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Gail (4 KP) rated Only (Alex Conner Chronicles, #3) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Only: The Alex Connor Chronicles book 3
Four stars
This was an interesting read. Different in a good way. I was confused some what when the scenes changed. But it didn’t take too much away from my enjoyment of this book. I recommend reading the first two books first. I didn’t think about that when I started reading this book. So I was a little lost in the beginning. It’s a lot at first when you just jump right in but I liked it without the knowing the back story. The author offered US something unique and compelling. If you’re interested in other world reading and magic this is a good series for that. Alex is a strong character who is scared to be soft and scared at times. But when it was needed her back was made of steel. I will go back to read the first two books because I would like to know what happened to Justin. Her relationship with Valant is intriguing also. Then there is Ryan. Can you say oh la la. Definitely a series worth picking up to give a try. The authors style was smooth and had a very good dialogue.
Four stars
This was an interesting read. Different in a good way. I was confused some what when the scenes changed. But it didn’t take too much away from my enjoyment of this book. I recommend reading the first two books first. I didn’t think about that when I started reading this book. So I was a little lost in the beginning. It’s a lot at first when you just jump right in but I liked it without the knowing the back story. The author offered US something unique and compelling. If you’re interested in other world reading and magic this is a good series for that. Alex is a strong character who is scared to be soft and scared at times. But when it was needed her back was made of steel. I will go back to read the first two books because I would like to know what happened to Justin. Her relationship with Valant is intriguing also. Then there is Ryan. Can you say oh la la. Definitely a series worth picking up to give a try. The authors style was smooth and had a very good dialogue.

Liliannar (58 KP) rated Mr Mercedes in Books
May 29, 2018
Character development (1 more)
Extremely well narrated
Audible version
From the very earliest of pages the reader is drawn into the horrific events that kick of Mr. Mercedes. It isn't much of a spoiler to say that a deeply troubled person commits an awful crime leaving 8 dead. This happens in the first few pages of the book. From there the reader is taken on an in-depth journey into finding out who this heinous person is and what drove them to commit the act. Along the way characters are developed on both sides of the crime as the reader gets to know Detective Bill Hodges, Holly, Gerome, and of course, Mr. Mercedes. This is a great example of how King can build an extremely full world of characters while telling a compelling story.
In true King style there are bits of the story that just don't seem to add, but aren't necessarily a detraction. Bits of the story move much slower than the main story line but they are intermittent and short in nature. As a whole it doesn't detract from the engrossing nature of the book.
In true King style there are bits of the story that just don't seem to add, but aren't necessarily a detraction. Bits of the story move much slower than the main story line but they are intermittent and short in nature. As a whole it doesn't detract from the engrossing nature of the book.

ames_morgan (8 KP) rated Love, Hate, and Other Filters in Books
Jun 19, 2018
A compelling coming of age story about a young girl born in America but belonging to a Muslim family. This book is YA but can definitely transcend this genre. Beautifully written this book tells the story of Maya who is a senior in high school. Maya wants to be a good Indian daughter but she also wants to go to NYU and study to be a filmmaker. Maya's parents forget that they themselves defied their beliefs to a point by coming to America and starting a new life with a love marriage. As Maya and her parents start to come to an understanding a horrible act of terrorism happens too close to home for Maya's parents especially when a Muslim man is initially named as the terrorist. All of Maya's hopes and dreams are suddenly crushed as her parents decide that it is too dangerous for Maya to go away from home. And to further add insult to injury Maya has gone and fallen in love with a boy who is not Indian and definitely not a Muslim. Now Maya has to decide what she is willing to lose to follow her heart. Profound, witty and beautiful!

Lindsay (1760 KP) rated What the Bishop Saw (The Amish Bishop Mysteries #1) in Books
Aug 30, 2018
Review: What the Bishop Saw What the Bishops Saw is a really good mystery in itself. You are guessing from the time you open the book and the last page you turn. Who killed Veron Fry? Did someone murder Vernon Fry on purpose? Is it Amish and English.I am still surprised with the ending. The Englisher needs help as she does not get to bottom of the case or any closes. Will the bishop help save an innocent man and catch the culprit? What is Henry talent and is it good or is bad. To find out this you need to read the book.I am still wondering why this person did what he or she did towards the Amish when they did not do anything to have it happen. Vannetta Chapman gets you hooked and wanting more. You will not want to put this book down once you start to read it. It pages turner for you. Will Henry take a leap a faith and use these talents. Find out by reading What the Bishop Saw. It a compelling story and one I hope to follow more of Henry and this community in Colorado Valley.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Lost Legacy in Books
Sep 5, 2018
Suspicious Suicide Unearths Questions from Zoe’s Past
When paramedic Zoe Chambers arrives at the scene of an apparent suicide, she can’t help but draw parallels to the death of her great uncles several decades ago in the same barn. Meanwhile, Police Chief Pete Adams uncovers another tie to Zoe’s past in the investigation. Is the modern death a murder or a suicide? What is the connection to Zoe?
I’m sorry I waited so long to return to Zoe’s world, but it was fantastic to be back. Zoe and Pete really are co-leads in the series since they split time as our viewpoint characters. In this case, they both have sub-plots involving their parents, as well. The rest of the characters are just as fully developed as our leads. The plot is compelling, always pulling me in and making me reluctant to set the book down. The tone of the book is definitely more somber, and the smattering of language coupled with a few scenes on the edge of being graphic keep it on the traditional side of the spectrum. While not as light as many of the cozies I read, it is still wonderful reading.
I’m sorry I waited so long to return to Zoe’s world, but it was fantastic to be back. Zoe and Pete really are co-leads in the series since they split time as our viewpoint characters. In this case, they both have sub-plots involving their parents, as well. The rest of the characters are just as fully developed as our leads. The plot is compelling, always pulling me in and making me reluctant to set the book down. The tone of the book is definitely more somber, and the smattering of language coupled with a few scenes on the edge of being graphic keep it on the traditional side of the spectrum. While not as light as many of the cozies I read, it is still wonderful reading.

ClareR (5879 KP) rated My Life As A Rat in Books
Jul 9, 2019
A compelling, frankly heart wrenching, story.
Oh my word, this was a tough book to read! A book about family loyalty, betrayal, racism, love and survival. Violet is a twelve year old who knows a secret about her two older brothers, and she keeps this secret for as long as she can. When her life is threatened, she discloses the information- and so starts a chain of events that result in her being disowned by her family.
It’s a heartbreaking story. Violet believes that her family will take her back, that they live her really, and that it’s her fault alone that her brothers are imprisoned. She seems to punish herself repeatedly through the course of the story: she puts herself into impossible situations with unsuitable, cruel men, and then feels that she deserves their appalling treatment. I really wanted to take her out of the story and tell her that she did the right thing, that it wasn’t her fault and that no one deserves to be treated as she was.
So yes, I would recommend this book. It’s my first book by Joyce Carol Oates, and it certainly won’t be my last.
It’s a heartbreaking story. Violet believes that her family will take her back, that they live her really, and that it’s her fault alone that her brothers are imprisoned. She seems to punish herself repeatedly through the course of the story: she puts herself into impossible situations with unsuitable, cruel men, and then feels that she deserves their appalling treatment. I really wanted to take her out of the story and tell her that she did the right thing, that it wasn’t her fault and that no one deserves to be treated as she was.
So yes, I would recommend this book. It’s my first book by Joyce Carol Oates, and it certainly won’t be my last.

Awix (3310 KP) rated Doppelganger (1969) in Movies
Apr 12, 2020
Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet creator Gerry Anderson turned down Stanley Kubrick's offer of the chance to do the model effects for 2001: A Space Odyssey, but jumped at the chance to do his own space adventure film a couple of years later. The good news is that all the model-making and visual-effects skill of the operation that Anderson had put together by the late 1960s is on display in this movie. The bad news is that Anderson and his wife wrote much of the script themselves, resulting in a plodding movie which focuses on all the wrong details instead of telling a compelling story.
The problem is that the basic idea - space mission discovers a replica counter-Earth - isn't properly developed, and the characters take nearly an hour to get there, let alone work out where they've ended up. The generally dour tone and rambling metaphysics would become more prominent in future Anderson shows (much of the supporting cast of this film turn up playing regular roles in UFO), but this first effort with live actors is lumpy and frustrating to watch.
The problem is that the basic idea - space mission discovers a replica counter-Earth - isn't properly developed, and the characters take nearly an hour to get there, let alone work out where they've ended up. The generally dour tone and rambling metaphysics would become more prominent in future Anderson shows (much of the supporting cast of this film turn up playing regular roles in UFO), but this first effort with live actors is lumpy and frustrating to watch.

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The Tailors of Tomaszow: A Memoir of Polish Jews
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Seven decades after the Nazis annihilated the Jewish community of Tomaszow-Mazowiecki, Poland, comes...