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Love...Under Different Skies
Love...Under Different Skies
Nick Spalding | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another fun instalment
As ive said before, Nick Spalding will never win any literary prizes for this series of books, he really does well to sum up real life situations and emotions. The writing is good but what really makes this story entertaining is the characters. Laura and Jamie are a very relatable couple and their diary/blog entries are so down to earth and realistic. I doubt anyone could read this book (or any others in the series) and not find a handful of comments, thoughts or situations that they’ve experienced in their own life. This story is also pretty funny and I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions.

It may not be the most thought provoking or insightful of reads, but this is a great fun and lighthearted story that is refreshingly short. There are parts in this book that are a little far fetched and scepticism does sink in at times, but I that’s really what you expect from a work of fiction. This kept me highly entertained when I had to get public transport into work this week, although I did have to restrain my laughter at times!
  
When We Were Young
When We Were Young
Anna Benoit | 2017 | Romance, Young Adult (YA)
5
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Livvy's character was kind of relatable at times. (0 more)
Grammatical errors throughout. (3 more)
Hardly any background or character development.
Beginning was a bore.
Parts didn't make sense.
Not the greatest read.
The beginning was very boring and did not grab my attention at all. There were grammatical errors littered throughout the entirety of the novel and parts that didn't make any sense.

Will I reread? No. Not really my cup of tea. Do I recommend? I mean if you like stories that are a bit juvenile and feel like they were rushed, with hardly any character or background development - then sure.

○ interested in its physical book
○ a continuous read / page-turner
○ diverse in any way
● something’s lacking
● took me a long time to finish
○ an LMAO read
○ I laughed more than a few times
● it’s j u s t awkward
○ gave me goosebumps
○ one of the best books I’ve read
● painful & sad
○ tear-jerker
○ a roller-coaster of emotions
○ thrilling
● confusing
○ sooo relatable
● it is kind of annoying
○ it has a lot of flashbacks
○ it moved me
○ would recommend!
○ great even for a reread
○ definitely a YAY
● I’m sorry it’s a NAY
○ it’s between YAY and NAY
  
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Aurora (9 KP) rated The Witchfinder's Sister in Books

Nov 7, 2018 (Updated Nov 7, 2018)  
The Witchfinder's Sister
The Witchfinder's Sister
Beth Underdown | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Historically-accurate setting (4 more)
Gripping
Emotional
Dramatic
Well-written characters
Emotional and Dramatic Historical Fiction
This book had me hooked from the start. I adore the amount of research done by Underdown to create the world of Alice Hopkins so artfully and accurately. Not only does the author capture the turbulence of the English civil war and the complex social systems of the time, but she also brings the reader into that world through the intensely relatable emotions felt by Alice throughout the story. Underwood expertly develops the personalities and flaws of each character in really believable ways, creating the complex relationships that we often see in real life. The story is also often pushed forward by gossip and secrets which the reader must choose whether or not to believe, adding an extra element of mystery to an already thrilling read.


After visiting many of the towns mentioned in the book (Manningtree, Mistley Wells, Colchester, Ipswich), I am in awe of the detail that Underdown used to bring these places to life. While some artistic license was taken (and described in the Author's Note), this book remains a beautiful and chilling glimpse into England's dark past.
  
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Elizabeth Ritchie (17 KP) rated Red Plus Zone in Books

Nov 10, 2018 (Updated Nov 10, 2018)  
Red Plus Zone
Red Plus Zone
Andrew Ritchie | 2014 | Crime, Mystery
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The characters. (1 more)
The unique storyline.
Hands down, one of the best books I have ever read!
This is the first Crime book I have ever read in my entire life, and I've got to say it will also be the last. The last, due to the fact that no other crime book past, present or future, will ever come anywhere close comparing to the absolutely astounding story of Red Plus Zone.
All I wanted to do with my days was read this book. When I was at work or busy with house chores etc, all I could think of was this book, and what it would be like to live in the post apocalyptic world described by the author, what it would be like being Sam McCall as a post apocalyptic detective. The book is so well written and the story line is so captivating that I connected with all of the characters, I felt their emotions and I felt their pain, and at times I felt like I was actually living in the post-shattered world (which isn't a good thing when you ask a waitress in a cafe what time zone we are in).
  
This story is filled with so many emotions! Grace's life has been filled with so much heartache. When she finally finds her nephew, she is determined to keep him in her life, at any cost. The need to protect him and reunite her family drives Grace to a place she never thought she would go. But is she really just running from forgiving herself for the past?

Andrew Easton has spent his life serving to please others. But what about his own dreams and desires? Will he sacrifice everything he longs for just to please his family? Or will he stand up for himself and take the path for the future HE wants?

There are so many interesting characters in this story. The layers of personality are lovely. Virginia is one of my favorite people and I am so glad we get to follow her story too!

Set in the beautiful city of Toronto, it is wonderful to get a new perspective of history in the early 1900s.

I received a complimentary copy of The Best of Intentions from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
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Andy K (10821 KP) rated Eighth Grade (2018) in Movies

Jan 7, 2019 (Updated Jan 7, 2019)  
Eighth Grade (2018)
Eighth Grade (2018)
2018 | Comedy
Being a teenager today must be so difficult.
Having raised 3 teenage kids myself, I can commiserate wholeheartedly with the experience of attending middle and high school in the social media age and what new and complex challenges they have to deal with.

I have often thought kids these days should have some sort of class or education on not placing their lives out there for all to see.

Kayla's school year is awkward and someone lonely as she juggles her own insecurities, relationships and changes within herself. Her need for acceptance makes her step out of her comfort zone and put herself in some interesting situations along the way.

I loved this movie so much as I was able to relate to her plight as I have seen these emotions from my own kids and was able to laugh and cry with them along the way.

Golden Globe nominee Elsie Fisher is exceptional as Kayla. We go along with her journey, quickly get swept up in her life and root for her to succeed and triumph as she ascends to high school.

Loved this film!
                    


  
Show all 3 comments.
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Andy K (10821 KP) Apr 9, 2019

That's all right. I love differing opinions on movies. That is what makes the world go round. I guess I felt more connected since I remember when my kids dealt with issues similar to those in the film. Thanks for the comment!

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Lee (2222 KP) Apr 10, 2019

@HString I was beginning to think I was the only one that wasn't blown away by this. I've seen nothing but high praise for this online and at my screening on Monday people were walking out too!

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Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Mindhunter - Season 1 in TV

Jan 14, 2020 (Updated Jan 14, 2020)  
Mindhunter - Season 1
Mindhunter - Season 1
2017 | Crime
Cameron Britton steals every scene...
I went in to Mindhunter with high expectations and ended up with a mixed bag of emotions by the end.

The scene's in which they interview the 'Serial Killers' are fascinating and make up the best parts of Mindhunter by far. They were intense, creepy and completely captivating. Cameron Britton's portrayal of Ed Kemper in particular, is absolutely superb and he steals every scene.

A few people have mentioned the slow pace of the show as a problem, I personally didn't mind this. For me the main problem lies with the lead character Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) who is very unlikable to say the least, he is arrogant, manipulative and very selfish. However his partnership with FBI agent Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) is another highlight, as they do have a good on screen chemistry.

Without adding any spoilers, I would say that for me the ending to season 1 is a bit of an anticlimax.

After all is said and done Mindhunter is still a good watch and I am looking forward to seeing where they take it in season 2.
  
First Year (Black Mage #1)
First Year (Black Mage #1)
Rachel E Carter | 2020 | Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Magic. Romance. War. Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Falling Kingdoms, and Tamora Pierce.

Before the age of seventeen, the young men and women of Jerar are given a choice —pursue a trade or enroll in a trial year in one of the realm’s three war schools to study as a soldier, knight, or mage…

For fifteen-year-old Ryiah, the choice has always been easy. Become a mage and train in Combat, the most prestigious faction of magic.

Yet when she arrives, Ry finds herself competing against friend and foe for one of the exalted apprenticeships. Everyone is rooting for her to fail—first and foremost among them is Prince Darren, the school prodigy who has done nothing but make life miserable since she arrived.

Will Ry survive, or will her dream go down in flames?

A very good read! The book and story flowed effortlessly. All sorts of emotions coming from the young prince, also a lot of hatred for Precilla. Slightly predicable in places but Ry is a strong character with strong friends backing her up!
Looking forward to hearing more in the Apprentice.
To answer the question Ry survives and kick starts her dream.