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The Yattering And Jack
6.0
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Jack Polo, a gherkin importer, is being haunted by a relatively minor demon known as the Yattering. ...
Mythology (Mythology #1)
10.0
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Hope Gentry doesn’t believe in Fate. Born with an unusual power to see the dark memories of those...
Young Adult Urban Fantasy Romance Mythology
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated White Hot Kiss in Books
Jan 6, 2021
I received this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This will be my third book by the author, fourth if we class her writing as J. Lynn, and I've liked all of them so the chance to read anything by her is a big YES PLEASE!
After reading both this and Covenant, I've noticed that she likes to write love triangles into her stories. I don't have a problem with them and gladly cheer on for whichever guy I want the heroine to be with. In this I was Team Roth from early on. Zayne might have been the guy Layla'd been dreaming of for years but he never really seemed to want her in that way (or he was just very good at hiding it) and treated her a lot like a close friend or little sister. Roth on the other hand always seemed to be there when she needed him and he teased and flirted and could kick arse, being what he was: Upper Level Demon.
I feel I have to mention Bambi, too. She was cool! Who wouldn't her watching over you?
I also feel like I have to mention Petr. I'm glad about what happened to him, he wasn't a nice guy so he deserved everything he got.
As for the story, I get Layla's feelings of not really belonging to either side. Being born half demon and half warden, Layla struggles in her attempts to fit in with the people--Warden's--who've raised her. Half the Warden's don't like her presence and want her gone while the other half treat her like family. As for being half demon, she's been tagging them for the past God knows how many years and feels more of a Warden and keeps being told she's a Warden. But as the story progresses, she begins to question everything she's ever known and the people around her.
The more I read of the book, the more I fell in love with Roth. He was amazing and just for that last 10% or so this is getting five stars from me. I cried; tears silently falling down my cheeks more or less continuously for the time it took me to finish the story. Crikey!
I need to read the next in the series to figure out what happens next with these guys.
If you're a fan of the author then this shouldn't be missed. If you haven't read anything by Jennifer L. Armentrout and like YA paranormal romances then you should really pick up one of her books, they're really good.
This will be my third book by the author, fourth if we class her writing as J. Lynn, and I've liked all of them so the chance to read anything by her is a big YES PLEASE!
After reading both this and Covenant, I've noticed that she likes to write love triangles into her stories. I don't have a problem with them and gladly cheer on for whichever guy I want the heroine to be with. In this I was Team Roth from early on. Zayne might have been the guy Layla'd been dreaming of for years but he never really seemed to want her in that way (or he was just very good at hiding it) and treated her a lot like a close friend or little sister. Roth on the other hand always seemed to be there when she needed him and he teased and flirted and could kick arse, being what he was: Upper Level Demon.
I feel I have to mention Bambi, too. She was cool! Who wouldn't her watching over you?
I also feel like I have to mention Petr. I'm glad about what happened to him, he wasn't a nice guy so he deserved everything he got.
As for the story, I get Layla's feelings of not really belonging to either side. Being born half demon and half warden, Layla struggles in her attempts to fit in with the people--Warden's--who've raised her. Half the Warden's don't like her presence and want her gone while the other half treat her like family. As for being half demon, she's been tagging them for the past God knows how many years and feels more of a Warden and keeps being told she's a Warden. But as the story progresses, she begins to question everything she's ever known and the people around her.
The more I read of the book, the more I fell in love with Roth. He was amazing and just for that last 10% or so this is getting five stars from me. I cried; tears silently falling down my cheeks more or less continuously for the time it took me to finish the story. Crikey!
I need to read the next in the series to figure out what happens next with these guys.
If you're a fan of the author then this shouldn't be missed. If you haven't read anything by Jennifer L. Armentrout and like YA paranormal romances then you should really pick up one of her books, they're really good.
Darren (1599 KP) rated At The Devil's Door (2014) in Movies
Oct 14, 2019
Characters – This was a hard film to figure out who the main character was until the end, so I will talk about the three biggest characters in no particular order. Hannah is the first one we meet, she is a runaway that finds herself in the middle of a demon worshiping cult, walking the halls of a house up for sale, she has a secret waiting to reveal. Leigh is the real-estate agent that is trying toe sale the house only to learn that there is a force in the house trying to control certain movements. Vera is the younger sister of Leigh, an artists that becomes the target of the presence that is haunting the land.
Performances – While I don’t think the actors do a bad job in anyway in this film, the scorecard is being harsh on them, most of this complaint that the characters don’t become the main until late in the film which doesn’t give us enough time to get behind the actors. The three actresses do well with what they have without having that one moment that makes them stand out.
Story – The story follows a potential demon being born into the world, I think, it would be fair to say this movie does put forward all the generic ideas that something is off with each scene, but as I was saying with the characters, we follow ones events only for the to mean nothing and these scenes go on for a healthy 20 odd minutes before we move onto the next character’s story, which only leaves us confused and feeling withdrawn from where the story is going.
Horror – The horror is the normal, people walking around the empty houses following or running from noises, the only scene that stands out is involving the hospital.
Settings – The film keeps us in a few houses that always seem to be empty, nothing is overly interesting with the locations being used.
Special Effects – The effects are the strongest part of the film, it does have a couple of stand out moments which will make you look away but also make you want to watch.
Scene of the Movie – Hospital time.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Not knowing the main character early on.
Final Thoughts – This is a messy confusing movie that does try to break the mould because of the source material of demon trying to be born, we skip over the been there scene that parts but it takes too long to get there.
Overall: Not good enough horror movie.
Performances – While I don’t think the actors do a bad job in anyway in this film, the scorecard is being harsh on them, most of this complaint that the characters don’t become the main until late in the film which doesn’t give us enough time to get behind the actors. The three actresses do well with what they have without having that one moment that makes them stand out.
Story – The story follows a potential demon being born into the world, I think, it would be fair to say this movie does put forward all the generic ideas that something is off with each scene, but as I was saying with the characters, we follow ones events only for the to mean nothing and these scenes go on for a healthy 20 odd minutes before we move onto the next character’s story, which only leaves us confused and feeling withdrawn from where the story is going.
Horror – The horror is the normal, people walking around the empty houses following or running from noises, the only scene that stands out is involving the hospital.
Settings – The film keeps us in a few houses that always seem to be empty, nothing is overly interesting with the locations being used.
Special Effects – The effects are the strongest part of the film, it does have a couple of stand out moments which will make you look away but also make you want to watch.
Scene of the Movie – Hospital time.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Not knowing the main character early on.
Final Thoughts – This is a messy confusing movie that does try to break the mould because of the source material of demon trying to be born, we skip over the been there scene that parts but it takes too long to get there.
Overall: Not good enough horror movie.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Charmed - Season 1 in TV
Jan 5, 2018
Déjà Vu All Over Again (4 more)
Phoebe
Grimlocks
Is there a Woogey in the house
Barbas
Prue Andy realationship
As a huge Buffy fan when charmed originally came out i was a little skeptical that it would be anywhere near as good some seasons lived up to the hype others didn't quiet do it for me. The sisters relationship was good and i always liked Phoebe.
Season one held some of my favorite episode of all the charmed episode. De Ja Vu all over again saw the dramatic climax to Prue and Andy relationship. It rare that i tend to hope a couple get together as much as i was routing for Prue and Andy but this final episode knew how to attack ever emotion. It also introduced one of the best villains of the series Tempest how great it would be to constantly be able to turn back time to rectify the mistake you make that day,
From fear to Eternity brought us Barabas a clever demon who occurrences in the series always made me want to watch more. His villainy is brilliant and portrayal is one of the best that the show produced.
The grimlocks where other creatures that came in this show and for some reason i really like them as a demon.
Out of all the charmed sister no matter the series Phoebe has always been my favorite this series is no exception Is There a woogey in the house is the first time we see her get possessed and turn dark. I always enjoy dark phoebe and the primal fear of the dark creature hiding under the house always makes a great premise for a show like charmed so it made an excellent epsiode.
Season one held some of my favorite episode of all the charmed episode. De Ja Vu all over again saw the dramatic climax to Prue and Andy relationship. It rare that i tend to hope a couple get together as much as i was routing for Prue and Andy but this final episode knew how to attack ever emotion. It also introduced one of the best villains of the series Tempest how great it would be to constantly be able to turn back time to rectify the mistake you make that day,
From fear to Eternity brought us Barabas a clever demon who occurrences in the series always made me want to watch more. His villainy is brilliant and portrayal is one of the best that the show produced.
The grimlocks where other creatures that came in this show and for some reason i really like them as a demon.
Out of all the charmed sister no matter the series Phoebe has always been my favorite this series is no exception Is There a woogey in the house is the first time we see her get possessed and turn dark. I always enjoy dark phoebe and the primal fear of the dark creature hiding under the house always makes a great premise for a show like charmed so it made an excellent epsiode.
Merissa (12051 KP) rated The Devil is in the Details (Broken Halos #1) in Books
May 6, 2019
The Devil is in the Details (Broken Halos #1) by Maya Daniels
The Devil is in the Details is the first book in the Broken Halos series, and we meet Eric and Helena (Hel). At first glance, they appear to be on opposing sides, but not everything is as it seems. Eric is a Demon, whereas Hel is a Hunter. When Eric is approached by one of Helena's bosses, with a kill order and a special deal for the Demons, he wonders what is going on. None of that matters once he sees Hel though, and he will do ANYTHING to protect her.
This was a fast-paced, fun-filled, frolic of a book. I loved Hel's sassy attitude, and I thought her grief over her best friend was incredibly written. She admits she just wants to wake up, and owns her temper tantrums, apologising as necessary. Eric is the bad boy of the Demon world, and I loved him. There were two revelations about him, which shocked Hel both times. The first one I can understand, but the second? Surely if he is the first, the second is part of the same? (Trying so hard not to do spoilers here!!!)
This is an extremely well-written book that gives enough world-building for you to get to grips with their world, whilst still leaving more to come. This does end on a cliff-hanger, so fair warning. A thoroughly enjoyable first installment, and I can't wait for the second. 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!
This was a fast-paced, fun-filled, frolic of a book. I loved Hel's sassy attitude, and I thought her grief over her best friend was incredibly written. She admits she just wants to wake up, and owns her temper tantrums, apologising as necessary. Eric is the bad boy of the Demon world, and I loved him. There were two revelations about him, which shocked Hel both times. The first one I can understand, but the second? Surely if he is the first, the second is part of the same? (Trying so hard not to do spoilers here!!!)
This is an extremely well-written book that gives enough world-building for you to get to grips with their world, whilst still leaving more to come. This does end on a cliff-hanger, so fair warning. A thoroughly enjoyable first installment, and I can't wait for the second. 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!
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) in Movies
Sep 7, 2018
Some good tension ramping (1 more)
Jump Scares are on point
The 'Baddies' in this lack the pure sinister power of the demon from the first. (1 more)
Its a little 'straightforward haunted house movie' for my tastes
Decent Tension, but disappointingly predictable
Contains spoilers, click to show
Straight off the bat, if you liked the first Insidious, you will likely like the second.
Following straight on from the end of the first film, we are straight back with Wan's favourite boy Patrick Wilson and family, and the plot is a solid continuation of the themes explored in the first movie.
The camerawork in this movie, the framing of some of the shots etc is phenomenal and genuinely half of the tension of this film is generated by clever angles, and the lurching movement of the camera itself.
But where Insidious always began to struggle for me was in the mythos and the 'spirit realm' where it went a bit 'poltergeist' and took me out of the tension build in both films, though some of the ideas were interesting.
This film's antagonists never reach the same level of intimidation and fear as represented by the brilliant 'Darth Maul' Demon of the initial flick, but there are some interesting dynamics introduced using a serial killer and his relationship with his mother.
The biggest disappointment is probably just that Insidious 2 doesn't really ever expand on the first, leaving us with a nicely wrapped up story, but without really expanding our understanding or excitement for what a 3rd installment could offer.
That being said, it does enough right to make it an enjoyable watch, and the class of Wan and Whannell is evident throughout.
A polished, decent scare fest with plenty of strengths, but lacking in a truly memorable antagonist.
Following straight on from the end of the first film, we are straight back with Wan's favourite boy Patrick Wilson and family, and the plot is a solid continuation of the themes explored in the first movie.
The camerawork in this movie, the framing of some of the shots etc is phenomenal and genuinely half of the tension of this film is generated by clever angles, and the lurching movement of the camera itself.
But where Insidious always began to struggle for me was in the mythos and the 'spirit realm' where it went a bit 'poltergeist' and took me out of the tension build in both films, though some of the ideas were interesting.
This film's antagonists never reach the same level of intimidation and fear as represented by the brilliant 'Darth Maul' Demon of the initial flick, but there are some interesting dynamics introduced using a serial killer and his relationship with his mother.
The biggest disappointment is probably just that Insidious 2 doesn't really ever expand on the first, leaving us with a nicely wrapped up story, but without really expanding our understanding or excitement for what a 3rd installment could offer.
That being said, it does enough right to make it an enjoyable watch, and the class of Wan and Whannell is evident throughout.
A polished, decent scare fest with plenty of strengths, but lacking in a truly memorable antagonist.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated New Mutants/X-Force: Demon Bear in Books
Nov 30, 2020
What a great read! No, seriously, this was how you tell a story: a beginning, a middle (oh, good Lord, what a marvelous middle), and an ending! Heroes doing heroic things, the "big bad" doing, well, bad things, and all of this held together by some of Chris Claremont's most solid of writings and some of the trippiest, yet tightly solid art by Bill Sienkiewicz!
The only smear in the book, and I shouldn't call it a smear so much as a disappointment, was the inclusion of X-FORCE (1991): #99. I respect why they did it, as the book was to encompass all the appearances of the Demon Bear through the team's books. However, I, for one, could have done with out it.
The writing by John Francis Moore was okay. It may have been really good, but what killed it for me was the art by Jim Cheung. I am something of an admirer of his style, but here it was just rubbish. The team looked too cartoon-y, while the Demon Bear was not scary in the least!
But, as much of the disappointment as that inclusion, X-Force (2008) #s 7-10, as excerpts, was what helped keep the book together. From Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost's tense, edgy characterization to just the overall flavor. C'mon, it's X-FORCE, written by Laura Kinney's (X-23) "papas"! Sure, it was gonna be good!
If you are looking for some exciting X-store, without all the mess that is currently in the X-Universe, this one would be your best best! But don't take my word for it (thanks, LeVar Burton!), read for yourself and experience what I did..
The only smear in the book, and I shouldn't call it a smear so much as a disappointment, was the inclusion of X-FORCE (1991): #99. I respect why they did it, as the book was to encompass all the appearances of the Demon Bear through the team's books. However, I, for one, could have done with out it.
The writing by John Francis Moore was okay. It may have been really good, but what killed it for me was the art by Jim Cheung. I am something of an admirer of his style, but here it was just rubbish. The team looked too cartoon-y, while the Demon Bear was not scary in the least!
But, as much of the disappointment as that inclusion, X-Force (2008) #s 7-10, as excerpts, was what helped keep the book together. From Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost's tense, edgy characterization to just the overall flavor. C'mon, it's X-FORCE, written by Laura Kinney's (X-23) "papas"! Sure, it was gonna be good!
If you are looking for some exciting X-store, without all the mess that is currently in the X-Universe, this one would be your best best! But don't take my word for it (thanks, LeVar Burton!), read for yourself and experience what I did..
Isis’ Betrayal (Dark Warrior Alliance #4)
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Isis Rowan is the fiery middle sister of the prophesized witch triplets, and when she finds out that...