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The High Moments
The High Moments
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
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I am very excited to be part of the Instagram Tour for The High Moments by Sara-Ella Ozbek. Thank you to Kaleidoscopic Book Tours for this amazing opportunity, and for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

<b><i>The High Moments is a book about Scarlett.</i></b>

She’s not perfect and she has a very tricky relationship with her mother. All she wants is to be successful and for people to like her.

She is one of those people that make goals on New Year’s Eve, and then reflect back one year later, just to realise that nothing has changed. But one day, she does decide it’s time for a change. So she moves to London. She doesn’t have a particular plan, but she does want to be a designer.

She ends up getting a job at a modeling agency with a very low salary. But the fashion industry is the worst place you can go to, if you are willing to change yourself, just to appeal to others.

<b><i>Which is something Scarlett, obviously, does.</i></b>

She makes friends that aren’t that real. She hands out with the wrong crowd. And she sleeps with men she shouldn’t. She takes drugs. She consumes alcohol. Way more than she is supposed to. But at least people start to recognise her. They invite her to parties she could only have dreamed of. Surely that can’t be all that bad? Well – it is.

<b><i>And she doesn’t really learn from it, until it’s way too late.</i></b>

This book was compared to The Devil Wears Prada, and I don’t agree with that comparison. The Devil Wears Prada is a gem, and the first of its kind, so it shouldn’t be a very easy story to compare. Just because this book follows a woman that works in a very fast paced fashion industry it doesn’t mean comparisons should be thrown left right and center.

Additionally, Scarlett is a very insecure person. And despite her goal in design, she doesn’t show a lot of determination. She seemed to care way more about her parties, than to be good at her job and get promoted in her career. But I think that her immaturity comes with her age, and the story was captured in a time when she still needed to experience everything and grow. Which she does, at the very end of the book, even though it’s a slow start.

Aside from this, I really enjoyed the book, and it only took me one day to finish it. I was very invested and entertained, and I have only praise for that. The scenes were very realistic and the characters were very real. The plot was predictable, but I expected that. Every time Scarlett would make a bad decision, I knew it would come back to bite her. And I also knew she would learn to grow from all the mistakes she made – which she does. And that pleases me.

<b><i>“Everyone always wonders how good people can do terrible things, but bad behaviour is the easiest thing in the world, really. You just don’t think about it.”</i></b>

If you love fast-paced books, filled with humour and fashion, I promise you will enjoy The High Moments by Sara-Ella Ozbek. It will lift your spirits and make you giggle. And on top of that, it will make you discuss Scarlett’s choices in life with your best friend. What more do you want in a book?
  
The Du Lac Princess (The Du Lac Chronicles #3)
The Du Lac Princess (The Du Lac Chronicles #3)
Mary Anne Yarde | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Du Lac Princess (The Du Lac Chronicles #3) by Mary Anne Yarde
The Du Lac Princess is the third book in The Du Lac Chronicles, and we start off how it The Du Lac Devil ended. Back in the 6th Century, the world was a harsh place, and Amandine learns this more than most people do. She goes through horrors that you would not believe, but still somehow holds onto life. Merton, now known as Galahad, has been told that she is dead. Together with his own horrific injuries, he doesn't want to live without her, but also clings to life. Garren has returned, Josephine is a poisoned viper, Budic is a bully. All the characters we have grown to love (or hate) are here, and the story will pull you in and not let go until the last page has been turned. Even then, you will want for more!

There is one new character that needs her own mention, and that is Tegan. She was a knight in Arthur's court, in love with Lancelot. She has her own tale to tell, and her own way of telling it, so I won't even try. All I will say is that Tegan wriggled into my heart, and I was sad when we heard no more about her. I am fervently hoping that she will make a reappearance in the next book.

Exceptionally written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, The Du Lac Princess is an astounding read of the highest quality. With impeccable research and honour to traditions of a time gone by, this book and series continue to fascinate. I am happy to learn there will be more in this series, and can't wait to continue. Absolutely and utterly recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
The Nun (2018)
The Nun (2018)
2018 | Horror
Having nun of it
#thenunmovie is a camp & #silly mainstream #horror movie that while not great its still an enjoyable & ok watch. After hating every single film so far in the #thecounjuring universe I was tempted to boycott #nun, but after seeing it now I can say its the best film in the franchise (thats still not saying much really). Its defiantly a #fun watch but I wouldn't call it a horror at all (Commercial horror these days is more action orientated & Nun is no different). Relying on big set pieces full of #jumpscares & lots going on these films should be put in a new genre called 'Action Horror' they are essentially the #transformers of horror films. Although there is some awesome #creepy imagery here & some neat practical effects Nun fails at creating a creepy/unnerving atmosphere & the over use on poor cgi at times fails to keep the film feeling grounded. Sets also while impressive lack that dirty, grimey, damp, old, worn & lived in look making then feel like... well a set from a film. Everything's to perfect & neat & even lighting feels unrealistic too. Ideas/cinematography are all stolen straight from other horror films eg #darioargento films, #theexorcist or #nosferatu & while ok they are nothing in comparison. Acting is forgettable, either with characters either being over or under acted by the cast & half way into the film plot seems to be neglected in favour of set piece after set piece. I feel #TheNun will please its target audience (teenage girls looking for jump scares that will most likely talk throughout all the story & character development parts). While far from a good film its an ok film to watch if your not in the mood for thinking & want to see a nun that looks like #marilynmanson running round screaming at people. Oh & just a side note the ending is bad, like tacked on & abrupt bad. #odeon #odeonlimitless #filmbuff #filmreview #filmcritic #thursdaythoughts #gore #hell #conjuring #annabelle #ghost #demon #devil #exorcist #crusafix #satan
  
The Du Lac Princess (The Du Lac Chronicles #3)
The Du Lac Princess (The Du Lac Chronicles #3)
Mary Anne Yarde | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Du Lac Princess is the third book in The Du Lac Chronicles, and we start off how it The Du Lac Devil ended. Back in the 6th Century, the world was a harsh place, and Amandine learns this more than most people do. She goes through horrors that you would not believe, but still somehow holds onto life. Merton, now known as Galahad, has been told that she is dead. Together with his own horrific injuries, he doesn't want to live without her, but also clings to life. Garren has returned, Josephine is a poisoned viper, Budic is a bully. All the characters we have grown to love (or hate) are here, and the story will pull you in and not let go until the last page has been turned. Even then, you will want for more!

There is one new character that needs her own mention, and that is Tegan. She was a knight in Arthur's court, in love with Lancelot. She has her own tale to tell, and her own way of telling it, so I won't even try. All I will say is that Tegan wriggled into my heart, and I was sad when we heard no more about her. I am fervently hoping that she will make a reappearance in the next book.

Exceptionally written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, The Du Lac Princess is an astounding read of the highest quality. With impeccable research and honour to traditions of a time gone by, this book and series continue to fascinate. I am happy to learn there will be more in this series, and can't wait to continue. Absolutely and utterly recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!