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Ticket to Ride: Europe
8.3
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Tabletop Game
Ticket to Ride: Europe takes you on a new train adventure across Europe. From Edinburgh to...
This Is Not a Love Story (Love Story Universe)
8.0
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Book
When fifteen-year-old Romeo's mother leaves one day and doesn't return, he finds himself homeless...
Gritty MM Contemporary Fiction Romance Elements
The Grace Year
8.5
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Book
No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden. Girls are told they have the power to lure...
Arctic Heat (Frozen Hearts #3)
7.3
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Book
A lasting connection needs more than simply surviving a winter together—they’ll have to outsmart...
Contemporary MM Romance
Lake of the Spirit Bear
Book
Does your child have a hunger for knowledge and facts which you want to feed while at the same time...
children's book children bookbuzz
David McK (3801 KP) rated Superman Returns (2006) in Movies
Aug 26, 2019 (Updated May 9, 2026)
Edit: Brandon Routh finally got to return to the character in (TV) Arrow's 'Crisis on Infinite Earths', about 15 years later ...
The film that Bryan Singer left the X-Men franchise to make, this completely ignores anything after Superman II, setting itself up as a pseudo-sequel to that movie.
Starring a (pre-Arrowverse) Brandon Routh as a Superman/Clark Kent, this also recasts Margot Kidder's Lois Lane in that ape of Kate Bosworth, and Lex Luthor in the shape of (the now-disgraced) Kevin Spacey. Unfortunately, there's seemingly a distinct lack of chemistry between Bosworth and Routh, perhaps covered up somewhat by a scenery-chewing Lex Luthor, who is back to his old criminal ways.
On the plus side, however, this Superman is a far more jovial and brighter version than the current Zak Snyder version, truly standing for 'Truth, Justice ... And all that other stuff', while the film still does contain some spectacle, such as Superman trying to stop a falling plane or even the final 'lifting-Kryptonian-infested landmass-into space' (although it then gets very heavily allegorical, with Superman even falling with his arms out in a cross shape).
I have to say, as well, that I was never a fan of its most controversial elements (no spoilers here) ...
The film that Bryan Singer left the X-Men franchise to make, this completely ignores anything after Superman II, setting itself up as a pseudo-sequel to that movie.
Starring a (pre-Arrowverse) Brandon Routh as a Superman/Clark Kent, this also recasts Margot Kidder's Lois Lane in that ape of Kate Bosworth, and Lex Luthor in the shape of (the now-disgraced) Kevin Spacey. Unfortunately, there's seemingly a distinct lack of chemistry between Bosworth and Routh, perhaps covered up somewhat by a scenery-chewing Lex Luthor, who is back to his old criminal ways.
On the plus side, however, this Superman is a far more jovial and brighter version than the current Zak Snyder version, truly standing for 'Truth, Justice ... And all that other stuff', while the film still does contain some spectacle, such as Superman trying to stop a falling plane or even the final 'lifting-Kryptonian-infested landmass-into space' (although it then gets very heavily allegorical, with Superman even falling with his arms out in a cross shape).
I have to say, as well, that I was never a fan of its most controversial elements (no spoilers here) ...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated April Fool Dead in Books
Feb 13, 2025
This Killer Isn’t Fooling Around
Annie Darling is looking forward to hosting a book signing for the island’s resident mystery writer, Emma Clyde, on April first. She’s even come up with the perfect promotion for it, leaving fliers all over the island with the clues to identify famous mystery books for a prize at the signing. However, someone has mimicked her fliers, but instead of talking about fictional murder these new fliers are accusing residents of the island of real crimes. Just as Annie thinks her job restoring her name is over, someone dies. Is this murder connected to the fliers?
I love it when authors get creative with their plots, and we’ve got a winner here. I especially appreciated how everything came together. The characters remain a little thin, but they are strong enough to pull us into the story. There are a couple who show up from the previous book, so be aware of minor spoilers. The laughs are plentiful again, especially thanks to Annie’s mother-in-law. Do keep in mind that this book was originally released in 2002 as a couple of elements are dated, but nothing major. Overall, you’d be a fool to pass on this book.
I love it when authors get creative with their plots, and we’ve got a winner here. I especially appreciated how everything came together. The characters remain a little thin, but they are strong enough to pull us into the story. There are a couple who show up from the previous book, so be aware of minor spoilers. The laughs are plentiful again, especially thanks to Annie’s mother-in-law. Do keep in mind that this book was originally released in 2002 as a couple of elements are dated, but nothing major. Overall, you’d be a fool to pass on this book.
David McK (3801 KP) rated Decision at Thunder Rift: Book One of The Saga of the Gray Death Legion in Books
Mar 9, 2025
Battletech.
Giant stompy robots, very much - it seems to me - the Western version of Japanese mecha.
A board (miniatures) game that's been around since the 1980s, with a fair few PC games and other associated elements spin-offs.
With said spin-offs including a series of novels which - although aware they existed (in much the same way as do Start Trek or Dr Who novels) I never really read any of them - I think I might have tried one, back in the mid 90s or so, but it was forgettable at best.
So, when I was recently looking for something light to read in between bouts of heavier literature (I hate that word), I thought I would give this one a try, since it is - apparently - #1 in the entire series, and since it was on sale for something silly like 99p on Kindle.
What I got was pretty much what I expected: a sci-fi war story, where the 'mechs are basically the equivalent of futuristic tanks, with a light smattering of intrigue but with the real draw, of course, being on the mech vs mech action.
I might pick up some more in the series, but don't think I'll be going out of my way to do so.
Giant stompy robots, very much - it seems to me - the Western version of Japanese mecha.
A board (miniatures) game that's been around since the 1980s, with a fair few PC games and other associated elements spin-offs.
With said spin-offs including a series of novels which - although aware they existed (in much the same way as do Start Trek or Dr Who novels) I never really read any of them - I think I might have tried one, back in the mid 90s or so, but it was forgettable at best.
So, when I was recently looking for something light to read in between bouts of heavier literature (I hate that word), I thought I would give this one a try, since it is - apparently - #1 in the entire series, and since it was on sale for something silly like 99p on Kindle.
What I got was pretty much what I expected: a sci-fi war story, where the 'mechs are basically the equivalent of futuristic tanks, with a light smattering of intrigue but with the real draw, of course, being on the mech vs mech action.
I might pick up some more in the series, but don't think I'll be going out of my way to do so.
Merissa (14020 KP) rated Eleanor (The Books of the Five #1) in Books
Apr 4, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
This is quite a difficult review for me to write because if I look at the whole book, I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down but there were aspects which have been mentioned by other reviewers that I was slightly uncomfortable with. I understand that they are now living in a more 'physical' world but I still wasn't sure about Eleanor being beaten the way she was. Mind you, at times, I wanted to hit her myself as she made yet another assumption that she shouldn't have.
Saying that, the story drew me in and I loved how it progressed. The Elements are not yet a cohesive unit and they have a long way to go. However, I am hoping that given the ending, they will have the time and opportunity to progress and become a force to be reckoned with. The concept behind this book is amazing and I really enjoyed it.
I will definitely be reading book 2 as soon as it is available and will be looking forward to re-entering the world of Mydren. Recommended for all fantasy fans.
I bought this book as part of the Kindle Daily Deal on 14th February 2014.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 14, 2016
Saying that, the story drew me in and I loved how it progressed. The Elements are not yet a cohesive unit and they have a long way to go. However, I am hoping that given the ending, they will have the time and opportunity to progress and become a force to be reckoned with. The concept behind this book is amazing and I really enjoyed it.
I will definitely be reading book 2 as soon as it is available and will be looking forward to re-entering the world of Mydren. Recommended for all fantasy fans.
I bought this book as part of the Kindle Daily Deal on 14th February 2014.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 14, 2016
Merissa (14020 KP) rated Light My Pyre (Everwood Falls #1) in Books
Apr 11, 2023
LIGHT MY PYRE is the first book in the Everwood Falls series - a town of misfits that don't belong anywhere else. I loved meeting the different characters and seeing how they fit together.
Asher and Gwyn have a romance going on but this isn't a romance book. It is a mystery with romantic elements so if you're going for big romance, this is not for you. If, however, you are looking for a page-turning mystery filled with quirky and sometimes heartbreaking characters, then I would definitely recommend you give this a go.
For me, Daisy is the "Star of the Show" without any question. Who doesn't love a funny Wolfhound who loves to eat just one sock out of every pair?
So many characters, so many stories to be told and, hopefully, more than a little romance for each of them. They really deserve it. A brilliant book I thoroughly enjoyed and have no doubt about recommending!
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 11, 2023
Asher and Gwyn have a romance going on but this isn't a romance book. It is a mystery with romantic elements so if you're going for big romance, this is not for you. If, however, you are looking for a page-turning mystery filled with quirky and sometimes heartbreaking characters, then I would definitely recommend you give this a go.
For me, Daisy is the "Star of the Show" without any question. Who doesn't love a funny Wolfhound who loves to eat just one sock out of every pair?
So many characters, so many stories to be told and, hopefully, more than a little romance for each of them. They really deserve it. A brilliant book I thoroughly enjoyed and have no doubt about recommending!
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 11, 2023