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Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated The Simpsons in TV
Nov 26, 2019 (Updated Nov 26, 2019)
Going down hill
When I was a child, I loved the Simpsons. Even now, as an adult, I re-watch episodes and find subtle and adult jokes I missed entirely as a child. Those fist 8 or so seasons were very good. Full of little details, great humour, and plenty of theme variety. After that, things started to go down hill.
My new sustain of the more modern show, culminated in an episode involving a screaming caterpillar.... after that, I lost all hope they would produce a good episode again.
The characters have now become very one dimensional, with personalities in the extremes. For example, homer is no longer just quite dim, with a fair few moments of total stupidity, but with a good heart; now he is mentally defective, and to dumb to realy feel love. This is seen right across the board, with each story now being a rip off of either a film, tv series or book, or some crazy nonsense that seems to fizzle out by the third act.
All in all, the original seasons, up to 10, are either great or at least worth a watch, after that, I would not bother.
How sad the fall from greatness, if only they had quite while they were ahead, instead of milking this yellow cow dry.
My new sustain of the more modern show, culminated in an episode involving a screaming caterpillar.... after that, I lost all hope they would produce a good episode again.
The characters have now become very one dimensional, with personalities in the extremes. For example, homer is no longer just quite dim, with a fair few moments of total stupidity, but with a good heart; now he is mentally defective, and to dumb to realy feel love. This is seen right across the board, with each story now being a rip off of either a film, tv series or book, or some crazy nonsense that seems to fizzle out by the third act.
All in all, the original seasons, up to 10, are either great or at least worth a watch, after that, I would not bother.
How sad the fall from greatness, if only they had quite while they were ahead, instead of milking this yellow cow dry.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Siege and Sacrifice in Books
Dec 12, 2019
A good conclusion
Contains spoilers, click to show
The final part of this trilogy starts with what should be an almighty conflict. The (somewhat damp squib of a) second book in the series ended with the much-feared monster being summoned into the body of the presumed-dead Anon, Sandis' brother. Sadly, this opening scene is short-lived as the heroes scarper and live to fight another day (though admittedly it was always going to be that way!).
That opening anti-climax out of the way, this book is a more intelligent and thoughtful one that the previous two. Finally we have some answers and insight into the world we are in, and where the ancient mystical race went, as well as where the summoned demons come from. While I didn't feel this was missing from the first two books, it is good to have some answers and extra world-building to get stuck into.
The first third of the book rattles along quite well, the humans trying to track down the host of the demon and hence stop its daily attacks. The middle third was a bit of a slog, with much less happening, quite heavy on the exposition and endless narrative descriptions. The final was much more pacey, though I was starting to tire of the book by then and skimmed some chapters.
All in all a good conclusion to an enjoyable series.
That opening anti-climax out of the way, this book is a more intelligent and thoughtful one that the previous two. Finally we have some answers and insight into the world we are in, and where the ancient mystical race went, as well as where the summoned demons come from. While I didn't feel this was missing from the first two books, it is good to have some answers and extra world-building to get stuck into.
The first third of the book rattles along quite well, the humans trying to track down the host of the demon and hence stop its daily attacks. The middle third was a bit of a slog, with much less happening, quite heavy on the exposition and endless narrative descriptions. The final was much more pacey, though I was starting to tire of the book by then and skimmed some chapters.
All in all a good conclusion to an enjoyable series.
The Good Gut Guide: Delicious Recipes & a Simple 6-Week Plan for Inner Health & Outer Beauty
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Delicious recipes and the ultimate wellbeing plan for a healthy gut in 6 weeks. 'A better gut means...
Kristina (502 KP) rated Cocky Biker (Cocker Brothers of Atlanta, #2) in Books
Dec 7, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
Cocky Biker was, all in all, a pretty good read. I enjoyed the story line and I loved the characters. I especially liked how they were bikers, but they did good, instead of just looking BA and kicking butt. But I feel like it could have been written a bit better - there were a lot of grammatical errors and moments where the wording just didn't sound right. Also, I'm a bit biased when it comes to perspective and prefer first person point of view, so some of my issues with how it was written could totally just be because of that. Also, though I know it was supposed to be a character trait of Jett's, the fact that he hardly ever used a 'g' at the end of his words drove me absolutely insane. The story, in a way, was predictable.
**SPOILER ALERT** I wasn't surprised when Luna ended up pregnant, though I will say it was a sweet way to end things.
It was nice, however, to read about a man who's more than ready for commitment and a woman who's not; I'm not saying these stories aren't available, just that I don't run across them often and the role reversal was refreshing.<br/>P.S: I did not appreciate the times when Jett called Luna a bitch, especially when it was behind her back. Not necessarily "good guy" material.
**SPOILER ALERT** I wasn't surprised when Luna ended up pregnant, though I will say it was a sweet way to end things.
It was nice, however, to read about a man who's more than ready for commitment and a woman who's not; I'm not saying these stories aren't available, just that I don't run across them often and the role reversal was refreshing.<br/>P.S: I did not appreciate the times when Jett called Luna a bitch, especially when it was behind her back. Not necessarily "good guy" material.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Leopard (Harry Hole #8) (Oslo Sequence #6) in Books
Aug 2, 2020
Good, but drawn out
I do love Harry Hole and as a character he's brilliant, flawed and alcoholic yet always pursuing the truth and justice. I do think though that some of Jo Nesbo's stories featuring Harry are a little farfetched and drawn out, and sadly this is one of them.
The plot on this is actually very intriguing and full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming, and apart from some of the more farfetched elements, this is actually a very good thriller. The problem is it's a bit drawn out and could have been condensed a lot more, it just seemed unnecessarily long. This also seemed to have an issue with the timeline, it seemed to jump from one location to another and it made me feel a little confused. Also as much as I love Harry, he seems to do the same things in nearly every book I've read recently - leaves Norway, returns for a case he doesn't want but gets sucked in, then leaves Norway again afterwards. The better stories in the Hole series are the ones where he doesn't leave Norway at all and sadly this book is a bit half and half.
Overall this is pretty good but not flawless. It's definitely not the best book in the Harry Hole series, but neither is it anywhere near the worst.
The plot on this is actually very intriguing and full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming, and apart from some of the more farfetched elements, this is actually a very good thriller. The problem is it's a bit drawn out and could have been condensed a lot more, it just seemed unnecessarily long. This also seemed to have an issue with the timeline, it seemed to jump from one location to another and it made me feel a little confused. Also as much as I love Harry, he seems to do the same things in nearly every book I've read recently - leaves Norway, returns for a case he doesn't want but gets sucked in, then leaves Norway again afterwards. The better stories in the Hole series are the ones where he doesn't leave Norway at all and sadly this book is a bit half and half.
Overall this is pretty good but not flawless. It's definitely not the best book in the Harry Hole series, but neither is it anywhere near the worst.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Callie (The Bayou Hauntings #1) in Books
Nov 15, 2021
Callie is a good Halloween ghost storybook. If you are looking for ghosts and some secrets, this book by Bill Thompson is a good one. It is the first one in the series of “The Bayou Hauntings.” It all starts once a granddaughter comes for the reading of a will? This book is good, but it rates it 4.5 stars or Moons as it is not that ghostly.
What did Callie end up getting from her grandfather? What does her Uncle Willard want that he keeps trying to keep Callie leaving? Do we meet a little girl that comes and goes at her own will? Who could that be?
I feel this story is slow-moving and not all that ghostly until a little girl shows up, and it is stormy, making it more horror. It is mild in horror when the girl comes and goes. Callie seems confused with the riddles. I was not all scared of this ghost with the puzzles. It seems to be my mystery and secret, revealing more towards the end other than through most of the book.
Callie’s friend Mark seems more convincing and seems to have a plan, but we do not know until the little girl and Mark start making mistakes. Callie seems to catch on. Are Willard and Mark working together to get rid of Callie?
What did Callie end up getting from her grandfather? What does her Uncle Willard want that he keeps trying to keep Callie leaving? Do we meet a little girl that comes and goes at her own will? Who could that be?
I feel this story is slow-moving and not all that ghostly until a little girl shows up, and it is stormy, making it more horror. It is mild in horror when the girl comes and goes. Callie seems confused with the riddles. I was not all scared of this ghost with the puzzles. It seems to be my mystery and secret, revealing more towards the end other than through most of the book.
Callie’s friend Mark seems more convincing and seems to have a plan, but we do not know until the little girl and Mark start making mistakes. Callie seems to catch on. Are Willard and Mark working together to get rid of Callie?
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Wolves of Dynamo in Books
Sep 6, 2017
Unsatisfying conclusion (1 more)
Flat characters
Needs a lot of polish
This book arrived unexpectedly in the mail – I believe it was from a Goodreads Giveaway, but I was never notified I’d won one. It’s even signed by the author!
I am….a little puzzled on how I feel about this book. It has a bit of a confusing, dream-like quality to it, which fits the book, but left me a little less than satisfied. It always felt like I was forgetting details, or like the book assumed I knew things about the world that I didn’t. (Much like many dreams.) The plot was unique, the characters could have used more depth, the division between forest and city was indistinct, and the conclusion was unsatisfying. It could have been very good, but I think it needs a lot more polish.
The physical book itself felt like an ARC, even though it’s not. I think it’s the simplistic cover and the typesetting. It just doesn’t feel – finished. Like much of the book. I’d give this a pass, but I might be interested in future writings by the author, if his style matures and his editor improves.
I am….a little puzzled on how I feel about this book. It has a bit of a confusing, dream-like quality to it, which fits the book, but left me a little less than satisfied. It always felt like I was forgetting details, or like the book assumed I knew things about the world that I didn’t. (Much like many dreams.) The plot was unique, the characters could have used more depth, the division between forest and city was indistinct, and the conclusion was unsatisfying. It could have been very good, but I think it needs a lot more polish.
The physical book itself felt like an ARC, even though it’s not. I think it’s the simplistic cover and the typesetting. It just doesn’t feel – finished. Like much of the book. I’d give this a pass, but I might be interested in future writings by the author, if his style matures and his editor improves.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated The Fandom in Books
Aug 8, 2017
I got a proof of this book at Yalc. Just by the description on the cover I thought I would like it. However the story itself wasn't what I thought it would be.
When I started to read it took me a few chapters to get into it but once I got into the story I loved it.
There is an obvious comparison for anyone who grew up 80 early 90s with the story being reminiscent of dungeons and dragons. There were points I was tempted to jump to the end just to make sure they make it home. As someone who grew up loving this show the book was somewhat sentimental for me.
The premise itself is good I don't know anyone who hasn't at lasted toyed with the idea of being trapped in there favorite fandom world. that being said there were point where I was okay that's just straight matrix moment.
As a whole I loved this book it had a lot of thing I love and the dungeons and dragons feel just made me so nostalgic. It's a great fantasy's read.
When I started to read it took me a few chapters to get into it but once I got into the story I loved it.
There is an obvious comparison for anyone who grew up 80 early 90s with the story being reminiscent of dungeons and dragons. There were points I was tempted to jump to the end just to make sure they make it home. As someone who grew up loving this show the book was somewhat sentimental for me.
The premise itself is good I don't know anyone who hasn't at lasted toyed with the idea of being trapped in there favorite fandom world. that being said there were point where I was okay that's just straight matrix moment.
As a whole I loved this book it had a lot of thing I love and the dungeons and dragons feel just made me so nostalgic. It's a great fantasy's read.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Autofiction in Books
Nov 14, 2018
This was a very strange book that deserves a good rating as it's one that has been stuck in my mind for a while now and I always find that if a book is memorable it deserves great praise. A bizarre story about a fruit loop of a girl who is extremely possessive and a slave to dark thoughts. You are welcomed into a very disturbed mind, which I found fascinating.
Before reading this novel I had never heard of the author before and I picked it up as the cover caught my eye when browsing the shelves in my local library. After reading the blurb I thought the story sounded very interesting...a sort of twisted romance. I was not disappointed as I felt the author delivered. I found that I could not completely feel attached to the MC, however, which was the only downside for me and I wanted to slap her a few times but maybe that's how the author wished you to feel towards the MC, I am not sure.
Overall, I enjoyed this story...mostly because it was something different and bizarre...2 of my favourite things.
Before reading this novel I had never heard of the author before and I picked it up as the cover caught my eye when browsing the shelves in my local library. After reading the blurb I thought the story sounded very interesting...a sort of twisted romance. I was not disappointed as I felt the author delivered. I found that I could not completely feel attached to the MC, however, which was the only downside for me and I wanted to slap her a few times but maybe that's how the author wished you to feel towards the MC, I am not sure.
Overall, I enjoyed this story...mostly because it was something different and bizarre...2 of my favourite things.
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Body of Christ in Books
Jan 31, 2019
One of the things I love about horror is the potential for wildly imaginative happenings. Like fantasy, some crazy things can take place–only with horror, it’s more attuned to the things we fear. In Mark Matthews Body of Christ, we see the fantastic in strange, everyday behaviors.
Body of Christ tells the story of two children simultaneously, one a young boy whose mother is abusive and father kills himself, the other a girl whose mother has died and her father neglects her. Both children are peculiar in their own ways, and it is deliciously disturbing. Despite how messed up the story is, I can’t help but feel a bit of pity for the children and that’s a good thing, considering they’re the herald of bad things to come.
The story is quick-paced, with no time wasted. Considering my short attention span, this is a plus. Boredom often leads to me not finishing a story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this work. I feel that the plot was unique and I love the way Matthews describes his horrific things.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my unbiased opinion.
Body of Christ tells the story of two children simultaneously, one a young boy whose mother is abusive and father kills himself, the other a girl whose mother has died and her father neglects her. Both children are peculiar in their own ways, and it is deliciously disturbing. Despite how messed up the story is, I can’t help but feel a bit of pity for the children and that’s a good thing, considering they’re the herald of bad things to come.
The story is quick-paced, with no time wasted. Considering my short attention span, this is a plus. Boredom often leads to me not finishing a story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this work. I feel that the plot was unique and I love the way Matthews describes his horrific things.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my unbiased opinion.