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Sarah (7798 KP) rated Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8 in Books
Mar 19, 2018
A great introduction to the City Watch
You've got to hand it to Terry Pratchett, he knows how to write a good fantasy novel.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
Moke J Dupman (12 KP) rated Humanarium (Book One in the Humanarium Series) in Books
Sep 9, 2018 (Updated Sep 9, 2018)
One of the best books I read this summer
Best book I’ve read in months! Humanarium by C. W. Tickner is an imaginative, well told story. I love the characters and the plot shows depth on many levels. The book is complete with heroes, bad guys, unfamiliar worlds, excitement, and just a dollop of romance. I also appreciate very much how Mr. Tickner incorporates unity among humans who are sometimes quite different from one another into the story. Some scenes were especially good, such as the return journey thru Drew’s tank. Movie worthy, indeed!
Parts of the story remind me of how humans often keep wild animals as pets for their personal enjoyment when they would be much better off left in their own environment. You’ll see why when you read it...no spoilers from me!
I’m left just intrigued enough to get me to want to read the next book. Going into more detail would give away too much, but there are some mysteries that I hope will be answered in books to follow. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to Mr. Tickner’s next release! All in all, I found Humanarium to be thoroughly fascinating and enjoyable and give it a rating of 4.7/5 ⭐️
Parts of the story remind me of how humans often keep wild animals as pets for their personal enjoyment when they would be much better off left in their own environment. You’ll see why when you read it...no spoilers from me!
I’m left just intrigued enough to get me to want to read the next book. Going into more detail would give away too much, but there are some mysteries that I hope will be answered in books to follow. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to Mr. Tickner’s next release! All in all, I found Humanarium to be thoroughly fascinating and enjoyable and give it a rating of 4.7/5 ⭐️
Deborah (162 KP) rated A Kiss at Midnight (Fairy Tales, #1) in Books
Dec 19, 2018
I always feel I should like James' books more than I actually do. The first one I read, Much Ado About You, wasn't bad, but since that nothing of hers that I've read has quite hit the spot. I picked A Kiss at Midnight up as part of a 3 for £5 deal in the publishers outlet bookshop, and for that it was OK, but I'm glad I didn't pay any more for it.
For me, the whole thing doesn't hang together comfortably. The hero didn't feel that developed and it was hard to see what the heroine saw in him - obviously when he started getting his shirt off, it gave you a bit more of an idea, but I want something a bit less superficial... You expect the heroine to have more backbone than she really does. She's not going to sleep with him - and then she capitulates. She likes as a virtual slave to her nasty stepmother for seven years and then puts her foot down over impersonating her stepsister.
Entertainment enough for a quick read, but definitely not a keeper for me. A shame, as I usually have a weakness for heroes named Gabriel (Gabriel Cynster, Gabriel Jones....).
For me, the whole thing doesn't hang together comfortably. The hero didn't feel that developed and it was hard to see what the heroine saw in him - obviously when he started getting his shirt off, it gave you a bit more of an idea, but I want something a bit less superficial... You expect the heroine to have more backbone than she really does. She's not going to sleep with him - and then she capitulates. She likes as a virtual slave to her nasty stepmother for seven years and then puts her foot down over impersonating her stepsister.
Entertainment enough for a quick read, but definitely not a keeper for me. A shame, as I usually have a weakness for heroes named Gabriel (Gabriel Cynster, Gabriel Jones....).
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated In Stitches: The Highs and Lows of Life as an A&E Doctor in Books
Jan 12, 2020
Dr Nick gives a very comedic but serious insight into what life is really like to doctors who work in the busy accident and emergency departments in UK hospitals!
The book is written as a series of blog style entries that work as chapters. Dr Nick expresses the trials and tribulations, the highs and the lows, the many emotions faced by an overworked and unfunded group of individuals. However, he also goes as far as to share his thoughts on the unfairness of other staff working in hospitals, the failures underpinning the mental health support due to lack of funding, the idiotic ways governments try to cut spending without considering the impacts on the staff and individuals requiring access to services and the devastation that alcohol and drug abuse is having on the health system!
These individuals go through a lot of abuse, and work long long hours, are forced to move around frequently, face being sued daily, and still work hard despite a lack of funding and resources to ensure that people are nursed back to health, or are given the support they need should a loved one not make it, and still be expected to smile! NHS staff are heroes to me
The book is written as a series of blog style entries that work as chapters. Dr Nick expresses the trials and tribulations, the highs and the lows, the many emotions faced by an overworked and unfunded group of individuals. However, he also goes as far as to share his thoughts on the unfairness of other staff working in hospitals, the failures underpinning the mental health support due to lack of funding, the idiotic ways governments try to cut spending without considering the impacts on the staff and individuals requiring access to services and the devastation that alcohol and drug abuse is having on the health system!
These individuals go through a lot of abuse, and work long long hours, are forced to move around frequently, face being sued daily, and still work hard despite a lack of funding and resources to ensure that people are nursed back to health, or are given the support they need should a loved one not make it, and still be expected to smile! NHS staff are heroes to me
Amy Norman (1042 KP) rated The Cruel Prince in Books
Apr 1, 2020
I picked this up as a recommendation from my local library, and wasn't disappointed!
I have been lucky enough to pick up the follow up books one after the other, I think having to wait for the next parts would have been far too frustrating.
Holly weaves a fantastical world with perfectly imperfect characters, that you can't help but gravitate towards.
This was a great starter book but the next two in the series were even better.
If you enjoy fantasy lands that intersect with our own, combined with weird and wonderful creatures. Assassin's in training, and the beginnings of many schemes to go awry then this will be perfect for you.
There is also magic in this land but it is not showy, and doesn't become the be all and end all focus, as so many books with magic potential do, and often fall flat because of it.
There is great character development, and you will be torn over whether you should be rooting for 'heroes' or 'villains', and there is a lot of grey area around that.
Please do go and read this series, Holly is a fantastic writer and you can really feel the care and love she has put into building this world, you won't regret picking it up.
I have been lucky enough to pick up the follow up books one after the other, I think having to wait for the next parts would have been far too frustrating.
Holly weaves a fantastical world with perfectly imperfect characters, that you can't help but gravitate towards.
This was a great starter book but the next two in the series were even better.
If you enjoy fantasy lands that intersect with our own, combined with weird and wonderful creatures. Assassin's in training, and the beginnings of many schemes to go awry then this will be perfect for you.
There is also magic in this land but it is not showy, and doesn't become the be all and end all focus, as so many books with magic potential do, and often fall flat because of it.
There is great character development, and you will be torn over whether you should be rooting for 'heroes' or 'villains', and there is a lot of grey area around that.
Please do go and read this series, Holly is a fantastic writer and you can really feel the care and love she has put into building this world, you won't regret picking it up.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Planes: Fire And Rescue (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
In “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” Dusty Crophopper (Dane Cook), the former dust cropper turned racing plane, has become one of the top racing competitors. Unfortunately, his racing days are over when he damages his gearbox, a discontinued model that cannot be replaced, rendering him unable to push himself to top speeds.
In attempt to keep Propwash Junction, the beloved airport that Dusty calls home, from being shut down due to a lack of fire trucks and planes, Dusty volunteers to train to become a fire fighter. Dusty travels to Piston Peak National Forest to learn how to fight fires from Blade Ranger (Ed Harris) and his brigade of firefighters.
The sequel to Disneytoons Studio, “Planes” movie is far superior than its predecessor. I must admit I was very disappointed in the first installment due to its lack of connection to the characters and an unengaging storyline. It’s easier to connect with these heroes. In this film, we get a glimpse of the life of firefighters and how they risk their lives every day putting out fires to save people, wildlife, and nature. There are several perilous firefighting rescue scenes which keeps you on the edge of your seat. I enjoyed every second.
In attempt to keep Propwash Junction, the beloved airport that Dusty calls home, from being shut down due to a lack of fire trucks and planes, Dusty volunteers to train to become a fire fighter. Dusty travels to Piston Peak National Forest to learn how to fight fires from Blade Ranger (Ed Harris) and his brigade of firefighters.
The sequel to Disneytoons Studio, “Planes” movie is far superior than its predecessor. I must admit I was very disappointed in the first installment due to its lack of connection to the characters and an unengaging storyline. It’s easier to connect with these heroes. In this film, we get a glimpse of the life of firefighters and how they risk their lives every day putting out fires to save people, wildlife, and nature. There are several perilous firefighting rescue scenes which keeps you on the edge of your seat. I enjoyed every second.
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