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Get Set for Argos on the move! Download the new Argos app for your iPad today to start exploring our...
The Gatekeeper on the Docks
10.0
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Nigel isn’t finding his work particularly fulfilling these days. Being a Gatekeeper to the dead...
Halloween Photo Editor – Horror Camera Stickers
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Get ready for the Halloween countdown 2016? Enter your new scary photo booth and start the fun with...
Illumination
7.0
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Illumination is a game of Mad Medieval Monks and Illuminated Manuscripts. You and your opponent...
Merissa (13382 KP) rated The Nine: Zane in Books
Jan 24, 2023
The story itself is very good, excellently paced and with a good group of characters.
THE NINE: ZANE is the first book in this series and tells of a family who are more than they appear. Zane, as eldest, is the one who houses demons inside him and has been chosen for a blood match with Sophia. Unfortunately, he loves her as a sister, whilst she loves another of his brothers. The man he wants, Eric, is pure human and has no idea what is going on.
I felt like Eric for most of the book! Zane has some serious mood swings and, yes, I do realise he's carrying demons around but still. I got whiplash a few times! Poor Eric!
In the first book of the series, you always find niggles and questions. I find the world settles down the further along you read. In this, I didn't think that the Anunnaki were sufficiently described. You get hints at WHAT they are, but not the WHO or the WHY. You also know that Zane doesn't have the best relationship with his father, but why? Also, just as an off-the-cuff comment, I thought the model on the cover looks WAAAY too young to be Zane OR Eric.
The story itself is very good, excellently paced and with a good group of characters. I thought the connection between Zane and Eric was slightly out of balance for most of the book, but the ending helped with that. This has definitely sparked my interest in the series and I will be reading more. I want to know more about their world and who inhabits their bodies. Definitely 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!
I felt like Eric for most of the book! Zane has some serious mood swings and, yes, I do realise he's carrying demons around but still. I got whiplash a few times! Poor Eric!
In the first book of the series, you always find niggles and questions. I find the world settles down the further along you read. In this, I didn't think that the Anunnaki were sufficiently described. You get hints at WHAT they are, but not the WHO or the WHY. You also know that Zane doesn't have the best relationship with his father, but why? Also, just as an off-the-cuff comment, I thought the model on the cover looks WAAAY too young to be Zane OR Eric.
The story itself is very good, excellently paced and with a good group of characters. I thought the connection between Zane and Eric was slightly out of balance for most of the book, but the ending helped with that. This has definitely sparked my interest in the series and I will be reading more. I want to know more about their world and who inhabits their bodies. Definitely 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!
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Noise of Time in Books
Oct 9, 2017 (Updated Oct 9, 2017)
Historical fiction at its very best
There is a huge amount of non-fiction elements of this bleak novel about one of Russia's most noted composers and musicians Dmitri Shostakovich, who fought inner demons for the majority of his life due to the immense pressures and threats posed by the Soviet Union.
From his complex relationships with women, to the government, the artist was forced to live a life of paranoia, after many of his fellow composers and musicologists mysteriously disappeared following talks with the "Power" at the Big House. There were many moments where it resembled Room 101 from George Orwell's 1984, and the oppressive atmosphere that Shostakovich had to live through.
In the end, Julian Barnes explains that agreeing to Stalin's and Khrushchev's demands had been the ultimate downfall to his health. and in many ways it was a fate worse than death. It is grim and tragic to think about such an important composer in history being treated in such way.
From his complex relationships with women, to the government, the artist was forced to live a life of paranoia, after many of his fellow composers and musicologists mysteriously disappeared following talks with the "Power" at the Big House. There were many moments where it resembled Room 101 from George Orwell's 1984, and the oppressive atmosphere that Shostakovich had to live through.
In the end, Julian Barnes explains that agreeing to Stalin's and Khrushchev's demands had been the ultimate downfall to his health. and in many ways it was a fate worse than death. It is grim and tragic to think about such an important composer in history being treated in such way.
Annie Chanse (15 KP) rated Poe in Books
Dec 19, 2017
I really liked this book quite a bit FOR THE MOST PART. It was incredibly well-written, and it was quite unique. It was paranormal, but not cheesy, pg-13 YA paranormal. This combined Russian history and demons and seraphs and Rasputin and love and demented siblings and Bohemian artist types and etc. etc. etc. It was a lot of fun. However, the ending was a bit less than satisfying. I'm not sure if there is going to be a second book... by the way it ended, I'm assuming there will be, but I wasn't EXPECTING a second book, and as such, the ending really disappointed me. It didn't tie up the main freaking plot point or several of the smaller ones. That just bugs me to no end. However, it still was a really good book. Or at least, it WILL BE, as long as there is a second book to help me finish up the story the author started in this one. :-D
This book has been made into a movie. It is a true account from the one survivor and I recommend you read the book because I hate what Hollywood does to stories like this. These are real people not characters to over dramatize. Getting off my soapbox.
The book told what it really is like to be a wildland fire fighter and the brotherhood that exisits. The author Brendan McDonough had overcame alot to become a fire fighter. You get to see that these hero's have their own demons but still give their all.
I remember hearing about this tragedy when it happened and being very angry. Why were they there protecting property? Were lives worth that? Who dropped the ball with the weather reporting and communication? After reading this book I realize that alot of decisions were made by many people. I still feel this tragic accident could have been prevented but honor the men who died doing what they loved.
The book told what it really is like to be a wildland fire fighter and the brotherhood that exisits. The author Brendan McDonough had overcame alot to become a fire fighter. You get to see that these hero's have their own demons but still give their all.
I remember hearing about this tragedy when it happened and being very angry. Why were they there protecting property? Were lives worth that? Who dropped the ball with the weather reporting and communication? After reading this book I realize that alot of decisions were made by many people. I still feel this tragic accident could have been prevented but honor the men who died doing what they loved.
Lee Ann (116 KP) rated Kill Switch in Books
Feb 13, 2019
Character development (1 more)
Plot
Not everything is black and white
I have no words.
I've been waiting for this book since discovering the Devil's Night series a few months ago, and I latched onto Damon from the moment he hit the pages. Michael was fascinating, Kai was sweet, Will has demons, but Damon... What can I say? I clearly have issues. I always want the baddest bad of them all.
This book is a roller coaster of emotion. Frustration, bafflement, devastation, annoyance - yes all those emotions come with the actions of Damon. There are moments when you just want to throttle him, and yet...
And yet ....
I'm not going to post spoilers. If you've read Corrupt and Hideaway, you'll go into this book thinking how can someone so evil be redeemed.
This book is EVERYTHING it needs to be.
I'm nursing a book hangover and I'm not entirely sure there's a cure for this one.
I've been waiting for this book since discovering the Devil's Night series a few months ago, and I latched onto Damon from the moment he hit the pages. Michael was fascinating, Kai was sweet, Will has demons, but Damon... What can I say? I clearly have issues. I always want the baddest bad of them all.
This book is a roller coaster of emotion. Frustration, bafflement, devastation, annoyance - yes all those emotions come with the actions of Damon. There are moments when you just want to throttle him, and yet...
And yet ....
I'm not going to post spoilers. If you've read Corrupt and Hideaway, you'll go into this book thinking how can someone so evil be redeemed.
This book is EVERYTHING it needs to be.
I'm nursing a book hangover and I'm not entirely sure there's a cure for this one.