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Lee Ann (116 KP) rated Moonlight Sins in Books
May 18, 2018
This book is so awkward. That's really the only way I can put it. The female MC flits between sounding like a woman in her 20s to a teenager and back again with alarming regularity.
The three de Vincent brothers are flat. It's like JLA picked out three primary alpha male qualities, gave one to each and figured that was enough. Devlin is the silent, mysterious one, Gabe is the easygoing one and Lucian is the playboy. Each trope isn't a bad one, but there's barely any fleshing out.
The plot alludes to ghosts haunting the house, but nothing ever really comes of that other than ghostly footsteps and flickering lights happening here and there but have no real impact on the story, it's like they're used as an excuse for mystery.
The primary storyline is okay - Lucian is painted as a womaniser at first, and the first few scenes with him are boring and predictable. When he first meets Julia, the JLA we know and love shines through for a while, with witty banter and Lucian gets a little bit of padding.
Sadly, the plot seems to lose its way at some point - it's almost like she's trying to hard and throwing as much into the mix as she can to ensure she covers all bases.
The result is a messy read, up and down, good parts and bad. It reads mostly like it should be YA, but with some of the most awkward sex scenes with things like "he caught her nipple between thumb and forefinger and did something that...." lots of sentences in these scenes end with "did something that..." we never find out what that something is lol
Overall, it's not horrible, but it was awkward and clumsy. I do have the second one on preorder, so we'll see..
The three de Vincent brothers are flat. It's like JLA picked out three primary alpha male qualities, gave one to each and figured that was enough. Devlin is the silent, mysterious one, Gabe is the easygoing one and Lucian is the playboy. Each trope isn't a bad one, but there's barely any fleshing out.
The plot alludes to ghosts haunting the house, but nothing ever really comes of that other than ghostly footsteps and flickering lights happening here and there but have no real impact on the story, it's like they're used as an excuse for mystery.
The primary storyline is okay - Lucian is painted as a womaniser at first, and the first few scenes with him are boring and predictable. When he first meets Julia, the JLA we know and love shines through for a while, with witty banter and Lucian gets a little bit of padding.
Sadly, the plot seems to lose its way at some point - it's almost like she's trying to hard and throwing as much into the mix as she can to ensure she covers all bases.
The result is a messy read, up and down, good parts and bad. It reads mostly like it should be YA, but with some of the most awkward sex scenes with things like "he caught her nipple between thumb and forefinger and did something that...." lots of sentences in these scenes end with "did something that..." we never find out what that something is lol
Overall, it's not horrible, but it was awkward and clumsy. I do have the second one on preorder, so we'll see..
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Spooky Little Girl in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Poor Lucy Fisher. Just when she thinks she can go home and relax from a crummy vacation, she finds all her belongings tossed out onto the lawn of the house she shares with her fiance, and to top that off, she then loses her job. The last thing she needs is to be hit by a bus and left to be scraped up by an over-sized spatula (I don't envy whoever has to do that!).
After a slow build-up, the book finally came alive (so to speak) for me at the half-way point, along with the help of her grandmother, Naunie. Told in third-person, Lucy is a slightly flaky, but completely sympathetic character who goes through many moods as she deals with her death and how to become a proper ghost. Along with other clever touches, the idea of having untimely deaths go to a ghost school before arriving in "The State" is utterly fantastic. I wouldn't mind seeing that more fleshed out for another book, although I don't know how that would work. Lucy is helped in her haunting assignment by Naunie, whose exploits in "The State" are hilarious and she really livens up the book and provides many laughs. All the other characters add to the book without either being unnecessary or overused. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Tulip, Lucy's dog before her death, who is the most adorable and sweetest thing ever. No, there aren't really any surprises plot-wise, but it's the journey that matters, and I enjoyed it.
So, even though it started slow, SPOOKY LITTLE GIRL picked up pace and ended up being a cute, funny, charming, thoughtful, and heartwarming little book. I'm glad I got a chance to read this and learn about how this book came to be in the author's note at the end.
After a slow build-up, the book finally came alive (so to speak) for me at the half-way point, along with the help of her grandmother, Naunie. Told in third-person, Lucy is a slightly flaky, but completely sympathetic character who goes through many moods as she deals with her death and how to become a proper ghost. Along with other clever touches, the idea of having untimely deaths go to a ghost school before arriving in "The State" is utterly fantastic. I wouldn't mind seeing that more fleshed out for another book, although I don't know how that would work. Lucy is helped in her haunting assignment by Naunie, whose exploits in "The State" are hilarious and she really livens up the book and provides many laughs. All the other characters add to the book without either being unnecessary or overused. Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Tulip, Lucy's dog before her death, who is the most adorable and sweetest thing ever. No, there aren't really any surprises plot-wise, but it's the journey that matters, and I enjoyed it.
So, even though it started slow, SPOOKY LITTLE GIRL picked up pace and ended up being a cute, funny, charming, thoughtful, and heartwarming little book. I'm glad I got a chance to read this and learn about how this book came to be in the author's note at the end.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Girl A: The Truth About the Rochdale Sex Ring by the Victim Who Stopped Them in Books
Apr 28, 2019
A disturbing read
The true story and crimes referred to in this book are something that I'm aware of as it happened in my local area (I lived in the next town over which is mentioned a few times n the book) but I wasn't aware of the full detail. And this book really doesn't shy away from giving you the full sordid details!
This book relates the experiences of Girl A, the main victim and witness in the huge Rochdale sex ring, and this is not a pleasant read and definitely not one of the faint read. It's hard not to get emotional reading what happened to this poor girl and it's very gripping. It's also very well written and is a truly haunting and disturbing thing to read. Even more so for me as this happened virtually on my doorstep in a neighbouring town.
That said, it isn't perfect. There are some parts that are mentioned heavily earlier on in the book but then are barely mentioned or ignored when it comes to wrapping it up at the end (I.e. what happened with her family). Also, this is a very one sided story. Whilst I have no interest in hearing the abusers point of view or doubt their guilt, I am slightly concerned about the viewpoints on social services, the council and the police. I dont doubt that there were massive failings here, however there are comments made about these organisations that were entirely unnecessary and seem to have been made to further negatively impact people's view of them. It's subjective and from working for the police myself, its not always as clear cut as this. They messed up, but this is only one persons view that maybe a little biased in the first place.
This book relates the experiences of Girl A, the main victim and witness in the huge Rochdale sex ring, and this is not a pleasant read and definitely not one of the faint read. It's hard not to get emotional reading what happened to this poor girl and it's very gripping. It's also very well written and is a truly haunting and disturbing thing to read. Even more so for me as this happened virtually on my doorstep in a neighbouring town.
That said, it isn't perfect. There are some parts that are mentioned heavily earlier on in the book but then are barely mentioned or ignored when it comes to wrapping it up at the end (I.e. what happened with her family). Also, this is a very one sided story. Whilst I have no interest in hearing the abusers point of view or doubt their guilt, I am slightly concerned about the viewpoints on social services, the council and the police. I dont doubt that there were massive failings here, however there are comments made about these organisations that were entirely unnecessary and seem to have been made to further negatively impact people's view of them. It's subjective and from working for the police myself, its not always as clear cut as this. They messed up, but this is only one persons view that maybe a little biased in the first place.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The House in Books
May 22, 2019
Sadie, Fin, and their two children were a perfectly ordinary family. Even if Fin felt taken for granted sometimes. Even if their introverted son, Liam, had terrible nightmares and knew things he shouldn't.
But everything changes the night Sadie is viciously assaulted by former client Lance Sherry. Sherry knows where they live, and when the police fail to catch him, Sadie and Fin are forced to run. They think they've found the perfect place to start over. The house is everything Fin dreamed of, but as they settle in, Sadie discovers their home may not be what it seems, and daughter Lucy's imaginary friend might not be imaginary at all. Or even a friend. With Lance Sherry hunting them, the house could be the least of their problems. He's coming to finish what he started. And he won't stop until he finds Sadie.
This is the kind of book that is not easy to review because you dont want to give anything away.
There is a paranormal element to this, but its almost more evil than what you think about a normal haunting with ghosts. And there is also a real life evil person the characters have to deal with so its a lot on their plates.
The combination of the real and the paranormal was a nice touch.
For the most part, the story is told from both heroines point of view, but at times the reader is also privy to whats going on in little Liams head as well as the villains.
This was a great read to me and I really enjoyed it.
Recommend reading.
Copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley.
But everything changes the night Sadie is viciously assaulted by former client Lance Sherry. Sherry knows where they live, and when the police fail to catch him, Sadie and Fin are forced to run. They think they've found the perfect place to start over. The house is everything Fin dreamed of, but as they settle in, Sadie discovers their home may not be what it seems, and daughter Lucy's imaginary friend might not be imaginary at all. Or even a friend. With Lance Sherry hunting them, the house could be the least of their problems. He's coming to finish what he started. And he won't stop until he finds Sadie.
This is the kind of book that is not easy to review because you dont want to give anything away.
There is a paranormal element to this, but its almost more evil than what you think about a normal haunting with ghosts. And there is also a real life evil person the characters have to deal with so its a lot on their plates.
The combination of the real and the paranormal was a nice touch.
For the most part, the story is told from both heroines point of view, but at times the reader is also privy to whats going on in little Liams head as well as the villains.
This was a great read to me and I really enjoyed it.
Recommend reading.
Copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley.
Isabel Smith (34 KP) rated Jar of Hearts in Books
Jun 26, 2018
You can run, but you can't hide!
What if you got involved with the wrong guy when you were sixteen years old? What if your best friends tied to warn you and you didn’t listen? What if someone ended up dead and no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t help but feel guilty because you were inexplicably involved in their demise? This is exactly what happens to Georgina Shaw (Geo for short), the main character in Jennifer Hillier’s latest crime thriller, Jar of Hearts.
One fateful night, Geo’s bad decisions alter the course of the rest of her life. As the years go by, she finds out just how painful and far-reaching the ramifications of those decisions will become. Even though she tries and tries to forget what happened and move on, the past refuses to stay buried. How far can she run before what she did catches up to her? And by the way, what exactly did she do?
Just when we think we’ve got Geo’s story figured out, Hillier throws us a curveball and we’re right back where we started: clueless and furiously trying to piece together what has transpired. I am quite a fan of this writing technique because it keeps you on your toes while you’re reading the story. Jar of Hearts is not for everyone; it is haunting and disturbing, it paints a picture of a seriously flawed and dysfunctional family, and it features grotesque crimes. On the other hand, it is a fast-paced and addictive read, a nontraditional love story, and it shows how something good can come out of even the worst of situations. Give it a try if you’re looking for a modern crime thriller that holds nothing back.
One fateful night, Geo’s bad decisions alter the course of the rest of her life. As the years go by, she finds out just how painful and far-reaching the ramifications of those decisions will become. Even though she tries and tries to forget what happened and move on, the past refuses to stay buried. How far can she run before what she did catches up to her? And by the way, what exactly did she do?
Just when we think we’ve got Geo’s story figured out, Hillier throws us a curveball and we’re right back where we started: clueless and furiously trying to piece together what has transpired. I am quite a fan of this writing technique because it keeps you on your toes while you’re reading the story. Jar of Hearts is not for everyone; it is haunting and disturbing, it paints a picture of a seriously flawed and dysfunctional family, and it features grotesque crimes. On the other hand, it is a fast-paced and addictive read, a nontraditional love story, and it shows how something good can come out of even the worst of situations. Give it a try if you’re looking for a modern crime thriller that holds nothing back.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated The Conjuring 2 (2016) in Movies
Sep 12, 2018
James Wan's style is all over the film (1 more)
Well made high budget horror
You get exactly what you ask for
First off, if you liked the first conjuring, you will like the second one.
James Wan's classy approach to horror, complete with clever camera movements, tension building sustained shots and a patient approach to scares are still consistent throughout the movie, and there is simply no doubt that this is one of his movies.
The plot continues to follow the controversial Warren's investigations into paranormal events, with the excellent Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga perfectly capturing the cooky and over the top personalities of the Warrens, and adding a bit of light-heartedness to what is otherwise a fairly grim and unrelenting plot-line.
This time the story is set in England and revolves around the story of the Enfield Haunting, a very famous "real story" about a family experiencing a poltergeist in the 70's.
Obviously Wan and Co take this story and ramp it up to 11, introducing new characters and making it much more of a spectacle, and it is largely an enjoyable rollercoaster, with just enough jump scares to keep you on the edge of your seat, but without getting tiring.
Horror Reddits and Forums constantly argue about whether the conjuring 1 or 2 is the stronger film, and I choose not to enter that particular argument, other than to say that one is probably as good as the other, similar in tone and presentation as they are.
Some will argue that these films are not particularly original. and they may have a point.
Still there is no doubt that James Wan delivers on high quality, well made horror, and that is something for us all to enjoy.
James Wan's classy approach to horror, complete with clever camera movements, tension building sustained shots and a patient approach to scares are still consistent throughout the movie, and there is simply no doubt that this is one of his movies.
The plot continues to follow the controversial Warren's investigations into paranormal events, with the excellent Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga perfectly capturing the cooky and over the top personalities of the Warrens, and adding a bit of light-heartedness to what is otherwise a fairly grim and unrelenting plot-line.
This time the story is set in England and revolves around the story of the Enfield Haunting, a very famous "real story" about a family experiencing a poltergeist in the 70's.
Obviously Wan and Co take this story and ramp it up to 11, introducing new characters and making it much more of a spectacle, and it is largely an enjoyable rollercoaster, with just enough jump scares to keep you on the edge of your seat, but without getting tiring.
Horror Reddits and Forums constantly argue about whether the conjuring 1 or 2 is the stronger film, and I choose not to enter that particular argument, other than to say that one is probably as good as the other, similar in tone and presentation as they are.
Some will argue that these films are not particularly original. and they may have a point.
Still there is no doubt that James Wan delivers on high quality, well made horror, and that is something for us all to enjoy.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Rampage (2018) in Movies
Dec 11, 2019 (Updated Dec 11, 2019)
A stupidly fun pile of nonsense
Rampage is a big old pile of dumb fun, teeming with mostly passable CGI, and featuring The Rock fighting giant monsters.
The plot is something along the lines of - big shady corporation is practicing illegal genetic tinkering (in space, because Hollywood), they lose control, space ship crashes, experimental lab must infects a few animals, including a Gorilla that is looked after and raised by The Rock (an ex military badass zookeeper helicopter pilot, because Hollywood), the animals become big and aggressive, blah blah blah, BIG MONSTERS FIGHTING EACH OTHER AND DWAYNE JOHNSON AND DESTROYING CHICAGO.
It's absolutely absurd from start to finish, but it knows what kind of film it is.
The Rock is hugely likable as always, Jeffery Dean Morgan is likable as always, everyone else I can kind of give it take.
The script is pretty standard for this kind of film, but does verge into laughable at times, especially when the films 'villains' are on screen. Played by Malin Akerman and Jake Lacy, they go just a bit too overboard with the whole evil CEO schtick, to the point of annoyance.
Also, Naomie Harris is in it for some reason, but doesn't really serve much of a purpose, and therefore, is a waste of her talent.
The CGI is pretty decent for the most part, but make no mistake, Ramage is a CGI orgy, and as such, it does fall apart here and there (that parachuting scene is just haunting).
Rampage is stupid, loud, obnoxious, but it's entertaining enough to be a good time.
The Rock holds it all together, and it could have been a lot worse had it been lead by someone else, and as far as video game movies go, it's not half bad.
The plot is something along the lines of - big shady corporation is practicing illegal genetic tinkering (in space, because Hollywood), they lose control, space ship crashes, experimental lab must infects a few animals, including a Gorilla that is looked after and raised by The Rock (an ex military badass zookeeper helicopter pilot, because Hollywood), the animals become big and aggressive, blah blah blah, BIG MONSTERS FIGHTING EACH OTHER AND DWAYNE JOHNSON AND DESTROYING CHICAGO.
It's absolutely absurd from start to finish, but it knows what kind of film it is.
The Rock is hugely likable as always, Jeffery Dean Morgan is likable as always, everyone else I can kind of give it take.
The script is pretty standard for this kind of film, but does verge into laughable at times, especially when the films 'villains' are on screen. Played by Malin Akerman and Jake Lacy, they go just a bit too overboard with the whole evil CEO schtick, to the point of annoyance.
Also, Naomie Harris is in it for some reason, but doesn't really serve much of a purpose, and therefore, is a waste of her talent.
The CGI is pretty decent for the most part, but make no mistake, Ramage is a CGI orgy, and as such, it does fall apart here and there (that parachuting scene is just haunting).
Rampage is stupid, loud, obnoxious, but it's entertaining enough to be a good time.
The Rock holds it all together, and it could have been a lot worse had it been lead by someone else, and as far as video game movies go, it's not half bad.
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