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The Red Storm (Sleeper #2)
The Red Storm (Sleeper #2)
J.D. Fennell | 2020 | History & Politics, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This time, we have a similar vibe as to the first part, all the story is still set during World War II, but this story has different goals. The protagonist of this novel is still Will, but in this book, we have a second person, adding to the story. I really liked Rose’s story, I think it is really sinister and very intriguing, and I really liked reading about her. This novel keeps some of the earlier characters, but at the same time, it adds a very wide variety of new characters. I think it is really needed because the mortality rate is very high in this book. Will is still my favourite, even though his assassin skills keep improving, his near-death experiences are even more extreme, he still has this charm about him and whatever he does. This book always keeps me on the edge.

I really liked the way J.D turned the narrative of this book. We still have the same historical war feeling, but at the same time, this novel has a lot of futuristic aspects. I like it, but it makes me wonder, what is going to happen in the next book because at the moment I prefer that historical feeling over lasers and fancy spaceships… There is already plenty of those kinds of books.

The plot of this book never stays still, Will keeps running and the action never stops. Every chapter has something new, unexpected turns and twists didn’t allow me to get comfortable with a particular scenario, and that’s what kept me glued to this book. I am pretty sure that the reader could understand what is going on without reading the first part, but to fully understand Will’s and other character’s backgrounds, I would recommend reading the first book as well.

The writing style didn’t change much, it is still very well researched, detailed but at the same time easy and pleasant to read. The chapters are pretty short and fly pretty fast. I really liked that the author chose different settings for the book, I liked reading about different countries and it’s people. The ending is concluding this part very nicely but at the same time left me very curious and intrigued by the upcoming books.

So, to conclude, if you like spy stories, filled with action, great characters and incredible adventures, you have to read this book! I really hope that one day the movies will be made because these books are perfect for the big screen. This is one of my favourite series, and I can’t wait to read the next Enjoy!
  
Song Of The Sparrow
Song Of The Sparrow
Lisa Ann Sandell | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Poetry, Romance.

Type: Stand-alone

Audience/ Reading Level: 12+

Interests: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Historical Reads, Lyricism, Poetry, Retellings.

Point of View: Third person

Promise: A tale of love, betrayal, and war.

Insights: I have no idea where or when I received/ got this novel. But ever since that day, Song of the Sparrow has been one of my favorite retellings of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. My copy is very beaten up, so it’s gotten it’s many of read-throughs in. It also makes me think that I use to be pretty rough with my books. (what in the heck is wrong with you Becca! smh) I remember reading through SotS and thinking of myself as Elaine, the MC. Does anybody else do that? Because it hasn’t gone away with me.

I loved every aspect of this little novel. My favorite part was not only the retelling of King Arthur and the Knights but also how the novel was written in a sort of lyricism way, a lot like poetry. Novels written this way have always drawn my attention and I find them quite refreshing to read when in a slump or trying to get out of one.

Favorite Quotes: “I am Elaine daughter of Barnard of Ascolat. Motherless. Sisterless. I sing these words to you now, because the point of light grows smaller, ever smaller now, even more distant now. And with this song, I pray I may push back the tides of war and death. So, I sing these words that this light, this tiny ray of light and hope may live on. I dare not hope that I may live on too.”

“So long ago now. But you remind me of her, you know. Sometimes I forget that you are not she. Sometimes I forget that I should not blame you for leaving me. It was her. I was her.”

What will you gain?: A new telling of what life back in the olden days was like for a female in an all men village.

Aesthetics: Everytime I read-through Song of the Sparrow, I always stare at the cover. Something about it is just very appealing, not only to the eyes but also with the mind. Another aesthetic I found that I loved was how the story was written like lyricism/poetry.

“And at that moment, a lilting melody lifts to the moon as a single sparrow sings.”
  
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Darren (1599 KP) rated Quatermass and the Pit (1967) in Movies

Oct 2, 2019 (Updated Oct 24, 2019)  
Quatermass and the Pit (1967)
Quatermass and the Pit (1967)
1967 | Horror, Sci-Fi
7
7.7 (7 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Characters – Dr Mathew Roney is one of the team that is set to investigate the discovery, he takes and scientific approach to everything working with the historian to put the pieces together. Professor Bernard Quatermass brings the historical point of view to the table, wanting to study the discovery and using previous historical discoveries to help figure out the truth. Colonel Breen brings the military point of view often looking to use the quick answer over the smart answer. Barbara Judd is a reporter that is trying to put together a story for the public who believe this is an unexploded bomb.

Performances – The performances from the whole cast is great throughout, we believe the scientific figures, the military ones and the reporter looking for a story. the four main stars of the film know how to make the most of their scenes where their character needs to be the larger focus.

Story – The story follows an object being discovered in London while digger to make the underground larger, we follow how the investigation to learn what this could be from different perspectives which shows how this would be handled in real life. We do have twists which comes from the discoveries going on, but for the most part this keeps things simple, with an air of mystery about what could be happening around the object.

Horror/Mystery/Sci-Fi – The horror surrounding this movie comes from what could come from the object, it could bring horrific consequences, this plays into the mystery as we are left with the mystery behind what could be behind it. The sci-fi side of the film comes from the explanation to what could be behind the object and the potential of space being involved.

Settings – The film is set in London and the underground, this is always a tight compact location which will add to suspense and horror in anything.

Special Effects – This film was released in the 1960s, the special effects for the time were great, while we might look down on them now, it showed us just what was capable for the time.


Scene of the Movie – The final act which we are built up to nicely.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – The fact they just look like grasshoppers and no one says this.

Final Thoughts – This is one of the best hammer horror mystery sci-fi horror films out there, it keeps you guessing before letting everything out in the final act instead of giving away too much too early.

 

Overall: Must watch Hammer Horror
  
    Russian Front

    Russian Front

    Games and Entertainment

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    Russian Front is our most ambitious strategy game yet, an operational-level game with a wider scope...

    Imperial Struggle

    Imperial Struggle

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    Tabletop Game

    In 1697 the Sun King, Louis XIV, emerged from a decade of war with his Continental ambitions still...

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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Nov 3, 2021  
Author Laurie Moore-Moore stops by my blog today to discuss squirrel stew in a highly interesting guest post. I'm also spotlighting her historical fiction novel GONE TO DALLAS: THE STOREKEEPER 1856-1861. Enter the giveaway to win your own signed copy of the book - three winners!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/11/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-gone-to.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Sara’s husband was a disappointment in life, but she had to admit he was a handsome corpse.

Climb aboard an 1856 Dallas-bound wagon train and join a plucky female protagonist for the journey of a lifetime in Laurie Moore-Moore’s richly entertaining new book, Gone to Dallas: The Storekeeper 1856-1861. Far from your average historical novel or western, Gone to Dallas is a compelling tale of migration, betrayal, death and dreams—peppered with real people, places, and events. With a cast of interesting characters and more bumps and hazards than a wagon trail, Gone to Dallas tells the unforgettable story of a formidable frontier woman in the context of true Texas history.

It had seemed so romantic when Morgan Darnell courted Sara in Tennessee, finally convincing her they should marry and join an 1856 “Gone to Texas” wagon train traveling along the “Trail of Tears,” through Indian territory, and across the Red River into Texas.

In a twist of fate, Sara arrives in Dallas a 19-year-old widow, armed with plenty of pluck, and determined to open a general store in the tiny settlement of log cabins on the Trinity River. Standing in her way as a young woman alone are a host of challenges. Can Sara (with the help of her friends) pull herself up by the bootstraps and overcome uncertainty, vandalism, threats, and even being shot?

Follow Sara as she strives to create her store while living Dallas’ true history — from the beginnings of La Réunion (the European colony across the Trinity) to a mud and muck circus, a grand ball and the mighty fire that burns Dallas to the ground. Dallas is a challenging place, especially with the Civil War looming.

Even with the friendship of a retired Texas Ranger and Dallas’ most important citizen — another woman — is Sara strong enough to meet the challenge? The risks are high. Failure means being destitute in Dallas!

In Gone to Dallas: The Storekeeper 1856-1861, author Laurie Moore-Moore spins a page-turner of a tale salted with historically accurate Texas events and populated with real characters. It’s Portis’ True Grit meets Texas history.
     
Dunkirk (2017)
Dunkirk (2017)
2017 | Action, History, War
Cinematography (6 more)
Story line/lines (merge)
An excellent cast.
Hans Zimmer's score
Minimalistic dialogue
Spitfires (aerial combat scenes)
Fionn Whitehead, Mark Rylance & Tom Hardy (being cool) .
A minor negative that due to the lack of back story. I believe knowledge of the historical event would be beneficial. (0 more)
Powerful & Immense
This is one hell of a film. It's an epic, all consuming, continually intensifying beast of a movie. The cinematography blew me away with those great big expansive shots. The 3 storyline amalgamation and the timescale structure of this, was superb in my opinion. Each lead in each storyline gave a powerful performance without the overuse of dialogue. Hans Zimmer's score built and built until, at times I felt like I was about to explode. I did feel that I enjoyed the film all the more because I was aware of the situation historically, there is a brief explanation early on but, I would advise anyone who's not aware, to read up a little on the massive scale of this evacuation, the uniqueness of the situation and the dangerous time it was for all involved. Overall, it's a must see at the cinema and to get the best of the sound and those beautiful aerial Spitfire vs Messerschmitt scenes, in Imax if possible.
  
Gentleman's Guide To Vice And Virtue
Gentleman's Guide To Vice And Virtue
Mackenzi Lee | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.9 (18 Ratings)
Book Rating
OH MY GOD THIS WAS INCREDIBLE!!!
Alright, so, I am now going to rant about my wonderful little gay babies (and one ace baby too). Keep scrolling if you're not interested.

Alright, so, first: MONTY WILL YOU PICK UP A DAMN HINT WHAT THE FUCK MONTY WHAT IS THIS SHIT. My little boi Percy is out there, trying to get you to love him, but NOOO Percy could never love the wonderfully fucked up Monty, CAN HE? My babies cannot pick up hints, at all. Like, it's not even funny. However, they have managed to pick up both girls and guys. Like, running naked in The Palace Versailles? Damn Monty, hardcore.

Now, the true hero: Felicity. What a wonderful girl, skilled in practically everything. She. Was. Incredible. I love her so much. Also, her sass in this book is just- WOW. Our homegirl is amazing.

In technical terms, I really, really like this book. I mean, gay historical romances? This is some gourmet shit! All the characters were great, and there was plenty of development, and I just- this was just so incredible. I don't think I've read anything funnier. No, this book was great and ya'll can fight me on it, mmkay? Thanks.