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Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Uprooted in Books
Jun 24, 2019
I've been meaning to read this for a long time now and finally managed to do so. I'm so peased I did! It was such a great book, and I really did enjoy reading it.
Agnieszka is a seemingly ordinary young girl. Her best friend is about to be taken by the Dragon, a powerful wizard who routinely takes girls into his tower for ten years before they leave the village for good. Everyone's prepared for Kasia to go - she's the pretty one, the talented one, the one who everyone is drawn to. Of course the Dragon is going to choose her.
Right?
Of course, nothing goes to plan. Agnieszka assumed she was safe from being chosen, due to her clumsiness and lack of appeal or talents. But of course, she is chosen. Little does she know that she was destined for this role all along.
The Dragon is feared by most, including Nieshka. But she soon learns that he is not as terrible as she thought. She also learns some valuable skills involving magic that she never knew she was capable of.
Nieshka discovers the importance of magic in protecting her village from the Wood. The Wood is full of corruption, often taking unknowing passers-by and either never releasing them or returning them to their families changed beyond repair. The Wood has been a huge threat for centuries. The Dragon holds it at bay, but nobody ever dreamed of defeating it.
Until Agnieszka came along.
It's quite a complex plot, and there are a lot of moments where Nieshka makes mistakes. She is driven by emotion, especially when her best friend's life is at risk. She is a passionate girl and doesn't always think rationally. I liked her for this - don't we all let our emotions get the better of us sometimes?
There was a small amount of romance in this book that I felt was rather unnecessary, but it didn't overtake the plot or anything. I loved how the plot and subplots twisted together, and how many turns they took. It was exciting and intriguing and very clever.
The ending seemed a little too simple to me, though. Had they never thought to look into the Wood Queen's origin before?
Overall it was a fantastic book. Timeless. I can see why it's so popular, and I'm sure it will be for some time. 4 stars.
Agnieszka is a seemingly ordinary young girl. Her best friend is about to be taken by the Dragon, a powerful wizard who routinely takes girls into his tower for ten years before they leave the village for good. Everyone's prepared for Kasia to go - she's the pretty one, the talented one, the one who everyone is drawn to. Of course the Dragon is going to choose her.
Right?
Of course, nothing goes to plan. Agnieszka assumed she was safe from being chosen, due to her clumsiness and lack of appeal or talents. But of course, she is chosen. Little does she know that she was destined for this role all along.
The Dragon is feared by most, including Nieshka. But she soon learns that he is not as terrible as she thought. She also learns some valuable skills involving magic that she never knew she was capable of.
Nieshka discovers the importance of magic in protecting her village from the Wood. The Wood is full of corruption, often taking unknowing passers-by and either never releasing them or returning them to their families changed beyond repair. The Wood has been a huge threat for centuries. The Dragon holds it at bay, but nobody ever dreamed of defeating it.
Until Agnieszka came along.
It's quite a complex plot, and there are a lot of moments where Nieshka makes mistakes. She is driven by emotion, especially when her best friend's life is at risk. She is a passionate girl and doesn't always think rationally. I liked her for this - don't we all let our emotions get the better of us sometimes?
There was a small amount of romance in this book that I felt was rather unnecessary, but it didn't overtake the plot or anything. I loved how the plot and subplots twisted together, and how many turns they took. It was exciting and intriguing and very clever.
The ending seemed a little too simple to me, though. Had they never thought to look into the Wood Queen's origin before?
Overall it was a fantastic book. Timeless. I can see why it's so popular, and I'm sure it will be for some time. 4 stars.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Post (2017) in Movies
Jul 11, 2019
You can’t get on the internet these days without a political controversy smacking you right in the face. You also can’t help but notice the timing of this historical thriller directed by Steven Spielberg. Using the past’s political agenda to reaffirm the resistance we are facing today. The Post takes place in the deep thrones of the Vietnam War, the “Pentagon Papers” are leaked: a classified study of revealing a government cover up relating to the war. Kay Graham (Meryl Steep) is the owner and largest shareholder of the Washington Post newspaper. Taking on a position she never foresaw herself ever doing after the untimely death of her husband. And, finally having to make one of the toughest decision of her entire life, both personally and professionally. To not only bringing down the government, but some very close personal friends in the process. It takes her Editor-In-Chief, Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) to convince her the importance of the news and the role journalists must play to deliver the news and protect the governed and not the government.
When you hear the high caliber names such as Hanks, Streep, Speilberg, you can almost guarantee a top notch film with unbelievable emphasis on character development. They definitely did not disappoint! The Post works as a history lesson. Not only does it portray the events that took place with such thorough details, it exemplifies the relationship between not only a journalist and their source, but also the personal struggle between the editor, the owner of the newspaper, their friends who hold major positions within the government, and the moral obligation to at least get the truth out to the public.
The set design, the costume design, the characters’ mannerisms are flawless. Even the way social interaction was demonstrated between men and women. Women’s role is in the home, cooking, cleaning, and entertaining. Something so simple as the use of a rotary phone played such a nostalgic role. I can’t say enough about the wonderful acting skills of both Streep and Hanks. I suspect one or both with be receiving some serious accolades during awards season. Streep and Hanks both shine throughout the entire film. They both did a great job at relaying the emotions and the turmoil these characters faced.
Many lines throughout the movie–“if we don’t hold them accountable, than who will?”–ring true to a lot of the issues affecting us today.
When you hear the high caliber names such as Hanks, Streep, Speilberg, you can almost guarantee a top notch film with unbelievable emphasis on character development. They definitely did not disappoint! The Post works as a history lesson. Not only does it portray the events that took place with such thorough details, it exemplifies the relationship between not only a journalist and their source, but also the personal struggle between the editor, the owner of the newspaper, their friends who hold major positions within the government, and the moral obligation to at least get the truth out to the public.
The set design, the costume design, the characters’ mannerisms are flawless. Even the way social interaction was demonstrated between men and women. Women’s role is in the home, cooking, cleaning, and entertaining. Something so simple as the use of a rotary phone played such a nostalgic role. I can’t say enough about the wonderful acting skills of both Streep and Hanks. I suspect one or both with be receiving some serious accolades during awards season. Streep and Hanks both shine throughout the entire film. They both did a great job at relaying the emotions and the turmoil these characters faced.
Many lines throughout the movie–“if we don’t hold them accountable, than who will?”–ring true to a lot of the issues affecting us today.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Family in Books
Oct 2, 2019
A culty thriller with too much hand-holding
I was very keen to pick up this book with its culty feel blurb. With the 50th anniversary this year of the infamous Manson murders I always find how people are pulled into groups fascinating. The journey you see Laura and Tilly go through in this book nicely illustrates some of the emotions people go through when looking for a wider family to belong to. This book had a nice look at blood family vs chosen family as a central theme.
Struggling with finances after the death of her husband, Laura and her teenage daughter Tilly find support with a local community. While helping with the communities Organic business Laura and Tilly become more involved with the community run by the charismatic Alex. However the more involved they get the harder it appears to leave their newfound “family.”
Most of the book is told through Laura and Tilly’s POVs and although I didn’t love the characters their emotional journey was believable and interesting. Some parts were told from both of their viewpoints which seemed unnecessary and a bit tiresome, I can appreciate people interpret things differently without it being spelled out (especially when there is a teenage girl involved.)
I did love the premise of this book but unfortunately, the style it was executed in was not for me. I kept feeling I was being told to expect something sinister up ahead rather then having the story build it’s own ominous vibe organically (pardon the organic business pun) It was all too thrust in your face as if the author was afraid we wouldn’t get a feeling of tension without a prod that something big was coming. The characters whose POVs we were seeing through constantly referred to big secrets they were keeping and rather than build curiosity I just felt frustrated that they seemed to lording this knowledge over the reader when we were meant to be seeing from their POV. With all this build-up it meant that a lot of the big reveals fell flat for me; they were overhyped.
Overall an interesting story but as a thriller lost its impact for me with over-hyped twists that didn’t really deliver for me.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Struggling with finances after the death of her husband, Laura and her teenage daughter Tilly find support with a local community. While helping with the communities Organic business Laura and Tilly become more involved with the community run by the charismatic Alex. However the more involved they get the harder it appears to leave their newfound “family.”
Most of the book is told through Laura and Tilly’s POVs and although I didn’t love the characters their emotional journey was believable and interesting. Some parts were told from both of their viewpoints which seemed unnecessary and a bit tiresome, I can appreciate people interpret things differently without it being spelled out (especially when there is a teenage girl involved.)
I did love the premise of this book but unfortunately, the style it was executed in was not for me. I kept feeling I was being told to expect something sinister up ahead rather then having the story build it’s own ominous vibe organically (pardon the organic business pun) It was all too thrust in your face as if the author was afraid we wouldn’t get a feeling of tension without a prod that something big was coming. The characters whose POVs we were seeing through constantly referred to big secrets they were keeping and rather than build curiosity I just felt frustrated that they seemed to lording this knowledge over the reader when we were meant to be seeing from their POV. With all this build-up it meant that a lot of the big reveals fell flat for me; they were overhyped.
Overall an interesting story but as a thriller lost its impact for me with over-hyped twists that didn’t really deliver for me.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated Ad Astra (2019) in Movies
Sep 18, 2019
Through hardships, to the stars.
Ad Astra is the kind of film they dont make anymore. Visually breathtaking, harrowing and it has such a deep pain and sadness to it that i left the theatre with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. Ad Astra is the first film this year to leave me speechless and I'm actually finding it hard to put into words what I have just experienced. I will try my hardest not to spoil anything as this movie is best if you go into it blind to appreciate it to full effect. What an experience, I can safely say i had goosebumps, chills up my spine, a lump in my throat and on the brink or tears 90% of the runtime. Atmosphere and visual wise what they have accomplished here is not only teeming with beauty but an incredible feel of movies from the past. A cross between Blade Runner, Dune, apocalypse now and 2001 Ad Astra invoked in me the same heightened emotions I felt watching those films for the first time many years ago. Theres a constant sence of wonder, discovery and lingering dread present the entire film keeping you constantly fearful, on edge and floating in a state of happy sadness. Brad Pitt gives the performance of his career every part of his troubled mind playing out on in his facial expressions and behind his eyes. Theres an over arching theme about mental illness, social awkwardness and anxiety here and its truly depressing watching Brads character battle his inner demons while still putting on a brave face while know one else seems to notice or offer advice, comfort or guidance. Theres also a lot about the need for progression regardless of the sacrifice and emotional toll it takes on people and questions about if humanity deserves a future as we become more selfish, destructive and cold. Its primarily a character story about mental struggles, self destruction, burdens, loneliness, pain, legacy and destiny and at times its tuff to stomach watching this character suffer caught between right and wrong, but its always fascinating, relatable and rewarding. Set pieces are cold/disturbing and harrowing not only shocking you but leaving a lasting impression that most horror films struggle to achieve. I urge anyone into film go see this its a modern day masterpiece.
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