Search
Search results
Four Against Darkness
Tabletop Game
Four Against Darkness is a solitaire dungeon-delving game. No miniatures are needed. All you need...
The Big Kahuna
Janet Evanovich and Peter Evanovich
3.0
Rate It
Book
A stoner, an Instagram model, a Czech oligarch, and a missing unicorn. Nick Fox and Kate O'Hare have...
The Sky Is Pink (2019)
Movie
Twenty-five years in the relationship of a mother (Priyanka Chopra) and father (Farhan Akhtar) is...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2456 KP) rated Claws for Alarm in Books
Aug 17, 2021 (Updated Aug 17, 2021)
Fundraising with Murder
As Maddie James and her family and friends get ready for their first full tourist season with JJ’s House of Purrs open, they are expecting more tourists to stop in because of the publicity that the cat café has been getting. In fact, Jillian Allen is one such tourists who insists on coming almost as soon as she gets to Daybreak Island. When Jillian offers to run a fundraiser, Maddie is thrilled. But a couple of days later, Maddie finds Jillian strangled with the cat leashes that were going to be a party favor at the fundraiser. Who would kill a visitor to the island? Or did Jillian have more local connections than Maddie knew about?
Jillian is a force, and the scenes she is in are very memorable. Once she dies, the mystery is good, although it seems like we get quite a few revelations at the end of the book. Everything makes sense, but it did make the ending feel rushed. As much as Jillian stands out, the rest of the cast are wonderful. Some of the suspects I hope pop back up again in the future, and the regulars are charming. I did find a handful of errors where a character finished their coffee twice in the same scene, or something like that. It was annoying but not too bad. I was more bothered by Maddie’s actions in one scene late in the book. She should not have done what she did. I’ve always loved Daybreak Island, and that didn’t change in this book. It’s a wonderful setting I’d love to visit in real life – between murders, of course. If you are looking to get away cheaply, this is the book to pick up.
Jillian is a force, and the scenes she is in are very memorable. Once she dies, the mystery is good, although it seems like we get quite a few revelations at the end of the book. Everything makes sense, but it did make the ending feel rushed. As much as Jillian stands out, the rest of the cast are wonderful. Some of the suspects I hope pop back up again in the future, and the regulars are charming. I did find a handful of errors where a character finished their coffee twice in the same scene, or something like that. It was annoying but not too bad. I was more bothered by Maddie’s actions in one scene late in the book. She should not have done what she did. I’ve always loved Daybreak Island, and that didn’t change in this book. It’s a wonderful setting I’d love to visit in real life – between murders, of course. If you are looking to get away cheaply, this is the book to pick up.
Should We Stay or Should We Go
10.0
Rate It
Book
When her father dies, Kay Wilkinson can’t cry. Over ten years, Alzheimer’s had steadily eroded...
Merissa (13555 KP) rated Warlord's Oath (Legends of Kilrhinn #1) in Books
Sep 6, 2021
WARLORD'S OATH is the first book in the Legends of Kilrhinn series and, if this is the first, then I really can't wait for the second!
The main story takes place between the Kilrhinn and the Lhianne. The Kilrhinn are stronger and faster than the Lhianne (to name a couple of differences) but the Lhianne can control the wind. Freya is seen as a Lhianne but she is actually a half-breed, which is a dangerous thing for her as she is being hunted by someone who wants to make her his bride due to her powers. And he won't take no for an answer.
I loved this story. In fact, if I did half stars, it would a 4-and-a-half-star book. Freya is a strong-will individual who wants to settle down but is afraid to. She desperately wants friends, but worries she will only have to leave them behind. Garrett will do all he can to protect Freya, even from herself. I adored how Garrett was with her, and how completely oblivious she was to it all, not surprising considering her past.
There are other 'breeds' in this story and I really can't wait to learn more about them, their strengths and weaknesses. I am also hoping to learn more about the world, as well as more from the Lhianne and Kilrhinn people.
A slow-burn romance with plenty of action and told from dual POVs. There are so many characters whose stories I now want. A great start to the series, and absolutely 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!
The main story takes place between the Kilrhinn and the Lhianne. The Kilrhinn are stronger and faster than the Lhianne (to name a couple of differences) but the Lhianne can control the wind. Freya is seen as a Lhianne but she is actually a half-breed, which is a dangerous thing for her as she is being hunted by someone who wants to make her his bride due to her powers. And he won't take no for an answer.
I loved this story. In fact, if I did half stars, it would a 4-and-a-half-star book. Freya is a strong-will individual who wants to settle down but is afraid to. She desperately wants friends, but worries she will only have to leave them behind. Garrett will do all he can to protect Freya, even from herself. I adored how Garrett was with her, and how completely oblivious she was to it all, not surprising considering her past.
There are other 'breeds' in this story and I really can't wait to learn more about them, their strengths and weaknesses. I am also hoping to learn more about the world, as well as more from the Lhianne and Kilrhinn people.
A slow-burn romance with plenty of action and told from dual POVs. There are so many characters whose stories I now want. A great start to the series, and absolutely 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!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2456 KP) rated T is for Trespass (Kinsey Millhone, #20) in Books
Sep 29, 2021
Can Kinsey Save Her Neighbor?
It starts innocently enough when Kinsey and her landlord, William Pitts, discover their elderly neighbor, Gus Vronsky, lying on the floor in his house one morning after falling and injuring himself. Gus only has one relative left, a great-niece who lives on the other side of the country, so she is intent on hiring someone to help Gus recover. The great-niece asks Kinsey to do a background check on Solana Rojas, the woman that she has hired, and nothing jumps out at Kinsey. Still, something seems off about Solana. Will Kinsey figure out what it is in time?
Because we get some chapters from Solana’s point of view, we know early on that she is bad news. It gets a little frustrating waiting for Kinsey to catch up, but the end result is worth it. As we got into the final quarter, I had a very hard time putting the book down thanks to several thrilling scenes. We get to see plenty of William, which is fantastic since he is my second favorite character in the series, second only to Kinsey, who continues to entertain. Solana is evil, and she makes a great villain for Kinsey to track down. There are a couple of sub-plots that I enjoyed, although they could have been a little stronger. There’s also a plot hole late in the book – something we know but Kinsey couldn’t possibly know about. This isn’t one of my typical cozies, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. Still, overall, this is another great entry in a beloved series. Even at twenty books in, it is easy to see why it is has so many fans.
Because we get some chapters from Solana’s point of view, we know early on that she is bad news. It gets a little frustrating waiting for Kinsey to catch up, but the end result is worth it. As we got into the final quarter, I had a very hard time putting the book down thanks to several thrilling scenes. We get to see plenty of William, which is fantastic since he is my second favorite character in the series, second only to Kinsey, who continues to entertain. Solana is evil, and she makes a great villain for Kinsey to track down. There are a couple of sub-plots that I enjoyed, although they could have been a little stronger. There’s also a plot hole late in the book – something we know but Kinsey couldn’t possibly know about. This isn’t one of my typical cozies, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. Still, overall, this is another great entry in a beloved series. Even at twenty books in, it is easy to see why it is has so many fans.
God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen
8.0
Rate It
Book
Georgie is back and hanging the stockings with care when a murder interrupts her Christmas cheer in...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Cunning Folk in Books
Oct 19, 2021
174 of 250
Book
Cunning Folk
By Adam Nevill
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A compelling folk horror story of deadly rivalry and the oldest magic from the four times winner of The August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel.
No home is heaven with hell next door.
Money's tight and their new home is a fixer-upper. Deep in rural South West England, with an ancient wood at the foot of the garden, Tom and his family are miles from anywhere and anyone familiar. His wife, Fiona, was never convinced that buying the money-pit at auction was a good idea. Not least because the previous owner committed suicide. Though no one can explain why.
Within days of crossing the threshold, when hostilities break out with the elderly couple next door, Tom's dreams of future contentment are threatened by an escalating tit-for-tat campaign of petty damage and disruption.
Increasingly isolated and tormented, Tom risks losing his home, everyone dear to him and his mind. Because, surely, only the mad would suspect that the oddballs across the hedgerow command unearthly powers. A malicious magic even older than the eerie wood and the strange barrow therein. A hallowed realm from where, he suspects, his neighbours draw a hideous power.
Brilliant!!!! You certainly don’t know who lives next door and who you’re pissing off with a chainsaw! Just brilliant then again I didn’t expect anything less from Adam his books are just the highlight of the year. He’s taken annoying neighbours to a whole new level. I tried so many times to slow myself down but it just wasn’t happening I needed to keep reading. I know I’m going to have a book depression waiting to see what he comes up with next.
Book
Cunning Folk
By Adam Nevill
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A compelling folk horror story of deadly rivalry and the oldest magic from the four times winner of The August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel.
No home is heaven with hell next door.
Money's tight and their new home is a fixer-upper. Deep in rural South West England, with an ancient wood at the foot of the garden, Tom and his family are miles from anywhere and anyone familiar. His wife, Fiona, was never convinced that buying the money-pit at auction was a good idea. Not least because the previous owner committed suicide. Though no one can explain why.
Within days of crossing the threshold, when hostilities break out with the elderly couple next door, Tom's dreams of future contentment are threatened by an escalating tit-for-tat campaign of petty damage and disruption.
Increasingly isolated and tormented, Tom risks losing his home, everyone dear to him and his mind. Because, surely, only the mad would suspect that the oddballs across the hedgerow command unearthly powers. A malicious magic even older than the eerie wood and the strange barrow therein. A hallowed realm from where, he suspects, his neighbours draw a hideous power.
Brilliant!!!! You certainly don’t know who lives next door and who you’re pissing off with a chainsaw! Just brilliant then again I didn’t expect anything less from Adam his books are just the highlight of the year. He’s taken annoying neighbours to a whole new level. I tried so many times to slow myself down but it just wasn’t happening I needed to keep reading. I know I’m going to have a book depression waiting to see what he comes up with next.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Thirteen Minutes (2021) in Movies
Feb 25, 2022
A new disaster film, cue excitement. Even a low budget disaster film can be good…
Life is disrupted when a storm turns its eye on a small town. Residents are tested, and they must put their differences aside to help each other make it through safely.
... that thing I said above about even low budget disaster films being good? Yeah, I don’t know how much this cost (I’m assuming not a lot), but it was not good.
This could have been a great short that ran 13 minutes, instead, it’s 1 hour and 48 minutes long. Those extra 95 minutes are made of bloated storylines, and while they overlap, none of them really have any weight. Removing a couple could easily have allowed the others more time to develop and actually let the viewer become more invested.
Out of the cast I can’t really call out anyone. There are faces you’ll recognise from other things, and they’re generally solid actors, but in this... there wasn't really a lot for them to work with.
There are many moments that defy sensible behaviour, as you'd expect from a disaster film. Only one amused me, while the others were mainly annoying.
You either need to take yourself seriously, or embrace the inevitable ridiculousness behind the idea. If this had leaned hard into the ridiculousness it could have been great. 13 Minutes disappointed on so many levels that adding truly terrible effects may actually have helped! I won’t need to watch this again, a disaster film that barely has a disaster in it was not what I signed up for.
[Side note: Initially I gave this 2 out of 5 stars. I have since retracted a star for this film's sheer audacity.]
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2022/02/13-minutes-movie-review.html
Life is disrupted when a storm turns its eye on a small town. Residents are tested, and they must put their differences aside to help each other make it through safely.
... that thing I said above about even low budget disaster films being good? Yeah, I don’t know how much this cost (I’m assuming not a lot), but it was not good.
This could have been a great short that ran 13 minutes, instead, it’s 1 hour and 48 minutes long. Those extra 95 minutes are made of bloated storylines, and while they overlap, none of them really have any weight. Removing a couple could easily have allowed the others more time to develop and actually let the viewer become more invested.
Out of the cast I can’t really call out anyone. There are faces you’ll recognise from other things, and they’re generally solid actors, but in this... there wasn't really a lot for them to work with.
There are many moments that defy sensible behaviour, as you'd expect from a disaster film. Only one amused me, while the others were mainly annoying.
You either need to take yourself seriously, or embrace the inevitable ridiculousness behind the idea. If this had leaned hard into the ridiculousness it could have been great. 13 Minutes disappointed on so many levels that adding truly terrible effects may actually have helped! I won’t need to watch this again, a disaster film that barely has a disaster in it was not what I signed up for.
[Side note: Initially I gave this 2 out of 5 stars. I have since retracted a star for this film's sheer audacity.]
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2022/02/13-minutes-movie-review.html