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Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Cruel Beauty in Books
Apr 26, 2018
After reading Bright Smoke, Cold Fire I knew I HAD to find more Rosamund Hodge. She has a fantastic flair for taking fairy tales (or Shakespeare!) and twisting them into something darker but more realistic. Cruel Beauty is a twist on Beauty and the Beast, but this is no Stockholm Syndrome-suffering Beauty. She is resentful, and bitter, and angry at her father for subjecting her to this. She has trained her entire life to go to the Beast and destroy him, even if it means destroying herself too. What she find at the castle is nothing like what she expected, though, and neither is she what Hodge's Beast expects. Watching these two bitter, mocking characters dance around each other to get to the bottom of the curse and what actually happened to their world is engrossing and beautiful.
I couldn't put this book down once I started it, and I've already started Crimson Bound (Little Red Riding Hood), the next book in the same world. There's also a novella, Gilded Ashes (Cinderella), that I should snag a copy of.
The world is lovely and evocative, with gods and Forest Lords and Demons who actively participate in the world and grant wishes and make deals. It's a little bit Rumpelstiltskin, a little Fairy Godmother, a little Greek mythology, and all Rosamund Hodge. She's got talent, and writes my favorite micro-genre SO WELL.
If you like dark fairy tales, read this and then everything else Rosamund Hodge has written. It's excellent!
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
I couldn't put this book down once I started it, and I've already started Crimson Bound (Little Red Riding Hood), the next book in the same world. There's also a novella, Gilded Ashes (Cinderella), that I should snag a copy of.
The world is lovely and evocative, with gods and Forest Lords and Demons who actively participate in the world and grant wishes and make deals. It's a little bit Rumpelstiltskin, a little Fairy Godmother, a little Greek mythology, and all Rosamund Hodge. She's got talent, and writes my favorite micro-genre SO WELL.
If you like dark fairy tales, read this and then everything else Rosamund Hodge has written. It's excellent!
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Spells (Wings, #2) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rating: 4.5
(Spells is the sequel to Wings, so I’m not going to include a summary to keep it spoiler free.)
I’m going to try really hard not to say anything to spoil this book for you. Let’s just say this—read it.
Spells was better than Wings. Though both were equally addictive (what? no! I can’t sweep, I’m in the middle of chapter twenty-one!) Spells just had more meat to it: more complications, more plot, more drama, and more romance. There are twists and unexpected surprises that spring out of nowhere and have you sitting on the edge of your seat forgetting to breathe. There is heart pounding and heart shredding romance that makes you grin and cry. And like every good book, there is a surprise at the end that leaves you saying, “Wait… what?”
Spells is a fantastic sequel to Wings. I’m anxiously awaiting the third book in the series, and I hope to one day have the whole collection sitting on my bookshelf where it belongs.
Content: clean romance, mention of sex, no language
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would recommend reading it soon after Wings, since for the first chapter or so I was a little lost (I read Wings almost as soon as the ARC was sent out for review, some time last May or June) and even throughout the book I kept thinking “wait, who is that?” and “wait what happened again?”
This book was part of the Borrow My ARC Tour from Bloody Bad. Check out the other tour stops for more reviews.
(Spells is the sequel to Wings, so I’m not going to include a summary to keep it spoiler free.)
I’m going to try really hard not to say anything to spoil this book for you. Let’s just say this—read it.
Spells was better than Wings. Though both were equally addictive (what? no! I can’t sweep, I’m in the middle of chapter twenty-one!) Spells just had more meat to it: more complications, more plot, more drama, and more romance. There are twists and unexpected surprises that spring out of nowhere and have you sitting on the edge of your seat forgetting to breathe. There is heart pounding and heart shredding romance that makes you grin and cry. And like every good book, there is a surprise at the end that leaves you saying, “Wait… what?”
Spells is a fantastic sequel to Wings. I’m anxiously awaiting the third book in the series, and I hope to one day have the whole collection sitting on my bookshelf where it belongs.
Content: clean romance, mention of sex, no language
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would recommend reading it soon after Wings, since for the first chapter or so I was a little lost (I read Wings almost as soon as the ARC was sent out for review, some time last May or June) and even throughout the book I kept thinking “wait, who is that?” and “wait what happened again?”
This book was part of the Borrow My ARC Tour from Bloody Bad. Check out the other tour stops for more reviews.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Samsung Galaxy S8 in Tech
May 11, 2018
Stunning phone
I absolutely love this phone. I upgraded last year from the Galaxy S6 and I’m so glad I did.
It is such a beautiful looking phone. I have mine in a flip case, but I often take it out just to admire it as the body is so sleek and just feels great to hold. The infinity display too is fantastic. The camera is much better than any of my previous phones and takes some pretty good looking photos. I was dubious about the missing home button but it actually works very well and I think this is partly why the phone looks so slick. The fingerprint sensor on the back is a little unusual and it does take a while to get used to, but you come to realise that it is actually useful to have it on the back. The phone itself runs very quickly, I’ve never had any concerns over speed and the Android interface itself is still much better than Apple’s and allows a lot more personalisation and customisation.
My only criticism of this phone is the predictive text/autocorrect. It is so clunky and so unintelligent that it drives me up the wall on a daily basis. It changes real actual words for no reason and then never seems able to learn words that I type regularly. Although strangely it does seem quick to pick up things I’ve misspelt and then constantly correct the right word to a misspelt version that I’ve used once... very frustrating.
It is such a beautiful looking phone. I have mine in a flip case, but I often take it out just to admire it as the body is so sleek and just feels great to hold. The infinity display too is fantastic. The camera is much better than any of my previous phones and takes some pretty good looking photos. I was dubious about the missing home button but it actually works very well and I think this is partly why the phone looks so slick. The fingerprint sensor on the back is a little unusual and it does take a while to get used to, but you come to realise that it is actually useful to have it on the back. The phone itself runs very quickly, I’ve never had any concerns over speed and the Android interface itself is still much better than Apple’s and allows a lot more personalisation and customisation.
My only criticism of this phone is the predictive text/autocorrect. It is so clunky and so unintelligent that it drives me up the wall on a daily basis. It changes real actual words for no reason and then never seems able to learn words that I type regularly. Although strangely it does seem quick to pick up things I’ve misspelt and then constantly correct the right word to a misspelt version that I’ve used once... very frustrating.
Jessica Cashen (1 KP) rated Perfected (Perfected, #1) in Books
May 16, 2018
Fantastic read. Well written witha great plot and characters. I was engrossed from start to finish. Perfected is about human pets, first we meet number eight, a young female that has been genetically bred at a "kennel." These pets are bred to be the perfect companion for any family that can afford the hefty cost of one. Once eight gets bought, her masters decide to call her Ella. She’s been taught from birth not to read and write, how to sit quietly, how to pay attention when one of her masters speak, to be a living doll for their daughters, basically to do whatever her masters wish. Ella believed that pets were important, but little did she know that once at her new home of a distinguished congressman that she truly was little more than an actual pet. Ella's role in her new master’s home is starting to feel really wrong. The little touches of the congressman’s hand on her cheek and shoulder is starting to give her the worst feeling. The one feeling that does make her heart swell is her friendship with congressman’s son, Penn. He makes her skin tingle, her pulse kicks up in happiness, but it’s a short lived feeling as Ella realizes everything with her situation. In order to truly feel, she must first be free. I really enjoyed this read, I can't wait to read the next book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Kid Who Would Be King (2019) in Movies
Feb 19, 2019
Great fun British film
This film seems pretty timely - the backdrop of the country being split and in turmoil with everyone miserable and/or arguing perfectly nails pre-Brexit Britain, without actually naming the cause of the upset. Seeing kids sensing their parents' and teachers' stress levels and looking to help really nails home how much we are all struggling with the current climate and need to think about the impact that has on our homelives.
The plot is fairly standard Arthurian legend - boy pulls sword from stone and seeks to unite his enemies behind him in battling against forces of evil. The film does this with full knowledge and gentle telling of the actual legend, and doesn't look to be a re-telling, rather a modern day "second coming of Arthur".
There are plenty of laughs throughout the film, with a typical British flavour.
There is also action aplenty with some really powerful battle scenes and excellent SFX.
Director Joe Cornish (of Adam & Joe fame - there is also a nice cameo from Adam Buxton in the film) does a fantastic job of telling the story through the eyes of a child but without it being patronising or twee.
The cast are superb, with the young Merlin really being a star (and creepily like a young Joe Cornish). While I enjoyed Patrick Stewart's role as Merlin, I felt it added less gravitas than I think was intended and wasn't really necessary, the young incarnation perfectly playing the role himself.
A great, fun and thrilling adventure.
The plot is fairly standard Arthurian legend - boy pulls sword from stone and seeks to unite his enemies behind him in battling against forces of evil. The film does this with full knowledge and gentle telling of the actual legend, and doesn't look to be a re-telling, rather a modern day "second coming of Arthur".
There are plenty of laughs throughout the film, with a typical British flavour.
There is also action aplenty with some really powerful battle scenes and excellent SFX.
Director Joe Cornish (of Adam & Joe fame - there is also a nice cameo from Adam Buxton in the film) does a fantastic job of telling the story through the eyes of a child but without it being patronising or twee.
The cast are superb, with the young Merlin really being a star (and creepily like a young Joe Cornish). While I enjoyed Patrick Stewart's role as Merlin, I felt it added less gravitas than I think was intended and wasn't really necessary, the young incarnation perfectly playing the role himself.
A great, fun and thrilling adventure.
Lirahlu (37 KP) rated Dread Nation in Books
Mar 1, 2019
Amazing Alternative History Horror
In a post-Civil War America where neither side won because of the Zombie Apocalypse, Jane McKeene studies to become an Attendant – part body guard, part chaperone – as part of the Native and Negro Reeducation Act due to the breakdown of institutionalized slavery. While she excels at the fighting and weaponry, Jane continually fails her etiquette lessons despite being the daughter of a wealthy, white plantation owner. While other girls at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore County, Maryland desire an Attendant’s life with a wealthy family, Jane’s one goal is to return home to Rose Hill Plantation in Kentucky. Just weeks shy of graduation, Jane, her ex-beau Red Jack, and her light-skinned “frenemy” are sent West to a “Survivalist” pioneer town where blacks are still very much treated as slaves and forced to fight “shamblers” on the front lines with rusty, ineffective weapons. Though segregated with the rest of the blacks, Jane refuses to accept the town’s ingrained injustice – even when the price of resistance is death.
Dread Nation is a fantastic mashup of the alternate history and horror genres. Ireland’s characters are intricate and flawed, and therefore believable. Ireland does not shy away from the horrific history of slavery and racism in the United States and the characters and world she’s built around them are stronger for facing these issues head-on. An absolute must-read for anyone who is not shy about gore and loves a strong female character who can hold her own in a fight.
Dread Nation is a fantastic mashup of the alternate history and horror genres. Ireland’s characters are intricate and flawed, and therefore believable. Ireland does not shy away from the horrific history of slavery and racism in the United States and the characters and world she’s built around them are stronger for facing these issues head-on. An absolute must-read for anyone who is not shy about gore and loves a strong female character who can hold her own in a fight.
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) in Movies
Mar 4, 2019
Amazing cast (2 more)
The music
Was fantastically written and was a real tribute to Freddie Mercury
1 of my favourite movies of 2018
This was an incredible movie and have watched it twice in the space of 2 days and really want to watch it again.
I want to start by saying i do understand some of the facts are not true and was embellished for entertainment purposes. This does not stop the movie from inhabiting the spirit of who Freddie Mercury was. Rami Malek did a fantastic job and was perfect casting with Marc Martel providing impeccable vocals that could be mistaken for Freddies own.
Every single member of the cast was perfectly cast and i fell in love with each instantly.
I didnt even know until 2nd time watching it that Mike Myers was in it with a fun Wayne's World reference and that the actor who portrayed the bassist John Deacon was the kid ffom Jurassic Park.
I couldnt help but sing along to every song that came on. I was a fan before this movie but knowing more about Freddie Mercury and the stories behind each of the songs has made me more so. The struggles he experienced made this movie so emotional yet uplifting. You kind of know how its going to end if you know Freddie Mercury at all but i was still shocked by the journey he went on.
This is a movie i could watch over and over and i certainly plan to. This is my joint favourite movie of 2018 along with Searching.
I want to start by saying i do understand some of the facts are not true and was embellished for entertainment purposes. This does not stop the movie from inhabiting the spirit of who Freddie Mercury was. Rami Malek did a fantastic job and was perfect casting with Marc Martel providing impeccable vocals that could be mistaken for Freddies own.
Every single member of the cast was perfectly cast and i fell in love with each instantly.
I didnt even know until 2nd time watching it that Mike Myers was in it with a fun Wayne's World reference and that the actor who portrayed the bassist John Deacon was the kid ffom Jurassic Park.
I couldnt help but sing along to every song that came on. I was a fan before this movie but knowing more about Freddie Mercury and the stories behind each of the songs has made me more so. The struggles he experienced made this movie so emotional yet uplifting. You kind of know how its going to end if you know Freddie Mercury at all but i was still shocked by the journey he went on.
This is a movie i could watch over and over and i certainly plan to. This is my joint favourite movie of 2018 along with Searching.
Miguel Covarrubias (143 KP) rated Version Control in Books
Apr 30, 2019
This was a completely unique take on the genre. Rather than focusing on the characters you would expect to focus on [a:Dexter Palmer|3039800|Dexter Palmer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1272481943p2/3039800.jpg] focuses on those around them. It's a much better way to tell the story that he was telling through this book. It was a very engaging and fun take on a "what if?" time travel story.
I really appreciated his approach to time travel. It removes the need for loopholes and I can see why [a:Elan Mastai|14587932|Elan Mastai|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1484023365p2/14587932.jpg] stated that [a:Dexter Palmer|3039800|Dexter Palmer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1272481943p2/3039800.jpg] was one of his favorites, it does inspire his book [b:All Our Wrong Todays|30255743|All Our Wrong Todays|Elan Mastai|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482991947s/30255743.jpg|47452430] in the removal of the loopholes that come with time travel paradoxes. It is something that I was also going to include in my book, and I liked the thought process that engaged with this.
It was a fantastic story of dealing with grief and regret. The story is much more about the relationships then the actual time travel sci-fi. I loved his not making a big deal about the McGuffins and instead tells the story he wants to tell. I loved his style and story telling method. Even in the dull bits, I was engaged and wanting to know every detail of the world he created.
I really appreciated his approach to time travel. It removes the need for loopholes and I can see why [a:Elan Mastai|14587932|Elan Mastai|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1484023365p2/14587932.jpg] stated that [a:Dexter Palmer|3039800|Dexter Palmer|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1272481943p2/3039800.jpg] was one of his favorites, it does inspire his book [b:All Our Wrong Todays|30255743|All Our Wrong Todays|Elan Mastai|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1482991947s/30255743.jpg|47452430] in the removal of the loopholes that come with time travel paradoxes. It is something that I was also going to include in my book, and I liked the thought process that engaged with this.
It was a fantastic story of dealing with grief and regret. The story is much more about the relationships then the actual time travel sci-fi. I loved his not making a big deal about the McGuffins and instead tells the story he wants to tell. I loved his style and story telling method. Even in the dull bits, I was engaged and wanting to know every detail of the world he created.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated A Deadly Feast in Books
May 13, 2019
Thanksgiving Wedding Bells
Hayley Snow’s wedding is just a few days away, and her list of things to do is long, as you’d expect. She’s got family coming in from out of town, Thanksgiving the day before, and contractors to get working on the houseboat she wants to move into soon after she gets married. So the last thing she needs to do is find herself embroiled in a mystery. But when a woman on a seafood tour Hayley is covering for work drops dead, Hayley is asked by the friend who owns the company to find out what happened. Can Hayley squeeze that into her busy week?
As you can see, there is plenty happening here, and I found the pages turning quickly. Unfortunately, I felt the mystery suffered as a result. It was often buried in everything else going on, and the resolution was rushed as a result. But I do love these characters, and getting to spend time with them is wonderful as always. I enjoyed getting to see a different side of a couple and have others return. Thanks to these books, I’ve fallen in love with Key West, so it was fantastic to get to visit again. It was a much-needed mini vacation. There are nine new recipes for us to try; personally, I’m most intrigued by the pumpkin pie recipe. While newcomers to the series won’t be as charmed with this outing, longtime fans will be happy to visit Hayley again here.
As you can see, there is plenty happening here, and I found the pages turning quickly. Unfortunately, I felt the mystery suffered as a result. It was often buried in everything else going on, and the resolution was rushed as a result. But I do love these characters, and getting to spend time with them is wonderful as always. I enjoyed getting to see a different side of a couple and have others return. Thanks to these books, I’ve fallen in love with Key West, so it was fantastic to get to visit again. It was a much-needed mini vacation. There are nine new recipes for us to try; personally, I’m most intrigued by the pumpkin pie recipe. While newcomers to the series won’t be as charmed with this outing, longtime fans will be happy to visit Hayley again here.
