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This take on what it means to be on the Mayflower and the struggles that come along with it is very interesting. It makes what I just think of an event so much more. The character, even though it is hard to keep track at times, are relatable and you find yourself invested in their stories. The language was modern and that took away from the story for me. My only other problem was the flatness, while there was problems most of the book just felt monotonous. This could be just because I don't read much historical fiction but I am not sure.
Perfect for those fans who want to feel connected to a real event but with a fictional aspect instead of just facts. This will give them a good read that will keep you interested until the very end.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Avengers in TV

Mar 4, 2018 (Updated Mar 4, 2018)  
The Avengers
The Avengers
1961 | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Thriller
8
7.2 (32 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Iconic British cult adventure series. Very few shows change as much as The Avengers did over its seven season run; what started off as a gritty thriller about Ian Hendry's crime-busting doctor gradually transformed first into virtual science fiction (the Diana Rigg episodes feature mind-swapping machines, killer robots and a brain-controlling alien plant) and then a much more whimsical fantasy show for its final year or so.

Many of the early episodes are quite hard work now, but the two seasons where Macnee is paired with Diana Rigg are classic TV, and the sometimes-maligned final season with Linda Thorson also contains many neglected gems (the episode with the murderous clowns, for instance). Even when the show is not quite firing on all cylinders, there is always Patrick Macnee's inimitable performance as Steed to enjoy.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Trek: Discovery - Season 1 in TV

Feb 16, 2018 (Updated Feb 16, 2018)  
Star Trek: Discovery - Season 1
Star Trek: Discovery - Season 1
2017 | Sci-Fi
Not as we have known it
Knockabout SF action series that's strong on bonkers pulp fiction ideas - mushroom-powered star drives, evil duplicates, 'species reassignment surgery', and so on - but less impressive when it comes to narrative cohesion or actually resembling anything previously released under the Star Trek banner.

Theses could and probably have been written about the myriad ways in which Discovery cheerfully ignores or rewrites continuity from previous series and movies; a more serious problem is the generally dark tone, emphasis on military conflict, and absence of humanistic optimism. Effects are okay; Doug Jones is the best thing in it as peril-averse first officer, though pushed hard by Jason Isaacs as loose-cannon captain of the ship. Not actively bad on its own terms, I expect, but very disappointing as an actual piece of Star Trek.
  
Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit
Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit
Jaye Robin Brown | 2016 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was randomly found by my wife who does not read lesbian fiction but she suggested it to me. We live in Georgia so it was really a no brainer. The struggle to come out in the South is real for most kids. This is not the most accepting region especially when you throw religeon into the mix. Brown did an amazing job of showing that struggle in a funny and compassionate way. Her characters were amazing and their relationships did not seem contrived. Everything developed as it should. It was an well written and thought out coming of age/coming out book that left me wanting more. I even messeged the author and asked if there would be more. So, obviously, I highly recommend this book. Also it is YA so safe for younger people.
  
Called to Justice (Quaker Midwife Mystery #2)
Called to Justice (Quaker Midwife Mystery #2)
Edith Maxwell | 2017 | Crime, History & Politics, Mystery
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Called to Justice is as much historical fiction as it is cozy mystery, and I found both aspects of the story to be riveting. A young, unmarried woman confides in Rose that she is expecting a child, and then ends up being murdered during the Independence Day fireworks celebration. Determined to find justice for the girl and her unborn child, Rose manages to squeeze in a little investigating, between birthing babies and checking on the well-being of her clientele of local women waiting to deliver.

There was a lot of attention to detail and historical accuracy where the births in the story were concerned. See what author Edith Maxwell has to say about midwives and the birthing process on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/04/06/called-to-justice-by-edith-maxwell-guest-post-and-giveaway/">my blog</a>.
  
The Nightmare Stacks: A Laundry Files Novel
The Nightmare Stacks: A Laundry Files Novel
Charles Stross | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another fun entry in the Laundry Files series, this one is narrated by Dr. Schwartz, from the previous novel. Poor Alex is trying to come to grips with his sudden career change and living life as a PHANG (vampire, to the rest of us). He has also fallen into social interactions with an actual female person, which is vastly unusual in his life. In fact, having a social life is rather foreign.

There are a fair number of cringe-worthy scenes, if you (like me) are embarrassed when anyone else is. Of course, this is a comedy/horror/science fiction/fantasy series, so there are the requisite horrid things in the plot. If you've gotten this far in the series, I shouldn't need to warn you about that. I really wouldn't choose this volume as an entry point if I were you.
  
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Milleen (47 KP) rated How to Stop Time in Books

Nov 14, 2018  
How to Stop Time
How to Stop Time
Matt Haig | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
8.0 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
Matt Haig has written a variety of books for children and adults as well as a memoir that topped the bestseller list for almost a year. Now he has delved back into adult fiction and delivered a delightful novel that will leave you pondering. Tom Hazard may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he's been aging slowly over centuries. From Elizabethan England to 1920s Paris and further afield, Tom is forced to change his identity to stay alive. He is forced to abide by one rule, to not fall in love. Tom finally gets the ‘ordinary’ life he craves and finds work as a history teacher in a modern London comprehensive but how much longer can he keep this secret? ‘How to Stop Time’ is a bittersweet story about life, loss and change.
  
Forensics: The Anatomy of Crime
Forensics: The Anatomy of Crime
Val McDermid | 2015 | Biography, Crime
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Brilliant for forensic lovers
First I should say, I’ve never been a fan of non-fiction. It’s for this reason that this book has been sat on my shelf for around a year just waiting to be read. I finally got around to reading it and I have to say, this really dug into the depths of my interest in crime and the forensic aspect of this.

I loved how this book was set out, going through in the order in which events take place when a real life crime is committed and dedicating a chapter to each stage, providing real life examples along the way which really keeps you engrossed.

I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who is in the slightest interested in crime in general or just specific aspects such as fire scenes, toxicology and pathology.
  
Black Mirror - Season 5
Black Mirror - Season 5
2019 | Drama, Sci-Fi
Nothing (0 more)
Everything, bad stories, bad characters, bad acting (0 more)
Absolute poppycock
Contains spoilers, click to show
This has nothing to offer, usually black mirror pulls you in and you feel fearful.
With this I just felt bored.
In Ashley too episode there was nothing on offer at all, cyrus's acting was wooden and unconvincing, the story was throughly unbelievable, and yes some fiction can be unbelievable. But this was just too mainstream in a way.
Striking vipers was just weird in the wrong way, virtual cheating i mean come on are we supposed to think that's all good.
Smithereens was probably the best of them all but that's not saying much.
Essentially enforcing the idea that social media is to blame for all the worlds evils.
They need to do much better for season 6 and bring black mirror back to its terrifying best.
F for effort
  
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Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Red Snow in Books

Jan 13, 2019  
Red Snow
Red Snow
Will Dean | 2019 | Crime
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characterisation (0 more)
Gripping Scandinavian Crime
This is Dean's second novel featuring reporter Tuva Moodyson.

Set in the northerly town of Gravik, death arrives in the shape of suicide: the owner of the town's main employer - a liqourice factory - throws himself to his death one morning.

It's solid piece of crime fiction with a plot that weaves around and throws out plenty of misdirection, keeping the reader on their puzzle-solving toes.

What gives this book edge is the characters. Dean has delivered some of the most believable female characters I have ever read, and chief amongst them is Cece. That old woman is an absolute delight and should have books all of her own. I don't know if she is modelled on a flesh and blood person, but Will gets full marks just for writing her in.