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I read this novel for the Smashbomb book club and, even though the premise is good, it missed the mark for me.
The characters were very well crafted, I particularly liked Dustfinger, because he's a complex mixture of good and evil. The interaction between the characters was very good.
The problem for me, was the plot. The idea of book characters coming to life in the real world, sounded really appealing. When I started reading this, I expected it conjure up the magic I experienced when I read stories as a child. What I found was, that the plot of this book revolved around the characters going to a location, being captured, escaping and being recaptured and taken back to where they were before. This meant that.even though this was over 500 pages, I felt this book completely lacked drive.
I liked the message of reading books being magical, but I felt like this idea was integrated into the story in a forced way. By the end it felt like it was preaching a little bit in my opinion.
I also didn't like some of the decisions the characters made. It took a long time for any kind of resolution to happen and even then, the plan they carried out, felt a bit feeble and slightly rushed.
I wanted to love this, but unfortunately, it was just an ok read for me.
The characters were very well crafted, I particularly liked Dustfinger, because he's a complex mixture of good and evil. The interaction between the characters was very good.
The problem for me, was the plot. The idea of book characters coming to life in the real world, sounded really appealing. When I started reading this, I expected it conjure up the magic I experienced when I read stories as a child. What I found was, that the plot of this book revolved around the characters going to a location, being captured, escaping and being recaptured and taken back to where they were before. This meant that.even though this was over 500 pages, I felt this book completely lacked drive.
I liked the message of reading books being magical, but I felt like this idea was integrated into the story in a forced way. By the end it felt like it was preaching a little bit in my opinion.
I also didn't like some of the decisions the characters made. It took a long time for any kind of resolution to happen and even then, the plan they carried out, felt a bit feeble and slightly rushed.
I wanted to love this, but unfortunately, it was just an ok read for me.

Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Gretel & Hansel (2020) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Grim not Grimm
396. Gretel & Hansel. Do you remember the tale of Hansel and Gretel by the the Grimm Brothers? Well throw it away, because it's 2020 and Girls Rule so Gretel's name is first! Hell, Hansel didn't even make the movie poster! And maybe because its her fault for getting kicked out of their mother's house for not getting a damn job cause times are tough, so get out, and take your brother with you. Thanks mom! At this point, it seems instead of going towards civilization they go further into the woods, tripping on shrooms at one point. After walking for a bit, hunger kicks in, so they break into a house, nice, cause there's a table with a bunch of food to be seen. They get busted of course by the owner, Holda, who takes pity on them and invites them in and feeds em. Too fatten em up to eat them right? Like I said this is 2020, not 1812!! This time Gretel learns the ways of the witch, there's creepy figures in black roaming the woods at night Hansel learns to chop down trees, he's in a trance, whats going on?? In the end, I think it's an arthouse movie about a young girl coming of age, equipped with first period and all, shot like those old Christopher Lee horror movies of the 70's. Also suffers from the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves curse, everyone has the same accent, except the freaking star of the movie Gretel! HaHa! Filmbufftim on FB

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TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Stitches in Time (The Deacon's Family, #2) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! Suzanne Woods Fisher is a new to me author and I was excited to read her new book. The characters were all unique and personable, I laughed and was sad with them. I felt like the characters were friends whom I knew by the end of the book. Not many authors I’ve read can do that for me. There were several different sets of characters that I got to meet in this book; after finishing I found out that several of the characters are in other books that Suzanne Woods Fisher has written, but I would definitely say you could read this one as a standalone.
Other interesting things about this book were the topics; The Amish taking in kids from foster care, struggles between newlyweds, dealing with Gods calling on your life… So many great topics and Suzanne Woods Fisher did a great job in my opinion of weaving them all together in a believable way. I loved her use of something unexpected coming up in life that you are totally unprepared for and God showing you how to use it for His good. I needed that reminder!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for originality, the great sets of characters, and making me interested enough to get the rest of the series! I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one by Suzanne Woods Fisher.
I volunteered to read this book from Celebrate Lit it return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Other interesting things about this book were the topics; The Amish taking in kids from foster care, struggles between newlyweds, dealing with Gods calling on your life… So many great topics and Suzanne Woods Fisher did a great job in my opinion of weaving them all together in a believable way. I loved her use of something unexpected coming up in life that you are totally unprepared for and God showing you how to use it for His good. I needed that reminder!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for originality, the great sets of characters, and making me interested enough to get the rest of the series! I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one by Suzanne Woods Fisher.
I volunteered to read this book from Celebrate Lit it return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

Charlotte (184 KP) rated Ninja Girl Adventures (Ninja Girl Adventures #1) in Books
Feb 26, 2021
An exciting start that whets the appetite for more.
Moira, the middle sister, is pretty amazing. She holds her sisters together, deals with her own grief and takes her destiny in her stride.
As a start of a series I'm impressed. Ninja Girl Adventures has it all, danger, action, family, mystery.....the list goes on! Moira is a good, strong main character that is believable, down to earth and has you firmly on her side.
Through her experiences she is encouraged to believe in herself, use love, not fear to overcome obstacles and to relax so as to feel more in her ninja training and fights.
From the very first paragraph I was hooked, you get straight into the story with background information coming throughout rather than an avalanche straight away. The action is evenly spaced out so you don't go too long without the next thing to keep your interest, yet it isn't so full on that you feel the need to take a break from it.
All the way through I was thinking that something would happen and it did......at the very end, which leaves a nice stepping stone ready for the next installment.....which I can't wait for!
I'd recommend this as a young adult/adult read that is perfect to get your brain working a little and to keep you entertained, whether that be on a cold winter's day in front of the fire or out in the summer sun.
If I could give half scores I would but as I can't I'm going to round this up.....
Moira, the middle sister, is pretty amazing. She holds her sisters together, deals with her own grief and takes her destiny in her stride.
As a start of a series I'm impressed. Ninja Girl Adventures has it all, danger, action, family, mystery.....the list goes on! Moira is a good, strong main character that is believable, down to earth and has you firmly on her side.
Through her experiences she is encouraged to believe in herself, use love, not fear to overcome obstacles and to relax so as to feel more in her ninja training and fights.
From the very first paragraph I was hooked, you get straight into the story with background information coming throughout rather than an avalanche straight away. The action is evenly spaced out so you don't go too long without the next thing to keep your interest, yet it isn't so full on that you feel the need to take a break from it.
All the way through I was thinking that something would happen and it did......at the very end, which leaves a nice stepping stone ready for the next installment.....which I can't wait for!
I'd recommend this as a young adult/adult read that is perfect to get your brain working a little and to keep you entertained, whether that be on a cold winter's day in front of the fire or out in the summer sun.
If I could give half scores I would but as I can't I'm going to round this up.....
