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BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Merchant’s Daughter in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Set in the Medieval Era, Annabel and Lord Ranulf will steal your heart in this unique story that mirrors the story of Beauty and the Beast. From a nasty "Gaston" to a sweet young boy, and a caring housekeeper...The heart of the story reminds us that it is not our appearance or circumstances that define us...But our heart.
If you have read some (or all) of these books, you know that each novel can stand alone. But ultimately, they all intertwine. You can see the Family Tree on Melanie's website. I highly recommend this story and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
I purchased a print copy of The Merchant's Daughter. This review is based on the audio version which I borrowed from my local library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
If you have read some (or all) of these books, you know that each novel can stand alone. But ultimately, they all intertwine. You can see the Family Tree on Melanie's website. I highly recommend this story and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
I purchased a print copy of The Merchant's Daughter. This review is based on the audio version which I borrowed from my local library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Young Jean Lee recommended Eraserhead (1977) in Movies (curated)
Awix (3310 KP) rated Saint Maud (2020) in Movies
Oct 16, 2020
Outstanding British psycho-horror movie; if you want to experience an approximation of what it's like to be in the head of someone in the process of going utterly nuts, this is the movie for you. A devout nurse with a troubled past starts a job caring for an abrasive, dying ex-dancer; she believes God has sent her to this place, but when events suggest otherwise, she finds it impossible to accept...
Initially seems like another of those post-horror movies we keep hearing about: lots of ominous atmosphere and creepy intensity, but not much that's explicitly scary to start with (this changes). Powered along by an extraordinary performance from Morfydd Clark, who plays one of the most unsettling movie loons in recent years, but extremely well scripted and directed too. Genuinely gripping and unsettling, with an ending that hits like a hammer. This is one hell of a movie.
Initially seems like another of those post-horror movies we keep hearing about: lots of ominous atmosphere and creepy intensity, but not much that's explicitly scary to start with (this changes). Powered along by an extraordinary performance from Morfydd Clark, who plays one of the most unsettling movie loons in recent years, but extremely well scripted and directed too. Genuinely gripping and unsettling, with an ending that hits like a hammer. This is one hell of a movie.
Merissa (11704 KP) rated The Exorcist Who Loved Me (Must Love Ghosts #2) in Books
Jun 6, 2023
This a fast-paced and quirky story, telling of a young widow and an exorcist, and the things that they uncover both of the normal and paranormal types. The whole book has a timespan of about 5-7 days, so it is definitely in the 'insta-love' category, but somehow, it seems to work for them. Holly is warm, caring and babbles when she's nervous. Lawe is a 'wandering star' who doesn't want any roots to hold him down. Of course, things change when these two meet.
Well-written, with a healthy dose of humour, and a dollop of mystery. This book is a light read, guaranteed to delight. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Apr 17, 2016
Well-written, with a healthy dose of humour, and a dollop of mystery. This book is a light read, guaranteed to delight. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Apr 17, 2016
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated The Boy at the Door in Books
Jun 13, 2018
Just Say No
I wanted to love this book. I really did. I heard about it in a book magazine, and I fell in love with the blurb.
However, I got to reading this book, and I found myself not caring about what happens. The pacing was just to slow for me, yet I continued to read in case it got better. It did not.
As for the characters, I found myself not caring about them. I just couldn’t connect to any of them. I did like Johan from the Little I read of him. I wondered why he’d stay with a horrible piece of work like Celia. And Celia was definitely a nasty piece of work! The way she treats her husband is vile! She talks about showering him with plenty of sex and affection and then basically being a bitch to them in order to get him to stay. She recommends other women do this too. No, thank you. The way she acts when she hears that Tobias is going to be staying with her for a few months is just horrible too. I realize it’s a big deal to have a kid you’ve never known come to stay with you for a few months, but I just felt she was way over the top. And don’t get me started on how she treats other people like she’s better than them. Yet she wants to come across to others as having the perfect family, so why treat others like crap if you are concerned with how they perceive you? Celia is nothing but a spoiled, selfish, vile brat. She’s one of the main reasons I couldn’t finish this book.
Maybe others will like this book, but I just couldn’t get into it due to slow pacing and mainly because I couldn’t torture myself to keep reading about Celia. This is being added to my DNR shelf.
(I received a free ebook of this title from the First to Read program).
However, I got to reading this book, and I found myself not caring about what happens. The pacing was just to slow for me, yet I continued to read in case it got better. It did not.
As for the characters, I found myself not caring about them. I just couldn’t connect to any of them. I did like Johan from the Little I read of him. I wondered why he’d stay with a horrible piece of work like Celia. And Celia was definitely a nasty piece of work! The way she treats her husband is vile! She talks about showering him with plenty of sex and affection and then basically being a bitch to them in order to get him to stay. She recommends other women do this too. No, thank you. The way she acts when she hears that Tobias is going to be staying with her for a few months is just horrible too. I realize it’s a big deal to have a kid you’ve never known come to stay with you for a few months, but I just felt she was way over the top. And don’t get me started on how she treats other people like she’s better than them. Yet she wants to come across to others as having the perfect family, so why treat others like crap if you are concerned with how they perceive you? Celia is nothing but a spoiled, selfish, vile brat. She’s one of the main reasons I couldn’t finish this book.
Maybe others will like this book, but I just couldn’t get into it due to slow pacing and mainly because I couldn’t torture myself to keep reading about Celia. This is being added to my DNR shelf.
(I received a free ebook of this title from the First to Read program).
MissCagey (2652 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
May 2, 2018
I really don't understand all the great reviews this film is getting. I am not a comic book hero fan in general but this was one I was so excited to watch as I LOVED the Wonder Woman tv show when I was younger. I wanted to be Wonder Woman, I dressed as her for a fancy dress....I thought she was AMAZING! When she spun around into her costume, the primary colours, the excitement....just brilliant. And then we have this shambles of a film to honour her, oh dear.
Her costume is drab, the cinematography is drab (other than Themyscira), the story is boring, Gal Gadot can't pick an accent she wants to use the whole way through, the villain is crap, her morals flip flop- she hates war and cries about it and then brings down a church (which contained one sniper) not caring if there are any civilians around, blah blah blah. So disappointing.
Her costume is drab, the cinematography is drab (other than Themyscira), the story is boring, Gal Gadot can't pick an accent she wants to use the whole way through, the villain is crap, her morals flip flop- she hates war and cries about it and then brings down a church (which contained one sniper) not caring if there are any civilians around, blah blah blah. So disappointing.
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Queen of Someday (Stolen Empire, #1) in Books
Feb 4, 2019
This book tells the story of a young Sophia on her journey to Russia where she will hopefully marry Peter to become queen one day.
I didn’t realise it was telling the story of the young Catherine the Great and how she came to be ruler of Russia.
I found Sophie’s character to overall be very enjoyable as she was badass and would take care of herself whilst also having a kind and caring side. However she was a bit annoying at times with how naive and idealistic she could be.
What was really great about this book was at the end of most chapters there was a link to a short video. In this the author would give some extra information and sometimes explain differences between her story and known historical facts and the reasons behind them.
Overall I enjoyed this book and decided to buy the rest in the series and that is saying something.
I didn’t realise it was telling the story of the young Catherine the Great and how she came to be ruler of Russia.
I found Sophie’s character to overall be very enjoyable as she was badass and would take care of herself whilst also having a kind and caring side. However she was a bit annoying at times with how naive and idealistic she could be.
What was really great about this book was at the end of most chapters there was a link to a short video. In this the author would give some extra information and sometimes explain differences between her story and known historical facts and the reasons behind them.
Overall I enjoyed this book and decided to buy the rest in the series and that is saying something.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Downsizing (2017) in Movies
Feb 1, 2018
Great idea, badly executed
Downsizing really has no idea what film it's trying to be. Is it a drama? Is it a comedy? Is it a take on current issues with society and global warming? The problem is it tries to be all of these and more, and it fails at every hurdle.
It isn't funny, all of the jokes pretty much fall flat. The drama side is so boring and unengaging that less than an hour in I was dying to leave. The characters themselves are for the most part underdeveloped and completely forgettable. Paul Safranek as the protagonist is so dull that you find yourself not caring about his exploits. The only exception is played by Hong Chau, as even Christoph Waltz can't seem to impress in this.
The concept of downsizing itself is a fantastic idea, it's just a shame the film itself is dragged down by being too serious and boring. If done right, this could have been a great comedy.
It isn't funny, all of the jokes pretty much fall flat. The drama side is so boring and unengaging that less than an hour in I was dying to leave. The characters themselves are for the most part underdeveloped and completely forgettable. Paul Safranek as the protagonist is so dull that you find yourself not caring about his exploits. The only exception is played by Hong Chau, as even Christoph Waltz can't seem to impress in this.
The concept of downsizing itself is a fantastic idea, it's just a shame the film itself is dragged down by being too serious and boring. If done right, this could have been a great comedy.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2072 KP) rated Demolition Angel in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Three years ago, Carol Starkey lost her partner and lover when a bomb exploded. Heck, she almost lost her life herself, and she has lived with the scars, real and emotional, from it ever since. Now she is tasked with solving the murder of another LAPD bomb squad member killed by a bomb. The ATF thinks it was the work of Mr. Red, a serial bomber. Can Carol catch him?
The mystery itself in this book is strong, and I enjoyed the twists and turns as we went along. However, I had a real problem with Carol. She was a walking cliché of the hard-boiled mystery genre right down to her chain smoking, secret drinking, and hard to like personality. Her character arc was a cliché as well, but I finally did find myself caring about her toward the end of the book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-demolition-angel-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery itself in this book is strong, and I enjoyed the twists and turns as we went along. However, I had a real problem with Carol. She was a walking cliché of the hard-boiled mystery genre right down to her chain smoking, secret drinking, and hard to like personality. Her character arc was a cliché as well, but I finally did find myself caring about her toward the end of the book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-demolition-angel-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated Suburbicon (2017) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Safe no where
In a stepford kind of town in the 1950's a loving and caring family is invaded by two thieves. Gardner Lodge (Damon), Margaret (Moore) and their son after being knocked out find out that his wife has been killed during the invasion. However this once peaceful town is now turning it self over becuase the first black family has moved in and all the families and businesses want nothing to do with it. This brings a dark cloud over this paradise of a town but, another plot with the death of his wife has risen to the top and could change his and his families life for the worst.
The movie had a good plot to it but, everything else was poor. I didn't like the acting by most characters and I know it's the time but, the amount of racial prejudice that is shown is way too over the top for me.
The movie had a good plot to it but, everything else was poor. I didn't like the acting by most characters and I know it's the time but, the amount of racial prejudice that is shown is way too over the top for me.