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Steph Freeman (26 KP) rated The Shape of Water (2017) in Movies
Mar 5, 2018
Cinematography was excellent. (1 more)
Character development was perfect, not a lot of detail but enough to fall into their lives.
The Shape of Water - Visually Stunning
The Shape of Water, as discussed in other reviews, follows Eliza Esposito through a snapshot of her life. She has a clear love of water from the beginning, bordering on a fetish, and she connects with few people due to her mutism. The people around her are flawed. Her neighbor is fighting through a new advertising world that no longer values true artwork, her coworker Zelda has a painful home life with a husband that won't participate. Even the characters that are not part of Eliza's life have their struggles depicted within this movie. We see snapshots, just enough to understand these people are flawed, their lives are flawed, their relationships are flawed. Everyone in this movie is struggling towards a goal, though Eliza is the clear focus.
The cinematography reflects the 60's, from the lighting, to the sets and even how the cameras move with the characters. It's a world that engulfs the viewer, suspension of disbelief is a guarantee. The majority of the film is shot in drab, dark colors to reflect the loneliness of the characters, and the fear of the era. It's extremely effective at creating the unspoken sense of unease the country would have felt during the height of the communist scare.
As the movie moves towards the conclusion it becomes more fairy tale than reality. It was still beautiful, and the story still riveting, however, the transition to the more fantastic style was abrupt and could have been handled with more grace. I did appreciate the open ended conclusion, it's rare in American cinema to see, as most American film-goers prefer the ending tied up in a pretty bow.
The cinematography reflects the 60's, from the lighting, to the sets and even how the cameras move with the characters. It's a world that engulfs the viewer, suspension of disbelief is a guarantee. The majority of the film is shot in drab, dark colors to reflect the loneliness of the characters, and the fear of the era. It's extremely effective at creating the unspoken sense of unease the country would have felt during the height of the communist scare.
As the movie moves towards the conclusion it becomes more fairy tale than reality. It was still beautiful, and the story still riveting, however, the transition to the more fantastic style was abrupt and could have been handled with more grace. I did appreciate the open ended conclusion, it's rare in American cinema to see, as most American film-goers prefer the ending tied up in a pretty bow.
Dana (24 KP) rated Annihilation, Book Two in Books
Mar 23, 2018
So in this, the second book of the Annihilation comic series, we get even more characters in the universe!
Many people have been introduced to the Silver Surfer in the second Fantastic Four film by Sony pictures, but we get a lot more information of who he is in this book and I really liked seeing that! We get to see his interactions with the other former heralds of Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds. This also gives us some background of his power and relationships with the rest of the Marvel Comics Universe. He's a pretty cool character, in my opinion.
In this book, we also get a lot more information about Super Skrull. He's great and I love him. That's all.
Finally, we get to meet Ronan for real. I loved getting to see him as more than just the villain he is painted as in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. He gets a backstory and a reason for why he is the way he is! I am actually kind of sympathetic towards him, to be completely honest. I love it when people who can be seen as villains are portrayed as round characters who are more than just evil. He is The Accuser. He has the power to reduce people to ash at the drop of a few words, yet he only does it when he deems it necessary. That's a pretty cool move! Also, the fact that he is not working for the Annihilation crew is a redeeming quality if I have ever seen one!
I am keeping this review pretty short so I can move onto the next one! I can't wait to see how this ends!
Many people have been introduced to the Silver Surfer in the second Fantastic Four film by Sony pictures, but we get a lot more information of who he is in this book and I really liked seeing that! We get to see his interactions with the other former heralds of Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds. This also gives us some background of his power and relationships with the rest of the Marvel Comics Universe. He's a pretty cool character, in my opinion.
In this book, we also get a lot more information about Super Skrull. He's great and I love him. That's all.
Finally, we get to meet Ronan for real. I loved getting to see him as more than just the villain he is painted as in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. He gets a backstory and a reason for why he is the way he is! I am actually kind of sympathetic towards him, to be completely honest. I love it when people who can be seen as villains are portrayed as round characters who are more than just evil. He is The Accuser. He has the power to reduce people to ash at the drop of a few words, yet he only does it when he deems it necessary. That's a pretty cool move! Also, the fact that he is not working for the Annihilation crew is a redeeming quality if I have ever seen one!
I am keeping this review pretty short so I can move onto the next one! I can't wait to see how this ends!
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Watcher in Books
Mar 15, 2018
My author Q&A is now live on my blog! Go check it out: http://bookbum.weebly.com/author-qas/qa-with-ross-armstrong-author-of-the-watcher
<i><b>...some lies, even errors and guesses, do turn out to be true.</i></b>
Stay clear of <b>most</b> the reviews on this book so far because I accidentally skimmed over them and got some stuff ruined! Ugh! I <i>promise</i> I won’t spoil anything in my review!
I really like Armstrong’s style of writing, this is <i>a fantastic debut.</i> It’s fast paced, witty and thrilling!
The plot was so intriguing and entertaining, which is why I don’t get why people found this so average on Goodreads! Yeah, maybe the plot has been done before, but that made this no less interesting or fun to read. There were certain aspects of the story that were easily predictable, but reading them unfold made up for the fact you could guess them beforehand.
Lily was a great character! She was really sweet but also incredibly funny! I found myself chuckling at the situations she got herself into and the little anecdotes she’d often share. It was really nice to have this down-to-earth character, who was pretty barmy, troubled and weird, but also happy and friendly to the reader and fictitious neighbours.
This was a really fun book to get carried away with, totally unputdownable! I’m certainly going to keep my eyes peeled for more of Armstrong’s writing in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin UK for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
<i>p.s. I have an interview with Armstrong coming out on the 29th (the same day this is published), so please check that out on my blog! I'll link it when it's up :-)
<i><b>...some lies, even errors and guesses, do turn out to be true.</i></b>
Stay clear of <b>most</b> the reviews on this book so far because I accidentally skimmed over them and got some stuff ruined! Ugh! I <i>promise</i> I won’t spoil anything in my review!
I really like Armstrong’s style of writing, this is <i>a fantastic debut.</i> It’s fast paced, witty and thrilling!
The plot was so intriguing and entertaining, which is why I don’t get why people found this so average on Goodreads! Yeah, maybe the plot has been done before, but that made this no less interesting or fun to read. There were certain aspects of the story that were easily predictable, but reading them unfold made up for the fact you could guess them beforehand.
Lily was a great character! She was really sweet but also incredibly funny! I found myself chuckling at the situations she got herself into and the little anecdotes she’d often share. It was really nice to have this down-to-earth character, who was pretty barmy, troubled and weird, but also happy and friendly to the reader and fictitious neighbours.
This was a really fun book to get carried away with, totally unputdownable! I’m certainly going to keep my eyes peeled for more of Armstrong’s writing in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin UK for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
<i>p.s. I have an interview with Armstrong coming out on the 29th (the same day this is published), so please check that out on my blog! I'll link it when it's up :-)
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Long Drop in Books
Mar 15, 2018
This is the first book I've read by Denise Mina, but it won't be the last! I found this novel instantly exciting and by the time I got to 30% I was hooked and couldn't put it down, finally finishing it at 1:30 in the morning. This novel drips with menace and chills you to the bone in some parts, it's really a fantastic and quick thriller read.
This book tells the story of Peter Manuel, real life Scottish serial killer. Like with so many other books on the market nowadays, this is a non-fic-fiction novel. It's based its contents on real events but the author has weaved a story around it too.
What's so striking about this novel is Mina's ability to tell a story. The story flowed brilliantly and it never lost my interest, even when we started getting into some of the more in-depth and historic facts about Glasgow. The writing style is short and snappy, so you really feel yourself racing through this.
Characters. Oh wow, the characters. Somehow, you feel simultaneously angry and empathetic for everyone in this book, even Peter Manuel, the serial killer. Mina's character development is superb and you find yourself getting drawn into each person's story so quickly. We follow Peter Manuel and William Watt throughout most of this novel, but there are small scenes popped in that introduce characters we only meet once throughout the entire book, yet I still felt like I knew them and I still invested myself in their stories, no matter how short.
Overall, this book was really superb and if you're looking for something dark, but quick to read, this is the book for you. At only 240 pages, you'll find yourself racing through this! I can't wait to read more of Mina's work, if it's all as good as this one.
This book tells the story of Peter Manuel, real life Scottish serial killer. Like with so many other books on the market nowadays, this is a non-fic-fiction novel. It's based its contents on real events but the author has weaved a story around it too.
What's so striking about this novel is Mina's ability to tell a story. The story flowed brilliantly and it never lost my interest, even when we started getting into some of the more in-depth and historic facts about Glasgow. The writing style is short and snappy, so you really feel yourself racing through this.
Characters. Oh wow, the characters. Somehow, you feel simultaneously angry and empathetic for everyone in this book, even Peter Manuel, the serial killer. Mina's character development is superb and you find yourself getting drawn into each person's story so quickly. We follow Peter Manuel and William Watt throughout most of this novel, but there are small scenes popped in that introduce characters we only meet once throughout the entire book, yet I still felt like I knew them and I still invested myself in their stories, no matter how short.
Overall, this book was really superb and if you're looking for something dark, but quick to read, this is the book for you. At only 240 pages, you'll find yourself racing through this! I can't wait to read more of Mina's work, if it's all as good as this one.
Debbie Orazi (15 KP) rated eBookStage in Apps
Apr 4, 2018
eBookStage is a free daily email that notifies you about free eBooks and discounted audio-books. You choose the genres you'd like to get notified about — with categories ranging from mysteries to self help — and we send you great eBook and audio-book deals in those categories directly to your inbox.
eBookStage doesn't actually sell books. We simply alert you by email to fantastic limited-time offers that become available on retailers like Amazon's Kindle store, Barnes and Noble's Nook store, Apple's iBooks, Google books and others. Book authors and publishers offer deals at these sites for promotional purposes, and our staff works with them to determine the best ones to feature to our readers' community.
eBookStage features eBooks ranging from top-tier publishers to critically acclaimed independent authors. Our team of experts makes sure that we're only featuring amazing deals on quality books that you'll love.
As a special offer for our customers, we have a huge inventory of eBooks now on sale for half price and more. Now that's a deal! This sale will not last long, so place your order today and join our mailing list to receive future deals.
How To Start?
Subscribe
Click on the Register Now link on the page.
Enter Your Details
Just Your Name and Email Address
Favorite Categories
Select the types of ebooks or audio books you’re interested in, and which format you like to read.
Submit
Click On Submit and you will receive a daily email with amazing free and cheap eBooks or audio deals.
We have free kindle books, Apple iBooks and more.
Join eBookstage now for free and enjoy reading amazing free and discounted eBook Deals!!
Welcome to eBookstage, the place where you can find all the great deals from Amazon Kindle Store or any other retailer such as Barnes and Noble or even Apple.
eBookStage doesn't actually sell books. We simply alert you by email to fantastic limited-time offers that become available on retailers like Amazon's Kindle store, Barnes and Noble's Nook store, Apple's iBooks, Google books and others. Book authors and publishers offer deals at these sites for promotional purposes, and our staff works with them to determine the best ones to feature to our readers' community.
eBookStage features eBooks ranging from top-tier publishers to critically acclaimed independent authors. Our team of experts makes sure that we're only featuring amazing deals on quality books that you'll love.
As a special offer for our customers, we have a huge inventory of eBooks now on sale for half price and more. Now that's a deal! This sale will not last long, so place your order today and join our mailing list to receive future deals.
How To Start?
Subscribe
Click on the Register Now link on the page.
Enter Your Details
Just Your Name and Email Address
Favorite Categories
Select the types of ebooks or audio books you’re interested in, and which format you like to read.
Submit
Click On Submit and you will receive a daily email with amazing free and cheap eBooks or audio deals.
We have free kindle books, Apple iBooks and more.
Join eBookstage now for free and enjoy reading amazing free and discounted eBook Deals!!
Welcome to eBookstage, the place where you can find all the great deals from Amazon Kindle Store or any other retailer such as Barnes and Noble or even Apple.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Coming Up For Air in Books
Jun 14, 2018
Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally is a fantastic book in the Hundred Oaks series. This is the 5th book I've read in the series. I love getting lost in the sporty world that Miranda Kenneally has created. I love that each book features a different girl with a different sport.
In Coming Up for Air the main character is Maggie. Maggie is a devoted swimmer. Swimming is her entire life, she is passionate about it. Maggie hopes that one day she'll get into the Olympics. Swimming is not something that is forced rather it is something she loves.
Coming Up for Air is light, funny and cute. Maggie has four great friends, who all have sports that they love more than life itself. Levi is her best friend, and he swims with her. They are great characters, and have a great romance. They are best friends first. They don't let anything come in the way of their friendship; however, when Maggie feels she needs experience in certain areas before she heads off to college, Levi is the one person she feels most comfortable asking for help.
Maggie wanting experience before going to college causes their relationship to go through a period of being a awkward and emotional. Eventually they both begin to see the other in a new way, and to start feeling emotions. The new direction of the friendship does not feel forced; but, rather natural. The strong bond between Maggie and Levi and their friendship was more important than anything else, and that was the one thing they wanted to save.
This book was such a worthy edition to the Hundred Oaks series. I also loved that Jordan Woods got a bigger speaking role as Maggie’s school coach.
In Coming Up for Air the main character is Maggie. Maggie is a devoted swimmer. Swimming is her entire life, she is passionate about it. Maggie hopes that one day she'll get into the Olympics. Swimming is not something that is forced rather it is something she loves.
Coming Up for Air is light, funny and cute. Maggie has four great friends, who all have sports that they love more than life itself. Levi is her best friend, and he swims with her. They are great characters, and have a great romance. They are best friends first. They don't let anything come in the way of their friendship; however, when Maggie feels she needs experience in certain areas before she heads off to college, Levi is the one person she feels most comfortable asking for help.
Maggie wanting experience before going to college causes their relationship to go through a period of being a awkward and emotional. Eventually they both begin to see the other in a new way, and to start feeling emotions. The new direction of the friendship does not feel forced; but, rather natural. The strong bond between Maggie and Levi and their friendship was more important than anything else, and that was the one thing they wanted to save.
This book was such a worthy edition to the Hundred Oaks series. I also loved that Jordan Woods got a bigger speaking role as Maggie’s school coach.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Discovery Express in Books
Jun 18, 2018
All Aboard The Discovery Express Emily Hawkins and Tom Adams is a fantastic interactive book about the history of travel with an intriguing puzzle to solve along the way. There are surprises on every page, discoveries to be made and clues to follow.
On the first page the reader meets Pierre Henri, who is to be the conductor of the journey the reader is about the embark on. He explains that this is to be no ordinary train ride, and along with geographer, explorer and adventurer Nancy Delaney you begin travelling in time, history and across the world. The purpose of this trip is to find Professor Pendleton – the leader of the crew, whom without Pierre and Nancy are lost. As we travel across each carriage, each room, and each landmark there are many many clues and information under each flap and it is important that they aren’t missed. From flying machines, the Panama Canal, to one of my favourite pages on the hot air balloon, there will be much fun to be had while learning about inventions of our past and some of the most talent engineers ever.
My words really cannot do this book justice, it is when you get to see the book in person that you realise just how much it is going to spark the imagination of children. Apart from it looking beautiful, it is a textural delight on each page which sparks interaction between those reading through the book. This book is particularly brilliant for those wanting to be scientists or engineers, and those who simply love discovery and adventure.
I recommend this book to children and people who love adventure and trains.
I received this an ARC of All Aboard The Discovery Express from NetGalley via Quarto Publishing Group and Wide Eyed Editions.
On the first page the reader meets Pierre Henri, who is to be the conductor of the journey the reader is about the embark on. He explains that this is to be no ordinary train ride, and along with geographer, explorer and adventurer Nancy Delaney you begin travelling in time, history and across the world. The purpose of this trip is to find Professor Pendleton – the leader of the crew, whom without Pierre and Nancy are lost. As we travel across each carriage, each room, and each landmark there are many many clues and information under each flap and it is important that they aren’t missed. From flying machines, the Panama Canal, to one of my favourite pages on the hot air balloon, there will be much fun to be had while learning about inventions of our past and some of the most talent engineers ever.
My words really cannot do this book justice, it is when you get to see the book in person that you realise just how much it is going to spark the imagination of children. Apart from it looking beautiful, it is a textural delight on each page which sparks interaction between those reading through the book. This book is particularly brilliant for those wanting to be scientists or engineers, and those who simply love discovery and adventure.
I recommend this book to children and people who love adventure and trains.
I received this an ARC of All Aboard The Discovery Express from NetGalley via Quarto Publishing Group and Wide Eyed Editions.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
Jun 6, 2018
(This review can also be found on my blog: <a href="http://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/">All the Ups and Downs</a>).
Wow! I loved this book and was sad when it ended. I really didn’t know what to make of it when I read the book blurb. It just didn’t sound like something I’d like. How wrong I was!
I saw this book sitting in my local library and decided to give it a chance. I’m glad I did!
I loved the characters! I don’t wish I knew a bit more backstory about each of them, but it didn’t deter me from the book. I loved Art3mis the most.
I loved the setting of the book and everything that goes on in the OASIS. I felt like I was there a lot of them through Cline’s descriptive writing.
There are so many 80’s references in this book. It helps if you are big on 80’s pop culture. I feel like it would give you more of an advantage in picturing what Cline describes.
Sometimes the 80’s pop culture references were a bit much as was all the technology speak, but I wasn’t put off by the book.
The writing is fantastic as is the plot! I hated the Sixers and Sorrento so much and wanted them to fail.
I would say this book is better suited for those 16 or older due to the language. Adults will enjoy it too not only because of all the nostalgic 80’s feels, but also because it’s just a great book.
I would definitely recommend this book. I was totally immersed in Ready Player One. I think most people would enjoy it especially those who grew up in/around the 80’s and those that are gamers.
Wow! I loved this book and was sad when it ended. I really didn’t know what to make of it when I read the book blurb. It just didn’t sound like something I’d like. How wrong I was!
I saw this book sitting in my local library and decided to give it a chance. I’m glad I did!
I loved the characters! I don’t wish I knew a bit more backstory about each of them, but it didn’t deter me from the book. I loved Art3mis the most.
I loved the setting of the book and everything that goes on in the OASIS. I felt like I was there a lot of them through Cline’s descriptive writing.
There are so many 80’s references in this book. It helps if you are big on 80’s pop culture. I feel like it would give you more of an advantage in picturing what Cline describes.
Sometimes the 80’s pop culture references were a bit much as was all the technology speak, but I wasn’t put off by the book.
The writing is fantastic as is the plot! I hated the Sixers and Sorrento so much and wanted them to fail.
I would say this book is better suited for those 16 or older due to the language. Adults will enjoy it too not only because of all the nostalgic 80’s feels, but also because it’s just a great book.
I would definitely recommend this book. I was totally immersed in Ready Player One. I think most people would enjoy it especially those who grew up in/around the 80’s and those that are gamers.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Furyborn: Empirium Trilogy Book 1 in Books
Jul 31, 2018
I'd seen several glowing reviews of this book, but I was always put off by descriptions of events that happened millennia apart from each other "intersecting" and affecting each other. Like, no. The past can affect the future, but the future can't change the past. That appears, however, to just be a problem in the synopsis of the book and not the book itself. At least in this, the opening volume of the trilogy, the future does not change the past. The book alternates between the two women, Rielle in the past and Eliana in the future. Each chapter flips back and forth. I was much more intrigued by Rielle's chapters, but that could be because there was a lot more magic in Rielle's time.
The magic system is really interesting! I love that through Rielle's trials we learn so much about the magic system, each school and guiding saint and prayers. It's really fleshed out and I enjoyed that.
The "shocking connections" aren't shocking, they're predictable. But the book was no less fantastic for it. I really think the synopsis is where the problems lie. The first couple chapters pretty much reveal all the surprises the description hints at, and the book details how we got to that point. (Mostly, anyway!) It was great, don't get me wrong, but the description of the book feels a little misleading.
The GLBT content in the book is only about two sentences, but it was a surprise and made me grin.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to the rest of the trilogy to discover the rest of Rielle's story and what Eliana is going to do about it.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
The magic system is really interesting! I love that through Rielle's trials we learn so much about the magic system, each school and guiding saint and prayers. It's really fleshed out and I enjoyed that.
The "shocking connections" aren't shocking, they're predictable. But the book was no less fantastic for it. I really think the synopsis is where the problems lie. The first couple chapters pretty much reveal all the surprises the description hints at, and the book details how we got to that point. (Mostly, anyway!) It was great, don't get me wrong, but the description of the book feels a little misleading.
The GLBT content in the book is only about two sentences, but it was a surprise and made me grin.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm looking forward to the rest of the trilogy to discover the rest of Rielle's story and what Eliana is going to do about it.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com