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Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
A rag-tag group of miscreants is brought together for the purpose of joining their talents to obtain a rare and mysterious book that could change the world as they know it. However, there's far more to the story than they realize, and they're soon dragged into an exciting web of adventure, intrigue, betrayal, and magic.
I'll start by saying this story is a long one, but it's SOOOOOOOO worth it! I never felt dragged down or bored at any point, and there were many times where I couldn't bear to put it down even when I had to. The characters are fantastic, and they each have their own personality which sparks the others. They're all great as individuals, but when they come together as a whole, the dialogue really soars! I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series, and more from this author period.
5 stars
A rag-tag group of miscreants is brought together for the purpose of joining their talents to obtain a rare and mysterious book that could change the world as they know it. However, there's far more to the story than they realize, and they're soon dragged into an exciting web of adventure, intrigue, betrayal, and magic.
I'll start by saying this story is a long one, but it's SOOOOOOOO worth it! I never felt dragged down or bored at any point, and there were many times where I couldn't bear to put it down even when I had to. The characters are fantastic, and they each have their own personality which sparks the others. They're all great as individuals, but when they come together as a whole, the dialogue really soars! I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series, and more from this author period.
5 stars
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2373 KP) rated Purrder She Wrote in Books
Aug 3, 2018
Purrfectly Fun Return Visit
It’s opening day for Maddie James’ new cat café on Daybreak Island. However, the day has hardly started when Adele, one of her volunteers, gets into a shouting match with socialite Holly over one of the cats. When Holly turns up dead, naturally Adele becomes a suspect. Maddie is sure the police are missing something. Can she figure out what it is?
I love the setting of this series. Daybreak Island is a place I’d love to visit – between the murders, of course. The mystery gets a bit sidetracked early on here due to some strong sub-plots, but I was enjoying those sub-plots as well, and things get back on track before too long with a surprising ending. The suspects are all strong, but it’s the main characters who made me excited to return to this series. They are all fantastic, and spending time with them was as enjoyable as spending time in the setting.
I love the setting of this series. Daybreak Island is a place I’d love to visit – between the murders, of course. The mystery gets a bit sidetracked early on here due to some strong sub-plots, but I was enjoying those sub-plots as well, and things get back on track before too long with a surprising ending. The suspects are all strong, but it’s the main characters who made me excited to return to this series. They are all fantastic, and spending time with them was as enjoyable as spending time in the setting.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Blindspotting (2018) in Movies
Sep 2, 2018
I was lucky enough to catch a showing of this film before it left the Drafthouse. I hadn't really been sold by the trailers, but I was willing to give it a try.
This might be one of my favorite movies of this year. The movie follows two best friends, living in Oakland, which is being progressively gentrified (which reminds me of where I live). This film was written by the two leads, and was partially inspired by their own lives. Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal were both fantastic, and were foils of one another. Diggs' Collin is three days away from being released from probation after a stint in jail. Collin sees an officer shoot an unarmed guy, but can't report what he saw because he was late for his curfew.
The film was really effective, and you felt the sheer terror in some of the situations. I was actually exhausted after watching it, but in a good way.
This might be one of my favorite movies of this year. The movie follows two best friends, living in Oakland, which is being progressively gentrified (which reminds me of where I live). This film was written by the two leads, and was partially inspired by their own lives. Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal were both fantastic, and were foils of one another. Diggs' Collin is three days away from being released from probation after a stint in jail. Collin sees an officer shoot an unarmed guy, but can't report what he saw because he was late for his curfew.
The film was really effective, and you felt the sheer terror in some of the situations. I was actually exhausted after watching it, but in a good way.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Our Chemical Hearts in Books
Sep 15, 2018
An okay YA
I ummed and ahhed about the rating for this book, round up to 4 or not but I’m sticking where I am. There is so much I liked about this book, not least the fantastic male POV narration.
Henry is the narrator of this tale and he was the biggest strength of this book. A young man experiencing his first love but someone who was the best friend a girl could have. Grace was complex, understandably so. Her issues prompt compassion but the impact on Henry is difficult and there was just something about her that from Henry’s perspective, saddened me.
For me, this book had two phases, a stronge first half or more and a weaker latter part. I think there’s is a realism in where this book journey goes but I cannot deny a little dissatisfaction. However, the writing was generally strong and the characters interesting. I would definitely read more from this author.
Henry is the narrator of this tale and he was the biggest strength of this book. A young man experiencing his first love but someone who was the best friend a girl could have. Grace was complex, understandably so. Her issues prompt compassion but the impact on Henry is difficult and there was just something about her that from Henry’s perspective, saddened me.
For me, this book had two phases, a stronge first half or more and a weaker latter part. I think there’s is a realism in where this book journey goes but I cannot deny a little dissatisfaction. However, the writing was generally strong and the characters interesting. I would definitely read more from this author.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Cargo (2017) in Movies
Sep 16, 2018
Nothing new
The problem with zombie films now is that the whole zombie genre has been done to death (ha). There's far too many zombie films out there and sadly Cargo doesn't add anything new.
Whilst it has a slightly different take on the transformation into a zombie and this is done very well, this is just another apocalyptic zombie film, but this time it's set in Australia. The plot is okay but suffers from the main character doing a number of unexplainable and explicable things - he's got very limited time left, yet seems to thing it's fine to dawdle, faff and sit around doing nothing. Its a shame as Martin Freeman puts in a fantastic performance, he just doesn't have the unique plot to back it up.
I really wish they'd stop making zombie films now. This isn't a terrible film by far, it's just an entirely unnecessary addition to the genre.
Whilst it has a slightly different take on the transformation into a zombie and this is done very well, this is just another apocalyptic zombie film, but this time it's set in Australia. The plot is okay but suffers from the main character doing a number of unexplainable and explicable things - he's got very limited time left, yet seems to thing it's fine to dawdle, faff and sit around doing nothing. Its a shame as Martin Freeman puts in a fantastic performance, he just doesn't have the unique plot to back it up.
I really wish they'd stop making zombie films now. This isn't a terrible film by far, it's just an entirely unnecessary addition to the genre.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) in Movies
Oct 11, 2018
One of the best slasher films
Like Scream, this is by far one of the best slasher films and is one of my all time favourites. I grew up watching films like this - I may have only been 10 when it first came out in 1997, but my parents weren’t too fussy about renting me these sorts of films - and it was almost mandatory to watch this at every teenage sleepover at high school.
It has a great young and popular cast (back when Jennifer Love Hewitt was good) with a fantastic soundtrack. And not only that, the plot is actually pretty intriguing and even now some of the scenes are pretty scary and creepy - the one in the deserted department store still creeps me out. I’ve always loved the fact that this film plays on the classic urban legend of the man with a hook for a hand, as that was always one of my favourites. They really don’t make slasher films like this anymore.
It has a great young and popular cast (back when Jennifer Love Hewitt was good) with a fantastic soundtrack. And not only that, the plot is actually pretty intriguing and even now some of the scenes are pretty scary and creepy - the one in the deserted department store still creeps me out. I’ve always loved the fact that this film plays on the classic urban legend of the man with a hook for a hand, as that was always one of my favourites. They really don’t make slasher films like this anymore.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Chosen Ones in Books
Oct 20, 2018
I have never read anything by Howard Linskey before but if this book is anything to go by, I won't be making that mistake again ... what a great read and even though this is book number 4 in the series, I don't think it's totally necessary to have read the previous ones. Yes you may miss out on some of the back story and relationship building that has gone on before but I think there is enough provided to give you a good idea but not so much that it becomes tedious.
The writing flows well making it easy to read and with great characters, creepy and disturbing storyline and a great ending, I have no hesitation in recommending this to those who enjoy a good police procedural with a psychologically thrilling edge.
Thanks go to the publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and for introducing me to another fantastic British author.
The writing flows well making it easy to read and with great characters, creepy and disturbing storyline and a great ending, I have no hesitation in recommending this to those who enjoy a good police procedural with a psychologically thrilling edge.
Thanks go to the publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and for introducing me to another fantastic British author.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Near Dark (1987) in Movies
Oct 20, 2018
Vampires without vampires
The cast of Aliens (I think this movie was directed by James Cameron's former spouse lol) reunites one year later in this stylized vampire flick even though they never mention the "V" word.
A young man falls into an unusual new crowd in his small town. He finds out more about them including their hatred for sunlight. His new friends have a proclivity to bloody violence to which he does not appreciate especially when his family gets involved. His loyalties are tested when events turn violent and he has to decide who's team he's on.
Geeing Bill Paxton and Lance Henrikson together again was just fantastic; however made me miss Bill even more. He steals every scene he is in just like Aliens and is sheer joy to watch.
The film is a unique take on the traditional bloodsucking genre and very entertaining.
A young man falls into an unusual new crowd in his small town. He finds out more about them including their hatred for sunlight. His new friends have a proclivity to bloody violence to which he does not appreciate especially when his family gets involved. His loyalties are tested when events turn violent and he has to decide who's team he's on.
Geeing Bill Paxton and Lance Henrikson together again was just fantastic; however made me miss Bill even more. He steals every scene he is in just like Aliens and is sheer joy to watch.
The film is a unique take on the traditional bloodsucking genre and very entertaining.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Stupid Poems 11 in Books
Nov 14, 2018
<i>I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>
_____ <b>5 Star Rating</b> _____
I thought this collection of poetry was fantastic as it gave me proper belly laughs.
This author really knows how to write great poetry...
<img src="http://static.rcgroups.net/forums/attachments/2/1/4/7/7/1/a3234523-52-animated-laughing.gif?d=1273492044"; width="300" height="280"/>
It was weird, random, hilarious and I honestly could not fault the rhyming; that is some skill!
If I was really hunting for anything negative I would say that it could do with a bit more editing as I did notice a few mistakes, not enough to knock off any points though.
If you would like something random to read I would recommend picking this one up as it is a short, easy to read book that once you start you just have to finish it.
_____ <b>5 Star Rating</b> _____
I thought this collection of poetry was fantastic as it gave me proper belly laughs.
This author really knows how to write great poetry...
<img src="http://static.rcgroups.net/forums/attachments/2/1/4/7/7/1/a3234523-52-animated-laughing.gif?d=1273492044"; width="300" height="280"/>
It was weird, random, hilarious and I honestly could not fault the rhyming; that is some skill!
If I was really hunting for anything negative I would say that it could do with a bit more editing as I did notice a few mistakes, not enough to knock off any points though.
If you would like something random to read I would recommend picking this one up as it is a short, easy to read book that once you start you just have to finish it.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
Nov 16, 2018
Loved this movie
This is a must see for all Harry Potter fans. Newt is a fantastic main character and in this film he and everyone else have some hard decisions to make.
There are a few different story lines in the movie, so Newt isn't the only character that holds your attention. All of these stories meet in the end, and the ending leaves the viewer with more questions. I think the movie ended in a really good spot. It felt complete while still making me look forward to the next installment.
The only real problem with this movie is that at times it doesn't follow universal rules that were introduced in Harry Potter. These things are usually very minor, and I think a lot of people won't notice them right away. For me that was the only downside to the movie I would have preferred they stayed true to the original.
There are a few different story lines in the movie, so Newt isn't the only character that holds your attention. All of these stories meet in the end, and the ending leaves the viewer with more questions. I think the movie ended in a really good spot. It felt complete while still making me look forward to the next installment.
The only real problem with this movie is that at times it doesn't follow universal rules that were introduced in Harry Potter. These things are usually very minor, and I think a lot of people won't notice them right away. For me that was the only downside to the movie I would have preferred they stayed true to the original.