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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Birth (2004) in Movies
Feb 10, 2019
Interesting but disappointing
The director of Under the Skin shows us an interesting dynamic play out when a ten year old boy enters the scene while a wealthy man is engaged to a woman who had lost her husband 10 years earlier.
The young boy claims to be her dead husband come back to life in this small body. The young man wants to reenter the woman's life and wants her not to marry her current beau. The woman starts to struggle with her feelings, especially the ones she thought she had put behind her and she has to make some difficult choices.
The film is interesting and well acted by Nicole Kidman, but I feel the payoff was not that fulfilling and some scenes were sort of scrapped together with no real point.
There were a few awkward scenes between Nicole Kidman and the young boy which made me cringe in my seat a little which were kind of hard to watch.
A little disappointed.
The young boy claims to be her dead husband come back to life in this small body. The young man wants to reenter the woman's life and wants her not to marry her current beau. The woman starts to struggle with her feelings, especially the ones she thought she had put behind her and she has to make some difficult choices.
The film is interesting and well acted by Nicole Kidman, but I feel the payoff was not that fulfilling and some scenes were sort of scrapped together with no real point.
There were a few awkward scenes between Nicole Kidman and the young boy which made me cringe in my seat a little which were kind of hard to watch.
A little disappointed.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah: Leanna's Choice in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I enjoyed Ms. Dicken's work with this newest installment in the My Heart Belongs series. She is a superbly talented author and really swept me away with her coal mining setting and her beautifully chiseled characters. As a granddaughter of a miner, I really loved reading this time period.
Alex and Leanna's characters were perfect! I was instantly captivated by them both and loved watching them grow in their feelings for each other. And, the sweet children! Oh how I adored them and was glad that they were in the story.
This is definitely a 4 star addition to the series. If you are longing for a book that will take you away to a richly detailed historical setting, to a world where the characters become like family, and a book that is filled with beautiful messages of longing, hope and forgiveness, then grab this one up! Ms. Dicken has a new fan in me.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher/CelebrateLit Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Alex and Leanna's characters were perfect! I was instantly captivated by them both and loved watching them grow in their feelings for each other. And, the sweet children! Oh how I adored them and was glad that they were in the story.
This is definitely a 4 star addition to the series. If you are longing for a book that will take you away to a richly detailed historical setting, to a world where the characters become like family, and a book that is filled with beautiful messages of longing, hope and forgiveness, then grab this one up! Ms. Dicken has a new fan in me.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher/CelebrateLit Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Sadie in Books
Mar 26, 2019
Sadie freaking broke me.
“I wish his darkness lived outside of him, because you have to know it's there to see it. Like all real monsters, he hides in plain sight.”
Sadie freaking broke me.
I’ve never wanted to give up on a book and not put a book down so bad in my life.
This book was one of the few times I was really glad I didn’t know what I was getting into because if I did I probably wouldn’t have actually read it because of the subject matter (CW: pedophilia) it’s just one of those topics I really don’t like to read about. And while Sadie was a hard book to read it was amazingly written with characters you can’t help but feel for…. Whether those feelings are good or bad now that was what really made Sadie an amazing book.
I really liked the format of the book, switching between the podcast on Sadies POV was really unique and kept me reading because I was hooked on both POVs and could wait to get back to the other one.
Sadie freaking broke me.
I’ve never wanted to give up on a book and not put a book down so bad in my life.
This book was one of the few times I was really glad I didn’t know what I was getting into because if I did I probably wouldn’t have actually read it because of the subject matter (CW: pedophilia) it’s just one of those topics I really don’t like to read about. And while Sadie was a hard book to read it was amazingly written with characters you can’t help but feel for…. Whether those feelings are good or bad now that was what really made Sadie an amazing book.
I really liked the format of the book, switching between the podcast on Sadies POV was really unique and kept me reading because I was hooked on both POVs and could wait to get back to the other one.
Danielle Chaplin (81 KP) rated To Kill a Kingdom in Books
Jun 1, 2019
Brilliant!
This is a truly unique and fantastic retelling of the Little Mermaid story, with our main character being a bloodthirsty siren that is forced into human form for disobeying the sea witch.
I loved that the characters weren't instantly attracted to each other, that the prince wasn't as nice as he could have been and that the siren had a backbone to her. The feelings and emotions displayed were well thought out and the story progressed well, however I feel that the relationships could have progressed more during the 'quest' and that the book had every right to be longer than what it was.
I could not put this book down and read it even whilst feeding my baby one handed so that I didn't lose any time in finding out what happens (even though it was a fair chance that it would either have a Disney happy ending or follow the classic fairy tale).
This is the perfect book for those that like alternative retellings of fairy tales and Christina Henry books.
I loved that the characters weren't instantly attracted to each other, that the prince wasn't as nice as he could have been and that the siren had a backbone to her. The feelings and emotions displayed were well thought out and the story progressed well, however I feel that the relationships could have progressed more during the 'quest' and that the book had every right to be longer than what it was.
I could not put this book down and read it even whilst feeding my baby one handed so that I didn't lose any time in finding out what happens (even though it was a fair chance that it would either have a Disney happy ending or follow the classic fairy tale).
This is the perfect book for those that like alternative retellings of fairy tales and Christina Henry books.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Master of Crows (Master of Crows, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
This is the second novel I have read from Grace Draven and it further solidified my love for her writing. Master of Crows was even better than I could have hoped for. After reading Radiance, I immediately bought Master of Crows hoping that I could somehow prolong the feelings Radiance inspired in me. Master of Crows not only prolonged them, it built upon them.
The world of Master of Crows was much more fleshed out and described than the world of Radiance. The characters were completely different in disposition, but I found myself loving them just as much.
It was so frustrating to read, knowing what the characters dont and wanting to scream the truth at them. I became so invested in the story that I could bring myself to put the book down. Again, Draven has written perfection that is a wonderful mix of action, fantasy, and erotica/romance. I cannot wait to read more from her is this is the caliber at which she writes everything.
The world of Master of Crows was much more fleshed out and described than the world of Radiance. The characters were completely different in disposition, but I found myself loving them just as much.
It was so frustrating to read, knowing what the characters dont and wanting to scream the truth at them. I became so invested in the story that I could bring myself to put the book down. Again, Draven has written perfection that is a wonderful mix of action, fantasy, and erotica/romance. I cannot wait to read more from her is this is the caliber at which she writes everything.
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated Gracefully Grayson in Books
May 27, 2018
I have to say, this book was much better than I was expecting. I'm always wary going into a book about trans issues not written by trans people. But Grayson's story was treated thoughtfully and with respect. (Such a stereotypical name, though!) However, I'm disappointed that this story focused so much on violence and social resistance to trans people. While that can often be the reality for some of us, this book is intended for young readers, and I'm concerned that this could be scary for them. On the other hand, cisgendered kids who pick this one up might be more empathetic towards trans people in general. (But would cisgender kids be inspired to pick GRACEFULLY GRAYSON up if they've already formed negative opinions on trans issues? I don't know; I'm thankfully not a parent.)
Another thing: did this story really have to coalesce in a bathroom? It felt lazy. Where we pee is not the only political issue we face, and it's obvious the author knows this. I don't know. This book left me with mixed feelings.
Another thing: did this story really have to coalesce in a bathroom? It felt lazy. Where we pee is not the only political issue we face, and it's obvious the author knows this. I don't know. This book left me with mixed feelings.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated From Twinkle, with Love in Books
Jul 5, 2018
I won this book in a giveaway a while ago - and finished it last night - I actually listened to When Dimple Met Rishi around the time it showed up at my door - and I must say that I much prefer that - either because of the listening aspect or because I liked the story more. For some reason I found Twinkle to be a bit annoying, repeating same things over and over (her feelings about what she was going through) and it was just not my cup of tea - perhaps if I would have listened to it I would have liked it more, and I intend to do that in the future. I have no ill words to say about any of the other characters and I quite enjoyed Maddie she seemed like she had her head on straight. Overall it was an OK read and had some funny moments but it definitely didn't hit all my wants in a book. Though I did enjoy the journal formatting/texts/emails, that was something I had never really read before.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated The Girl in the Rain (Deep Waters, #1) in Books
Jul 5, 2018
I jumped between giving this book a 3 and 4 stars, it started off quite exciting, it stayed quite engaging throughout the book, and it ended quite exciting, for that I'd say it's a 4 star book, however, I had a bit trouble with the MC and her interaction with her brother.
The whole concept of this book was great - coming from someone who lived with a brother who both abused drugs and alcohol for quite a while, I can see where she was coming from, however, there was a lot of the "woe is me" syndrome that I HATED. I get the feelings of burden and guilt but - as someone who has been there done that, but I think this was taken way to the point of excess.
I know it was meant to build suspense, but it had me kind of hating the MC a lot, hating the whole mid part of the book, which was frustrating. The end highly made up for it though and now I do want to continue with the series because, cliffhangers amirite?
The whole concept of this book was great - coming from someone who lived with a brother who both abused drugs and alcohol for quite a while, I can see where she was coming from, however, there was a lot of the "woe is me" syndrome that I HATED. I get the feelings of burden and guilt but - as someone who has been there done that, but I think this was taken way to the point of excess.
I know it was meant to build suspense, but it had me kind of hating the MC a lot, hating the whole mid part of the book, which was frustrating. The end highly made up for it though and now I do want to continue with the series because, cliffhangers amirite?
Felicia (44 KP) rated To All The Boys I've Loved Before (2018) in Movies
Aug 19, 2018
They story of Lara Jean and her hat box with 5 love letters is a teen romantic for the ages. This movie found on netflix is based off of the book with the same name by Jenny Han. Lara Jean writes a love letter for every boy that she has had a huge crush on, she places them in a hat box in her closet in an attempt to hide her feelings. But all that changes when the letters get sent out. Life changes for Lara Jean as she has to deal with new found male attention and her own sense of self.
This movie was really good, the cast was terrific and the storyline doesn't ever really drag as the hour and a half plays out. My only real complaint is that they left out some of my favorite plots from the books but that is to be expected.
I would totally recommend this movie to anybody who wants to watch a cute fluff romance type movie.
This movie was really good, the cast was terrific and the storyline doesn't ever really drag as the hour and a half plays out. My only real complaint is that they left out some of my favorite plots from the books but that is to be expected.
I would totally recommend this movie to anybody who wants to watch a cute fluff romance type movie.
Dawn Mue (1 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Aug 23, 2018
Garbage
After reading the book and finding out the writer was involved with the screen play, I was excited to see this film. I regretted purchasing a ticket for this movie after the first 15 minutes. Both the book and movie follow a teen named Wade. They both take place in a dystopian style story. However the movie portrays Wade as a one dimensional character, giving his best thoughts, words, and feelings to other characters. Wade in the book was a well rounded character who was smart, witty, and at times sarcastic. Reading the book you can believe that Wade has the ability to beat the game he’s playing for control of the oasis. In the movie he is girl obsessed and just not the character I followed through the oasis to win the game. If you haven’t read the book, or only want to check out the graphics, then this movie is for you. If you loved the book, as I did, just keep the story in your imagination and skip the movie.