and very much reminds me of sue Townsend's Adrian mole.
I will be looking out for more books from this author.
David McK (3721 KP) rated Day of the Caesars (Eagle #16) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The latest (#16) entry in [a:Simon Scarrow|60636|Simon Scarrow|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1240832197p2/60636.jpg]'s 'Eagle' series of books, with this one taking place just after the death of Emperor Claudius and the ascension of his heir Nero to the Imperial throne.
Despite his best efforts, it's not long before Prefect Cato - and, by extension, Macro - is drawn into the tangled web of conspiracy around that ascension, in particular by a faction that support the claim of Nero's half-brother Britannicus to that throne.
With further reveals around Cato's deceased wife Julia - was she really unfaithful to him? - and with a little bit of further character development for Macro (who is now even beginning to think about settling down!) this I found to be less action-orientated that many of the previous entries in the series, but still an enjoyable read.
Despite his best efforts, it's not long before Prefect Cato - and, by extension, Macro - is drawn into the tangled web of conspiracy around that ascension, in particular by a faction that support the claim of Nero's half-brother Britannicus to that throne.
With further reveals around Cato's deceased wife Julia - was she really unfaithful to him? - and with a little bit of further character development for Macro (who is now even beginning to think about settling down!) this I found to be less action-orientated that many of the previous entries in the series, but still an enjoyable read.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Hansel and Gretel (1988) in Movies
Aug 9, 2019
A great telling of an old tale
Contains spoilers, click to show
Saw this on Netflix and decided to give it a try, honestly wasn't a bad movie.
Cheesy Old school graphics help tell this tale very well and I praise the effort.
A few enjoyable musical numbers that are actually a little fun to hear.
Brother and sister Hansel (Hugh Pollard) and Gretel (Nicola Stapleton) are careless and leave food out for a donkey to eat. This enrages their mother (Emily Richard) because the family is poor and cannot afford to waste food. She orders the children to go out and pick some berries. Lost in the woods, they eventually find a magical cottage made of gingerbread and meet a nice old woman named Griselda (Cloris Leachman). But Griselda is a witch who imprisons the children and plans to eat them.
Initial release: 1987
Cheesy Old school graphics help tell this tale very well and I praise the effort.
A few enjoyable musical numbers that are actually a little fun to hear.
Brother and sister Hansel (Hugh Pollard) and Gretel (Nicola Stapleton) are careless and leave food out for a donkey to eat. This enrages their mother (Emily Richard) because the family is poor and cannot afford to waste food. She orders the children to go out and pick some berries. Lost in the woods, they eventually find a magical cottage made of gingerbread and meet a nice old woman named Griselda (Cloris Leachman). But Griselda is a witch who imprisons the children and plans to eat them.
Initial release: 1987
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Jan 10, 2020
I guess I just didn't get it.
I know I'm in the extreme minority here, but I was just not a fan of this movie. It was super bleak, and I grew bored fairly quickly. I know, it was supposedly a commentary on society & mental health/illness blah blah blah, and I'm not sure what this says about me, but it did absolutely nothing for me. Phoenix's performance, which everyone and his brother is applauding (and, apparently, awarding - see last week's Golden Globes), was just ok in my opinion. Then again, Phoenix as an actor in general is just ok in my opinion.
Gotham was super seedy, as Gotham should be, and the Wayne name was only invoked once or twice (both Bruce & Thomas) - and that's where any connection to the DCU ends. And that's really fine, since I have zero desire to see this Joker again.
Gotham was super seedy, as Gotham should be, and the Wayne name was only invoked once or twice (both Bruce & Thomas) - and that's where any connection to the DCU ends. And that's really fine, since I have zero desire to see this Joker again.
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated Changing on the Fly in Books
Apr 24, 2020
Made my heart ache
Changing on the fly tells the story of the beautiful Maya finally finding love with her best friend’s younger brother Jude, after being in love with him for over five years.
However as is life the process is never straightforward. Maya is being terrorised by her ex, and he is brutally harsh in handing out his brand of terror. There should most certainly be a trigger warning on this book due to the some of the horrendous acts that Maya is subjected to.
It’s a well written tale, that I simply could not put down. I read it in a matter of hours. The main characters are very likeable and I could not help but empathise with them. Angela Stevens’s novel is an emotional rollercoaster, allowing you to experience joy and love followed my fear and horror. With some very heartwarming moments entwined.
However as is life the process is never straightforward. Maya is being terrorised by her ex, and he is brutally harsh in handing out his brand of terror. There should most certainly be a trigger warning on this book due to the some of the horrendous acts that Maya is subjected to.
It’s a well written tale, that I simply could not put down. I read it in a matter of hours. The main characters are very likeable and I could not help but empathise with them. Angela Stevens’s novel is an emotional rollercoaster, allowing you to experience joy and love followed my fear and horror. With some very heartwarming moments entwined.