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Kym Penny (24 KP) rated The Care and Feeding of Griffins in Books
Jul 28, 2017
Story flows really well (2 more)
Stories within stories within stories
Each character is unique and relatable; each has a distinct voice
Book one is a great start to a wonderful, well orchestrated 4 part series
The book blurb says it all. Great adventure read. This is part of a series and although there are no cliffhangers, it still gives that 'what happens next' feel. Also, as a side note, for those of you that distaste book sets, this series seems more like one big book that has been broken up rather than several shorter novels with lot of filler chapters to extend the length like some 3 or 4 part series seem to do. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you're me) all 4 books equals approximately 2,530 pages. And still, I was sad when it all ended... so I read the series twice (so far). It's that good.

Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Voices Under Berlin: The Tale Of A Monterey Mary in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Did Not Finish
I really loved the idea of this book, it sounded great and it won five book awards. But after the first few chapters, I felt like I still didn't know what was going on and I didn't know who the characters were. I love spy books! They are my absolute favorite… but I didn't feel compelled to read this one. And I have come to realize that if I have to force myself to read something, why read it?
The writing was pretty good, and it had some funny lines, but it wasn't enough to keep me reading. I also really liked the phone calls, but still it wasn't enough for me.
I really wish I had liked this one more. However, check out Goodreads and Amazon for more reviews (30+ 4- and 5-star reviews), you will see that I am in the minority.
I really loved the idea of this book, it sounded great and it won five book awards. But after the first few chapters, I felt like I still didn't know what was going on and I didn't know who the characters were. I love spy books! They are my absolute favorite… but I didn't feel compelled to read this one. And I have come to realize that if I have to force myself to read something, why read it?
The writing was pretty good, and it had some funny lines, but it wasn't enough to keep me reading. I also really liked the phone calls, but still it wasn't enough for me.
I really wish I had liked this one more. However, check out Goodreads and Amazon for more reviews (30+ 4- and 5-star reviews), you will see that I am in the minority.

Nikki Massey (8 KP) rated How to Train Your Dragon (2010) in Movies
Feb 12, 2019
I'm watching this film franchise in the wrong order, last first then this one, but better late to the party than never?!
The film took a little while to get going, a bit of a slow start, but then it started ramping up from there.
I guess knowing some of the future tales I tried to second guess what was about to happen, but was still surprised by a few twists and turns.
The Vikings battled dragons as they stole their livestock but then one boy turned his back on what he was expected to do and befriended a dragon. What will the other villagers think and can he, with the help of his friends, open their eyes to the truth.
A lovely feel good family film with some great morals on being kind to others and not judging a book by its cover. Well worth a watch.
The film took a little while to get going, a bit of a slow start, but then it started ramping up from there.
I guess knowing some of the future tales I tried to second guess what was about to happen, but was still surprised by a few twists and turns.
The Vikings battled dragons as they stole their livestock but then one boy turned his back on what he was expected to do and befriended a dragon. What will the other villagers think and can he, with the help of his friends, open their eyes to the truth.
A lovely feel good family film with some great morals on being kind to others and not judging a book by its cover. Well worth a watch.

Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated Live Die Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow (2014) in Movies
Jun 14, 2019
Find me when you wake up
Action packed, two of the worlds best actors, fairly easy story to follow BUT the ending.
What was with that ending? Unless another film is in the works - a film shouldn't EVER finish basically on a cliffhanger. A bad ending can ruin a film HOWEVER the ending in my opinion can be salvaged by some kind of clarification like a sequel. I've seen it a handful of times and I'm still struggling to see where the writers were leaving the story.
Other than the ending I did enjoy it, liked how kind of unique it was especially in a world where there is a million films with Aliens etc it stands out to me.
I would recommend a watch, see how you feel on the ending!
What was with that ending? Unless another film is in the works - a film shouldn't EVER finish basically on a cliffhanger. A bad ending can ruin a film HOWEVER the ending in my opinion can be salvaged by some kind of clarification like a sequel. I've seen it a handful of times and I'm still struggling to see where the writers were leaving the story.
Other than the ending I did enjoy it, liked how kind of unique it was especially in a world where there is a million films with Aliens etc it stands out to me.
I would recommend a watch, see how you feel on the ending!

Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Sovereignty in Books
Feb 8, 2018
BOOK TOUR: Sovereignty by Anjenique Hughes Goro is the main person in this story. It sure is a good read. I have thought the plot was done well. I even could see the complex and detailed the characters are in the story.It seems real like you could really get pulled in and feel you are a part of the story are in the story. Somehow the government starts hunting down, Goro. Goro is followed by someone in the resistance. Goro knows once a member of the resistance of Sovereign Reign.We meet quite a few people in the resistance. The leader is Mickey. We also see that they recruit Goro and his two friends to their movement. Goro has some info about the top leader of SR. Will Goro help the Government or the resistance? Who will come out on top or who know more about them and their plan?

Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Zombicide: Black Plague in Tabletop Games
Mar 8, 2018
On the Table: ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Board Game Review
The fourth standalone board game in CoolMiniOrNot and Guillotine Games’ hit zombie killin’ franchise is finally here! This time, things get more than a little medieval in what may very well be the best ‘Zombicide’ adventure yet.
I’ve heard good things about ‘Zombicide’ for a few years now, but since I had already owned a couple of other zombie-themed board games, I didn’t really feel the need to add one more to my collection. But when I saw the ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Kickstarter campaign launch last summer, I just couldn’t stop myself from jumping in and making a pledge. I’m glad I did because this is a fun and tension filled game that really captures the essence of a zombipocalypse.
Reviewer: Tom Landy
Read the full review here: https://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/zombicide-black-plague-board-game-review/
I’ve heard good things about ‘Zombicide’ for a few years now, but since I had already owned a couple of other zombie-themed board games, I didn’t really feel the need to add one more to my collection. But when I saw the ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Kickstarter campaign launch last summer, I just couldn’t stop myself from jumping in and making a pledge. I’m glad I did because this is a fun and tension filled game that really captures the essence of a zombipocalypse.
Reviewer: Tom Landy
Read the full review here: https://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/zombicide-black-plague-board-game-review/

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Death by the Dozen (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Mel and Angie have entered a pastry baking contest, hoping to beat their rival Olivia for the grand prize. The judges are mostly people Mel knew from culinary school, including her old mentor Vic Mazzotta. Vic can be a hard man to live, but Mel is still surprised when he is found dead inside an ice truck. Had he made a lethal enemy?
The book sets up the suspects and motives early on before Vic’s body is even found. I did feel the pacing sagged a bit in the middle, but for the most part, this was a great mystery with some good twists and a great climax. The characters are fun as always, too. It’s easy to see why the series is so popular.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-death-by-dozen-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book sets up the suspects and motives early on before Vic’s body is even found. I did feel the pacing sagged a bit in the middle, but for the most part, this was a great mystery with some good twists and a great climax. The characters are fun as always, too. It’s easy to see why the series is so popular.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-death-by-dozen-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Dana (24 KP) rated Not a Drop to Drink (Not a Drop to Drink, #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I have to say, I enjoyed this novel. It was a quick read, too! It was a little hard for me to get into at first because the narrator was very unemotional and I didn't know what to do with it. But after a bit, the action started to pick up and it went along very nicely. I wish that the ending didn't feel so rushed and the epilogue gave a time frame with it, but I did enjoy it. I recommend this to anyone who likes dystopias and books without love triangles. I do have to warn you, keep some water nearby when you are reading it because there are a few points where I got really thirsty while reading! I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars because there were a few patches that felt a bit slow to me, but it was still really good!

Gail (4 KP) rated Just the Way You Are in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Lewis
Four Stars
At first the story was interesting because hello how many fairy tales do you hear about where the princess is disabled. I was excited for the story to build up young girls spirits who didn’t believe they could. It did do that some what but I feel like it was corny and unrealistic. I liked how Derrick built her up and pushed her to believe in herself. How Misty stood up to her father and demanded he listen. There was no demand on a sexual nature between them and it was refreshing to read about a couple not dominated by sex. The direction the author wanted was somewhat there but the flow of the story was lacking. Conversations didn’t have the believable quality at all. Overall it was a good story so I would read more from this author.
Four Stars
At first the story was interesting because hello how many fairy tales do you hear about where the princess is disabled. I was excited for the story to build up young girls spirits who didn’t believe they could. It did do that some what but I feel like it was corny and unrealistic. I liked how Derrick built her up and pushed her to believe in herself. How Misty stood up to her father and demanded he listen. There was no demand on a sexual nature between them and it was refreshing to read about a couple not dominated by sex. The direction the author wanted was somewhat there but the flow of the story was lacking. Conversations didn’t have the believable quality at all. Overall it was a good story so I would read more from this author.

Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Boy Meets Boy in Books
Jul 10, 2018
This was a really cute novel. I have been a fan of David Levithan for quite some time. I however was nervous to read this novel. The name of it definitely through me off and made me unsure of it. I'm definitely glad that I picked it up.
The reason I didn't want to read this novel was because I felt that I wouldn't be able to relate to the characters. I love how David Levithan can write about gay characters and make it so everyone can relate to them no matter their sexual orientation. Too many novels feel the need to make their characters unreasonably "gay" and completely unrelatable. I'm glad that this novel was not like that.
The characters were charming, the writing was spectacular, and I found myself relating to many of the characters. This wasn't a life altering novel but it definitely was a good one.
The reason I didn't want to read this novel was because I felt that I wouldn't be able to relate to the characters. I love how David Levithan can write about gay characters and make it so everyone can relate to them no matter their sexual orientation. Too many novels feel the need to make their characters unreasonably "gay" and completely unrelatable. I'm glad that this novel was not like that.
The characters were charming, the writing was spectacular, and I found myself relating to many of the characters. This wasn't a life altering novel but it definitely was a good one.