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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Gold Manor Ghost House in Books
Jun 6, 2018
(This review can be found on my blog <a href="http://themisadventuresofatwentysomething.blogspot.com/">The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl</a>).
I have to admit that the blurb is what drew me in to this book. While it wasn't really that ghostly, it was still a good book.
Usually any title with the word "ghost" in it captures my attention, and it was no different for this book. The title references the name of the tv show the characters are in. It also reflects real life for them.
I don't like the cover at all. It's not very captivating nor does it tell us anything about the book besides one of the characters is a girl. There's so many different covers this book could've had, so why settle on a boring photo of some girl. I just hope the cover doesn't put others off because this is a good read.
The world building, while believable, was confusing at some points in the book. I don't know if it's because a lot of questions will be revealed in the next book (if there is one) or what. There were times when I had no idea what was going on. I even would go back a few pages and reread them in case I had missed something, but I hadn't. I don't really know how to describe it other than to say the world building was choppy at times. Besides being confused, I found myself drawn to the world which the author created for this book. There were times when I felt like I was even one of the characters.
I enjoyed the pacing. Once you get past the confusing bits of the story, the pacing is done rather well. I was totally immersed in this book, and I could've wait to read the next chapter to find out what the characters would experience next.
The plot was interesting albeit confusing since we don't really know where and what Anna is yet. It's the typical good versus evil story, but written in a very interesting way. We're not sure who to trust yet, and we're left wondering with whether Anna is good or evil. The plot thickens...in the next book. (At least, I hope there's a next boo since so many questions are left unanswered).
I liked the character of Anna. She's been through a traumatizing experience, yet she's a strong person. I felt bad for her with what she was going through, and I loved her feelings for Adam! I enjoyed Adam. He's still a very mysterious character, not because he wasn't written well, but because I think the author wants to save what he's really about for another book (hopefully) and because she wants her audience to make up their own mind about him. I love how protective he is and how sexy he sounds! He's British (like my husband) so he instantly scored points with that one! I felt bad for Corey when it came to his unrequited love from Anna. He's her best friend, yet he yearns for more. I was Team Corey all the way even though I liked Adam. I wanted Anna and Corey to become a couple all throughout the book! He comes across as being a tad more sweet than Adam, and I don't know what it is about Corey, but I just loved him a lot. To me, he was better boyfriend material.
The dialogue didn't really sound like it was teenage like. It sounded more like the way adults would talk, not a bunch of teenagers. However, I did enjoy the dialogue but kept forgetting that Anna was meant to be only sixteen. It annoyed me how Adam kept saying "love" though. I found it to be too stereotypical. Yes, some British people do say "love," but Adam seemed to say it an awful lot. Having lived in England for 6 years, I can tell you that British people do not say "love" all the time. However that's just a me thing and shouldn't affect the book for others. I enjoyed the scenes Corey was in the most though as his dialogue was the most enjoyable in my opinion. I didn't notice any swearing in this book.
Overall, Gold Manor Ghost House by Merry Brown is an enjoyable book despite some of its confusing scenes and minor faults. I really hope there's a second book in the works because I enjoyed the first one and am wanting my questions to be answered. The way the first book is written, it seems like there will be a second book which I will most definitely read!
I'd recommend this book for those aged 14+ who are fans of the paranormal that are also looking for a bit of romance.
I'd give Gold Manor Ghost House by Merry Brown a 3.75 out of 5.
(I received a free ecopy of this book from the tour host in exchange for a fair and honest review).
I have to admit that the blurb is what drew me in to this book. While it wasn't really that ghostly, it was still a good book.
Usually any title with the word "ghost" in it captures my attention, and it was no different for this book. The title references the name of the tv show the characters are in. It also reflects real life for them.
I don't like the cover at all. It's not very captivating nor does it tell us anything about the book besides one of the characters is a girl. There's so many different covers this book could've had, so why settle on a boring photo of some girl. I just hope the cover doesn't put others off because this is a good read.
The world building, while believable, was confusing at some points in the book. I don't know if it's because a lot of questions will be revealed in the next book (if there is one) or what. There were times when I had no idea what was going on. I even would go back a few pages and reread them in case I had missed something, but I hadn't. I don't really know how to describe it other than to say the world building was choppy at times. Besides being confused, I found myself drawn to the world which the author created for this book. There were times when I felt like I was even one of the characters.
I enjoyed the pacing. Once you get past the confusing bits of the story, the pacing is done rather well. I was totally immersed in this book, and I could've wait to read the next chapter to find out what the characters would experience next.
The plot was interesting albeit confusing since we don't really know where and what Anna is yet. It's the typical good versus evil story, but written in a very interesting way. We're not sure who to trust yet, and we're left wondering with whether Anna is good or evil. The plot thickens...in the next book. (At least, I hope there's a next boo since so many questions are left unanswered).
I liked the character of Anna. She's been through a traumatizing experience, yet she's a strong person. I felt bad for her with what she was going through, and I loved her feelings for Adam! I enjoyed Adam. He's still a very mysterious character, not because he wasn't written well, but because I think the author wants to save what he's really about for another book (hopefully) and because she wants her audience to make up their own mind about him. I love how protective he is and how sexy he sounds! He's British (like my husband) so he instantly scored points with that one! I felt bad for Corey when it came to his unrequited love from Anna. He's her best friend, yet he yearns for more. I was Team Corey all the way even though I liked Adam. I wanted Anna and Corey to become a couple all throughout the book! He comes across as being a tad more sweet than Adam, and I don't know what it is about Corey, but I just loved him a lot. To me, he was better boyfriend material.
The dialogue didn't really sound like it was teenage like. It sounded more like the way adults would talk, not a bunch of teenagers. However, I did enjoy the dialogue but kept forgetting that Anna was meant to be only sixteen. It annoyed me how Adam kept saying "love" though. I found it to be too stereotypical. Yes, some British people do say "love," but Adam seemed to say it an awful lot. Having lived in England for 6 years, I can tell you that British people do not say "love" all the time. However that's just a me thing and shouldn't affect the book for others. I enjoyed the scenes Corey was in the most though as his dialogue was the most enjoyable in my opinion. I didn't notice any swearing in this book.
Overall, Gold Manor Ghost House by Merry Brown is an enjoyable book despite some of its confusing scenes and minor faults. I really hope there's a second book in the works because I enjoyed the first one and am wanting my questions to be answered. The way the first book is written, it seems like there will be a second book which I will most definitely read!
I'd recommend this book for those aged 14+ who are fans of the paranormal that are also looking for a bit of romance.
I'd give Gold Manor Ghost House by Merry Brown a 3.75 out of 5.
(I received a free ecopy of this book from the tour host in exchange for a fair and honest review).
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Less in Books
Jul 28, 2018
Less is a good name for this book, because that's how I found it. Less than the love story it is purported to be. Less interesting than people say it is. Less funny than reviews would have me believe. Less than I was expecting. It's a Pulitzer Prize winner, apparently? Maybe I just don't "get" contemporary fiction. Because unless it's YA, I very, VERY rarely like it. I didn't like Arthur Less. None of his misadventures were that funny.
The book was a little meta; Arthur is told that the book he's writing isn't that interesting because his protagonist, a middle aged gay white man, isn't interesting and no one cares about him. Which is exactly how I feel about Arthur Less. He's a middle aged gay white man with the means to travel the world, and a boyfriend who would have married him if he'd only, I don't know, asked. But he just floats through his life a little melancholy and woe is me. And not in the like actually depressed kind of way. Just - meh.
Arthur is BORING. Arthur is privileged, and boring, and annoying as all hell. This book just makes me want to avoid Pulitzer Prize winners. Who awards these prizes, and WHY? Also why does everybody rave about books like this?
Blargh. Don't bother with this book. People who say it made them laugh out loud don't know what they're talking about, or perhaps haven't read actually funny books. They should read something by Ellen, or Trevor Noah, or Tiffany Haddish. THEY'RE ACTUALLY FUNNY.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
The book was a little meta; Arthur is told that the book he's writing isn't that interesting because his protagonist, a middle aged gay white man, isn't interesting and no one cares about him. Which is exactly how I feel about Arthur Less. He's a middle aged gay white man with the means to travel the world, and a boyfriend who would have married him if he'd only, I don't know, asked. But he just floats through his life a little melancholy and woe is me. And not in the like actually depressed kind of way. Just - meh.
Arthur is BORING. Arthur is privileged, and boring, and annoying as all hell. This book just makes me want to avoid Pulitzer Prize winners. Who awards these prizes, and WHY? Also why does everybody rave about books like this?
Blargh. Don't bother with this book. People who say it made them laugh out loud don't know what they're talking about, or perhaps haven't read actually funny books. They should read something by Ellen, or Trevor Noah, or Tiffany Haddish. THEY'RE ACTUALLY FUNNY.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
ClareR (6225 KP) rated Shrines of Gaiety in Books
Dec 5, 2022
What can I write to do this book justice, other than say “just read it?” I have to admit to not having read much Kate Atkinson before - only the first Jackson Brodie novel, which I loved - but I really feel I should read more of her books!
Shrines of Gaiety is set in the 1920’s, post First World War, and encompasses post war life with all of its excesses, poverty, grief and debauchery.
Nellie Coker is a self made woman who owns a series of nightclubs in London. She’s a single mother, and five of her six children help her to run her empire (the sixth is too young). How she came to own these clubs is a mystery. But the chances are that it wasn’t legal money!
Then there are the 14 year old runaways, Freda and Florence, who want to take to the stage to find fame and fortune.
Detective Chief Inspector Frobisher is determined to bring Nellie Coker and her corrupt empire down, as well as the corrupt police officers that support her. He also becomes involved in the search for the two runaways, thanks to Gwendoline Kelling, a librarian who has inherited a considerable amount of money. She’s a friend of one of the runaways sister, and vows to find her.
I won’t just regurgitate the story, that’s no fun, and you need to read this book for yourself! Needless to say, I loved these characters - the whole novel in fact! It’s a gripping, entertaining story, and it was a joy to read.
Very highly recommended.
Oh, and for the book cover fans, it’s a gorgeous one!
Shrines of Gaiety is set in the 1920’s, post First World War, and encompasses post war life with all of its excesses, poverty, grief and debauchery.
Nellie Coker is a self made woman who owns a series of nightclubs in London. She’s a single mother, and five of her six children help her to run her empire (the sixth is too young). How she came to own these clubs is a mystery. But the chances are that it wasn’t legal money!
Then there are the 14 year old runaways, Freda and Florence, who want to take to the stage to find fame and fortune.
Detective Chief Inspector Frobisher is determined to bring Nellie Coker and her corrupt empire down, as well as the corrupt police officers that support her. He also becomes involved in the search for the two runaways, thanks to Gwendoline Kelling, a librarian who has inherited a considerable amount of money. She’s a friend of one of the runaways sister, and vows to find her.
I won’t just regurgitate the story, that’s no fun, and you need to read this book for yourself! Needless to say, I loved these characters - the whole novel in fact! It’s a gripping, entertaining story, and it was a joy to read.
Very highly recommended.
Oh, and for the book cover fans, it’s a gorgeous one!
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Princess Bride (1987) in Movies
Mar 28, 2019
Director Rob Reiner really had a fantastic career as a director going in the 80s and early 90s with the likes of When Harry Met Sally..., Stand By Me, Misery, A Few Good Men, This is Spinal Tap and this film of course.
Based on the masterful screenplay by Hollywood mega-scribe William Goldman, it quite frankly gives us the perfect showcase for "True Love".
Every character has their place in bringing the story forward, and the laughs keep coming in every scene. I used to have long passages of the screenplay memorized and could quote at will.
My kids and I will often text each other back and forth with a quote-a-thon of the film (I always win!)
Whenever someone leaves our house to go somewhere someone will always say "Have fun storming the castle!".
If I am ever needing to lighten my mood, I will sometimes even just watch a few scenes or catch some clips on YouTube. Quite honestly I can just close my eyes and recite it from memory.
What a classic!
Based on the masterful screenplay by Hollywood mega-scribe William Goldman, it quite frankly gives us the perfect showcase for "True Love".
Every character has their place in bringing the story forward, and the laughs keep coming in every scene. I used to have long passages of the screenplay memorized and could quote at will.
My kids and I will often text each other back and forth with a quote-a-thon of the film (I always win!)
Whenever someone leaves our house to go somewhere someone will always say "Have fun storming the castle!".
If I am ever needing to lighten my mood, I will sometimes even just watch a few scenes or catch some clips on YouTube. Quite honestly I can just close my eyes and recite it from memory.
What a classic!
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Passenger in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Firstly I'd like to thanks Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
The Passenger is thrilling and exhilarating! With twists and turns around every corner, I can assure you, you will not be bored.
While this books plot is overused, Lutz did really well to add her own spark to it, making it unique and fast paced, exactly what I love in a book. Each character presented had their own story to tell and I'm happy to say I found none of them annoying or boring (maybe apart from Domenic's use of the word 'sweetheart' a lot).
Tanya/Nora/Debra's/whatever you want to call her's story is heartbreaking and challenging throughout. I tend to find women found in these predicaments (in books) do all the wrong things and only make their life more difficult, but Tanya does everything expertly and wonderfully. She's such a likeable character that you are backing her the whole way through, even at the times where her actions are questionable.
I will definitely recommend this to friends and family when it is published as I believe it's a fabulous fast paced thriller that thousands will enjoy.
The Passenger is thrilling and exhilarating! With twists and turns around every corner, I can assure you, you will not be bored.
While this books plot is overused, Lutz did really well to add her own spark to it, making it unique and fast paced, exactly what I love in a book. Each character presented had their own story to tell and I'm happy to say I found none of them annoying or boring (maybe apart from Domenic's use of the word 'sweetheart' a lot).
Tanya/Nora/Debra's/whatever you want to call her's story is heartbreaking and challenging throughout. I tend to find women found in these predicaments (in books) do all the wrong things and only make their life more difficult, but Tanya does everything expertly and wonderfully. She's such a likeable character that you are backing her the whole way through, even at the times where her actions are questionable.
I will definitely recommend this to friends and family when it is published as I believe it's a fabulous fast paced thriller that thousands will enjoy.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated The Alienist - Season 1 in TV
Mar 29, 2018
Costumes (2 more)
Landscapes and Environments are exquisite
Cinematography
The Acting (4 more)
The Subject
Creepy upon creepy
Unlikable characters
Not enough happens
The production quality is very high, everything else is very low...
This show is very pretty to look at, and I can only imagine all the work that went into making it that way. This is really the only reason it gets any marks at all. I really believe I'm in a historical time period. The camera work is great too. Problem is everything else is a let down to say the least. The Characters are unlikable and borderline uninteresting. Even if they explain what the Alienist means, it's not enough. It's a terrible name. There is a genuine lack of humanity going on here and all the interactions are so cold and sterile of feeling, which I suppose could be on purpose, but doesn't do the show any favors. The characters dance around each other but don't connect. I realize on some level I'm not the target audience because I don't like creepy, and I don't like horror, and I'm not a fan of showing the seedy underside of society with young boys dressed as girls in a brothel.
Gail (4 KP) rated Resisting Redemption in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Resisting Redemption by Amabel Daniels
Four Stars
This is the first story I’ve read from this author and I can say without a doubt that I am hooked. I felt like I was right there with the action and could feel every emotion the characters felt. The characters were flawed and perfect. Roxie has become my favorite character. She is a single mom doing what’s best for her daughter. She gives off this sassy vibe when truly she is just going with the flow. Through the book I expected her to become less sassy and more damsel in distress. But the author didn’t disappoint me. She stayed true to her personality and only gave on things concerning her daughter. The way they portray Grant you would think he was a sexist old man who thought women belonged in the kitchen. Oh no Grant is so much more and down right sexy. He blows me away with his personality and determination to get justice. Some characters I could do without because blah. But these two were just right and baby Lucy too cute. A red head baby if only.
Four Stars
This is the first story I’ve read from this author and I can say without a doubt that I am hooked. I felt like I was right there with the action and could feel every emotion the characters felt. The characters were flawed and perfect. Roxie has become my favorite character. She is a single mom doing what’s best for her daughter. She gives off this sassy vibe when truly she is just going with the flow. Through the book I expected her to become less sassy and more damsel in distress. But the author didn’t disappoint me. She stayed true to her personality and only gave on things concerning her daughter. The way they portray Grant you would think he was a sexist old man who thought women belonged in the kitchen. Oh no Grant is so much more and down right sexy. He blows me away with his personality and determination to get justice. Some characters I could do without because blah. But these two were just right and baby Lucy too cute. A red head baby if only.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated The Girl and Her Ren in Books
Jun 18, 2018
I am a complete blubbering mess after finishing this book. After so many times of having to walk away because I couldn't read through my tears.. I made it. WOW, was this story heartbreaking and breathtakingly beautiful. One of those stories that will stay with me forever..
So much love... more than anything else I can say about this book, so. much. love. A beautiful story about true soulmates, two people born for one another and strangers that become more than family.
Pepper never sugar coats it and this story was no different. Ripping my heart out yet again. But real life happens, the ups and downs, good and bad and I couldn't help but experience every emotion right along with them. "This is how humans are supposed to exist." So true, in so many ways in this incredible story about love, loss, and perseverance.
Beautifully written, as always. An absolute emotional rollercoaster for those that are brave enough. I couldn't possibly love this Duet more.
So much love... more than anything else I can say about this book, so. much. love. A beautiful story about true soulmates, two people born for one another and strangers that become more than family.
Pepper never sugar coats it and this story was no different. Ripping my heart out yet again. But real life happens, the ups and downs, good and bad and I couldn't help but experience every emotion right along with them. "This is how humans are supposed to exist." So true, in so many ways in this incredible story about love, loss, and perseverance.
Beautifully written, as always. An absolute emotional rollercoaster for those that are brave enough. I couldn't possibly love this Duet more.
