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Melanie Caldicott (6 KP) rated Afterlove in Books
Apr 29, 2021
*thank you to NetGalley for providing an eArc in exchange for an honest review* You can also read my review at my blog - roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com
Afterlove is the story of Ash and Poppy and so powerful is their love for each other that it can transcend everything, even death!
I have mixed feelings about this book.
Ash and Poppy were likeable characters who Byrne depicts authentically with gorgeous, small details which helped to bring them to life. However, there were aspects of them that were opaque and I felt that some of the events they shared needed to be explored in more depth as sometimes I felt it made them seem a little shallow. For example, their family lives are explored in certain parts of the book but it felt to me like they were ignored when it was convenient for the author.
Their relationship was at times beautifully depicted, yet I also felt it had a tinge of Romeo and Juliet to it where it felt a little bit too all-consuming, too tragic and didn't reflect the other parts of who Ash and Poppy really were. I think love stories that constrict the meaning of a person's life to this one relationship can feel a little unrealistic and over-simplistic. I would have preferred to have the complexity of the grief the characters must have felt for the the loss of life explored more broadly than just how it related to the love of each other.
It was obvious that Byrne had a lot to say about grief and loss in this book and this was handled well, exploring their pain with tenderness and the emptiness loss leaves with hope. However, whilst the device of Ash becoming a grim reaper was novel I felt it left me a little dry and, along with the conclusion of the novel it did not adequately cover the depths of loss or what it can feel like to be left alone when someone dies.
I'm sure that there are many readers who will enjoy this YA book both for its exploration of teenage lesbian romance and for the way it grapples with grief and loss. Overall, I found the book enjoyable and engaging, but with a few flaws which led to the plot not quite melding with the themes it was trying to explore.
You can also read my review and others at https://roamingthroughbooks.wordpress.com/
Afterlove is the story of Ash and Poppy and so powerful is their love for each other that it can transcend everything, even death!
I have mixed feelings about this book.
Ash and Poppy were likeable characters who Byrne depicts authentically with gorgeous, small details which helped to bring them to life. However, there were aspects of them that were opaque and I felt that some of the events they shared needed to be explored in more depth as sometimes I felt it made them seem a little shallow. For example, their family lives are explored in certain parts of the book but it felt to me like they were ignored when it was convenient for the author.
Their relationship was at times beautifully depicted, yet I also felt it had a tinge of Romeo and Juliet to it where it felt a little bit too all-consuming, too tragic and didn't reflect the other parts of who Ash and Poppy really were. I think love stories that constrict the meaning of a person's life to this one relationship can feel a little unrealistic and over-simplistic. I would have preferred to have the complexity of the grief the characters must have felt for the the loss of life explored more broadly than just how it related to the love of each other.
It was obvious that Byrne had a lot to say about grief and loss in this book and this was handled well, exploring their pain with tenderness and the emptiness loss leaves with hope. However, whilst the device of Ash becoming a grim reaper was novel I felt it left me a little dry and, along with the conclusion of the novel it did not adequately cover the depths of loss or what it can feel like to be left alone when someone dies.
I'm sure that there are many readers who will enjoy this YA book both for its exploration of teenage lesbian romance and for the way it grapples with grief and loss. Overall, I found the book enjoyable and engaging, but with a few flaws which led to the plot not quite melding with the themes it was trying to explore.
You can also read my review and others at https://roamingthroughbooks.wordpress.com/
Carma (21 KP) rated Never Resist a Sheikh (International Bad Boys #10) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Felicity is in the wrong place at the wrong time. She is kidnapped by a convoy lead by a sheikh and taken to his palace to be his queen. There is no way in hell she is going to give up her company to become his bride and live halfway across the world. She has to figure out how to help him but also gain her freedom.
Zakir Al-Nazari is the ruling sheikh of Al-Shakhra and needs a bride asap. His government is losing faith in his ruling capabilities and the only way he can figure to keep the peace is to take a bride. He was trying to kidnap the bride meant for a neighboring sheikh but the intel was wrong and he ended up with Felicity. Now he needs to convince her to stay and help him and his country.
I am not typically a sheikh genre fan but given the fact that I adore Jackie Ashenden I gave it a go. It was a good book but it didnt sway me to the genre haha. I will say however that I enjoyed it more than I ever thought I would and I credit her writing style for that. If you havent read anything by Jackie before I would highly recommend her. If sheikhs tickle your fancy try Never Seduce a Sheikh or Never Refuse a Sheikh.
Zakir Al-Nazari is the ruling sheikh of Al-Shakhra and needs a bride asap. His government is losing faith in his ruling capabilities and the only way he can figure to keep the peace is to take a bride. He was trying to kidnap the bride meant for a neighboring sheikh but the intel was wrong and he ended up with Felicity. Now he needs to convince her to stay and help him and his country.
I am not typically a sheikh genre fan but given the fact that I adore Jackie Ashenden I gave it a go. It was a good book but it didnt sway me to the genre haha. I will say however that I enjoyed it more than I ever thought I would and I credit her writing style for that. If you havent read anything by Jackie before I would highly recommend her. If sheikhs tickle your fancy try Never Seduce a Sheikh or Never Refuse a Sheikh.
Otway93 (580 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection in Video Games
Dec 8, 2020
Story (5 more)
Extras
Characters
Character development
Voice acting
Graphics
What a journey...
What can I say about this game? Apart from the fact that the trilogy is a masterpiece of modern gaming.
I must admit that after the first game, which was enjoyable but somewhat repetitive, that I bought way back shortly after release way back I didn't play an Assassin's Creed game until late last year, where I began the whole game franchise from the start.
After getting through the original as quickly as possible, I bought The Ezio Collection cheap, not expecting anything too groundbreaking. Boy was I wrong!
Ezio's story is incredible. With everything from hilarity to heartbreak, every emotion is in there, with voice performances making it feel all the more real.
Also included in the collection are two short films, a prologue and an epilogue, which are absolutely superb (and certainly provide closure)!
With so many improvements added since the original it was a whole new game, which paved the way for so many brilliant games.
I have now played every AC game currently available on the PlayStation 4 (including Valhalla, loved every one), but the only one in the series to match the quality of this game so far in my opinion is Odyssey. I believe this says a lot about the trilogy, as there have now been 11 games in the series since the last of the trilogy, which is a rather impressive feat!
Keep up the good work, Ubisoft!
I must admit that after the first game, which was enjoyable but somewhat repetitive, that I bought way back shortly after release way back I didn't play an Assassin's Creed game until late last year, where I began the whole game franchise from the start.
After getting through the original as quickly as possible, I bought The Ezio Collection cheap, not expecting anything too groundbreaking. Boy was I wrong!
Ezio's story is incredible. With everything from hilarity to heartbreak, every emotion is in there, with voice performances making it feel all the more real.
Also included in the collection are two short films, a prologue and an epilogue, which are absolutely superb (and certainly provide closure)!
With so many improvements added since the original it was a whole new game, which paved the way for so many brilliant games.
I have now played every AC game currently available on the PlayStation 4 (including Valhalla, loved every one), but the only one in the series to match the quality of this game so far in my opinion is Odyssey. I believe this says a lot about the trilogy, as there have now been 11 games in the series since the last of the trilogy, which is a rather impressive feat!
Keep up the good work, Ubisoft!
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
I'm getting really fed up of having to say "I didn't see this one advertised anywhere". I had got it on my films to watch from the August listing as it was a new release, but the first I saw of it was scrolling through weekend cinema times and spotted it down as a Movies For Juniors. I don't remember even seeing it as a general release with more than one showing a day. I did the horrendous thing of judging the film by it's posters, shrugged my shoulders and moved on.
Please don't make my mistake. You need to see this film.
It is so beautifully done and it's sensitive towards it's viewers too. I didn't notice until right near the end (and even then it was actually just mild confusion) that there's no blood. Plenty of war action that you'd expect and injuries all over, but no blood. That alone makes it easier viewing for children, and I can honestly see it being used in schools as a teaching aid.
The animation is much more like a graphic novel style than most animated films that get released. I don't think the poster does it justice at all, it presents a very different image of the film.
I found it a very emotional watch. There were tears of sadness and joy, but then it was fairly even money I'd be crying along to this one.
Please don't make my mistake. You need to see this film.
It is so beautifully done and it's sensitive towards it's viewers too. I didn't notice until right near the end (and even then it was actually just mild confusion) that there's no blood. Plenty of war action that you'd expect and injuries all over, but no blood. That alone makes it easier viewing for children, and I can honestly see it being used in schools as a teaching aid.
The animation is much more like a graphic novel style than most animated films that get released. I don't think the poster does it justice at all, it presents a very different image of the film.
I found it a very emotional watch. There were tears of sadness and joy, but then it was fairly even money I'd be crying along to this one.
Axel (Carolina Reapers #1)
8.0
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The NHL’s been at my door since I was 18. But I’d never leave the Swedish Hockey League. Now...
Can't Touch This (Can't Touch This, #1)
Pepper Winters and Tess Hunter
10.0
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I don’t want to touch it. I really, really don’t. He’s egotistical, crass, and my...
Kyera (8 KP) rated The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, #3) in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Magnus Chase: Ship of the Dead is the final book in the series that blends Norse mythology with the modern world. Rick Riordan writes in his typical humourous fashion and makes learning fun (even if its not always entirely accurate.) As this is the third and final book in the series, there isnt too much to say that wouldnt spoil the first two books if you have not read them so I would recommend doing so before reading this review. You can also read my review of the first book as it is spoiler-free.
Our heroes continue their journey to postpone Ragnarok and defeat Loki. Magnus is joined by Samirah the Valkyrie, Hearthstone the Elf, Blitzen the Dwarf and his fellow Einherjar Alex, Mallory, TJ and Halfborn. They must battle giants, outwit guardians, and save the world from utter destruction. Just your average Tuesday.
I really enjoyed how diversity was represented in this series as we have main characters with different sexualities or orientations, religions, ethnicities, and disabilities. Since I am not most of the ones that were represented in the book, I can't speak to how accurate the portrayal was but I am glad that they were included. As a casual reader, the representation felt informative and not condescending or demeaning.
Rick continues his world building by sending our heroes off on adventures in the nine realms while simultaneously teaching us a bit about Norse mythology. His books are a very approachable way to tackle the topic and perhaps foster a sense of curiosity that will lead readers to want to discover more. There isn't much else to say without spoilers, so I would recommend this series to middle grade, young adult or teen readers who enjoy fantasy. It is a fun, easy read that I hope you won't regret picking up.
Our heroes continue their journey to postpone Ragnarok and defeat Loki. Magnus is joined by Samirah the Valkyrie, Hearthstone the Elf, Blitzen the Dwarf and his fellow Einherjar Alex, Mallory, TJ and Halfborn. They must battle giants, outwit guardians, and save the world from utter destruction. Just your average Tuesday.
I really enjoyed how diversity was represented in this series as we have main characters with different sexualities or orientations, religions, ethnicities, and disabilities. Since I am not most of the ones that were represented in the book, I can't speak to how accurate the portrayal was but I am glad that they were included. As a casual reader, the representation felt informative and not condescending or demeaning.
Rick continues his world building by sending our heroes off on adventures in the nine realms while simultaneously teaching us a bit about Norse mythology. His books are a very approachable way to tackle the topic and perhaps foster a sense of curiosity that will lead readers to want to discover more. There isn't much else to say without spoilers, so I would recommend this series to middle grade, young adult or teen readers who enjoy fantasy. It is a fun, easy read that I hope you won't regret picking up.
This is the fourteenth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!
Driving home to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets stuck in a terrible snowstorm. It forces her to stop at a rest area in Colorado. There she finds four other strangers stranded as well. When going back out to her car to try to get a cell signal, Darby makes a horrible discovery: in the van next to her vehicle, there's a little girl locked in a crate. Darby has no cell signal, there's no phone at the rest stop, and no way of knowing which of the four strangers has abducted this child. She's trapped and must find a way to rescue the kid. But how?
When I first picked up this book, I found it a little slow. Honestly, I think it's just because it stressed me out completely. One young college student trapped in the snow, trying to save a kid. It's a lot. I will say that Darby Thorne is a total badass (much like my hero, Darby Shaw, of The Pelican Brief).
This book is basically just a horror show, filled with violence, terror, and suspense. You don't know who Darby can trust, or what on earth will happen next. Adams packs a lot of tension into a book set in a rest area, and into a story that spans over less than half a day. It's pretty impressive.
Overall, while I can't say I completely enjoyed this book, because I was constantly worried, it's very well-done and suspenseful. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 here.
Driving home to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets stuck in a terrible snowstorm. It forces her to stop at a rest area in Colorado. There she finds four other strangers stranded as well. When going back out to her car to try to get a cell signal, Darby makes a horrible discovery: in the van next to her vehicle, there's a little girl locked in a crate. Darby has no cell signal, there's no phone at the rest stop, and no way of knowing which of the four strangers has abducted this child. She's trapped and must find a way to rescue the kid. But how?
When I first picked up this book, I found it a little slow. Honestly, I think it's just because it stressed me out completely. One young college student trapped in the snow, trying to save a kid. It's a lot. I will say that Darby Thorne is a total badass (much like my hero, Darby Shaw, of The Pelican Brief).
This book is basically just a horror show, filled with violence, terror, and suspense. You don't know who Darby can trust, or what on earth will happen next. Adams packs a lot of tension into a book set in a rest area, and into a story that spans over less than half a day. It's pretty impressive.
Overall, while I can't say I completely enjoyed this book, because I was constantly worried, it's very well-done and suspenseful. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 here.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Isle of Dogs (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
When, by executive decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island, 12-year-old Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies across the river in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.
Before this even hit our screens I was worried I was going to be bored of it because I'd seen the trailer so much. Thankfully that wasn't the case.
It was a beautifully crafted film, and refreshingly different. I loved that it was from the dog's point of view, kind of a reverse Lassie. All the individual dogs and their quirks are very entertaining. And those dumb little moments they have that you'll identify with if you've ever owned a dog.
When Chief and Atari as separated from the rest of the pack on Trash Island I really like how the master/pet relationship is reversed when Atari see's the ride. The amount of times I had been in Chief's position... "Don't do it." *shifty look and edges closer* "Don't" *edges further*
My only wish for this film would be that there was more dog, less person. But despite that it was amusing, and very stylish.
As films go this month there were a few that were hit with "controversy" of some description, and Isle Of Dogs was no exception with cried of cultural misappropriation. I can't say that this is going to be something I can ever say I'd be on the receiving end of, but any rational person would not take a film as an accurate portrayal of a culture and its people.
Before this even hit our screens I was worried I was going to be bored of it because I'd seen the trailer so much. Thankfully that wasn't the case.
It was a beautifully crafted film, and refreshingly different. I loved that it was from the dog's point of view, kind of a reverse Lassie. All the individual dogs and their quirks are very entertaining. And those dumb little moments they have that you'll identify with if you've ever owned a dog.
When Chief and Atari as separated from the rest of the pack on Trash Island I really like how the master/pet relationship is reversed when Atari see's the ride. The amount of times I had been in Chief's position... "Don't do it." *shifty look and edges closer* "Don't" *edges further*
My only wish for this film would be that there was more dog, less person. But despite that it was amusing, and very stylish.
As films go this month there were a few that were hit with "controversy" of some description, and Isle Of Dogs was no exception with cried of cultural misappropriation. I can't say that this is going to be something I can ever say I'd be on the receiving end of, but any rational person would not take a film as an accurate portrayal of a culture and its people.
Merissa (13063 KP) rated Awakened Desires (My Kinky Housemate #5) in Books
Nov 25, 2022
"This story was so touching, romantic, safe, consensual, and incredible."
AWAKENED DESIRES is the fifth book in the My Kinky Housemate series and this time it's the quiet housemate's turn - Rory! We've had snippets of his story in other books but you don't necessarily have to have read them to get this. When his best friend from the past gets in touch, Rory helps him, even though he's nervous about just how they will be together, considering the reasons they fell out of touch.
One thing I will say straight away is that although this book is just as hot in places as the others, the focus is more on the reconnection between Rory and Cal. They both have to put the past behind them (easier said than done) and trust each other to move forward. It was their reconnection that made this story so absolutely perfect.
The rest of the housemates are there to support both Rory and Cal with whatever is thrown at them. Hendrix, oh my heart, he is killing me. I love him so much and can't wait for his story. He was such a sweetheart in this book. I just hope he doesn't have too much angst to deal with before his HEA!
This story was so touching, romantic, safe, consensual, and incredible. I can't say I've had a favourite in this series as I've thoroughly enjoyed each one as I've read it, but I think that may have to change. Let's see if Hendrix can knock them off the top spot!
Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
One thing I will say straight away is that although this book is just as hot in places as the others, the focus is more on the reconnection between Rory and Cal. They both have to put the past behind them (easier said than done) and trust each other to move forward. It was their reconnection that made this story so absolutely perfect.
The rest of the housemates are there to support both Rory and Cal with whatever is thrown at them. Hendrix, oh my heart, he is killing me. I love him so much and can't wait for his story. He was such a sweetheart in this book. I just hope he doesn't have too much angst to deal with before his HEA!
This story was so touching, romantic, safe, consensual, and incredible. I can't say I've had a favourite in this series as I've thoroughly enjoyed each one as I've read it, but I think that may have to change. Let's see if Hendrix can knock them off the top spot!
Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!