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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2444 KP) rated Shady Hollow in Books

Oct 3, 2025 (Updated Oct 3, 2025)  
Shady Hollow
Shady Hollow
Juneau Black | 2022 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not Bad, but Didn’t Quite Work For Me
Welcome to the village of Shady Hollow, a place where woodland creatures live in peace and harmony. That is, until someone kills Otto, a toad. Vera Vixen, a fox and reporter for the local paper, is on the case. But can she figure out who committed the crime?

When I heard about this series, I had to give the book a chance since it sounded creative and fun. The book’s omniscient narration took a little for me to adjust to, but once I did, it worked okay. It did give the book a slower start than I would have liked, but the mystery was decent once it got going. And I liked the characters. While I found the idea of these characters living side by side and interacting fun, it does take some buying into this world, something I was ready to do. I did feel the authors could have done a more creative job of creating their world, or at least that’s what I was expecting. My biggest hang up was the idea of interspecies romance. I realize that’s a me thing, but it is enough that I won’t be returning to the series. Others love it, so if this intrigues you, by all means, give the series a chance.
  
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)
2015 | Mystery
A Clever Little Love Letter to Classic James Bond Movies
With sharp cinematography, creative action sequences, and an incredibly tight screenplay, the only thing The Kingsmen stumbles over is its own cleverness. This is another movie that proves that films can be both entertaining to the masses and offer something fresh. It gives you that nostalgia for the days of shoe phones and colorful megalomaniacal villains while still subverting enough tropes of the genre to avoid feeling like a remix. Only 9 out of 10 because for my tastes, the film was just slightly too beholden to the Rule of Cool, especially towards the end of the film.
  
Everywhere Wonder
Everywhere Wonder
Matthew Swanson | 2017 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I love the creative idea and concept of this book. The pictures are also just wonderful too. (0 more)
A Wonderful Story about the Story We All Have to Tell
What a wonderful idea for a children's book. A story about how everyone has a unique and special story to tell. I love how this book travels around the world showing pictures of different places. I think it is always great when books expand children's minds to the world around them. I think teaching children to share then story and to want to learn about the story of others is a great way to explore the world and all it has to offer.
  
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Book Divas (227 KP) rated Flashfall (Flashfall #1) in Books

Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)  
F(
Flashfall (Flashfall #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a riveting story line! The author's creative world building immediately sucked me in and kept me immersed in the entire story. I loved some characters and of course I disliked others and did I mention that the characters were also well developed?! Full of many twists and turns and I know that readers will enjoy the dystopian world and tale that this author has created. Crossing my fingers and toes that this will become a series.

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
  
Broken Dolls (Broken Dolls, #1)
Broken Dolls (Broken Dolls, #1)
Tyrolin Puxty | 2015 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
What an amazing read! I was unable to put this book down and read it in one sitting. This is a fast paced and intriguing read with just the right amount of the creepy factor (duh, it is about dolls after all.) I found myself making so many assumptions about what was really going on and I was entirely wrong. So wrong that once the truth came out I was blown clear out of the water.

Broken Dolls is a unique and creative story and you will certainly not be disappointed. I'm extremely happy that I stumbled upon this author and I eagerly await the release of the next book.