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Saffy Alexandra (89 KP) rated The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2) in Books
May 31, 2019
The Characters (1 more)
The Plot
Ssssomething Ssspecial
Now, this is probably my favourite book out of all the series, one because of my love of reptiles and two it just has that sort of charm that steals you in and doesn’t let you leave!
Usually reptiles (snakes, etc) are the bad guys and are always portrayed in not the best light. Snicket has a fantastic way of turning this on its head (no spoilers, get reading the books). His wit, charm and eclectic use of the English language is fantastical, managing to just keep you turning those pages over and over again until you realise you’ve finished the book … then you just want to carry on reading the next book in the series.
The poor Orphans do suffer a lot at Snickets hand, and we are so intrigued as to how these three will cope and handle that rogue Count Olaf that you can’t help but follow their misadventures and misfortunes.
If you are a fan of misery, mystery and a lot of humour and wit these books are for you!
Usually reptiles (snakes, etc) are the bad guys and are always portrayed in not the best light. Snicket has a fantastic way of turning this on its head (no spoilers, get reading the books). His wit, charm and eclectic use of the English language is fantastical, managing to just keep you turning those pages over and over again until you realise you’ve finished the book … then you just want to carry on reading the next book in the series.
The poor Orphans do suffer a lot at Snickets hand, and we are so intrigued as to how these three will cope and handle that rogue Count Olaf that you can’t help but follow their misadventures and misfortunes.
If you are a fan of misery, mystery and a lot of humour and wit these books are for you!
Danielle Chaplin (81 KP) rated To Kill a Kingdom in Books
Jun 1, 2019
Brilliant!
This is a truly unique and fantastic retelling of the Little Mermaid story, with our main character being a bloodthirsty siren that is forced into human form for disobeying the sea witch.
I loved that the characters weren't instantly attracted to each other, that the prince wasn't as nice as he could have been and that the siren had a backbone to her. The feelings and emotions displayed were well thought out and the story progressed well, however I feel that the relationships could have progressed more during the 'quest' and that the book had every right to be longer than what it was.
I could not put this book down and read it even whilst feeding my baby one handed so that I didn't lose any time in finding out what happens (even though it was a fair chance that it would either have a Disney happy ending or follow the classic fairy tale).
This is the perfect book for those that like alternative retellings of fairy tales and Christina Henry books.
I loved that the characters weren't instantly attracted to each other, that the prince wasn't as nice as he could have been and that the siren had a backbone to her. The feelings and emotions displayed were well thought out and the story progressed well, however I feel that the relationships could have progressed more during the 'quest' and that the book had every right to be longer than what it was.
I could not put this book down and read it even whilst feeding my baby one handed so that I didn't lose any time in finding out what happens (even though it was a fair chance that it would either have a Disney happy ending or follow the classic fairy tale).
This is the perfect book for those that like alternative retellings of fairy tales and Christina Henry books.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated The Alamo: Flashpoint Between Texas and Mexico in Books
Jun 15, 2019
I've always been proud of my state (Texas), but here lately, I've wanted to learn all I can about Texas Independence as well as the Alamo. This book was my starting book into written literature on the Alamo (besides what I learned in my Texas History classes at school).
The introduction in the beginning of the book by the book's editor, Mary Dodson Wade, was very informative and interesting. What follows are eyewitness accounts. I wish there was a bit more of these accounts. It's a very short book, but what I did read was interesting. I also wish there was some clarification that some parts didn't happen that way such as Potter's account at seeing Dickinson die whilst holding his infant daughter which isn't true. Dickinson died, but his wife and his daughter lived. I did enjoy the illustrations in this book although there aren't many which didn't bother me.
If you're looking for a great starting point to read up on The Alamo, this book would be fantastic. It's a fast and short read. I would definitely recommend it.
The introduction in the beginning of the book by the book's editor, Mary Dodson Wade, was very informative and interesting. What follows are eyewitness accounts. I wish there was a bit more of these accounts. It's a very short book, but what I did read was interesting. I also wish there was some clarification that some parts didn't happen that way such as Potter's account at seeing Dickinson die whilst holding his infant daughter which isn't true. Dickinson died, but his wife and his daughter lived. I did enjoy the illustrations in this book although there aren't many which didn't bother me.
If you're looking for a great starting point to read up on The Alamo, this book would be fantastic. It's a fast and short read. I would definitely recommend it.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Ghost in the Shell (2017) in Movies
Feb 6, 2018
Forgettable
I’ve never seen the original anime, so I went into this with a fairly open mind but sadly the film just didn’t deliver.
The trailer made it look like a very slick futuristic thriller almost, and although the sfx are fantastic and really well done, the rest of the film is a letdown. The initial idea of her being a human brain inside a cyborg is a good one, but it’s sadly ruined by the unoriginal and predictable discovering her origins story. And I’m sorry, but I really don’t rate Scarlett Johansson. She isn’t bad, but she isn’t particularly great either and lately she always seems to be playing a similar sort of character. Pilou Asbæk is the only one who really excels in this and he’s the only truly likeable character. However I did spend the entire film trying to figure out where I knew him and his name from, and it’s only now I’ve realised he’s Euron Greyjoy, gah. To be honest I was pretty bored watching this and great sfx can’t make up for a very dull plot.
The trailer made it look like a very slick futuristic thriller almost, and although the sfx are fantastic and really well done, the rest of the film is a letdown. The initial idea of her being a human brain inside a cyborg is a good one, but it’s sadly ruined by the unoriginal and predictable discovering her origins story. And I’m sorry, but I really don’t rate Scarlett Johansson. She isn’t bad, but she isn’t particularly great either and lately she always seems to be playing a similar sort of character. Pilou Asbæk is the only one who really excels in this and he’s the only truly likeable character. However I did spend the entire film trying to figure out where I knew him and his name from, and it’s only now I’ve realised he’s Euron Greyjoy, gah. To be honest I was pretty bored watching this and great sfx can’t make up for a very dull plot.
Kay Bee (1 KP) rated John Wick (2014) in Movies
Jan 28, 2018
Best Movie Surprise I've Ever Had
I generally like Keanu Reeves even though he can be wooden at times action films have become his Forte. My husband and I both love action movies so we went to see it when it came out in the theater and hadn't really heard any Buzz about it. I was absolutely blown away and it was my favorite movie of the year, so much so that we were in line opening night to see John Wick 2 (and were not disappointed in that one either but that's another review). It really is just an all-around great movie if you like action films, revenge thrillers, or Keanu Reeves; you really can't go wrong. The score is so great I bought and downloaded it immediately after we left the theater. The club scene is perfection.
Kyera (8 KP) rated For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds in Books
Feb 1, 2018
This was your typical, hilarious Rick Riordan companion novel. Like Percy Jackson telling us in his witty way about Greek mythology in the two books about Greek Gods and Greek Heroes
Various residents of Hotel Valhalla tell us about Norse mythology. It was filled with interviews, stories and jokes. Part encyclopedia and part comedy sketch. I do wish that it was longer and more in depth. Generally, people know more about Greek mythology than they do about other types, so it would be great to have a more expansive discussion about the gods, goddesses, monsters and origin stories in Norse Mythology. Perhaps this will be rectified in a future expanded novel? That would be my one criticism for this book, otherwise it was a fantastic, quick, funny read. Highly recommended for middle grade and young adult readers who are already fans of Rick Riordan's, love fantasy, mythology, funny books or pretty much anything else. I just recommend that you read the Magnus Chase series before delving into this book to give yourself a little familiarity.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Santorini in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Santorini rocks as a 2-player board game!
Many years ago I was lucky enough to have my wife come along with me on a business trip to Greece. It was the first time either of us had been to Greece and we looked forward to seeing many sites over a few extra days after the business event ended.
One of the things we really wanted to do was to visit one of the Greek Isles. At the top of my list was Santorini
Unfortunately, with the limited time we had, we could only make it to one island — Mykonos. Don’t get me wrong, we loved visiting Mykonos. I just wish we could have seen more. And ever since then I’ve longed for a visit to Santorini.
Well, playing the Santorini board game by Roxley Game Laboratory has only whetted my appetite to visit the popular Greek Isle even more!
I’ll tell you straight out that the game is fantastic!
Reviewer: Trent
See the full review here: http://www.theboardgamefamily.com/2017/04/santorini-board-game-review/
One of the things we really wanted to do was to visit one of the Greek Isles. At the top of my list was Santorini
Unfortunately, with the limited time we had, we could only make it to one island — Mykonos. Don’t get me wrong, we loved visiting Mykonos. I just wish we could have seen more. And ever since then I’ve longed for a visit to Santorini.
Well, playing the Santorini board game by Roxley Game Laboratory has only whetted my appetite to visit the popular Greek Isle even more!
I’ll tell you straight out that the game is fantastic!
Reviewer: Trent
See the full review here: http://www.theboardgamefamily.com/2017/04/santorini-board-game-review/
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2436 KP) rated The Final Tap (Living History Museum, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Kelsey Cambridge is getting ready for the first annual Maple Sugar Festival at Barton Farm, the living history museum she runs in Ohio. As part of that festival, she has invited Dr. Conrad Beeson to teach a class on harvesting maple sugar. However, while he is inspecting the trees on the farm, someone stabs him with a hand drill. With the police looking at one of Kelsey’s employees, can she find the real killer?
I was delighted to slip back into the world of this series. The setting is fantastic, and the characters are strong. Not all the returning characters get a lot of page time, but the ones that do get a good deal of development. The suspects are also strong, and the varying suspects and motives kept me guessing until the end.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-final-tap-by-amanda-flower.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was delighted to slip back into the world of this series. The setting is fantastic, and the characters are strong. Not all the returning characters get a lot of page time, but the ones that do get a good deal of development. The suspects are also strong, and the varying suspects and motives kept me guessing until the end.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-final-tap-by-amanda-flower.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2436 KP) rated The Stolen Chapters (Story Thieves, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Owen and Kiel wake up, they are in the library with no memory of how they got there or even what happened in the last couple of weeks. Then someone in a mask shows up to announce that their friend Bethany is in danger, and if they don’t rescue her in the next couple of hours, they will never see her again. Then he sets the library on fire and calls the police on them. Can Owen and Kiel find Bethany, figure out who the villain is, and stop him?
This is the second in a series, and you don’t want to start here if you haven’t read the first. However, once you’ve read the first, you’ll absolutely love this book. There are lots of laughs and fun and surprises along the way, including a fantastic cameo by a character I grew up with. The book gets very meta, but just go with it because it is a ton of fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-stolen-chapters-by-james.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is the second in a series, and you don’t want to start here if you haven’t read the first. However, once you’ve read the first, you’ll absolutely love this book. There are lots of laughs and fun and surprises along the way, including a fantastic cameo by a character I grew up with. The book gets very meta, but just go with it because it is a ton of fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-stolen-chapters-by-james.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lee Ann (116 KP) rated Opposition (Lux, #5) in Books
Mar 13, 2018
It's always weird when you finish a series of books. When it's a standalone novel, it's easier to let go of a set of characters, but with a series - especially when they go past the typical three - you spend so much time with the characters, they become a fixture for a while.
When I started the Lux series, I wasn't sold on it. I'm not a huge fan of YA novels at the best of times. Daemon amused me enough to keep me interested, though, so I slogged through the first and second books and hit the third... and that's when it captured me. Something clicked and the story became more than just a "yeah, it's not bad," to "holy shit, gimme more!"
Opposition has its issues. There are a couple of things I think could have been done better, but overall, a fantastic book which ties up the series nicely.
... and I've been informed today (and pre-ordered) that Luc is getting his own book in October this year (2018) so there's that!
When I started the Lux series, I wasn't sold on it. I'm not a huge fan of YA novels at the best of times. Daemon amused me enough to keep me interested, though, so I slogged through the first and second books and hit the third... and that's when it captured me. Something clicked and the story became more than just a "yeah, it's not bad," to "holy shit, gimme more!"
Opposition has its issues. There are a couple of things I think could have been done better, but overall, a fantastic book which ties up the series nicely.
... and I've been informed today (and pre-ordered) that Luc is getting his own book in October this year (2018) so there's that!