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Rolling Stone: Stories from the Edge
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Directed by Oscar-winner Alex Gibney (HBO’s Taxi to the Dark Side and Going Clear: Scientology and...
Daniel Johnson (11 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Books
Sep 5, 2017
Plot (2 more)
Characters
Magic
Simply Amazing
Harry Potter is a cultural icon, and reading the books will tell you exactly why.
While I do not believe this is the best Harry Potter book (Read the Goblet of Fire, it is perfect) this book is up there with the best. With a plot that is simple yet magical, it will no doubt be remembered alongside the adventures of Tolkien, with an epic story that is character driven and imaginative to the extreme.
The book takes an even greater appeal when considered alongside the rest of the series, and with the addition of the final book, rereading is crucial. Easter eggs and secrets are hidden deep within these pages and make it a joy to read again, theorise about and delve deep into.
J.K is famous for her world building, creating something of epic scale that feels real despite how crazy it sounds. While avoiding spoilers in this review, it is important that I emphasise the importance of this book with the addition of The Order of the Phoenix. an addition that creates a thrilling new plot line that develops characters masterfully. We see the golden trio grow more than ever before, and it is a joy to experience.
Read Harry Potter, you won't regret it, and you will be a part of the biggest book series since records began. The one that defines this generation of teens, and inspired some of the greatest creators since.
While I do not believe this is the best Harry Potter book (Read the Goblet of Fire, it is perfect) this book is up there with the best. With a plot that is simple yet magical, it will no doubt be remembered alongside the adventures of Tolkien, with an epic story that is character driven and imaginative to the extreme.
The book takes an even greater appeal when considered alongside the rest of the series, and with the addition of the final book, rereading is crucial. Easter eggs and secrets are hidden deep within these pages and make it a joy to read again, theorise about and delve deep into.
J.K is famous for her world building, creating something of epic scale that feels real despite how crazy it sounds. While avoiding spoilers in this review, it is important that I emphasise the importance of this book with the addition of The Order of the Phoenix. an addition that creates a thrilling new plot line that develops characters masterfully. We see the golden trio grow more than ever before, and it is a joy to experience.
Read Harry Potter, you won't regret it, and you will be a part of the biggest book series since records began. The one that defines this generation of teens, and inspired some of the greatest creators since.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The Bride Test in Books
May 7, 2019
Funny & Quirky
This is easily a 5-star book. I first found Helen Hoang through the Bookish First website, and I fell in love with the “The Kiss Quotient.” It was unique and honestly one of my favorite romances that I have read. When I first heard about The Bride Test, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I didn’t even read the blurb. I just knew that Helen Hoang was a new one-click author for me. Needless to say, when I got the opportunity via NetGalley to read The Bride Test I jumped at the chance.
The Bride Test brings some lovable characters from The Kiss Quotient and puts them into a new perspective. This book features Khai Diep, a character we briefly met in her last novel. Khai is such a well-written character, and I just loved Esme as well. Both Esme & Khai are well developed, and the chemistry was exciting and fun. What I love about Helen’s books is that they feature characters with autism, but it doesn’t define them. She puts so much thought and love into her books that it’s hard to read a book after it.
The plot kept me fascinated, and it was completely unique to me. I loved the cultural aspects present in this book, and I liked how it all played out. This is hands down my favorite book so far. It’s funny, it’s quirky, and it’s a book I never wanted to end.
The Bride Test brings some lovable characters from The Kiss Quotient and puts them into a new perspective. This book features Khai Diep, a character we briefly met in her last novel. Khai is such a well-written character, and I just loved Esme as well. Both Esme & Khai are well developed, and the chemistry was exciting and fun. What I love about Helen’s books is that they feature characters with autism, but it doesn’t define them. She puts so much thought and love into her books that it’s hard to read a book after it.
The plot kept me fascinated, and it was completely unique to me. I loved the cultural aspects present in this book, and I liked how it all played out. This is hands down my favorite book so far. It’s funny, it’s quirky, and it’s a book I never wanted to end.
I have no explanation for why young adult story anthologies are SO. GOOD. But they are. This particular one revolves around queer teens in historical times. That's about the only commonality; the genres vary from normal fiction to fantasy to magical realism. There are gay, lesbian, transgender, and asexual teens represented. I am a little annoyed that there don't seem to be any bisexual teens in the anthology; it could be argued that at least one if not more are bi simply because they had opposite-sex relationships before the same-sex romance in the story, but that's also common before realizing your sexuality/coming out. No one is explicitly bisexual in this book. There were also two transmen but no transwomen.
There was a decent amount of cultural diversity while remaining mostly centered in the US; Chinatown in 1950s San Francisco, 1870s Mexico, Colonial New England, 1930s Hispanic New Mexico, Robin Hood-era Britain.
The stories were really good, I just wish they'd included a bisexual story and a transwoman. They did have an asexual girl, which is a sexuality often overlooked, so that was nice.
It's a great collection of stories, just limited in scope. They could have cut a few F/F stories and added in bisexual, nonbinary, and transwomen, and lived up to the open umbrella of the "queer" label a bit more. I really enjoyed it, I think I'm just a little disappointed because I was expecting more of the spectrum.
There was a decent amount of cultural diversity while remaining mostly centered in the US; Chinatown in 1950s San Francisco, 1870s Mexico, Colonial New England, 1930s Hispanic New Mexico, Robin Hood-era Britain.
The stories were really good, I just wish they'd included a bisexual story and a transwoman. They did have an asexual girl, which is a sexuality often overlooked, so that was nice.
It's a great collection of stories, just limited in scope. They could have cut a few F/F stories and added in bisexual, nonbinary, and transwomen, and lived up to the open umbrella of the "queer" label a bit more. I really enjoyed it, I think I'm just a little disappointed because I was expecting more of the spectrum.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Three-Body Problem in Books
Mar 15, 2018
If you're looking for something out of the ordinary to read this year, I strongly suggest this book. A best-seller in its native China, it has only just been released in the US. The plot spans several decades of China's history, and neatly incorporates that tumultuous story into the book's own, with some smartly used footnotes to help explain any cultural events that us Westerners might not be familiar with. Telling the story of Chinese scientists looking to stop a mysterious global catastrophe that may have extraterrestrial origins (the less known about the central mystery going in the better), the plot mostly moves along at a breakneck pace, especially as it reaches the conclusion. There are a few points that get bogged down in some pretty deep scientific explanations, but given how out there some of the story can get, it's also necessary to keep it in the realm of the possible. And believe me, this story can get pretty out there, delving into some highly theoretical territory; but that winds up being where it held a lot of its appeal for me. Even still I find myself thinking over some of the ideas posited within. It also holds some surprisingly liberal notions and is more directly and indirectly critical of China than I would have thought a book the government of that country hadn't censored would allow. It is a fascinating, thrilling piece of science fiction that I highly recommend to fans of the genre.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Cold Calling in Books
Mar 15, 2018
<b><i>People will put up with all manner of perversion, all manner of fucked-up-ness, theyll positively revel in it, but what people wont tolerate is boredom.</b></i>
To a certain extent, I did enjoy this, but I don't feel comfortable saying that due to the depravity and obscenity of it. This certainly has some <i>American Psycho</i> vibes to it, a book which I thoroughly enjoyed, but <i>Cold Calling</i> somehow seems to excel Bateman's darkness with Rhys' spur-of-the-moment crime. I suppose because in <i>American Psycho</i>, there is a clear underlying cultural message and in <i>Cold Calling</i>, that same message doesn't get across so easily, if it's even there at all.
Wilks' writing is good, there's no doubt about that, he keeps you reading and wanting more no matter how disturbed you feel. There's a card game scene in the middle of the novel that I got a bit tired with, but it was to develop the growing anger, boredom and hatred inside of Rhys.
This is definitely <b>NOT</b> one for the squeamish. I'm not surprised this has several low ratings, it's certainly a difficult novel to handle and is only going to be enjoyed by a very niche market.
One thing I <i>really</i> love about this book is the gruesome cover art!
Thanks to Haydn Wilks for sending me a copy in exchange for a review!
To a certain extent, I did enjoy this, but I don't feel comfortable saying that due to the depravity and obscenity of it. This certainly has some <i>American Psycho</i> vibes to it, a book which I thoroughly enjoyed, but <i>Cold Calling</i> somehow seems to excel Bateman's darkness with Rhys' spur-of-the-moment crime. I suppose because in <i>American Psycho</i>, there is a clear underlying cultural message and in <i>Cold Calling</i>, that same message doesn't get across so easily, if it's even there at all.
Wilks' writing is good, there's no doubt about that, he keeps you reading and wanting more no matter how disturbed you feel. There's a card game scene in the middle of the novel that I got a bit tired with, but it was to develop the growing anger, boredom and hatred inside of Rhys.
This is definitely <b>NOT</b> one for the squeamish. I'm not surprised this has several low ratings, it's certainly a difficult novel to handle and is only going to be enjoyed by a very niche market.
One thing I <i>really</i> love about this book is the gruesome cover art!
Thanks to Haydn Wilks for sending me a copy in exchange for a review!
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Black Mirror - Season 4 in TV
Mar 26, 2018
Back on form
I'm probably one of the few people who didn't rate the third series of Black Mirror. In my eyes, it just wasn't up the high standards set by the previous series. So I'd put off watching series 4 as i didn't have very high expectations, but I'm now very sad that I didn't watch it sooner!
This is a fantastic series with a lot of very strong episodes. From the USS Callister which really makes fun of the old school sci-fi shows, to Hang the DJ which introduces a whole new method to modern dating. Virtually every episode is full of dark humour, with very ominous overtones. My favourite would have to be Black Museum, as it is ridiculously funny and I loved the references to the previous episodes. The only truly weak episode would probably be Metalhead and that was more due to the execution rather the premise itself.
For me, the best thing about Black Mirror is the social and cultural commentary and the use of technology for sinister means. As this is set in an alternate or near future, you can almost see these things happening in reality and each episode is a great talking point (if you happen to be watching it with someone else). Arkangel is a great example, highlighting the pitfalls of overprotective parenting.
A fantastic return to form for Black Mirror, and has left me wanting more!
This is a fantastic series with a lot of very strong episodes. From the USS Callister which really makes fun of the old school sci-fi shows, to Hang the DJ which introduces a whole new method to modern dating. Virtually every episode is full of dark humour, with very ominous overtones. My favourite would have to be Black Museum, as it is ridiculously funny and I loved the references to the previous episodes. The only truly weak episode would probably be Metalhead and that was more due to the execution rather the premise itself.
For me, the best thing about Black Mirror is the social and cultural commentary and the use of technology for sinister means. As this is set in an alternate or near future, you can almost see these things happening in reality and each episode is a great talking point (if you happen to be watching it with someone else). Arkangel is a great example, highlighting the pitfalls of overprotective parenting.
A fantastic return to form for Black Mirror, and has left me wanting more!
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953) in Movies
May 31, 2018 (Updated May 31, 2018)
American A-bomb test has unexpected consequences when the blast defrosts a frozen, wholly fictional dinosaur; the creature swims off to devastate the nearest city for no particularly well-explained reason. A decent monster movie with a surprisingly gritty tone (by the standards of the genre, anyway); in terms of cultural impact, utterly eclipsed by an unofficial Japanese remake which came out the following year and has had 31 sequels to date.
There are various quirky and tropey bits that will raise a smile for the seasoned viewer of this sort of thing (e.g. the moment when the sweet old supporting character postpones their first holiday in thirty years in order to look for the monster: they might as well have him followed around by a robed man with a scythe), but on the whole it passes the time well enough. There is a sense in which most of the film is just filling time until the climax, when the Rhedosaurus runs amok in the streets of New York, but it does so fairly engagingly; also manages to find a half-decent explanation as to why they don't just bomb the monster to death (Devlin and Emmerich, please take note). Wheeled on for monster-extermination duties is a young Lee van Cleef, who seems slightly annoyed to be appearing in this kind of film. Great fun to watch when you're about seven; stands up pretty well for older viewers, too.
There are various quirky and tropey bits that will raise a smile for the seasoned viewer of this sort of thing (e.g. the moment when the sweet old supporting character postpones their first holiday in thirty years in order to look for the monster: they might as well have him followed around by a robed man with a scythe), but on the whole it passes the time well enough. There is a sense in which most of the film is just filling time until the climax, when the Rhedosaurus runs amok in the streets of New York, but it does so fairly engagingly; also manages to find a half-decent explanation as to why they don't just bomb the monster to death (Devlin and Emmerich, please take note). Wheeled on for monster-extermination duties is a young Lee van Cleef, who seems slightly annoyed to be appearing in this kind of film. Great fun to watch when you're about seven; stands up pretty well for older viewers, too.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Keturah (The Sugar Baron's Daughters, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Keturah has one of the most unique settings that I have ever read in Historical Fiction; 1773 in the West Indies. The sisters Banning have been through so much. They have lost both their parents, are threatened with financial ruin, and set sail "unchaperoned" all the way to the Caribbean to save their sugar plantation.
I really enjoyed the unique setting, the island life of the 1770s, the cultural differences, the hardships, and the romance. The author does address the issue of abuse throughout the story. The pain, the effects, the healing process, which I found very well done. Although I can not relate to Keturah's situation, I know that many have, and I pray that God uses this story to speak to and bring healing to them.
The reason for my rating is for the simple fact that the story moved very slow. I had a really hard time staying focused on the story while reading. My mind would wander too easily. The writing quality was good overall, just not a fast enough pace to keep me fully engaged.
If you are looking for a unique story, I would recommend you give Keturah a try. Just because it was too slow for me, doesn't mean it will be for you.
I received a complimentary copy of Keturah from the publisher through Litfuse. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I really enjoyed the unique setting, the island life of the 1770s, the cultural differences, the hardships, and the romance. The author does address the issue of abuse throughout the story. The pain, the effects, the healing process, which I found very well done. Although I can not relate to Keturah's situation, I know that many have, and I pray that God uses this story to speak to and bring healing to them.
The reason for my rating is for the simple fact that the story moved very slow. I had a really hard time staying focused on the story while reading. My mind would wander too easily. The writing quality was good overall, just not a fast enough pace to keep me fully engaged.
If you are looking for a unique story, I would recommend you give Keturah a try. Just because it was too slow for me, doesn't mean it will be for you.
I received a complimentary copy of Keturah from the publisher through Litfuse. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Four Lions (2010) in Movies
Jan 4, 2019
Hilarious take on a serious subject
A comedy about terrorism isn’t something you’d think would ever be made, let alone be any good, but Four Lions takes this serious subject on brilliantly. I’m sure there are many people out there that will take offence, but when the film centres a group of bumbling totally inept terrorists, for me it was very difficult to not find it humorous when the characters are just so stupid. It’s absolutely hilarious, with some great quotes and one liners dotted throughout and also a lot of relevant cultural and locational based references. The references about Alton Towers cracked me up, and the quotes about rubber dinghy rapids has stayed with me ever since I first watched this years ago. I would be intrigued to know how this film is received by those who aren’t British, as I’m not sure a lot of these references would have quite the impact.
This isn’t to say the film isn’t serious at all, because it is. Focusing on the family of Omar brings a bleaker outlook and the ending actually makes you feel sorry for most of them, after everything. Riz Ahmed shines in this, he’s absolutely brilliant and it’s easy to see why he’s now moved over into Hollywood. The rest of the cast are good, Kayvan Novak especially, but it's Riz that stands out.
A fantastically funny British film that’s sure to have you laughing out loud.
This isn’t to say the film isn’t serious at all, because it is. Focusing on the family of Omar brings a bleaker outlook and the ending actually makes you feel sorry for most of them, after everything. Riz Ahmed shines in this, he’s absolutely brilliant and it’s easy to see why he’s now moved over into Hollywood. The rest of the cast are good, Kayvan Novak especially, but it's Riz that stands out.
A fantastically funny British film that’s sure to have you laughing out loud.