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Crimes Against Magic (The Hellequin Chronicles #1)
Crimes Against Magic (The Hellequin Chronicles #1)
Steve McHugh | 2019 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
It’s been almost ten years since Nathan Garrett woke on a cold warehouse floor with nothing but a gun, a sword, and no idea of who he was or how he got there. His only clue … a piece of paper with his name on it. Since then, he’s discovered he’s a powerful sorcerer and has used his abilities to work as a thief for hire. But he’s never stopped hunting for his true identity, and those who erased his memory have never stopped hunting for him. When the barrier ...

Absolutely brilliant!
I will admit my usual books tend to have women as female leads! This was totally refreshing and did remind me a bit of Dresden. Following Nate through his self discovery was fascinating and I found the book hard to put down. It's non stop action with so many interesting turns. Love how Steve uses characters we have all heard of from past history whether they are fictional or real and tales we all grew up with then twists them to fit his writing. So looking forward to reading more in the series. Would definitely recommend.
  
Stairs  (2019)
Stairs (2019)
2019 | Action, Drama, Thriller
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Toby Osmond (3 more)
Story
Tom Paton
Alana Wallace
Don't Go Down
This movie is everything you would hope for in a Tom Paton flick and a hell of a lot more. A high concept psychological horror/thriller like you wouldnt believe that plays in the sci-fi genre realm. So yeah its a mind melding genre bending smorgasboard.
With Samantha Schnitzler and Bently Kalu (Ben Garrett) doing arguably a fair chunk of the heavy lifting, I am always happy to see these guys share the screen. Bently just seems to have this protective nature when his characters interact with Sam's, Schnitzler is always on point as a total Bad Ass and this time gets to play with her more emotional side.
This movie is more than an actioner, its more than a thriller... Stairs lives in many genres while silently making its own. I have said it before and I will say it one more time, the team behind this movie just took one hell of a step in their already solid game to that next level. Lets just hope it doesnt send them back to the start (see what I did there).
  
Look Both Ways [Audiobook]
Look Both Ways [Audiobook]
Linwood Barclay | 2023 | Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I would say that this book is a cross between Christine and The Terminator and is one crazy ride!

Garrett Island's inhabitants have had all their cars removed and self-driving and fully automated 'Arrivals' given to them as an experiment. Arrivals are aware of each other and of everything around them ... gone are accidents, speeding, dints and scrapes; well, that's the theory anyway and it works until someone throws a spanner in the works and all hell breaks loose.

There's some great characters; I especially liked Bruce, Kate and Archie. The story is solid and the action comes thick and fast and whilst I found it a very entertaining story which I enjoyed, I think I would have enjoyed it even more had I read the actual book as the narration just didn't do it for me unfortunately and it just didn't seem to be right for the story somehow.

Overall, a great book that makes you think twice about what the future is likely to hold and my thanks go to HarperCollins UK Audio, HQ and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of Look Both Ways.
  
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Merissa (11800 KP) rated Forgiven (Forgiven #1) in Books

Jan 26, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)  
Forgiven (Forgiven #1)
Forgiven (Forgiven #1)
Garrett Leigh | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
FORGIVEN is the first book in the Forgiven series, and we meet Luke and Mia. These two had an on-again/off-again relationship when they were younger until Luke left to join the Navy. Mia was upset and didn't forgive him... ever! She eventually left the village and moved to France. Now, she is back home for reasons explained and finds out Luke is also back in the village.

I have to say, this is not one of the best books by Garrett Leigh I have read. Although I enjoyed the storyline, especially the side story of who the stalker was, the relationship between Luke and Mia seemed just as messed up now they're adults as it was when they were teenagers. I know emotions are messy, but surely just one civil conversation wouldn't hurt?

Anyway, moving on. The story is well-written, and the pacing is smooth. I look forward to the next book in the series.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 26, 2021
  
Burden (2018)
Burden (2018)
2018 | Drama
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
I'm not sure why this movie is listed as being released it 2018. It was released VOD early this summer due to theaters closing down. IMDb has it listed as 2018, as well. Perhaps that was the intended release?

Anyway, Burden is a true story about Mike Burden, an active KKK member in the deep south. Having lived a life of hate and anger, he falls in love with a woman who shows him that there are other ways. He denounces his position in the Klan and removes himself from it entirely with the help of a local reverend who happens to be black.

The film makers did a wonderful job of showing the mental and emotional anguish that Burden went through by walking away from the only "family" he ever knew, even though they were heinous, it was still not an easy task.

Garrett Hedlund and Forest Whitaker are both absolutely phenomenal in their respective roles. From what I understand, the film stays pretty true to the actual story that played out in real life.

Though the film is based on events that took place in the 90's from what I can tell, the story told is a relevant today (perhaps moreso) than ever.
  
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Erika (17788 KP) Aug 5, 2020

It premiered at Sundance in 2018.

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Bostonian916 (449 KP) Aug 5, 2020

That makes sense! Thank you