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The Bringer of Wrath (The King & Alpha #2)
The Bringer of Wrath (The King & Alpha #2)
A.E. Via | 2019 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Bringer of Wrath (The King & Alpha #2) by A.E. Via
The Bringer of Wrath is the second book in The Alpha and the King series, and it absolutely needs to be read in order! If you don't, you won't get the full benefit from this book, including the nuances between the characters.

This book continues where book one, Prophesy, finishes. Bell is an alpha vampire, Lord High to the King, and is in no way subservient. Alek is an alpha too, and the Alpha Zenith's Second. Alek and Bell have some teething troubles as they try to find their balance. Alek also doesn't think he is good enough for Bell, as he is 'broken' - quite literally as it happens. Alek has two other distinct entities living with him - Wolf and Wrath. I loved how these were quite obviously different, and also how Bell coped with that.

This was a fantastic story that not only gives you Alek and Bell's story, but also gives you further insight into the overall story arc. Very well written, and 100% enjoyable, I have no hesitation in recommending this book, although that is on the proviso you read book one first!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know what it is about this series that just gets me. This is the third novel I have read in the series and it just keeps getting better and better.

Historical erotica is something I can fully get behind. But a queer historical erotica?! Those don’t exist! Well let me inform you that they, in fact, do, and they are amazing. Society of Gentleman by K.J. Charles is not just one of the best historical erotic series I have read, it is also one of the best series period! So far, this one has been my favorite. There is something about forbidden love that just makes it that much more delicious. A lord and his servant? Scandalous! And toe-curling…

Again Charles brings her phenomenal character creating to the table and expertly weaves a story that lures you into its web and keeps you there till the very end. I love Charles’ writing and creativity.

There is really nothing else I feel I can say about this novel without giving it away. Are you looking for a fantastic historical romance featuring two men? Look no further! Seriously…don’t pass this series up.

Plus look at how beautiful that cover is...
  
Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther (2018)
2018 | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Different to other Marvel films (1 more)
Strong female characters
CGI (2 more)
Some under developed characters
Weak villain
Good but a little overrated
Considering the general praise for this film, I had been expecting great things and although for a Marvel origins film it's pretty good, I still found it a bit disappointing.

I like T'Challa as a main character and I love some of the strong female characters in this film. His sister especially is fantastic and brings some welcome humour too. This isn't your typical Marvel film, and feels like it has more meaning and depth, although this means the humour side is a little lacking. Its also good not to have this bogged down with other characters from the universe.


My problems were that it felt like it dragged a bit and I was almost getting bored. The CGI is very patchy in places to the point it gets distracting and despite some good characters, I feel a lot of others are very under developed, like Forest Whitaker and Daniel Kaluuya. Martin Freeman's character could have been removed from the film entirely with no impact. Also I felt Erik was a bit of a weak villain and Andy Serkis was much more better placed and would have brought a bit more character.


All in all its a good and different origin story, but not one of my favourites.
  
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Andy K (10823 KP) Jun 23, 2018

Spot on review Sarah. Just watched for the first time tonight.

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Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Looking for Dei in Books

Jun 10, 2018 (Updated Jan 18, 2019)  
Looking for Dei
Looking for Dei
David A. Willson | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
2
2.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I hate being the first person to give a book a low rating, but after months of trying, I was unable to finish Looking for Dei. Largely, it's simply not my style. The voice is a little too passive, the story a little too predictable. Then again, my tastes are a bit bloodier and darker than this fantasy novel, and this is yet another pure YA read--like Ghost Slayer, but fantasy rather than paranormal.

I don't feel an attachment to any of the characters, and for me that's a big problem. There's no connection, no wondering what will happen to them and that could be in part because of all the exposition. They simply bore me, for lack of a better word. I don't mean to come off harsh, but I've really been struggling to read this.

Plotwise, its much of the same. Too much of what is going on can be guessed at. The evil characters have no mystery to them. The good characters are always fortunate in what happens to them. It's simply too fantastic in that regard for me.

I'd like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC of his book for the purpose of review. I regret being unable to finish this book, but after three months of trying and putting it down, I simply cannot force-feed it to myself.
  
H(
Heartkeeper (Heartkeeper Saga, #1)
B.T. Lyons | 2013
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

In the (possibly not so distant) future, there's a Covenant between the human world and the natural one: Humans wreaked havoc on the Earth, and now they must make amends. They do this through obtaining Hearts, animal spirits that they must earn through a series of trials, proving they are of strong heart and mind and are willing to protect the lands and all its inhabitants. Adain is ready to begin his journey into adulthood, and it starts with the Heart Chase, where he must capture a Heart to call his own. Little does he know that this year's trials won't go according to plan...

This story pulled me in from the very start. Just the idea behind it alone, that humans have made a pact with the natural world to bring order back from the chaos of our time, is a fantastic concept, one that I had long discussions about with friends upon starting this series. And the way it's written makes it easily understandable for anyone, as children could read it right alongside their parents. I've already recommended this book to several people, and I look forward to the rest of the series, as well as more from this author.

5 stars =)
  
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Louise (64 KP) rated Sometimes I Lie in Books

Jul 2, 2018  
Sometimes I Lie
Sometimes I Lie
Alice Feeney | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.8 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review*

This book must have one of the shortest blurbs but one of the most intriguing, When I saw this book I instantly knew that I wanted to read it, there so much mystery in that blurb – I wanted to know why she was in a coma, why her husband didn’t love and what she lied about and if these lies were the reasons she was in a coma.

For a debut novel this absolutely fantastic, very absorbing, gripping and has you on the edge of your seat the whole way through, I truly am excited to see what this very talented writer is going to come up with next.

I am not going to write anything about the story as i think it will take some of the allure away. All you need to know is that you will be trying to second guess what is going and trying to reveal the truth. There are so many twists and turns in this book,if you are anything like me when I got to the plot twist I had to read it a few times to get my head round it.

This novel was dark,gritty and a great mystery/thriller novel.
  
Hero at the Fall: Rebel of the Sands Book 3
Hero at the Fall: Rebel of the Sands Book 3
Alwyn Hamilton | 2018 | Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was great! This is the concluding volume of the Rebel of the Sands trilogy, and it wrapped things up perfectly. I especially liked how she handled character deaths; each one got a short little chapter told in a legendary story kind of way, switching to a third person narrator instead of the first person viewpoint of Amani. The last chapter, telling us what came after the events of the book, was told in the same manner, and I really liked how it tied the book together.

There's so little I can say about this book without spoiling the previous two! We learn even more about the Djinni in this book, and some of the creation myths of Amani's people. We get a little more into the politics of other countries, and even a bit of their magic. And ohhhh there are stories to be told there, if Hamilton wants to continue in this world. I'd love to see a prequel based on Sam, and his country could do an entire sequel trilogy!

I think one of my favorite scenes was Amani using her control of sand to sail their ship across the desert. It's just an amazing visual.

This was one of the best concluding books to a trilogy that I have read in a long time. Fantastic book.

You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
  
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
2018 | Action, Adventure, Thriller
They keep getting better
The Mission Impossible films seem to always keep doing the impossible - they keep getting better and better, which is so unusual for sequels.

This has a very long run time, but its so entertaining and interesting that you can't tell it's been on for nearly 3 hours. The plot is intriguing with lots of twists and turns, although some of these twists were slightly predictable and/or spoilt by the trailers. The action and stunts are fantastic, it's nice to see action sequences that don't rely on shaky camera to mask any dodgy choreography. Great cast and one of the few films where I can actually tolerate (and even like) Tom Cruise.

I do have a few minor criticisms. Some areas of the plot are almost verging on the unbelievable, and some character motivations are a little weak or aren't explained very well. I also wish it didn't quite rely on certain action film cliches (I.e. defusing a bomb at the last second).

My viewing of this film was spoilt quite a lot by a large amount of noise in the cinema, so I really need a repeat (quiet) viewing to really appreciate it a little more and potentially mark it a bit higher. But it still was a very good, high quality action film - the best I've seen in a while.
  
The Babysitter
The Babysitter
Sheryl Browne | 2018 | Mystery, Thriller
10
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fantastic writing, gripping! (0 more)
EPIC and Highly Recommended
The author, Sheryl Browne, has created a heart-stopping psychological thriller packed with strong characters. The book had me gripped from the first to the very last page and I could not put it down in between!

Sheryl Browne takes us on a heart-stopping rollercoaster ride and has a fascinating way of taking you into the middle of events where you can’t help but feel empathy for all characters and even understand what is going on in the mind of The Babysitter.

I found myself unable to just sit still and read, I was pacing the floor, munching on junk food and whilst I started reading with a glass of wine, there was a paragraph in the book that shook me so much I dropped my glass. I replaced it with something a little stronger and got comfy as I knew I would not be sleeping until I reached the final page.

My Kindle gave the ‘low power warning’ when I was 48% through and I had to sit in the corner with the charging cable for the rest of the book.

I don't want to give away any secrets of the book - would just say read it and read it quick!

I purchased this book via Amazon Kindle and have now purchased a paperback copy for a friend.
  
The Break
The Break
Marian Keyes | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
MoMo’s Book Diary highly recommends this author’s latest release “The Break”

Marian Keyes has given us many brilliant novels – some of which I have ‘laughed out loud’ embarrassing my mother while on holiday in strange places. I have many happy memories reading Marian Keyes while on holiday.

I haven’t read anything by this author in some time and was excited to be given the chance to read and review for NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph. It is a well paced book that is difficult to put down but I found that unlike some other books I have read recently I was able to put it down and take a break for normal life stuff… maybe it is due to this being a longer book that most that I read these days? Or maybe I have been reading too many crime based books that this just didn’t hold my attention as much as Marian Keyes did in the past. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed it and do recommend it as a novel.

It is a long read – enjoyable – and funny.

If you have read Marian Keyes in the past then you really don’t want to miss this one!

Thanks NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic novel.