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Destiny (8 KP) rated Pokémon GO in Apps

Jul 31, 2018  
Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO
Games, Health & Fitness
Reason to walk (2 more)
Fun interactive game
Kid friendly
Battery killer (0 more)
I've had this app on and off ever since it came out. It hasn't gotten much better in the sense of the different things you can do, friends and trading, and speed and crashing. I remember 2 years ago it crashed nearly every time I opened the app and it does much better now. I think it only crash on me recently because I needed to update.
It's also a great game to play on road trips. You can see where you picked up each pokemon and it's a lot of fun sending gifts from a variety of pokestops and gyms.
  
Aladdin (2019)
Aladdin (2019)
2019 | Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Musical
A great live action remake. The kids and I fully enjoyed this one. If you have to choose between this one and The Lion King remake, give The Lion King a miss. Aladdin does not skimp on the music, it even gives Princess Jasmine her own new powerful number. There is a strong Bollywood influence that creates a feast for the senses no matter what your age. Overall, Aladdin gifts us with more original content and developped characters whereas The Lion King remake played out like a less cute, uninspired carbon copy of its original. Robin Williams' genie was inimitable but Will Smith's own take is 'fresh' (geddit?) and just as charismatic in its own right. If you have kids, treat them to this.
  
The Girl With All the Gifts (2017)
The Girl With All the Gifts (2017)
2017 | Drama
Wanted it to be Better
In the midst of a zombie outbreak, a special military agency is studying a select group of kids who can manage to control when they "turn". When their base falls to zombies, a small group escapes, including a little girl zombie by the name of Melanie (Sennia Nanua). The group must rely on each other to survive the threats waiting for them at every turn.

The Girl With All the Gifts grabs you with intrigue right from the start as you ask yourself why the kids are guarded so heavily. You quickly come to find out the reason. The film is action-packed, loaded with excellent thrilling scenes that keep you engaged. The scenes can be extremely tense in moments like one scene where the group has to walk quietly through a herd of zombies without being detected. It's definitely an original spin on a zombie film as it centers around the little girl Melanie who's innocent, but also a monster of sorts.

So with all these positive things to say, why didn't I ultimately like the film? The ending absolutely killed it for me. Not only did I not see the value in the resolution, I thought it didn't really match Melanie's character. Based on everything we knew about her up to that point, why make that move? Wasn't on board, not by a long shot.

I thought The Girl With All the Gifts had great potential and achieved it in some spots, but feel just short of being what it should have been. I give it a 65.
  
Encanto (2021)
Encanto (2021)
2021 |
8
6.8 (11 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Family gal
Another power soaked disney adventure, about gifts, curses and family secrets....

Madrigals are afamily who live an extraordinary life hidden from the rest of the world in a little village called Encanto.

Encanto has given the children in the family with a unique power, except Mirabel. However, she soon may be their last hope when she breaks in the bedroom of "banished/missing" family member Bruno (who we don't talk about) and discovers that he left behind a prophecy and a powerless answer to her no magic self.
Time is running out as the magic Provided the Encanto is now in danger.

A great story in all, fun musical numbers and change from usual to characteristics in gender roles and another nice mix of colour design.
  
Zeroes (Zeroes, #1)
Zeroes (Zeroes, #1)
Scott Westerfeld | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review </i>

The author of the <i>Uglies</i> series, Scott Westerfeld, has teamed up with co-writers Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti to create this exciting, whirlwind of a young adult novel. Many people wish they had a superpower, but what if there actually were people with them? <i>Zeroes</i> is a story about a group of teenagers with special gifts, however these unique abilities may be more dangerous than you would imagine.

The superpowers in this novel are not as conventional as the famous comic heroes. Some can control crowds with their minds or destroy electricity, and one blind character can even see through the eyes of others. Collectively these teenagers are called the <i>Zeroes</i>, but only amongst themselves.

Despite how cool it may seem to have these powers, their gifts can easily get themselves in to trouble. One of the teens, Ethan, accidently finds himself involved with drug dealers and a bank robbery, resulting in the police taking an interest. Whilst trying to get him out of this mess, the rest of the team cause even more trouble, sequentially making things worse and eventually leaving Ethan in a life threatening situation.

Told through six different characters, the reader gets the opportunity to learn about the individual powers and how each person deals with them. The novel is fast past with an explosive ending – literally – it is almost impossible to put it down. With an equal mix of male and female characters, it is suitable for all readers who enjoy YA, and by no means is it limited to teenagers only. You will find yourself wanting more.
  
PT
Paramnesia: The Deadish Chronicles
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Awesome read. Well written, with a great plot and characters. I was engrossed from start to finish. Although there were some slow spots. This book has elements of suspense, mystery, humour, and action. Nora's story is quite tragic but hopeful. She loses her boyfriend that she loves very much, but winds up with the ability to see and talk to the dead. Unfortunately the dead never rests, and at first she thinks she is going crazy. With a bit of help she realizes there is nothing wrong with her brain......she is seeing and hearing dead people. How will she handle her gifts, and the fact that ghosts exist? Overall a great read and I can't wait to read the next book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.
  
“What might be sabotaging your uniquely gifted contribution to the world around you? Discover the obstacles and barriers standing between you and your God-given purpose. In this revised book, you’ll learn how to identify ways to strengthen your calling that’ll encourage you to confidently operate in the gifts and talents that God designed you to do. Through the lens of T.H. Meyer’s own journey, you’ll recognize the universal struggle in embracing your whole person as she encourages you to live a life without regrets. For the individual reader looking to examine more deeply their life purpose or a group seeking to collectively spur each other toward their God-given gifts, talents, and life. This book can be used as a 12-week, 6-week, or 4-week study guide, with exploratory questions at the end of each chapter the assist you in listening to God’s voice and revealing your unique purpose, path, or direction.”



Endorsements ”A wonderful exploration, but not only for readers to look inwardly, but to also look around at others, at where our lives are at, and mostly upward toward God’s design and dreams for our lives. Love it!”– Cindy Coloma, best selling and award-winning author of over 15 books ”You’ll come away from this wise and insightful book with a clearer understanding of how you are uniquely gifted to contribute to the world, and why it’s imperative that you honor your creative calling.”– Michelle DeRusha, author of Katharina and Martin Luther: The Radical Marriage of a Runway ”TH Meyer looks at the glass ceiling the world has placed between ‘creatives’ and ‘non-creatives’ and shatters it. This those who have felt they are not creative, too timid, or simply too late to the life they were called to live, Meyer says, ‘Pish-posh.’ She delivers on her promise to help people embrace uniqueness, explore boldness, and encourage faith.”– Amy Young, author of Looming Transitions: Starting & Finishing Well in Cross-Cultural Service ”In her book, A Life Of Creative Purpose, Tammy Hendricksmeyer [TH Meyer] is a trusted mentor, offer ing us the tools we need to step completely into God’s design for us as individuals, and as members of His body. Her relatable stories coupled with scripture inspire and ignite a renewed passion for pursuing not only our own creative callings but even more, her words stoke the fire in our hearts for the Giver of these gifts.” – Kris Camealy, author of Come, Lord Jesus: The Weight Of Waiting ”A Life of Creative Purpose is a fantastic resource filled with thoughtful questions, stories, and Scripture each designed to awaken us to God’s unique purposes for our lives. It is well-written, thoughtful, and engaging, an invitation to embrace our own eternally significant creative purpose.” – Cindee S. Re, author of Discovering Hope: Beginning the Journey Toward Hope in Chronic Illness ”In her book, A Life of Creative Purpose, TH Meyer masterfully blends personal stories with wisdom from Scripture to reveal the importance of creative purpose (even if you think you are not creative.) The thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter will help you discover (or uncover) and embrace the unique way God has made you and inspire you to step into a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.” – JoDitt Williams, author/artist of Delight in the Word of God: A Devotional Coloring Book/Journal for Adults



My Thoughts: This is a great book to remind us about the gifts that God has for each of us. It reminds us not to be afraid to step out in faith to use the guts that God gives us to use.


This is a book of encouragement. It helps those who may not know what their purpose or gift is, to learn how to find it.


I enjoyed this book and encourage others to read it.
  
Shivers in the Night
Shivers in the Night
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Clever twists (1 more)
plot
very short (0 more)
From Campfire type to suspense this ten story book has a little something for almost any fan of the diverse horror genre.
In 'The Baby' you learn how hard it can be trying to be brave in front of an older brother walking at night in the dark of rural Oklahoma. Not all gifts are what they seem as you will learn in 'Mr. Sweater's Gift'. The Law will never be the same in 'Revenger' as a small town judge goes to the extremes of having the punishment fit the crime. Detective Clint Mahan has his work cut out for him as he juggles his serial killer case with an aggressive FBI agent in the who done it story 'In Stitches'.
Shivers in the Night is independently published by the Yukon Writer's Society, it includes stories from beginner authors to published authors.
  
This is supposed to be a book for Young Adults but I think it is suitable for anyone wishing to read a mystery / love story with a hint of paranormal in the form of "insights" or talents or gifts, whatever you want to call them.

This book starts on earth and will take you to different dimensions via 'strings', invisible (to most) passages of energy.

I won't go into the plot as it is better to just read the synopsis and go from there but it has an overall quite simple story that is overlaid with complications and events that all in all make this a fantastic read.

And, yes, I am a hopeless romantic, so the idea of having your other half out there who will complete you is almost certainly going to go down well with me and this book does it well!!
  
The Girl With All the Gifts (2017)
The Girl With All the Gifts (2017)
2017 | Drama
In this modern age the market is saturated with zombie films and TV shows. With all of this choice a good one needs something different to stand out from the pack.
The Girl with all the gifts is one such film that stands out even with a limited budget. However, all the leads give solid performances and the story refreshingly doesn't rely on the same old tired zombie tropes that bog down other genre fare.
There is some prime story telling and the acting of young Sennia Nanua is by far the best thing, going from sweet young child to blood crazied killer in a heartbeat.
The film also looks superb wether it's tight claustrophobic interiors or zombie infested streets the cinematography is a joy.
This may be as good or better then fellow Brit zombie flick 28 days later even if it does lend from Danny Boyle's film in places.