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American Founding Son: John Bingham and the Invention of the Fourteenth Amendment
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John Bingham was the architect of the rebirth of the United States following the Civil War. A...
German S Boats
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The 'ShipCraft' series provides in-depth information about building and modifying model kits of...
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Destiny (Rogue Angel, #1) in Books
Jul 29, 2021
The idea (1 more)
Fight scenes
Getting pulled out of the narrative (2 more)
Mary Sue-ish character
The execution of the idea
Yeah , I finished the book, I'm not sure why.
There was something about the use of passive voice or phrasing that pulled me out of the story. If it was obvious in its rudeness I usually rolled my eyes and moved on, it was the subtle stuff that had me going am I supposed to be reading it this way?
The fight scenes where well choreographed that's the best I can say about this book. That and the anthropology and archeology which can be a dangerous profession especially for women (as my teachers repeatedly told me with anecdotes). But sometimes when they talked about it, I felt like they (the author) was chasing rabbits.
I tried to like the main character, Annja, but she was too full of cliches that even though she was quippy it fell short. Like the author was trying too hard. And there was so much plot armor in actually put the book down during fight scenes because there wasn't a sense of danger.
I'm not continuing with the series and will be rehoming this book, either giving it away or selling to a used bookstore, so that someone who can appreciate it has a chance to find it.
There was something about the use of passive voice or phrasing that pulled me out of the story. If it was obvious in its rudeness I usually rolled my eyes and moved on, it was the subtle stuff that had me going am I supposed to be reading it this way?
The fight scenes where well choreographed that's the best I can say about this book. That and the anthropology and archeology which can be a dangerous profession especially for women (as my teachers repeatedly told me with anecdotes). But sometimes when they talked about it, I felt like they (the author) was chasing rabbits.
I tried to like the main character, Annja, but she was too full of cliches that even though she was quippy it fell short. Like the author was trying too hard. And there was so much plot armor in actually put the book down during fight scenes because there wasn't a sense of danger.
I'm not continuing with the series and will be rehoming this book, either giving it away or selling to a used bookstore, so that someone who can appreciate it has a chance to find it.
Merissa (11964 KP) rated Eira in Books
Aug 5, 2021
EIRA is a standalone novella giving The Snow Queen a FF fairytale retelling.
The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.
What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.
The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.
Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.
What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.
The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.
Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Jeff Lynne recommended Please Please Me by The Beatles in Music (curated)
ClareR (5686 KP) rated Mrs Dalloway in Books
Sep 6, 2020
I’ve been trying to read this book for the best part of 20 years. It moved with me from my childhood home, through university, to the house I live in now. It’s a well travelled book. Thanks to The Pigeonhole, they’ve removed the one hurdle to the reason why I haven’t read it: sections, chapters, staves - call it what you will. I have a mental block when it comes to reading something without a break, and now I have learnt what I need to do - create sections or breaks myself (Ducks, Newburyport may well be on the cards soon).
I’m so glad that The Pigeonhole serialised this, because I’ve been missing out on a true classic. A day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway in the lead up to her party, and all of the people who intersect her life(directly and indirectly). It’s a beautiful story. The peripheral stories are just as interesting and important, giving us a look in to the lives of those living at the time. In particular the story of Septimus Smith stays with me, and the lack of understanding of both Shell Shock and mental health problems. But life seems to go on for all of the others.
This is a book that I’m glad to have read, and it’s not hard to see why it’s considered to be a classic.
I’m so glad that The Pigeonhole serialised this, because I’ve been missing out on a true classic. A day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway in the lead up to her party, and all of the people who intersect her life(directly and indirectly). It’s a beautiful story. The peripheral stories are just as interesting and important, giving us a look in to the lives of those living at the time. In particular the story of Septimus Smith stays with me, and the lack of understanding of both Shell Shock and mental health problems. But life seems to go on for all of the others.
This is a book that I’m glad to have read, and it’s not hard to see why it’s considered to be a classic.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Satanic Panic (2019) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
Satanic Panic is a horror-comedy that depicts the world's rich elite as Satan worshiping cultists who would love nothing more than to bring about the end of days. Relatable then!
The "eat the rich" concept is a tried and tested method of giving a movie some hateful antagonists, and Satanic Panic does it well, as a working class pizza delivery girl stumbles upon said cult, and quickly finds herself fighting for her life as the cultists seek to use her virginity as a method to bring about Baphomet and blah blah blah, you've surely heard this one before.
My main gripe with this movie is precisely that - it offers nothing new to the table. That, and the fact that it's low budget prevents us from seeing any demonic creatures, which is a shame.
Honestly though, apart from these negatives, Satanic Panic is actually a lot of fun. It's got a good sense of humour, a likeable heroine in Hayley Griffith, some pretty nasty practical gore effects here and there, and a somewhat cheap but charming aesthetic.
The cast also includes Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O' Connell, and a few horror mainstays such as Jordan Ladd, Ruby Modine and Jeff Daniel Phillips.
You could do a lot worse, and Satanic Panic does just about enough to scramble above the depths of horror shittiness.
The "eat the rich" concept is a tried and tested method of giving a movie some hateful antagonists, and Satanic Panic does it well, as a working class pizza delivery girl stumbles upon said cult, and quickly finds herself fighting for her life as the cultists seek to use her virginity as a method to bring about Baphomet and blah blah blah, you've surely heard this one before.
My main gripe with this movie is precisely that - it offers nothing new to the table. That, and the fact that it's low budget prevents us from seeing any demonic creatures, which is a shame.
Honestly though, apart from these negatives, Satanic Panic is actually a lot of fun. It's got a good sense of humour, a likeable heroine in Hayley Griffith, some pretty nasty practical gore effects here and there, and a somewhat cheap but charming aesthetic.
The cast also includes Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O' Connell, and a few horror mainstays such as Jordan Ladd, Ruby Modine and Jeff Daniel Phillips.
You could do a lot worse, and Satanic Panic does just about enough to scramble above the depths of horror shittiness.
Merissa (11964 KP) rated Taking the Fall (Vipers MC #1) in Books
Oct 14, 2020
Taking the Fall is the first book in the Vipers MC series and we start off with Nick, an ex-con who has just been released after serving five years for a crime he didn't commit, and Alex, the daughter of the Vipers President with whom she has a tricky relationship at best. These two find themselves working together when Nick asks for a job in return for somewhere to live and eat.
The attraction between these two is immediate but neither of them do anything about it, giving the book a bit of a slow burn. You get to find out about Alex's past before anything happens although Nick doesn't share his side.
This book has an amazing cast of characters and I can't wait to see who is up next. Although Talon might go about it the wrong way, his love for his daughter is deep. I hope he turns up in future books and we can see whether he and Alex can work things out.
All in all, this was a great MC read that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
* 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!
The attraction between these two is immediate but neither of them do anything about it, giving the book a bit of a slow burn. You get to find out about Alex's past before anything happens although Nick doesn't share his side.
This book has an amazing cast of characters and I can't wait to see who is up next. Although Talon might go about it the wrong way, his love for his daughter is deep. I hope he turns up in future books and we can see whether he and Alex can work things out.
All in all, this was a great MC read that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
* 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!
ClareR (5686 KP) rated Someone Like Me in Books
Jul 14, 2019
A great paranormal thriller!
I always know I’m going to get a book from M R Carey that stretches my imagination, keeps me guessing and makes me late for work (actually, that last one isn’t so good, to be honest). I don’t want to say too much about what actually happens in this book at the risk of giving the whole plot away, but here goes!
Liz is a single mother with two children, and the book starts with their father returning the children late from spending the weekend with him. When Liz points out that they have school in the morning, he snaps. He starts to strangle her, and just as she thinks he’s going to kill her, she senses an outside influence taking her over. This ‘influence’ saves her life.
Fran is a teenager coping with the PTSD and hallucinations caused by her kidnapping as a six year old. Their paths cross thanks to Zac, Liz’s seventeen year old son.
This is a story that requires the reader to leave their rational, logical mindset at the door - and I’m all for that! I loved everything about this book. I don’t know how M.R. Carey comes up with the ideas for his novels, but I’m just incredibly glad that he does!
Many thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book.
Liz is a single mother with two children, and the book starts with their father returning the children late from spending the weekend with him. When Liz points out that they have school in the morning, he snaps. He starts to strangle her, and just as she thinks he’s going to kill her, she senses an outside influence taking her over. This ‘influence’ saves her life.
Fran is a teenager coping with the PTSD and hallucinations caused by her kidnapping as a six year old. Their paths cross thanks to Zac, Liz’s seventeen year old son.
This is a story that requires the reader to leave their rational, logical mindset at the door - and I’m all for that! I loved everything about this book. I don’t know how M.R. Carey comes up with the ideas for his novels, but I’m just incredibly glad that he does!
Many thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book.
Merissa (11964 KP) rated Who am I: Prequel to the Semiramis series in Books
Oct 11, 2019
Who am I: Prequel to the Semiramis series is exactly what it says. It is a short novella giving you an insight into the main character's childhood. It shows you just what Alex goes through and why she is the person she is at the beginning of Semiramis Awakened (book one in the series).
It is exceedingly well-written and packs a punch for all it is so short. You will feel for Alex before you even really know her, which is exactly how it should be. The writing is the usual high standard you would expect from a Maya Daniels book, and although there is no world-building per se, it still gives you enough to give you an inkling into Alex's world.
I have already read the three books in this series, and am waiting oh so patiently (!!!!) for the fourth book to arrive. Therefore I already know Alex and what she goes through. Did this impact my enjoyment of this story? Absolutely not. You don't have to read it in order to gain maximum enjoyment out of it. Absolutely recommended!
* 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!
It is exceedingly well-written and packs a punch for all it is so short. You will feel for Alex before you even really know her, which is exactly how it should be. The writing is the usual high standard you would expect from a Maya Daniels book, and although there is no world-building per se, it still gives you enough to give you an inkling into Alex's world.
I have already read the three books in this series, and am waiting oh so patiently (!!!!) for the fourth book to arrive. Therefore I already know Alex and what she goes through. Did this impact my enjoyment of this story? Absolutely not. You don't have to read it in order to gain maximum enjoyment out of it. Absolutely recommended!
* 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!