Search

Search only in certain items:

AS
Alien Salvation (Clans of Kalquor #4)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Alien Salvation is the fourth book in the World of Kalquor series, and in my opinion, is the best book so far. The Kalquorians are searching Earth, or what's left of it, trying to contain the devastation left by the nuclear bombs, and also trying to find the Empress' family. The same family are hiding out in Florida, unknown to the looters who are nearby, or the Kalquorians. When a small scout ship lands, Lindsey decides that she will do whatever it takes to get food for her parents. When she realises that the 'trade' isn't as bad as she thought it would be, she is more than happy to carry. With adventures and mishaps along the way, Lindsey and her clan need to figure out what is the right thing to do, and what is the right thing for them.

This book is very well written, giving the reader no doubt about how much Lindsey loves her family. Tara is a wonderful character, so serene and yet full of wit and humour at times. Aaron is everything a father should be towards his daughter - loving and protective. The clan themselves seemed a bit disjointed when we first meet them, but with Lindsey there, they all grow and mould into one cohesive unit. This book will tug on the emotions, it has more sorrow in it than the previous books. This series is turning out to be a secret surprise, and definitely recommended by me.

* 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!
  
Days of Heaven (1978)
Days of Heaven (1978)
1978 | Drama
Gorgeous sprawling vistas
While I am still a Terrence Malick novice, I truly appreciate the small amount of his films I have seen. Having recently watched The Tree of Life which I found amazing I thought I would look up a few more to see what I was missing.

In or around 1916 middle America, an expansive wheat farm is worked for harvesting by hoards of day laborers. The landowner takes a fancy to one of his prettiest workers and asks her to stay on along with her brother and little sister. Little does the man know the other man is indeed her beau instead of her brother. A love triangle develops after she marries the rich man that slowly builds in tension until the poor couple's relationship is uncovered.

Peril comes to the farm in the form of locusts which threaten the crops and a subsequent fire which could destroy the fields completely.

I have found when I watch a Malick film, an very important supporting character is the landscape, atmosphere and world of nature around their human counterparts. In this film, the majestic fields are supplemented with shots of animals in the fields, vast sky and cloud formations and even unseen plants fighting to break through the soil.

I think these elements add much to deepen the immersion of the audience into the story Malick is telling and helps you accept the world around them quickly.

Richard Gere, Brooke Adams and the handsome Sam Shepard (they all looked so young) were beautifully photographed and played their parts well as we believed their emotions completely.

A truly magnificent film!

  
The World in Johnny's Back Garden
The World in Johnny's Back Garden
Kurt Chambers | 2017 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Natural World, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was lucky enough for the author to let me have a preview of this book while he was toying with publishing it. I am very glad that he did because it is rare for a book to be so engrossing from beginning to end while running through so many different themes and emotions.

The plot revolves around Johnny, a more-or-less ordinary boy who is a bit of a loner at school. One day he decides to offer to help the old lady next door - Masie - with her garden. Everyone at school calls her a witch and throws stones at her house but that doesn't deter Johnny.

From this point forward the narrative takes Johnny through a range of experiences showing how his narrow existence could be so much richer if he took more notice of the things around him. This is literally mind expanding and life-changing for Johnny, although he must accept the hardships that come with his new friendship and knowledge.

The result is a fantastic read for both young adults and older, gently suggesting a sound ecological message without labouring it and without sugar coating any of life's ups and downs. Johnny experiences much throughout the book but ends up a stronger and better person for it. The reader goes with him on his journey every step of the way.

This is the kind of book that makes me wish I could award 11 stars out of 10 and will always be a favourite of mine. The only way this book could be any better would be for it to be the start of a series.
  
40x40

Hazel (2934 KP) rated Queenie in Books

Feb 2, 2020  
Queenie
Queenie
Kimberley Chambers | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gritty, engrossing and thoroughly entertaining
Kimberley Chambers isn't known as the "Queen of Gangland Crime Fiction" for nothing and here we have yet another masterpiece of story-telling ... the saga that is "Queenie".

This book tells the story of Queenie from her life as a young girl during World War II right up to the early 60's and what a life she leads! She is one heck of a character; one minute you absolutely adore her, the next she disappoints you, then she'll surprise you and then shock ... I felt like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish and I still don't know how I feel about her even now!

Queenie is not the only character however, this book is absolutely brimmed to the rim with fantastic personalities from the bit players to the main stars; some you'll love and some ... not so much. The setting in the east end of London felt perfect but it could equally have worked in any inner-city borough. For those of us who weren't around during the time span of this book, I felt it captured them well and it felt authentic and believable to me.

"Queenie" is a gritty, engrossing and thoroughly entertaining read and one I would definitely recommend even if you haven't read any of the other books in the "Butler" series; this can easily be read as a standalone as it is the prequel to the first book in the series "The Trap."

Thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
  
Locke and Key
Locke and Key
2020 | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
The weirdest show I've seen in a while...
Contains spoilers, click to show
I recommended this show to myself on the ideal that it was going to be similar to Stranger Things which I absolutely love. I was like 30% right? Its similar in that I can't stop watching and it's so weird! I'm literally on the 3rd episode but i had to do a review now knowing it would get weirder...

The gist of the plot is that a mother and her 3 children move into their ancestral home (Key House) after their father dies. It is later revealed that he was murdered for withholding information on the Key House. Within a day of moving in, the youngest child, Brode, discovers a well house and his 'Echo' which we find out is actually a demon set on finding the keys that are hidden throughout the house and grounds. So far, from what I've seen, these keys include a Head Key; to look into someones memories and emotions, an Anywhere Key; to go anywhere you want in the world with a door, and a Mirror Key; which allows you to step into a mirror world full of your doubts and fears and is by far the creepiest key.

As I said before, I know it's going to get stranger, I've seen the creepy thing in Kinseys head and that Tyler basically told the kid to shoot his dad... and then there is the mystery of the fathers friends dying when they were younger in a sea cave??? Strange! Can't wait to finish it and apparently the Season 2 is out this year!!!