Search
Search results
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Loveday Secrets (Loveday, #9) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
I realised when I got this book that it was part of a series, only for some reason I thought it was the first part. When I started reading I found there appeared to be an awful lot of back story and when I checked I found it was something like the 9th book in the series!
That aside, I didn't have any difficulty following the plot and even saw some of the 'secrets' and plot developments coming a mile off. I'm only giving 3 stars as, although it was well enough written, even by the end I didn't find I cared enough about any of the character to wonder what would happen to them next. Even those that I think were supposed to be sympathetic to the reader I really couldn't care about; the book inspired no sense of empathy.
From other reviews on Amazon some people are really enjoying this series, but for me it was lacking in emotional engagement.
That aside, I didn't have any difficulty following the plot and even saw some of the 'secrets' and plot developments coming a mile off. I'm only giving 3 stars as, although it was well enough written, even by the end I didn't find I cared enough about any of the character to wonder what would happen to them next. Even those that I think were supposed to be sympathetic to the reader I really couldn't care about; the book inspired no sense of empathy.
From other reviews on Amazon some people are really enjoying this series, but for me it was lacking in emotional engagement.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated The Stars Now Unclaimed (The Universe After #1) in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has three things I adore:
Snarky characters
Space battles
A group who becomes a family despite the odds.
Needless to say I LOVED this book.
It starts out with a soldier looking for one of many children who can stop the evil hypocritical fascists called the Pax.
There was an incident called the pulse that knocked out most of this verse's technology.
There are some really cool characters and some things that surprised me, which I found delightful!
There are only two complaints about this book I have:
I felt there could have been more cool alien species
This book comes out in about a week, which means it will probably take a year for the next one to come out.
Bummer.
(A more in-depth review can be found at
on August 14th at 6am pst)
This book has three things I adore:
Snarky characters
Space battles
A group who becomes a family despite the odds.
Needless to say I LOVED this book.
It starts out with a soldier looking for one of many children who can stop the evil hypocritical fascists called the Pax.
There was an incident called the pulse that knocked out most of this verse's technology.
There are some really cool characters and some things that surprised me, which I found delightful!
There are only two complaints about this book I have:
I felt there could have been more cool alien species
This book comes out in about a week, which means it will probably take a year for the next one to come out.
Bummer.
(A more in-depth review can be found at
on August 14th at 6am pst)
Sam (228 KP) rated Stranger Things - Season 1 in TV
Aug 8, 2019 (Updated Aug 17, 2019)
Slow Development (1 more)
Next to No Character Development
Overly Popular for What it is
I find that as reminiscent as this show makes me for the many scifi fantasy films of days past the idea in of itself is original. Rather instead it pulls from all these old films to create something new and as intrigued as I was with the plot itself I found myself unable to pay attention. The story follows a group of two dimensional characters as they try to figure out what happened to their friend who disappeared. The charm of the film died within the first two episodes however as the show dragged on and on, never really getting anywhere until the last few episodes. I watched this because everyone had told me how wonderful it was but I found no wonder here, just another over popularized show that is no more than a copy of films from the past.
Skwchance (13 KP) rated The Afterlife of Walter Augustus in Books
Nov 12, 2019
Theory of afterlife (4 more)
Comedy
Love
Uplifting
Supernatural
Ghosts, love and cake
Walter is stick in limbo in the interim, a period of afterlife where you remain until everyone who knew him dies. All his loved ones have moved to yhe final stage of afterlife and he wants to go with them but a book of poems he wrote has been found by a stranger. Now she knows his name he is stuck for longer.
The story follows him and the women who found the book, Letty. She is a sad character who you want things to turn out good for.
The theory of the afterlife is fabulous and made me question whether I would want to stay there forever and be remembered or if I would want to risk moving into the final afterlife.
The characters made me want to shake them into being braver at times but are endearing. The plot is a bit crazy but there are lots of laughs and it is very creative.
The story follows him and the women who found the book, Letty. She is a sad character who you want things to turn out good for.
The theory of the afterlife is fabulous and made me question whether I would want to stay there forever and be remembered or if I would want to risk moving into the final afterlife.
The characters made me want to shake them into being braver at times but are endearing. The plot is a bit crazy but there are lots of laughs and it is very creative.
Lorraine Christine Robson (1 KP) rated Devil's Cry : Shade of Devil Book 2 in Books
Dec 6, 2019
The Devil of New York is back!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Sooo many things to love about this book. I mean. Shayne Silvers has found a way to bring Jekyll and Hyde into it. So, we have Olympian forces, Victoria Helsing, Dracula, Doctor F.Stein and Jekyll and Hyde! Some of the most memorable characters from literary history given new life! (He is the Doctor Frankenstein of story writing).
What can I say about Devil's Cry? - I didn't see that coming! Shayne has outdone himself as I found myself immersed in the story to the point I could feel the dirt beneath my fingernails as I read a particular scene in Central Park. As with most vampire stories, things get a little heated. Things get sexy. And there is blood. And magic. I still can't get over how much I am enjoying a Vampire story!
Sorin Ambrogio is no ordinary vampire.
He is the Devil, and he has enraptured me.
What can I say about Devil's Cry? - I didn't see that coming! Shayne has outdone himself as I found myself immersed in the story to the point I could feel the dirt beneath my fingernails as I read a particular scene in Central Park. As with most vampire stories, things get a little heated. Things get sexy. And there is blood. And magic. I still can't get over how much I am enjoying a Vampire story!
Sorin Ambrogio is no ordinary vampire.
He is the Devil, and he has enraptured me.
book sparrow (239 KP) rated Pretty Stolen Dolls (Pretty Little Dolls #1) in Books
Dec 15, 2019
omg im hooked
omg i could not put this book down or even know where to start
i was hooked from the beginning fell in love with the 2 little girls, found hatred for benny immediately.
this book made me cry , it made my heart race and got me addicted.
as a victim of abuse myself i found it a bit hard to read but i was so invested in the characters that i just felt like i would betray them if i didn't keep reading and oooooh my god i am so glad i did .
i love dillon i loved him from the moment he was introduced i have a love of arrogant, self aware asshats.
if a story doesn't have a strong female lead and she all weasley and pathetic i just cant get into it and this book did not let me down.
right thats it im off to read book 2 should only take me till bed time seriously hooked
i was hooked from the beginning fell in love with the 2 little girls, found hatred for benny immediately.
this book made me cry , it made my heart race and got me addicted.
as a victim of abuse myself i found it a bit hard to read but i was so invested in the characters that i just felt like i would betray them if i didn't keep reading and oooooh my god i am so glad i did .
i love dillon i loved him from the moment he was introduced i have a love of arrogant, self aware asshats.
if a story doesn't have a strong female lead and she all weasley and pathetic i just cant get into it and this book did not let me down.
right thats it im off to read book 2 should only take me till bed time seriously hooked
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Cube Zero (2004) in Movies
Apr 5, 2020
An interesting prequel
After the very lacklustre and ridiculous sequel Cube 2: Hypercube, Cube Zero is a breath of fresh air. I’m usually very much against prequels as they tend to over explain and try too hard, erasing any mystery. Fortunately I found that for the most part Cube Zero doesn’t go down the route that most prequels do. Yes it explains a few things and elaborates more on the reasons and origins behind the cube, but not to the point that it erases all intrigue. The ending too and how it relates back to the original i found rather satisfying.
I’m grateful that they’ve gone back to basics with this too. Gone is the over the top CGI and instead the wonderfully gory traps and physical effects are back, and some of the gore in this is rather impressive. Whilst I don’t think it’s as good as the original, it’s definitely very close.
I’m grateful that they’ve gone back to basics with this too. Gone is the over the top CGI and instead the wonderfully gory traps and physical effects are back, and some of the gore in this is rather impressive. Whilst I don’t think it’s as good as the original, it’s definitely very close.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Tyrannosaurus Wrecks in Books
Apr 13, 2020
Hunting a Dinosaur Skull
Teddy Fitzroy is surprised when his friend Sage reveals that he found a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull on his ranch. But now that skull has gone missing. It’s large and heavy, so who could have stolen it? And how did they do it? Meanwhile, he’s gotten a call from the Barksdale twins about their new exotic pet. Who is selling these dangerous animals?
This book really does have two storylines, and it balances both well. We do get a couple of lectures about endangered animals, but they don’t slow down the action for long. And with everything happening, there is plenty of action. When Teddy pieced together the clues, I couldn’t believe I missed them myself. The characters are great as always, and some of the situations Teddy found himself in made me laugh out loud. These books are aimed at middle schoolers, but anyone who enjoys a fun mystery should definitely pick them up.
This book really does have two storylines, and it balances both well. We do get a couple of lectures about endangered animals, but they don’t slow down the action for long. And with everything happening, there is plenty of action. When Teddy pieced together the clues, I couldn’t believe I missed them myself. The characters are great as always, and some of the situations Teddy found himself in made me laugh out loud. These books are aimed at middle schoolers, but anyone who enjoys a fun mystery should definitely pick them up.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Boy From The Woods in Books
Feb 23, 2020
Oh dear, I am sad to say that once again, I am in the minority with this one as it has received many 4 and 5* reviews but not for me unfortunately.
I have to say that I am a fan of Harlen's work so this one won't put me off reading more in the future but after starting off really well, it struggled to keep my attention and I found myself skimming large sections which is never a good sign. I was unable to get into the story as I found it fragmented and the characters just didn't do it for me at all; Wilde is interesting and Hester has some great one-liners but that's about it.
My mum always says "you can't please everyone all of the time" so don't take my word for it and give it a go.
Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest review.
I have to say that I am a fan of Harlen's work so this one won't put me off reading more in the future but after starting off really well, it struggled to keep my attention and I found myself skimming large sections which is never a good sign. I was unable to get into the story as I found it fragmented and the characters just didn't do it for me at all; Wilde is interesting and Hester has some great one-liners but that's about it.
My mum always says "you can't please everyone all of the time" so don't take my word for it and give it a go.
Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest review.
TC
Thomas Cochrane and the Dragon Throne: Missionaries, Medicine and Mandarins
Book
Thomas Cochrane was a young Scottish doctor, who asked the London Missionary Society to send him to...