Search
Search results

Dana (24 KP) rated The Too-Clever Fox (Grisha Verse, #2.5) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
One thing I love about Leigh Bardugo is that she goes so in depth in the world she created! I absolutely love basically anything Leigh Bardugo will ever write, these short stories included!
This story, like the others, gives the female characters so much agency and power!!
There are spoilers in the rest of the review from here, so be warned!
We, as both the readers and as the Fox, don't suspect this seemingly weak character to be able to do anything, but boy does she surprise us!! I loved how the fox was so trusting in this girl because how could a girl be dangerous? Right? WRONG!!!
This is just another beautiful addition to Leigh Bardugo's already amazing collection of works!1
Please just read all of the folk tales she releases from this series/world!! It adds so much depth to the already fantastic world she created!
This story, like the others, gives the female characters so much agency and power!!
There are spoilers in the rest of the review from here, so be warned!
We, as both the readers and as the Fox, don't suspect this seemingly weak character to be able to do anything, but boy does she surprise us!! I loved how the fox was so trusting in this girl because how could a girl be dangerous? Right? WRONG!!!
This is just another beautiful addition to Leigh Bardugo's already amazing collection of works!1
Please just read all of the folk tales she releases from this series/world!! It adds so much depth to the already fantastic world she created!

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Not enough Death
I had high hopes for this book as Death is one of my favourite characters, but sadly it was a bit of a letdown.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad book and is still quite good, it just isn't on par with a lot of the other Discworld books that I've read. Death is a fantastic character but he just isn't featured in this book enough (despite it being about life and death). The wizards and Windle Poons are featured more heavily and sadly they're not quite as loveable. They're funny in their own way, but they get a little rambling after a while. The plot too suffers from rambling as well and the whole concept is a little bit too bonkers, even for a Discworld novel.
It's still a good book and easy to read, it just isn't one of the best in the series.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad book and is still quite good, it just isn't on par with a lot of the other Discworld books that I've read. Death is a fantastic character but he just isn't featured in this book enough (despite it being about life and death). The wizards and Windle Poons are featured more heavily and sadly they're not quite as loveable. They're funny in their own way, but they get a little rambling after a while. The plot too suffers from rambling as well and the whole concept is a little bit too bonkers, even for a Discworld novel.
It's still a good book and easy to read, it just isn't one of the best in the series.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated D is for Deadbeat (Kinsey Millhone, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
On a fall Saturday, Alvin walks into Kinsey’s office and asks the PI to track down someone named Tony to give him a check. However, Tony turns out to be a teenager, the check Alvin gives Kinsey for his services bounces, and then Alvin is shot. What has Kinsey stumbled into this time?
The places this book leads from that set up were absolutely wonderful, and I loved seeing where the plot lead. I did feel things stalled out a little before we reached the climax, but the book ended on a great note. Likewise, the characters could have been a little sharper, but maybe that was more my aversion to the obnoxious Christian sect we meet in this book. Overall, still a fantastic read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-d-is-for-deadbeat-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The places this book leads from that set up were absolutely wonderful, and I loved seeing where the plot lead. I did feel things stalled out a little before we reached the climax, but the book ended on a great note. Likewise, the characters could have been a little sharper, but maybe that was more my aversion to the obnoxious Christian sect we meet in this book. Overall, still a fantastic read.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-d-is-for-deadbeat-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Kristin (149 KP) rated Wonderstruck in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'll begin by saying the cover is fantastic; I couldn't stop looking at it! That being said, it's that feeling, the one that every picture has a story to tell, that is the inspiration behind the stories in this anthology. They go from "drabbles" of 100 words to short stories and novellas, and each is as unique as the author who wrote it. It's amazing how so many people can look at the same picture and yet draw a completely different tale from it, all the while bringing those thoughts and images into reality for the reader. I hope this idea will be continued into another book (or several!), using different pictures, or perhaps with each author being given an opening line and having to write a story from that. Loved it!! =)
5 stars
I'll begin by saying the cover is fantastic; I couldn't stop looking at it! That being said, it's that feeling, the one that every picture has a story to tell, that is the inspiration behind the stories in this anthology. They go from "drabbles" of 100 words to short stories and novellas, and each is as unique as the author who wrote it. It's amazing how so many people can look at the same picture and yet draw a completely different tale from it, all the while bringing those thoughts and images into reality for the reader. I hope this idea will be continued into another book (or several!), using different pictures, or perhaps with each author being given an opening line and having to write a story from that. Loved it!! =)
5 stars

Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated The Revenant (2015) in Movies
Jul 13, 2018
Amazing acting (1 more)
Love the setting
Too long and slow in parts (1 more)
Predictable with generic plot
Great movie with few issues
I did like this movie however I don't think I could watch it again. The acting is incredible and very deserving of the awards it received for it. The locations, setting and scenery was gorgeous and the brutality of the film fit well with the time it was set.
CGI was barely used but when it was it looked fantastic. I'm talking specifically about the bear.
However, it went on for way too long. However shortening a lot of the scenes may have taken away some of the emotion which wouldn't be good. So it had to be long which isn't good considering it was very slow at times.
The story itself felt very generic. Typical storyline about revenge with an ending that could have been a bit better.
CGI was barely used but when it was it looked fantastic. I'm talking specifically about the bear.
However, it went on for way too long. However shortening a lot of the scenes may have taken away some of the emotion which wouldn't be good. So it had to be long which isn't good considering it was very slow at times.
The story itself felt very generic. Typical storyline about revenge with an ending that could have been a bit better.

Becka (82 KP) rated Vampire Academy Blood Sisters (2014) in Movies
Jul 6, 2018
Vampire Academy Blood Sisters
Contains spoilers, click to show
The movie was fantastic. The actors chosen for the characters that I already loved from reading the book, were perfect. Danila Kozlovsky was great as Dimitri and Zoey was exactly as I imagined Rose Hathaway. The action could have been a little better and there were some things I felt we're important that weren't included. But, I know that just because I felt the things left out were important, doesn't mean that they actually we're important. I loved the ending very much, it definitely felt like a Rose thing to do and I appreciate that the movie stayed true to the characterization of each character. The script seemed natural, and the graphics were great as well. And despite hating them in books, the cliff hanger at the end was great!

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Black Mass (2015) in Movies
Jul 8, 2018
The Departed it isn't
When it's a gangster film set in Boston, it's always going to get compared to The Departed. The problem with Black Mass is it's very similar to The Departed, but sadly not in quality.
The acting and cast are great, there is some fantastic casting in this although it's Johnny Depp that I'm not too sure on. He seems to be a little over the top and his physical transformation is very creepy and disconcerting. The true story is very interesting, but it sometimes comes across as dull and I do have questions over how true some of this. The film is lacking in humour too and they would've done better to try and liven it up somehow. Whilst I appreciate it's a true story, I do feel it's a little lacking. Not one I'd go out of my way to watch again.
The acting and cast are great, there is some fantastic casting in this although it's Johnny Depp that I'm not too sure on. He seems to be a little over the top and his physical transformation is very creepy and disconcerting. The true story is very interesting, but it sometimes comes across as dull and I do have questions over how true some of this. The film is lacking in humour too and they would've done better to try and liven it up somehow. Whilst I appreciate it's a true story, I do feel it's a little lacking. Not one I'd go out of my way to watch again.

Loz Hughes (80 KP) rated Hugo (2011) in Movies
Aug 2, 2018
Asa Butterfield (3 more)
Baron cohen
It flows well and captures some of the magic of paris post ww1.
Nostalgia for the great age of train travel.
Beautiful sets, interesting and well developed characters and a nicely flowing plot line
I waited a long time to see this film as whenever it was on tv I missed it, however im not disappointed having now seen it from start to finish.
Its a beautiful storyline and the portrayal of all the characters were great. Set in Paris it captures a little of the magic and nostalgia of the time with references to life and society after ww1.
Asa was fantastic as Hugo and having seen him in Miss peregrines home for peculiar children he continues to grow as an actor. I would definitely see this film again and can be quite confident it'll appeal to audiences of all ages.
Its a beautiful storyline and the portrayal of all the characters were great. Set in Paris it captures a little of the magic and nostalgia of the time with references to life and society after ww1.
Asa was fantastic as Hugo and having seen him in Miss peregrines home for peculiar children he continues to grow as an actor. I would definitely see this film again and can be quite confident it'll appeal to audiences of all ages.

MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Perfect Liars: Perfect for fans of HBO’s hit TV series Big Little Lies in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I enjoyed Rebecca Reid’s compelling debut novel Perfect Liars.
Perfect Liars is a thoroughly satisfying character driven psychological thriller. It’s cleverly plotted and clear from the beginning, despite being paced on the slow side, that it is a compelling tale.
The characters are somewhat unlikeable in that they are typical stereotypical pretentious, entitled, self-centered women. The story is told using a dual timeline, past and present. Whilst they display a close friendship to the world it is deeply flawed.
There are certain parts of the storyline that I felt were a little too unbelievable and that is why this does not get a full five stars from me.
A fantastic debut by Rebecca Reid and I very much look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel at this time.
Perfect Liars is a thoroughly satisfying character driven psychological thriller. It’s cleverly plotted and clear from the beginning, despite being paced on the slow side, that it is a compelling tale.
The characters are somewhat unlikeable in that they are typical stereotypical pretentious, entitled, self-centered women. The story is told using a dual timeline, past and present. Whilst they display a close friendship to the world it is deeply flawed.
There are certain parts of the storyline that I felt were a little too unbelievable and that is why this does not get a full five stars from me.
A fantastic debut by Rebecca Reid and I very much look forward to whatever she comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel at this time.

Roxanne (13 KP) rated The God Delusion in Books
Nov 14, 2018
_____ 5 stars
This was an intense and very thought provoking read. It's anything but light and Dawkins certainly likes to pack a punch.
I imagine with this one that Dawkins is perhaps already preaching to the converted though as I think they are the only ones that would consider picking this one up.
I was not raised in a religious family but I did attend a Church of England school, looking back on it now after reading this book I can see the brainwashing in full force.
Dawkins makes numerous fantastic arguments against the existence of God and why religion is ultimately 'evil' and at times truly 'laughable'.
If you are sitting on the fence and not sure which way to go when it comes to your faith then definitely read this book.
<img src="http://www.relativelyinteresting.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/atheist-meme-mysterious-ways.jpg" width="250" height="250"/>
This was an intense and very thought provoking read. It's anything but light and Dawkins certainly likes to pack a punch.
I imagine with this one that Dawkins is perhaps already preaching to the converted though as I think they are the only ones that would consider picking this one up.
I was not raised in a religious family but I did attend a Church of England school, looking back on it now after reading this book I can see the brainwashing in full force.
Dawkins makes numerous fantastic arguments against the existence of God and why religion is ultimately 'evil' and at times truly 'laughable'.
If you are sitting on the fence and not sure which way to go when it comes to your faith then definitely read this book.
<img src="http://www.relativelyinteresting.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/atheist-meme-mysterious-ways.jpg" width="250" height="250"/>