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David McK (3540 KP) rated Star Wars, Vol. 9: Hope Dies in Books
Apr 11, 2019
Now that is more like it.
Collecting Star Wars Comics #50-55 (and, for some reason, a seemingly tacked-on story from Star Wars Annual #4), this finally feels like the Star Wars we all know and love.
I think a large part of that is because this, effectively, in the graphic novel equivalent of the denouement of all the stories leading up to this: the whole thing, really, is one giant battle in space (think Return of the Jedi) after the Rebels secret location is betrayed while they are all gathered in that one place and their fighters are (at least initially) all unable to launch.
And so, we have Vader (in his TIE Advanced prototype) vs Han's Millennium Falcon, a guerrilla raid on the Super Star Destroyer Executor (in order to get the over-ride codes to let those fighters launch), Han in an X-Wing, Luke trusting the guidance of the Force and a lead-in, basically, to the start of The Empire Strikes Back
Collecting Star Wars Comics #50-55 (and, for some reason, a seemingly tacked-on story from Star Wars Annual #4), this finally feels like the Star Wars we all know and love.
I think a large part of that is because this, effectively, in the graphic novel equivalent of the denouement of all the stories leading up to this: the whole thing, really, is one giant battle in space (think Return of the Jedi) after the Rebels secret location is betrayed while they are all gathered in that one place and their fighters are (at least initially) all unable to launch.
And so, we have Vader (in his TIE Advanced prototype) vs Han's Millennium Falcon, a guerrilla raid on the Super Star Destroyer Executor (in order to get the over-ride codes to let those fighters launch), Han in an X-Wing, Luke trusting the guidance of the Force and a lead-in, basically, to the start of The Empire Strikes Back
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Above the Timberline in Books
May 22, 2019
I'm calling this a graphic novel because that's really what it is - it's not a comic, though. Each spread of pages is a mixture of text and oil painting - sometimes just a painting.
If it was just the text, it would be a very lackluster book. There are aspects of the story that are unexplained, and aspects that are explained only by the accompanying paintings. It's really the paintings that make this book unique. It's almost like - an adult picture book, I suppose. It actually reads more like someone found the series of paintings and constructed a story to support what they imagined was happening in the pictures.
Regardless, it's a unique experience. Manchess is a remarkable artist. The paintings are gorgeous, and the book does that thing where the text and art play around each other on the page, creating unique formatting that helps tell the story on its own, like when a full two-page spread of a painting has two lines of text to emphasize them.
Fascinating, beautiful book.
If it was just the text, it would be a very lackluster book. There are aspects of the story that are unexplained, and aspects that are explained only by the accompanying paintings. It's really the paintings that make this book unique. It's almost like - an adult picture book, I suppose. It actually reads more like someone found the series of paintings and constructed a story to support what they imagined was happening in the pictures.
Regardless, it's a unique experience. Manchess is a remarkable artist. The paintings are gorgeous, and the book does that thing where the text and art play around each other on the page, creating unique formatting that helps tell the story on its own, like when a full two-page spread of a painting has two lines of text to emphasize them.
Fascinating, beautiful book.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Blindsighted (Grant County, #1) in Books
Jun 8, 2019 (Updated Jun 8, 2019)
Small town Georgia, big time gruesome crime thriller!!!
Hard to believe this was Karin Slaughters first novel, it’s very well rounded for a debut.
When a young college professor is brutally murdered (and I mean BRUTALLY - i.e. not for the squeamish) it falls to Sara Linton as the town coroner to perform the disturbing autopsy. Having found the victim in the local diner, it soon becomes obvious to Sara that there is a seriously sick individual on the loose.
It’s Sara’s ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, who must head up the investigation along with the only female detective Lena Adams, who is also the victims sister (love small town America everyone is all up in each others stuff - did I mention as well as been the towns coroner Sara is also the local paediatrician….) When another victim is found crucified the tension to find the killer builds, as does the tension between characters.
This book was very graphic, but boy was it entertaining in a disturbing way. Fast paced with plenty of suspense, a great beginning to a series.
When a young college professor is brutally murdered (and I mean BRUTALLY - i.e. not for the squeamish) it falls to Sara Linton as the town coroner to perform the disturbing autopsy. Having found the victim in the local diner, it soon becomes obvious to Sara that there is a seriously sick individual on the loose.
It’s Sara’s ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, who must head up the investigation along with the only female detective Lena Adams, who is also the victims sister (love small town America everyone is all up in each others stuff - did I mention as well as been the towns coroner Sara is also the local paediatrician….) When another victim is found crucified the tension to find the killer builds, as does the tension between characters.
This book was very graphic, but boy was it entertaining in a disturbing way. Fast paced with plenty of suspense, a great beginning to a series.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Long for Me (Luminous, #3) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A boss romance involving BDSM. Sounds like the perfect recipe right? I thought so too, but I wasnt 100% happy with this novel. On one hand, the erotic scenes were as graphic as they were hot. The chemistry between the leads was undeniable.
The being said, I wanted to punch the heroine in the face on multiple occasions. Okay, I know that is a bit extreme. Overreactions aside, she could be pretty obnoxious. I understand that she is supposed to have the PTSD from past abuse back story but she over the top with it. Even after the long extensive conversations with her best friend about the BDSM community, she still cant separate from abuse. Even after going to the club and seeing consenting couples enjoying themselves. She still cant separate it from abuse. I had to put the book down multiple times because she was so annoying.
If that doesnt bother you, or you can get past that aspect, the story is pretty enjoyable.
A boss romance involving BDSM. Sounds like the perfect recipe right? I thought so too, but I wasnt 100% happy with this novel. On one hand, the erotic scenes were as graphic as they were hot. The chemistry between the leads was undeniable.
The being said, I wanted to punch the heroine in the face on multiple occasions. Okay, I know that is a bit extreme. Overreactions aside, she could be pretty obnoxious. I understand that she is supposed to have the PTSD from past abuse back story but she over the top with it. Even after the long extensive conversations with her best friend about the BDSM community, she still cant separate from abuse. Even after going to the club and seeing consenting couples enjoying themselves. She still cant separate it from abuse. I had to put the book down multiple times because she was so annoying.
If that doesnt bother you, or you can get past that aspect, the story is pretty enjoyable.
David McK (3540 KP) rated Star Wars: Screaming Citadel in Books
Jun 30, 2019
This is a essentially a cross-over graphic novel, collecting issues 7-8 of Doctor Aphra, issues 31-32 of the 'main' Star Wars stories, and issue #1 (of 1) of The Screaming Citadel.
As such, the artwork doesn't always mesh, with the story feeling (to me) rather disjointed: here we have Luke teaming up with Dr Aphra (first introduced in the earlier run of these comics) to investigate the Screaming Citadel, where the queen of said Citadel only opens up her doors once a year to receive supplicants from all over the galaxy.
Why the team up? Because Dr Aphra has a Jedi Holocron, and Luke - at this point (pre Empire Strikes Back, remember!) is in lack of a teacher. And what does Dr Aphra get out of it? Knowledge.
What this then devolves into - for my money - is a pretty standard double and triple-cross tale, with Luke eventually learning that there are no short cuts to learning the ways of the Force, and with a set-up for a yet-to-be-followed-up-on sequel to the story.
As such, the artwork doesn't always mesh, with the story feeling (to me) rather disjointed: here we have Luke teaming up with Dr Aphra (first introduced in the earlier run of these comics) to investigate the Screaming Citadel, where the queen of said Citadel only opens up her doors once a year to receive supplicants from all over the galaxy.
Why the team up? Because Dr Aphra has a Jedi Holocron, and Luke - at this point (pre Empire Strikes Back, remember!) is in lack of a teacher. And what does Dr Aphra get out of it? Knowledge.
What this then devolves into - for my money - is a pretty standard double and triple-cross tale, with Luke eventually learning that there are no short cuts to learning the ways of the Force, and with a set-up for a yet-to-be-followed-up-on sequel to the story.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Hercules (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Dwayne “no longer the Rock” Johnson shares his acting skills with the world again.
Action star, sure; drama star, not so much.
In this graphic novel adaptation Hercules is made out to be a questionable
demi-god. With a spectacular retelling of his legendary labors, the story begins
showing Hercules as a sword-for-hire. His band of mercenaries helps him use the fame
to intimidate enemies and garner business.
Haunted by his past, the loss of Alcmene and 3 children, Hercules is offered his
weight in gold to save a kingdom from a tyrant.
Hercules sets off on his quest, hoping soon to be done with it all and retire on a
remote island to live out his days.
This star studded cast lends some great acting skill, Johnson withstanding, to the
big screen. The action will entertain, and the humor will grant a chuckle.
I found the story compelling, but I also feel like humor and the main actor were
Worth seeing but probably better suited for an at-home viewing.
Action star, sure; drama star, not so much.
In this graphic novel adaptation Hercules is made out to be a questionable
demi-god. With a spectacular retelling of his legendary labors, the story begins
showing Hercules as a sword-for-hire. His band of mercenaries helps him use the fame
to intimidate enemies and garner business.
Haunted by his past, the loss of Alcmene and 3 children, Hercules is offered his
weight in gold to save a kingdom from a tyrant.
Hercules sets off on his quest, hoping soon to be done with it all and retire on a
remote island to live out his days.
This star studded cast lends some great acting skill, Johnson withstanding, to the
big screen. The action will entertain, and the humor will grant a chuckle.
I found the story compelling, but I also feel like humor and the main actor were
Worth seeing but probably better suited for an at-home viewing.
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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Death Of Stalin (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Several Russian politicians desperately attempt to solve the question (by scheming, plotting and conspiring) of who is to assume leadership of the Soviet Union after the death of dictator Joseph Stalin in 1953.
I'm amazed at how many films that come out I haven't heard of in advance. This being one of them. It's not my sort of film, and yet it is, all in one go. The trailer was amusing and intriguing, and I knew I had to see it. Then, as if by magic, it appeared as an Unlimited Screening.
With such a varied cast I honestly had no clue what to expect. From Michael Palin to Steve Buscemi... come on! But I, just like everyone else in the screen, was amused and left laughing. I'm not entirely sure we knew what we were watching though, not because it was confusing, but because it is a weird combination of all sorts of different things. You leave and you wonder what you really watched. One thing's for sure, I really want to read the graphic novel now.
I'm amazed at how many films that come out I haven't heard of in advance. This being one of them. It's not my sort of film, and yet it is, all in one go. The trailer was amusing and intriguing, and I knew I had to see it. Then, as if by magic, it appeared as an Unlimited Screening.
With such a varied cast I honestly had no clue what to expect. From Michael Palin to Steve Buscemi... come on! But I, just like everyone else in the screen, was amused and left laughing. I'm not entirely sure we knew what we were watching though, not because it was confusing, but because it is a weird combination of all sorts of different things. You leave and you wonder what you really watched. One thing's for sure, I really want to read the graphic novel now.