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Vacancy (The Seven #1)
Vacancy (The Seven #1)
Linda Kage | 2023 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
VACANCY is the first book in The Seven and I am already desperate for the rest of them, but am so glad Hudson is coming up next. But I'm jumping. Let me tell you about this one first…

First off, I love Oaklynn's name. She is a strong character, even when things get tough. She is unapologetic about her past but has a plan for her present. Unfortunately for her, Damien is there to blow those plans out of the water.

I loved how it was written for Oaklynn and Thalia. Even though it was clear to the reader, Oaklynn's naivety made it perfect. I did find it hard when the revelations came out though, and my heart broke for Oaklynn for how everyone had treated her, even if I could 'maybe' understand the reasons for it.

Damien falls first and I love that trope, especially when it's written as well as it is here. He knows he has to tell her but hopes for just one more day. Until he has no choice. How he behaved after that made it realistic.

The Seven - oh, man. I love this lot. Such distinct personalities, going through so much, and having each others' backs. I can't wait to dive back into their world. And I'm really hoping Raina and Waverley are in there too somewhere. Jaylini, well, I didn't really warm to her so I'm not too bothered if she doesn't reappear.

The mystery side wasn't such a mystery, as it was pretty clear from the hints given who it was, but for me, it wasn't so much who it was, but rather how it was written and the reactions to it.

A brilliant story that I loved and HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 11, 2023
  
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
2016 | Sci-Fi, Thriller
Somewhat misleading but thrilling nonetheless
It’s best to start off this review as honest as possible. If you’re expecting a fully-fledged sequel or even a prequel to Matt Reeves’ brilliant monster horror, Cloverfield in 10 Cloverfield Lane, you’ll be very disappointed.

But, if you’re expecting a superbly written, well-acted and claustrophobic thriller, then this is definitely the film for you. Dan Trachtenberg, who makes his directorial debut with this feature, has crafted a taut film that has no real connection with the 2008 hit. So is it as good?

10 Cloverfield Lane follows Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) as she embarks on a new chapter in her life after a break-up. Unfortunately, a car crash leaves her seriously injured and unconscious. After waking up in an underground bunker, she meets her saviour in Howard (John Goodman), and as the story progresses, Michelle and fellow resident Emmett, try to make a bid for freedom.

The performances by the cast of three are terrific with Winstead coming on leaps and bounds since her role in Final Destination 3 and John Goodman is absolutely incredible. Cloverfield utilised its monster very well, but Goodman is more than a match with a simple shaking of his fists – his booming voice and burly frame mean he was a perfect casting choice and a human as psychotic as Howard is infinitely more terrifying to me than any monster.

It’s all very Hitchcockian, claustrophobic and exceptionally tense. Director Dan Trachtenberg has a real eye for the smaller details and the underground bunker setting is the perfect location to craft this kind of film. The use of jagged camera angles and low shots help aid the enclosed feeling and you can’t help but become panicked with Michelle, as she desperately tries to figure out a way to freedom.

After the bloated mess of London Has Fallen and the overlong Allegiant, it’s nice to see a film that doesn’t dwell more than it needs to. At 103 minutes, 10 Cloverfield Lane is relatively short and all the better for it. Despite only having three characters and being confined to a few small rooms for the majority of the running time, it never drags or becomes dull.

Unfortunately, the final third unravels a little of this good work, coming across like the ending to a completely different film; but Trachtenberg’s ideas and reasoning behind the finale are clear throughout, despite the lack of connection to the two acts that preceded it.

Overall, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a smart and well-thought out thriller that is related to Cloverfield in name only. That’s no bad thing, as the film we are left with is one of the best directorial debuts in years, even though its muddled ending leaves somewhat of a sour taste.

https://moviemetropolis.net/2016/03/20/somewhat-misleading-but-thrilling-nonetheless-10-cloverfield-lane-review/
  
Loving a Warrior
Loving a Warrior
Melanie Hansen | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
loved it!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Matt and Shane are in BUD/S training: an intense 6 months training to get them both into the Navy SEALS. They did not account for the intense chemistry between them, know that it can never happen while they are training, if they end up in the same unit. But neither can stay away from the other and anything worth fighting for is never going to be easy.

After all, the only easy day was yesterday.

This is only the second book of Ms Hansen I've read. Unquiet broke me, and I approached this one with kid gloves, because, I mean, she BROKE me before! And while THIS book isn't quite as emotionally devastating as Unquiet, it's still a very good read.

Matt joined the BUD/S training to follow in his beloved uncle's footsteps. Shane joins after spending time in the Marines, but his REAL reason doesn't come clear til much later. Neither wanted a relationship, and after graduation they were gonna get this. . . . whatever it is between them. . . out their system. But emotions have a way of coming out of left field, and Shane admits he wants MORE.

This book is quite heavy on the physical and emotional aspect of this kind of training. And at first, I didn't like it too much. BUT as the book moved along with Shane and Matt's relationship, I found myself thinking that aspect is really rather needed. It goes deeper than running the fastest mile, or swimming the longest, or finishing that O course in the quickest time. It goes deep within Matt and Shane, and how far they have to dig to get what they.

To get WHO they want.

It's told well, from both men's point of view, and I wasn't sure that would be the case at first, so when Shane gets his voice, I was happy. Ya'll KNOW how happy I am when everyone important gets a voice!

I didn't find it overly explicit, but it wasn't needed here. It's well over half way before Matt and Shane get to the main event, but the build up to that was great reading. It pitters and patters along, a little more here and there, til they finally decide to let their feelings run free. And it was glorious!

Some secrets revealed that I saw coming, and some not.

There is a second book, Keeping A Warrior in this series, and at first I thought it a follow on to this but it's not. It's about a character who pops up here, and I would like to read it. Especially after what happens to him here, and reading the blurb of THAT book, it ain't gonna end well!

A solid . . .

4 star star read

P.s That tag line " The only easy day was yesterday"?? Gonna stick with me a while!

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
40x40

Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Halloween Ends (2022) in Movies

Oct 14, 2022 (Updated Oct 14, 2022)  
Halloween Ends (2022)
Halloween Ends (2022)
2022 | Horror
6
6.0 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Curtis and the action (0 more)
Slow moving and the plot is more of a rehash of several story themes. (0 more)
Halloween Ends Closes The New Trilogy With What Fans Expect
The final film I the new “Halloween” trilogy has arrived with “Halloween
Ends” and it looks to bring closure to the character of Laurie Strode
(Jamie Lee Curtis) and the terror of Michael Myers.

The film takes place about four years after the events of “Halloween
Kills” and Michael has not been seen since leaving some to speculate that
he died while others are convinced he is still out there. The fear brought
on by Myers still hangs over the community and suicides and other horrific
aftermaths of his terror keeps the community from healing and moving on.

Laurie has decided to write a book about her experiences and while raising
her Granddaughter Allyson (And Matichak), she is coming to peace with her
life and has even awkwardly flirted with Officer Hawkins (Will Patton).

When a young man named Corey (Rohan Campbell), is involved in a tragic
event, he is marked as a psycho by the community and is often the subject
of abuse from the locals. Laurie sees a person in need and introduces him
to Allyson which starts a relationship that should help both of them heal
and move on.

When Corey is roughed up by locals, he discovers Michael is indeed alive
and well and Michael sees something in Corey due to his past and lets him
live. This sparks a change in Corey as he starts to manifest a darker side
where killing and revenge are his motivations and Michael is his mentor.

At this point it seemed as if the film would be a tale of revenge and
Michael would be grooming a potential replacement but it actually becomes
a bit convoluted as the film seems to be unsure of which storylines to
advance. After a slow start in the carnage department, the body count
rises quickly but without the pacing and tension normally associated with
the best films in the series.

It all leads up to a final confrontation between Michael and Laurie which
should delight fans as Curtis is truly magnificent and there brutal and
deadly dance had the audience cheering during my press screening.

While one device I saw coming a mile away as it was clear someone would be
dealing with it, the film does deliver even if the plot is more muddled
than fans would like. While it does not reach the greatness of the new
reboot, “Halloween Ends” is a fitting finale and is better than several of
the films in the series that followed it, the biggest issue is that the
first film in the trilogy set such a high standard, it was nearly
impossible of the next two films to measure up.

3 stars out of 5
  
Forged Futures (Tribal Spirits #4)
Forged Futures (Tribal Spirits #4)
Katherine McIntyre | 2019 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Forged Futures (Tribal Spirits #4) by Katherine McIntyre
Forged Futures is the fourth book in the Tribal Spirits series, and we get Lana's story. Hers and Lucas', the gentle giant of the East Coast Tribe.

Lana has suffered since her husband died. Not only did she lose her best friend, but everyone treats her differently now too. She is unable to speak of him, and this tears her up inside. She is also not good at living alone. So when she hears creaks and groans that don't belong in her house, she knows something is up. That is the start of her life unravelling from how she knew it. Her husband wasn't who she thought he was, but there were reasons for that, which Lana finds out.

Lucas has been attracted to Lana from the start, but as a 'new' widow, he refused to make a move. He can't stop himself from protecting her though, and nor does he want to try. Lucas is fighting his own battles, and they help him with Lana, as it helps him to understand.

These two really are a match made in heaven. Lana sees Lucas for who he really is, and Lucas sees Lana as a woman, not just a widow. The excitement is rife in this book, and I got all flustered thinking Mackey was going down! I can't wait for that to happen!!! At least they made headway, but I won't say anything else! Drew is really coming into his own too. Ms. McIntyre is dropping hints about what happened, and why, and also what might be coming. I really hope I'm right, as he has managed to wriggle into my affections, and I really want to see him happy!

Exceptional writing, just what I would expect from a Katherine McIntyre book. There were no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed, with a smoothly paced story, and no plot holes. There is a slow-build up to the steam, and it works perfectly. Great characters, and an exciting story. Sierra and Dax still remain my favourites (so far), but Lana and Lucas are hot on their heels. Let's see if it stays that way once Drew gets his story! Absolutely recommended by me.

* 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!