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Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox
Finn and the Intergalactic Lunchbox
Michael Buckley | 2020 | Children
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Traveling the Galaxy via…a Lunchbox?
Finn is a typical almost twelve-year-old. He’s got a younger sister who annoys him, he’s struggling to make friends at his new school, he’s being picked on by a bully, and he has a crush on a classmate. His life changes when he accidentally takes his sister’s lunchbox to school one day. When it starts to glow, he discovers that it’s become a portal to another part of our galaxy. On, and this portal is the key to a battle against a race called The Plague that destroys planets. With The Plague now looking at Earth as their next target, Finn is going to have to come up with some kind of plan to save the world.

It’s been a few years since I picked up one of Michael Buckley’s books, so I was thrilled to see he had a new series out. As you might suspect from the description, this is a wild, fast-paced right that I found hard to put down. And I haven’t even mentioned the seven-foot-tall robot yet. I did feel it got a little too apocalyptic for me at times, but that’s a matter of personal taste. The characters are good, although the one that got the most development here was a cliché. The creativity that went into this book is outstanding with lots of details that are fun. Kids will eat this book up and be anxious for the next one when they are done.
  
Palaces and other Prisons (Part of: Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0)
Palaces and other Prisons (Part of: Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0)
TJ Nichols | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
my book brain has questions!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Dawson finds himself, and the oil rig he is working on, left high and dry and on an island in the middle of the North Sea. Ul is king of the island. He knows something changed. The water tastes different and just what is that thing? Only one thing for it, some first contact. But then Ul's markings glow when he meets Dawson. Ul does not have time, nor the heart for a mate.

I liked this, I liked it a lot but I am left with questions! So many questions my book brain is screaming at me!

It was not really explained what Ul and his people are. I mean, they are called krakke, so some sort of kraken type being is assumed but not really fully explained.

How did Dawson get poisoned?? We know it was done, and when. But that's it.

It's not overly steamy, it's more about Ul and Dawson getting to know each other. Loved how Ul's people learn languages, even if Dawson talked the hind legs off a donkey while Ul learned how to speak English!

Basically, I think, there was some fleshing out needed BUT I really did enjoy this book and I want to read more of what happens during the Collapse, as the humans call it. All sorts of mythical beings are appearing in the human world and I want to read them!

4 very good, if slightly questioning, stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Berserker: Hell's Warrior (2004)
Berserker: Hell's Warrior (2004)
2004 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
6
6.0 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Reasonably fun if you like 80s style fantasy. (1 more)
Decent twist in the end.
The budget really shows in the production quality. (0 more)
A less polished Highlander, but with vikings
The first third of the film focuses on a conflict between Vikings and feels like a throwback to 80s fantasy movies. It takes the mythical Valykries and makes them into vampires basically, able to grant immortality and power through a bite.
Without spoiling details, a betrayal occurs that sets a rift between two brothers that are chosen for immortality and power. This rift leads to a conflict that spans centuries as they are reborn again and again to continually face off against each other. One on the name of Odin, the other for his own destiny. The film then jumps to modern times, where the conflict is still going.
The story isn't all that original, but it isn't bad, with a decent twist at the end. The acting for most of the cast is not great, but not bad. The music, however, is quite good.
Overall, it isn't a bad movie, but is severely hurt by production quality and some poor decisions in design. For example, it's difficult to take the protagonist,s enemies seriously when they are running around the city in bear skins and armor. The decision to add an odd and terrible looking glow effect to the Valykries at times or when immortals are killed, was another strike. Despite it's shortcomings, I don't regret watching it. The movie is fun for what it is, and I happen to like 80s fantasy, which whether purposely or not, it captures the feeling of to me.
  
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Hidden Magic ( Harper Shadow Academy 1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
53 of 235
Kindle
Hidden Magic ( Harper Shadow Academy 1)
By Luna Pierce
⭐️⭐️⭐️

A cursed witch, four sexy men, and a shadow realm hidden within their academy.

My name is Willow Oliver, and I’m descended from a bloodline of powerful yet cursed witches. At least, that’s what my mother claims. Most people think she’s crazy.

I never put too much thought into it—the whole being a witch thing—I assumed my strange quirks were something everyone else had.

Flowers don’t glow when you look at them?

When others my age go off to faraway colleges and escape our sleepy town, I stay close to home so I can continue to keep an eye on my mother.

My new academy buzzes with a familiar energy. One that half the student body doesn’t seem to notice. The others simply disappear through hazy shadows, vanishing into thin air. Three of the four men I’m magnetically drawn to have skin that feels like electric when we touch, something magical hidden under the surface of each of them.

The more I uncover, the more I doubt my sanity, making me consider one of two things: I’m going crazy, too, or maybe my mom was right after all.

And if what she said of our lineage was true, will I be strong enough to face the ancient curse that is stealing our power? Or will I succumb to it while risking the lives of the ones I can’t help but care for?

It was good. Good story, decent characters and pretty much what I was expecting. Didn’t blow me away but was a decent read.
  
When the Glow Lights the Woods
When the Glow Lights the Woods
Eule Grey | 2022 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A sweet story where magic can happen.
WHEN THE GLOW LIGHTS THE WOODS is set in a post-apocalyptic world divided in two by a wall. We start off on the rural side with Kite. He contributes to the community by helping out on their farm and being a teacher. This year it is his turn to go to the other side of the Wall and meet those who live there. He is worried as he has been told they are robots and he doesn't want to be assimilated.

When he gets there, he realises just how different things are. Everything seems shiny and new but no one will meet his eyes, apart from one angry-seeming young man called Manu. Kite and Manu learn about each other and try to bring both sides together in time for a seasonal HEA for all.

This was a gentle story of opposites. Both sides thought they were doing the right thing to prevent war, but both sides had something the other needed. I would have liked to have known a little more about the world itself, and what happened to the Elders. I loved the slow romance between Manu and Kite, the lost love between Mal and Nellak, and how each person who went over had their own experiences.

A sweet story where magic can happen. Definitely recommended by 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!