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Down Among The Sticks And Bones
Down Among The Sticks And Bones
Seanan McGuire | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Overall not a bad book - I really enjoyed listening to it over reading - I like the back stories now of those that are at the home, etc. - The twins were actually some of my favourite children in book 1 so getting to know them and their past and their door was actually pretty amazing - I kept getting confused between Jack/Jill I won't lie - and unexpected romance of sorts happened too and I am living - can't wait to continue the series
  
Through the Storm (The Solar Storms #1)
Through the Storm (The Solar Storms #1)
Kyle Pratt | 2028 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

There have been countless books written about what would happen if a catastrophic event shut down all electronics on Earth. Usually they are set well after the event occurred. "Through the Storm (The Solar Storms #1)", however, starts just before the event and shows how fast civilization as we know it would collapse. The story follows a family of a father and his two sons and their ensuing struggle. Neal Evans, the father still grieving over the death of his wife, is at a conference and Connor, the oldest son, is away from home hunting when the event occurs. Drake, a high school freshman, is home alone on the farm and does not realize anything is wrong until hours after the event. I had not really considered how fast people would panic and therefore how fast the situation would turn dangerous. Kyle Pratt's style moves the story quickly but includes enough detail to keep readers caring about the Evans family's survival. This book is the first in the "Solar Storms" series. Its publication date was September 2017 and no date has been announced for other books in the series. Pratt's other series is called "Strengthen What Remains" and has concluded.
  
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Eamon T.Hennedy (4 KP) rated The Mindy Project - Season 1 in TV

Jun 21, 2019 (Updated Jun 21, 2019)  
The Mindy Project  - Season 1
The Mindy Project - Season 1
2012 | Comedy
The first season of Mindy Kaling's comedy drama, along with its second, is probably one of the best romantic comedies to come from American network television in a while. In fact, the one that is equal to it is New Girl and they were both on Fox at the same time and shared the same night in the UK where they aired on E4.

In a time when adult flavoured romantic comedies are dying at the box office and are finding a home on streaming services such as Netflix, it's good to see that there is a conventional home for themand right from its opening episode, The Mindy Project is all about someone who has watched too many romantic comedies and wants their life to be one.

There are many references throughout to the works of Nora Ephron and Garry Marshall, and with Kaling on writing and lead acting duties, the series work wonders. Even better, it's filled with an ensemble cast that works brilliantly. The series will have a rotating cast throughout its six season on the air, but it says something that at this stage that Ike Barinholtz is a scene stealer from the point he shows up.

The cast does rotate around the place until it settles down in season two, the most notable high profile member of the first season being Anna Camp who disappears halfway through, while Amanda Setton's character Shauna also disappears without a mention.

It would be nothing without Kaling who holds it together brilliantly. The first two seasons are a lighter concoction compared to where the series will go post-season two, not to mention its move to Hulu, but with rom-com successes like Crazy Rich Asians being all too rare nowadays, it's good to know a series with charm, sophistication, and not afraid of the odd fart joke every now and then could find a home on a mainstream network, even if it was for three seasons.
  
The Secret Admirer (Detective Natalie Ward Book 6)
The Secret Admirer (Detective Natalie Ward Book 6)
Carol Wyer | 2020 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
6th book in the series. Read the other 1st. Worth it.
‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

The Secret Admirer is the 6th book in Carol Wyer's Detective Natalie Ward series. I enjoyed books 1 - 4 and was surprised to learn I had missed the 5th, The Blossom Twins. I read it before beginning this and I am so glad I did.

Detective Natalie Ward is immediately thrust into a case after she returns to work. A student is found dead from an acid attack. As Ward has learned, everyone has secrets. Now, she has to uncover the secrets surrounding Gemma and her murder.

All of the books in the series focus on a crime and the police team's interactions with each other and with their home life. This book continues the storyline well. Ward's family, the team and their families continue to be a large presence in the story.

Often, I will say you could start the series with the current book but you would not understand the characters as well. This is true here but Wyer brings the characters to life in such a way it feels she is writing about real people. I strongly encourage you to read the whole series and start at the beginning. You will be in for a great read.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 4/2/2020.
  
Empire in Black & Gold
Empire in Black & Gold
Adrian Tchaikovsky | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This 10 book series deals with a future state of the human race where humans have evolved into different types of insect, each race taking on the traits of those insects (eg Beetles are hard-working but slow, Spiders are cunning and conniving, Moths are dark and mysterious, Wasps are evil and annoying etc).
This, the first in the series sees Stenwold Maker start to rediscover old fears of the Wasp Empire attempting to invade the peaceful, lowland city states. With nobody in his home city believing him he gathers together a crew of his students and old friend to find out what is happening on the borders of the empire.
This is one of the best books of the series, and a lot of action to come is set up here. I don't know if Tchaikovsky has intended to make this a whopping 10 books at this stage but it certainly felt like the start of something.
The action and fight scenes are well described but not laboured, and enough background to the world is given to understand it, though not in detail (just accept it and move on).
A large number of characters are introduced throughout the series, so it is worth getting to know them from the off.
  
Great character depth (1 more)
Strong world building
Phenomenal
This book saved my life. Though this wasn't the first book published in the series, it's where the story truly begins. For fans of Drizz't Do'Urden who haven't started with this book, it's the best place to get to know our favorite Dark Elf. This book explores his childhood starting with the day of his birth and moving through everything that made him leave his home and take the first steps on what becomes an amazing journey.
  
Rebecca Robbins has returned to her small home town just long enough to sell her mother's roller rink. But when the town handy man is found murdered in the women's bathroom, she realizes she needs to get his murder solved quickly since no one is interested in it. A typical cozy series debut, but I really enjoyed the characters and found the story fun.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-skating-around-law-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

May 16, 2021  
Come see a cool scrapbook page from Covey's travels from the mystery novel THE CHINESE MURDER OF EDWARD WATTS by Shelly L. Williams on my blog. Enter the giveaway to win signed copies of all the books in the series!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/05/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-chinese.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Covey and JayJay travel to China and then return home to deal with shady characters, spies, gangsters, and other tough customers. In an exciting last act, they solve a murder most foul.
     
This is the second book in the Lighthouse Library Mystery series, but you can jump right in without feeling like you have missed anything. I loved the lighthouse / library setting – it feels cozy and calm, at least until a murder takes place right outside. I also liked the cast of characters in this one. Lucy has believable problems, and the supporting cast are a likable bunch. The mystery itself was fast paced and not too obvious. I will definitely go back and read number one in the series.

With a home perched above a library full of books, a lighthouse, a murder, and a library cat – this was a perfect cozy read!

***NOTE: I received an advanced review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review***
  
All That Glitters (Geek Girl, #4)
All That Glitters (Geek Girl, #4)
Holly Smale | 2015 | Contemporary, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think this was the most heartbreaking book of the series so far. It still had it’s funny parts, but it was actually quite sad. It really broke my heart when Harriet discovered that a lot of her ‘friends’ didn’t really care about her.

All of the main characters are lovable and being this far into the series, Harriet felt like a good friend to me. Her story was always close to my heart.

I did prefer the setting of this book since it is in a school and at home rather than Harriet jetting off somewhere as it made it easier to read and relate to.

This was definitely one of the most relatable books altogether, especially with the painfully truthful part about losing friends.

Harriet really started to mature in this one which really helped me love her character even more.

I don’t know why I never read past this point. A few months ago I bought the last two books so I can’t wait to get back to this series!

Buy All That Glitters from Amazon here.