Search
Search results
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated American Gods in Books
Jan 25, 2022
14 of 230
Book
American Gods ( American Gods book 1)
By Neil Gaiman
After three years in prison, Shadow has done his time. But as the days, then the hours, then the hours, then the seconds until his release tick away, he can feel a storm building. Two days before he gets out, his wife Laura dies in a mysterious car crash, in apparently adulterous circumstances. Dazed, Shadow travels home, only to encounter the bizarre Mr Wednesday claiming to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America. Together they embark on a very strange journey across the States, along the way solving the murders which have occurred every winter in one small American town. But they are being pursued by someone with whom Shadow must make his peace... Disturbing, gripping and profoundly strange, Neil Gaiman's epic new novel sees him on the road to finding the soul of America.
This is one book that has always intimidated me it’s one of those that you so want to read but not sure you’ll get it! Well I’m glad I finally got round to it as I loved it. I have to admit I watched the tv series first but it didn’t take anything away from reading the book. It was exactly what I expected although I had a few very strange dreams while reading it. Definitely recommend especially if like me you’re a bit apprehensive.
Book
American Gods ( American Gods book 1)
By Neil Gaiman
After three years in prison, Shadow has done his time. But as the days, then the hours, then the hours, then the seconds until his release tick away, he can feel a storm building. Two days before he gets out, his wife Laura dies in a mysterious car crash, in apparently adulterous circumstances. Dazed, Shadow travels home, only to encounter the bizarre Mr Wednesday claiming to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America. Together they embark on a very strange journey across the States, along the way solving the murders which have occurred every winter in one small American town. But they are being pursued by someone with whom Shadow must make his peace... Disturbing, gripping and profoundly strange, Neil Gaiman's epic new novel sees him on the road to finding the soul of America.
This is one book that has always intimidated me it’s one of those that you so want to read but not sure you’ll get it! Well I’m glad I finally got round to it as I loved it. I have to admit I watched the tv series first but it didn’t take anything away from reading the book. It was exactly what I expected although I had a few very strange dreams while reading it. Definitely recommend especially if like me you’re a bit apprehensive.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) in Movies
Apr 5, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised but just how damn delightful the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie was, and with this sequel, Jeff Fowler has wisely stuck with the formula, added more to it, and the results are just as enjoyable.
Jim Carrey once again steals the show, as a more unhinged Robotnik, closer to his game counterpart than he was the first time around. When coupled with the inclusion of fan favourite characters Tails and Knuckles, alongside series mainstays like the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic 2 runs headfirst into its source material whilst still feeling at home in the real world. It's a good balance.
A lot of the comedy fell flat for me however. A lot of jokes didn't land properly, but it's important to remember that this is a movie geared towards kids, and as such, it's not a huge issue. There's also a kind of discount Meet the Parents side plot that feels wholly unnecessary and drags the mid point, but this is completely made up for by one of the most entertaining final acts in recent blockbuster memory. The final showdown is an unencumbered blast. As someone who grew up playing the Sonic games, it's a joy to behold and is a testament to how fucking fun video game adaptions can be when handled well.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is just a damn good time, and I say that confidently as a grown ass man. Make the trip to the cinema and treat yo self.
Jim Carrey once again steals the show, as a more unhinged Robotnik, closer to his game counterpart than he was the first time around. When coupled with the inclusion of fan favourite characters Tails and Knuckles, alongside series mainstays like the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic 2 runs headfirst into its source material whilst still feeling at home in the real world. It's a good balance.
A lot of the comedy fell flat for me however. A lot of jokes didn't land properly, but it's important to remember that this is a movie geared towards kids, and as such, it's not a huge issue. There's also a kind of discount Meet the Parents side plot that feels wholly unnecessary and drags the mid point, but this is completely made up for by one of the most entertaining final acts in recent blockbuster memory. The final showdown is an unencumbered blast. As someone who grew up playing the Sonic games, it's a joy to behold and is a testament to how fucking fun video game adaptions can be when handled well.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is just a damn good time, and I say that confidently as a grown ass man. Make the trip to the cinema and treat yo self.
Death in a Blackout
8.0
Rate It
Book
The first in a brand-new WWII historical mystery series introduces WPC Billie Harkness - a female...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Dead Man Walking ( Death in a Northern Town book 3) in Books
May 4, 2022
78 of 230
Kindle
Dead Man Walking ( Death in a Northern Town book 3)
By Pete McKeirnon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My name is John Diant. Tortured father to a missing teenage girl, friend to a retro 1980s music obsessed Scouse smart arse and brother to Runcorn’s answer to Chuck Norris, only with less hair and a shitter beard. It has been several days since the zombie apocalypse came to Runcorn and now my home town, is nothing more than a dead town.This is my journal…The comedy horror trilogy continues with Death in a Northern Town 3: Dead Man Walking. Follow John, 80s Dave, Butty and Emily on their journey through zombie infested Runcorn, trying their best to survive against both the dead and the living.
I’ve said it after every book I bloody love this series!! This one was a just as good as the first two. I actually nearly wet myself laughing (or could be I’m getting old and after having 4 kids things get that way 😂😂😂) and also woke my husband at 1am at 80s Daves dream. The Tina Turner nut bush started it but Freddie Kruger and the mayonnaise spoon just had me in bits. I absolutely love this writers style and I still think it’s one of the best zombie books I’ve read. I urge everyone to read it. Also yay for zombie geese and ducks!!
Kindle
Dead Man Walking ( Death in a Northern Town book 3)
By Pete McKeirnon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My name is John Diant. Tortured father to a missing teenage girl, friend to a retro 1980s music obsessed Scouse smart arse and brother to Runcorn’s answer to Chuck Norris, only with less hair and a shitter beard. It has been several days since the zombie apocalypse came to Runcorn and now my home town, is nothing more than a dead town.This is my journal…The comedy horror trilogy continues with Death in a Northern Town 3: Dead Man Walking. Follow John, 80s Dave, Butty and Emily on their journey through zombie infested Runcorn, trying their best to survive against both the dead and the living.
I’ve said it after every book I bloody love this series!! This one was a just as good as the first two. I actually nearly wet myself laughing (or could be I’m getting old and after having 4 kids things get that way 😂😂😂) and also woke my husband at 1am at 80s Daves dream. The Tina Turner nut bush started it but Freddie Kruger and the mayonnaise spoon just had me in bits. I absolutely love this writers style and I still think it’s one of the best zombie books I’ve read. I urge everyone to read it. Also yay for zombie geese and ducks!!
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Aug 28, 2022
Merissa (11953 KP) rated Mask of the Eternal Moon (Legends of Elessia - Shadows Over Garm: #2) in Books
Feb 13, 2023
MASK OF THE ETERNAL MOON is the second book in the Legends of Elessia series and should be read in sequence as this one starts not long after the other finishes.
With the characters now known to me, I was looking forward to getting back into their story. There are multiple storylines going on in this book, and it took a while for me to get them straight in my head. Lucius and Oskar are still together, searching for Memphala. Donata and Hilda go on their own quest. Gotthilf and Helga are at home, and Memphala has her own story too. Not only that but Silas and Frida are new characters that are introduced and they play a big role. So, yep, there's a lot going on!
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book, with all of its twists and turns. Nothing is as expected and the surprises come from every direction. There is action on every page and the pacing moves it along perfectly. There are now slumps in the writing that I found. A brilliant ending that definitely leaves you wanting more.
An amazing story that I am thoroughly enjoying and have no hesitation in recommending!
** 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!
With the characters now known to me, I was looking forward to getting back into their story. There are multiple storylines going on in this book, and it took a while for me to get them straight in my head. Lucius and Oskar are still together, searching for Memphala. Donata and Hilda go on their own quest. Gotthilf and Helga are at home, and Memphala has her own story too. Not only that but Silas and Frida are new characters that are introduced and they play a big role. So, yep, there's a lot going on!
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book, with all of its twists and turns. Nothing is as expected and the surprises come from every direction. There is action on every page and the pacing moves it along perfectly. There are now slumps in the writing that I found. A brilliant ending that definitely leaves you wanting more.
An amazing story that I am thoroughly enjoying and have no hesitation in recommending!
** 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!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Smile Beach Murder in Books
May 26, 2022
Murder at the Lighthouse
After being laid off from her job as a reporter, Callie Padget has returned home to Cattail Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and landed a job at the local bookstore. She is forced to face a tragedy from her past when a friend falls from the island’s lighthouse almost on the anniversary of her own mother’s tragic death at the lighthouse. Callie doesn’t buy the official police ruling of suicide, especially since the victim had just found the first clue to a treasure hunt. Can Callie figure out what really happened? Is the treasure hunt related to the death?
Despite the vacation island setting, this book does have a bit of a more serious tone thanks to Callie’s own past and how the current death impacts some of the characters. It’s a delicate balance that this book handles well. I quickly came to love the characters, and I can only see that love growing as the series progresses. The plot has a bit of a relaxed pace, but it does get us to a logical conclusion. I loved the setting; I can see myself spending a week on the island on vacation. I also appreciated how this book used all the senses to bring the setting to life. This book would be fun on a vacation, but if you are looking for a virtual vacation, you’ll be extra glad you picked this one up.
Despite the vacation island setting, this book does have a bit of a more serious tone thanks to Callie’s own past and how the current death impacts some of the characters. It’s a delicate balance that this book handles well. I quickly came to love the characters, and I can only see that love growing as the series progresses. The plot has a bit of a relaxed pace, but it does get us to a logical conclusion. I loved the setting; I can see myself spending a week on the island on vacation. I also appreciated how this book used all the senses to bring the setting to life. This book would be fun on a vacation, but if you are looking for a virtual vacation, you’ll be extra glad you picked this one up.
Merissa (11953 KP) rated The Dragon Berserker's Mate (Bad Dragon's Bride, #2) in Books
Jan 10, 2023
THE DRAGON BERSERKER'S MATE is the second book in the Bad Dragon's Bride series and it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read book one but found I could easily follow this story. And what a story it was!
Hazel is down on her luck, at home with her stepdad, and needs to escape before things get even worse. She will agree to anything if it means she is free of him and debt-free - even if it means marrying a dragon. The only trouble is, the one she wants is not the one she is expected to marry.
Jay is slowly killing himself as he tries to lock down his dragon. But once he meets Hazel, he realises he will do anything for her, just to see her smile or hear her laugh. And maybe, just maybe, his dragon feels the same.
This was a tale of epic proportions and I loved every word. The writing is so descriptive, every scene was clear to see. There are lots of one-liners in here that just made it even better. The pacing is fast but you never feel as though you are being rushed.
An excellent story with amazing characters that I definitely recommend!
** 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!
Hazel is down on her luck, at home with her stepdad, and needs to escape before things get even worse. She will agree to anything if it means she is free of him and debt-free - even if it means marrying a dragon. The only trouble is, the one she wants is not the one she is expected to marry.
Jay is slowly killing himself as he tries to lock down his dragon. But once he meets Hazel, he realises he will do anything for her, just to see her smile or hear her laugh. And maybe, just maybe, his dragon feels the same.
This was a tale of epic proportions and I loved every word. The writing is so descriptive, every scene was clear to see. There are lots of one-liners in here that just made it even better. The pacing is fast but you never feel as though you are being rushed.
An excellent story with amazing characters that I definitely recommend!
** 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!
Merissa (11953 KP) rated Remedy (Tulip Farm #1) in Books
Sep 8, 2021 (Updated Jul 14, 2023)
REMEDY is the first book in the Tulip Farm series and we're getting ready for the Olympics. Or rather, Peter is, with his horse, Annie. Only something goes wrong and Annie ends up falling on Peter, smashing his leg and his Olympic hopes at the same time. He goes home to Tulip Farm to recover and meets Reed in the process. Reed is good at their job but occasionally butts heads with Senior. That means they aren't scared to do it to Peter.
This is a slow-burn, fast-paced, mystery romance, all bundled up together. Reed has their own past they are running from, plus Katie has an ex to worry about. You are left guessing over which one it is causing the trouble. I enjoyed the interactions between Reed and Peter, plus his family.
There was some horse terminology in here that I didn't understand (not being a horse rider, let alone a competitor) but it didn't have a negative impact on my enjoyment of the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and seeing the relationship build between Reed and Peter. I look forward to returning to Tulip Farm and seeing what happens next. 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!
Sep 8, 2021
This is a slow-burn, fast-paced, mystery romance, all bundled up together. Reed has their own past they are running from, plus Katie has an ex to worry about. You are left guessing over which one it is causing the trouble. I enjoyed the interactions between Reed and Peter, plus his family.
There was some horse terminology in here that I didn't understand (not being a horse rider, let alone a competitor) but it didn't have a negative impact on my enjoyment of the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and seeing the relationship build between Reed and Peter. I look forward to returning to Tulip Farm and seeing what happens next. 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!
Sep 8, 2021
David McK (3372 KP) rated The Protector (William Falkland #2) in Books
Jul 3, 2022
This is the second - and, to date, last - of S.J. Deas's William Falkland series (after The Royalist, at the end of which, and having discharged his investigative duties to Cromwell, William Falkland returned home in search of his wife and family.
As this starts, he has yet to find them.
It's into far into the novel before Cromwell again pulls Falkland into his orbit, offering his (and, by extension, Parliament's) help in discovering just what happened to Falkland's family and where they may be (perhaps in Oxford, the King's new capital?) as the First Civil War draws to a close - help that is, of course, contingent upon Falkland again carrying out an investigation for Cromwell: this time into just what happened to the sister of a prominent supporter of Parliament who has disappeared (abducted?): one Anne Agar, this sister of John Milton.
Yes, that John Milton. The author of Paradise Lost. Although that is never once mentioned here - I think (am nearly sure that) the setting here may be before he wrote that poem.
Once again, the narrative is told in the first-person view, with - once again - a warts-and-all picture given of life at the time, and with Falkland being both incredibly astute and incredibly blind at the same time! In other words, coming across as a 'real' person rather than as a literary construct.
I'm now going to go on record as saying: more, please!
As this starts, he has yet to find them.
It's into far into the novel before Cromwell again pulls Falkland into his orbit, offering his (and, by extension, Parliament's) help in discovering just what happened to Falkland's family and where they may be (perhaps in Oxford, the King's new capital?) as the First Civil War draws to a close - help that is, of course, contingent upon Falkland again carrying out an investigation for Cromwell: this time into just what happened to the sister of a prominent supporter of Parliament who has disappeared (abducted?): one Anne Agar, this sister of John Milton.
Yes, that John Milton. The author of Paradise Lost. Although that is never once mentioned here - I think (am nearly sure that) the setting here may be before he wrote that poem.
Once again, the narrative is told in the first-person view, with - once again - a warts-and-all picture given of life at the time, and with Falkland being both incredibly astute and incredibly blind at the same time! In other words, coming across as a 'real' person rather than as a literary construct.
I'm now going to go on record as saying: more, please!