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Plwriter (2 KP) rated Meddling Kids: A Novel in Books
Oct 9, 2017
I fell in love with the cover of this book and immediately downloaded it. The amazon page showcases a review from the USA Today that says “…it scratches a nostalgic itch for those who grew up on Saturday morning Scooby-Doo cartoons and sugar-bombed breakfast cereal.” I started reading and then opened good reads and noticed that it suggested a bunch of Steven King books as similar reads.
I panicked. I don’t read horror. I was sure this book was going to leave me terrified. I wouldn’t let my husband leave while I was reading it.
I shouldn’t have worried.
This book was great. It was about as scary as a Scooby-Doo movie (think Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost). It was funny and fun with a great nostalgia factor.
I loved the representation in this book. It was nice to see minorities represented and normalized.
The way the book is written could turn people off. It’s either going to be something you love or something you hate. It’s prose mixed with stage directions and random author(?) interjections which makes it feel a little haphazard and messy.
Over all, I loved it and though it hearkens back to mythical horror themes it’s not too scary just like old time Scooby-Doo.
I panicked. I don’t read horror. I was sure this book was going to leave me terrified. I wouldn’t let my husband leave while I was reading it.
I shouldn’t have worried.
This book was great. It was about as scary as a Scooby-Doo movie (think Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost). It was funny and fun with a great nostalgia factor.
I loved the representation in this book. It was nice to see minorities represented and normalized.
The way the book is written could turn people off. It’s either going to be something you love or something you hate. It’s prose mixed with stage directions and random author(?) interjections which makes it feel a little haphazard and messy.
Over all, I loved it and though it hearkens back to mythical horror themes it’s not too scary just like old time Scooby-Doo.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The White Song in Books
Nov 17, 2017
The final book in the Chronicles of the Black Gate sees all the previous forces unite to try and defeat the horde of demons that has taken over much of the Empire.
The book gets straight into the action from the off with battles against the demons taking place as the forces of good are gradually driven back and forced to flee to regroup.
Meanwhile Audsley is doing what he does best: snooping around, working out people's motives and discovering things. In so doing, he may just have sided with someone with even worse intentions than the current enemy.
Other than one or two regrouping chapters the action is pretty much non-stop and thoroughly exciting.
I think this is the shortest book in the series, but it doesn't feel like it was rushed through, I think there was just so much story left to tell in the conclusion that there was less time for characters' pondering and soul-searching.
The conclusion is satisfying with some people of the world's underclasses sacrificing themselves to save the day, with hopefully lasting consequences for their races in the aftermath.
In summary, a thoroughly exciting conclusion to an excellent series written with Tucker's excellent style of flowing prose.
The book gets straight into the action from the off with battles against the demons taking place as the forces of good are gradually driven back and forced to flee to regroup.
Meanwhile Audsley is doing what he does best: snooping around, working out people's motives and discovering things. In so doing, he may just have sided with someone with even worse intentions than the current enemy.
Other than one or two regrouping chapters the action is pretty much non-stop and thoroughly exciting.
I think this is the shortest book in the series, but it doesn't feel like it was rushed through, I think there was just so much story left to tell in the conclusion that there was less time for characters' pondering and soul-searching.
The conclusion is satisfying with some people of the world's underclasses sacrificing themselves to save the day, with hopefully lasting consequences for their races in the aftermath.
In summary, a thoroughly exciting conclusion to an excellent series written with Tucker's excellent style of flowing prose.
An amazing recreation of Harlan Ellison's ORIGINAL screenplay for City on the Edge of Forever, regarded to this day as one of Star Trek's best stories. And while the differences are fairly major, the character of the piece remains, a timeless love story set against a ticking clock, a death that must happen or all of history will be erased. The script is good, (but sorry, Harlan, it is un-filmable in this form, at least as a Trek episode. There are simply too many small bits--like the portrayal of Spock--that just don't line up with what the show had set forth previously. But there are other moments, like the steely resolve of Yeoman Rand that I desperately wish had made the cut.)
Scott and David Tipton are no strangers to Trek, and they have adapted the screenplay masterfully. J.K. Woodward, who's watercolor paintings I did not like in the Doctor Who Trek crossover, work fantastically here for this story, and the art really helps capture the look and feel of 1930s. Outstanding all the way around and well worth your time, no matter how familiar you are with the source material, or the episode that it became.
Scott and David Tipton are no strangers to Trek, and they have adapted the screenplay masterfully. J.K. Woodward, who's watercolor paintings I did not like in the Doctor Who Trek crossover, work fantastically here for this story, and the art really helps capture the look and feel of 1930s. Outstanding all the way around and well worth your time, no matter how familiar you are with the source material, or the episode that it became.
Lisa-Lou (28 KP) rated The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) in Movies
Jul 10, 2017
Really interesting, fresh & freaky horror offering
I'm a lover of horror movies, so there's not too much worth seeing in that genre that hasn't played in my house. Generally, these days, most horrors are disappointing, lack lustre, devoid of any depth of storyline and are cast with people who seem not to have had a sniff at acting in their lives. This movie surprised me. The acting was pretty solid, the casting was good. Everyone was believable & likeable. The autopsy footage itself didn't shy away from the needful, but wasn't gore hungry. I wasn't left frustrated and wanting to see more nor was a balking at a bloodbath before me. A big complaint of mine with horrors these days is the lack of fear factor or not feeling sufficiently creeped out. This little movie did achieve its potential with me. I did feel the old pulse quickening a few times, which was a pleasant surprise for me as everything seems to have been done again and again in horror, so a scare is always welcome.
Fans of big budget mainstream horror probably won't find anything of interest here. Purveyors of all kinds of horrors and lovers of all movies in general should check this one out.
Fans of big budget mainstream horror probably won't find anything of interest here. Purveyors of all kinds of horrors and lovers of all movies in general should check this one out.
Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Jul 16, 2017
Tom Holland nails awkward teenage Peter Parker (4 more)
Excellent continuity with the MCU
The Vulture is a compelling villain
Marisa Tomei, obviously
Sarcastic, Funny Tony Stark Returns!
Peter Parker Done Right for Once!
Spider-Man: Homecoming is the perfect movie to kick off the character's triumphant addition to the MCU. I don't know exactly what kind of magic Disney worked out with Sony, but damn does it feel good. The Marvel execs know exactly how to handle the character, unlike Sony, and Sony still gets to rake in the cash from Marvel's hottest property. Spider-Man in the MCU is a huge win-win for everyone involved, but most importantly for the fans. Tom Holland plays Peter Parker/Spider-Man just as he should be, an awkward teenager still coming to grips with and refining his powers. He quips while fighting, running his mouth as a teenager with power would. Outside his costume, though, he is much more reserved. He is so uncomfortable just being himself, Peter Parker, and that fact is so integral to the character. Spider-Man has finally been perfected in live-action film, and Homecoming left me smiling and eager for Spidey to join the larger MCU conflicts once again.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Swamp Bones: A Temperance Brennan Short Story in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I received a free copy of this short story from www.netgalley.com and the publisher, Randomhouse UK, Cornerstone and I wish to thank them for this.
I am only a little familiar with Temperance Brennan having read only one of the previous books - funnily enough, it's the one that's mentioned in this story - "the case of a body found in a barrel of asphalt at the Charlotte Motor Speedway" but it was a few years ago and I can't remember what it's called but I must have enjoyed it otherwise I wouldn't have remembered it!
Anyway, this short story will only take a couple of hours to read but it packs a lot in and not only is it entertaining but it's educational too - I learnt a lot about pythons! The descriptions of the setting made me feel that I was there - my hair even went frizzy! The characters, not only Temperance herself, but the "extras" were developed just enough to add to the overall interest and made me want to read more.
I enjoyed it. It was well written, had good pace and tension and a twist ... what more do you want from a story even one that is as short as this.
http://haziegaze.blogspot.co.uk/
I am only a little familiar with Temperance Brennan having read only one of the previous books - funnily enough, it's the one that's mentioned in this story - "the case of a body found in a barrel of asphalt at the Charlotte Motor Speedway" but it was a few years ago and I can't remember what it's called but I must have enjoyed it otherwise I wouldn't have remembered it!
Anyway, this short story will only take a couple of hours to read but it packs a lot in and not only is it entertaining but it's educational too - I learnt a lot about pythons! The descriptions of the setting made me feel that I was there - my hair even went frizzy! The characters, not only Temperance herself, but the "extras" were developed just enough to add to the overall interest and made me want to read more.
I enjoyed it. It was well written, had good pace and tension and a twist ... what more do you want from a story even one that is as short as this.
http://haziegaze.blogspot.co.uk/
okletmereviewit (4 KP) rated A Cure For Wellness (2017) in Movies
May 11, 2018
Strange Psychological Thriller
This movie is dry but gripping. You start off the movie with a young business executive (Lockhart played by Dane DeHaan) being whisked away on a train heading through scenic Swiss countryside. He has been charged with the task of returning a top level CEO (Pembroke played by Harry Groener) who has to return to New York to broker a merger. The movie from the get go does a lot of jumping around. One moment you are watching scenes from the past thinking it is part of the present, and then you realize that you catching memories. But when they come into play they really make no sense to what is happening on screen at that moment.
Its not a horrible movie, just kind of dry with a lot of jumping around from one moment to the next. At points in the movie you feel a bit confused, and with the twists and turns you begin to wonder if what is happening is a delusion or if it is some type of dream state.
All in all its a good movie if you have about 2hrs to dedicate to it. But if you love psychological thrillers, beautiful scenery's, and twisted plot lines, you are sure to love this movie.
Its not a horrible movie, just kind of dry with a lot of jumping around from one moment to the next. At points in the movie you feel a bit confused, and with the twists and turns you begin to wonder if what is happening is a delusion or if it is some type of dream state.
All in all its a good movie if you have about 2hrs to dedicate to it. But if you love psychological thrillers, beautiful scenery's, and twisted plot lines, you are sure to love this movie.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Terraforming Mars in Tabletop Games
May 22, 2018
I love the science behind the cards (4 more)
fun to imagine
Building an engine and working with the cards
finding and exploiting synergies
managing your resources and timing.
can feel lucky based on cards that come up or don't come up. (1 more)
NEEDS to have an aftermarket system of keeping the cubes in place.
One of my favorite games right now.
I adore this game. I have so many good tings to say about it. The fact that all the cards are based on hypothetical science is amazing. Who doesn't love the Idea of throwing asteroids at the planet, or building a city with a dome, or even shooting lasers. The boards require an extra component in my mind and that is a board with raised edges to keep the cubes from accidentally moving around. This is the biggest detriment. You can find them online for about $5 -10 a piece. I love this game, and it's much better with these and I found it absolutely worth it. But I think if I was lukewarm on it, this might piss me off. Definitely try before you buy, but it's an amazing game. And there is an APP being developed now for it, so be on the lookout for that soon.
Rose-Marie3071 (67 KP) rated Bleach in TV
Feb 23, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
A fantastic series with sixteen amazing seasons. Ichigo is an interesting character who is always evolving and never giving up even when beaten to the ground.
Even with the end of the anime series at 366 episodes, the manga continues to provide the rest of the story. I am also excited to hear the news that they may be continuing Bleach from where they left off with the anime.
I would love to see if this is true. The Winter War was a good story, but I think that the Thousand Year Blood War is so much more interesting. The Quincies actually have a reason to fight against the Shinigami and the rest of the Soul Society considering the Massacre of their people. This is different compared to Aizen whom I feel started The Winter War because he was a narcissistic, egotistical, self-centered bastard who wanted to play God.
Of course, the fact that Ichigo's entire heritage finally comes into play with the full revelation that the one he calls Zangetsu is actually Ywach, an off shot of Jauhbaach? the Quincy King, and that his Hollow is actually is original Zangetsu.
Even with the end of the anime series at 366 episodes, the manga continues to provide the rest of the story. I am also excited to hear the news that they may be continuing Bleach from where they left off with the anime.
I would love to see if this is true. The Winter War was a good story, but I think that the Thousand Year Blood War is so much more interesting. The Quincies actually have a reason to fight against the Shinigami and the rest of the Soul Society considering the Massacre of their people. This is different compared to Aizen whom I feel started The Winter War because he was a narcissistic, egotistical, self-centered bastard who wanted to play God.
Of course, the fact that Ichigo's entire heritage finally comes into play with the full revelation that the one he calls Zangetsu is actually Ywach, an off shot of Jauhbaach? the Quincy King, and that his Hollow is actually is original Zangetsu.
Alex Tollefson (3 KP) rated Brown-Eyed Girl in Books
Apr 5, 2019
Not the Trashy Romance I Expected
Contains spoilers, click to show
Very few romance titles these days seem to be anything other than sex scenes and awkward in between dialouge. Which may be fine for some. But I prefer a story with characters that actually feel real in a setting that doesn't seem so cliche. And, preferably, I'd like the non-sex parts to be almost as interesting as the sex parts.
I didn't start this book thinking I'd finish it in one sitting, but here we are. Somehow, the main character, Avery, managed to pull me. I was invested in her. And in Joe, even though I admit a few cliches were spent on him. Their dynamic was fun but not rapey (like he tells her their first time that she only need say the word and he'll stop no matter what- which, sure, shouldn't need to be said, but still), supportive without being overbearing. The only thing I take away Points for is that the plot was not super complicated and parts felt disjointed at time, and I wanted a longer ending. Don't get me wrong, the puppy proposal was cute. But I felt like their should've been a chapter or two more before the epilouge.
I recommend this title to anyone looking for a good, simple read.
I didn't start this book thinking I'd finish it in one sitting, but here we are. Somehow, the main character, Avery, managed to pull me. I was invested in her. And in Joe, even though I admit a few cliches were spent on him. Their dynamic was fun but not rapey (like he tells her their first time that she only need say the word and he'll stop no matter what- which, sure, shouldn't need to be said, but still), supportive without being overbearing. The only thing I take away Points for is that the plot was not super complicated and parts felt disjointed at time, and I wanted a longer ending. Don't get me wrong, the puppy proposal was cute. But I felt like their should've been a chapter or two more before the epilouge.
I recommend this title to anyone looking for a good, simple read.