Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

David McK (3623 KP) rated Arthur (The Arthurian Tales #3) in Books

Jun 30, 2024 (Updated Jun 30, 2024)  
Arthur (The Arthurian Tales #3)
Arthur (The Arthurian Tales #3)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the final entry in Giles Kristian's 'Arthurian Tales' trilogy, set after both 'Lancelot' and 'Camelot', and now told in the third person instead of the first person view of both those former works.

It's also the first one - I believe - to so heavily rely on flashbacks, paralleling the 'now' of the story with the background to one of the main characters Beran (whose identity I, personally, found quite easy to grok early on).

As a whole, I have to say, this trilogy is one of the best retellings of the Arthurian myths I have come across although retelling, however, may be too strong a word; perhaps a better on would be re-imagining as there's no mystical Green Knight (reimagined in 'Camelot'), search for the Holy Grails (again, see 'Camelot'), or mysterious women lying in ponds and distributing swords ("that's no basis for sound government..."), but which does cover the whole Arthur/Lancelot/Guinevere love triangle (see, in particular, 'Lancelot') and the fall out thereof.

In short, all three novels are well worth a read - personally, I found I enjoyed these more than the 'Blood Eye' series by the same author.
  
The Bones Beneath My Skin
The Bones Beneath My Skin
TJ Klune | 2025 | Contemporary, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
TJ Klune books are basically my dopamine hit. When life is a bit hectic and I’m having NO fun, then his books are a great place to retreat. It’s not all chilled-out and hugs, this book in particular was action packed! A special girl is trying to escape from some particularly unpleasant people, with the help of an ex-marine and a poor ex-journalist who happens to find the two squatting in his remote cabin.

Art is 10 and a very quirky young lady. She’s written as an inquisitive, outspoken child with a penchant for bacon. Alex, her protector, is quiet, brooding and clearly troubled. Nate spends most of the book being justifiably terrified.

Of course, there is found family at the heart of this thoroughly lovely book. It’s a TJ Klune, after all! I thought the Sci-fi element was a bit of a departure, but all his other themes are still there: found family, acceptance and love.

This is action packed and a fast, intense read - and you can’t knock a bit of sci-fi, can you?! (Well, I can’t anyway!).
  
Framed for Murder
Framed for Murder
Marla A. White | 2024 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can Mel Clear a Frenemy?
Former police officer Mel O’Rourke is trying to settle into her new life running a B & B in the mountain town of Pine Cove. But then her past walks in. Poppy Phillips is a thief that Mel spent time trying to arrest when she was an officer. Poppy is looking for help since she stumbled over a body, and she is afraid the police will think she did it. The fact that Poppy was there committing a burglary does complicate things. Can Mel clear her? Does she want to?

I picked up this book thinking it was the first in a series. There is a novella that introduces some of the characters, and this book has major spoilers for that story. I also found the language in this book to be much worse than I wanted to read. The mystery was good, although I found some things bumped me, like police jurisdiction. It just didn’t seem logical, although maybe there is something I was missing. On the other hand, I really did like the characters and the relationships they were forming. Overall, this was a mixed bag for me.
  
There's Someone In Your House
There's Someone In Your House
Stephanie Perkins | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
9
6.7 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gripping, difficult to put down (1 more)
The suspense and tension was really well built
I wish it had been a little bit longer, the ending felt a little rushed (0 more)
I had a lot of fun reading this book. This has been compared to Scream a lot, and I can see why. There are similarities, but not so many that you know whats going to happen. I found it really difficult to put down.

* I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for review via Netgalley. This has not influenced my review.
  
The Paperboy (2012)
The Paperboy (2012)
2012 | Crime, Drama, Thriller
9
6.6 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The twists (0 more)
Can you really know someone after writing a few letters? This was an interesting film based on a true story of a woman who believed she had found her true love. the fact he was in prison for murder did not faze her and she was determined to have him released. She contacts two writers to investigate his case to try and get him freed. I really wanted to find out whether he was innocent or not and the twists and turns keep you gripped throughout. Very compelling.
  
Finally found my notebook that contained this review!!

I must say that I experienced many emotions while reading this book. I laughed and I cried and I often reminisced about my fur baby that passed a couple of years ago as he was my love, my companion, and friend. I think that animal lovers will certainly enjoy reading about the adventures contained within this book.

{I requested a review copy from NetGalley and made no guarantees of a favorable outcome. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
  
40x40

Book Divas (227 KP) rated A Stolen Kiss (Stolen Royals #1) in Books

Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)  
AS
A Stolen Kiss (Stolen Royals #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an eARC via NetGalley. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinion expressed here is unbiased and my own.

I will admit that though it took me a bit to get into the swing of this story I eventually found myself getting caught in the web this author weaved. The story line did start off slow but once it picked up I enjoyed the fantasy and the beautiful characters. I must say that I loved the cover and that's the main reason why I picked this book to read.
  
PA
Phoenix Awakens (The Phoenix, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ARC when I signed up and was selected to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are my own.

This teen/young adult read is well written with ever developing characters and I enjoyed reading it. You'll find secret socieities, rituals, magic and a developing romance between my two favorite characters, Julia and Graham. I found it hard to put the book down. There are definitely some lose ends so I look forward to reading the next book.
  
Star Wars™: Force Arena
Star Wars™: Force Arena
Games
3
6.7 (3 Ratings)
App Rating
Force Arena is a intense will crafted Melting Pot of everything associated with Star Wars Warfare served over rice to leave one of the best taste of strategy card collecting and player versus player enjoyment on the App Store

Go Head to Head playing as different iconic champions of Empire and Rebellion as they duke it out on various battlefields in player-versus-player scrimmages or make a friend and go 2 v2 for the win using various cards representing different weapons soldiers equipment and vehicles found in the Star Wars lore