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Kyera (8 KP) rated Black Moon (Zodiac, #3) in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Black Moon is the third book in the Zodiac series. I've enjoyed the series thus far, so I was intrigued to see where it would go. Sometimes it felt like the plot jumped around, but where the book really shines is in world building. The solar system is populated by 12 houses of people with many more planets and moons. Each house has its own personalities, physical attributes, and fascinating celestial bodies. She describes the various cities that Rho goes to with wonderful detail, building whole worlds in your mind. Each house is home to such varied peoples from the underwater dwelling Scorps with their pale skin and red eyes that allow them to see more in the dark, but cause discomfort in strong light to the tan Cancrians with their blonde hair. Each house embodies a specific attribute and we see that expressed in their people like the ever questioning Sagittarian or the balancing Libran. There's not much to say about the book itself as this is the third in the series, so anything would be spoilers. Highly recommended read for teen/young adult readers who are fans of fantasy, science fiction, and expansive world building.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated The Uninvited Corpse in Books
Mar 28, 2018
You Are Invited to a New Series
Food and lifestyle blogger Hope Early is settling back into her home town of Jefferson, Connecticut, and she is enjoying reconnecting with family and friends. One chance to do that is at her friend’s garden party to celebrate that friend’s new gardening book. However, Peaches McCoy, an ambitious real estate agent, crashes the party. Peaches isn’t well liked in town, but Hope is surprised to find Peaches’ body before the event is over. With the police zeroing in on Hope’s sister, Hope sets out to find the real killer. Can she do it?
This book doesn’t waste much time before jumping into the garden party. That’s both good and bad since it means it isn’t long before Peaches dies, but it also means we meet the suspects and series regulars in a hurry. It took me a little time to keep them all straight, but as their personalities came through, I was able to remember who they all were. The plot does slow down in the second half, but everything comes together for a great climax. This looks like the start of a fun series.
This book doesn’t waste much time before jumping into the garden party. That’s both good and bad since it means it isn’t long before Peaches dies, but it also means we meet the suspects and series regulars in a hurry. It took me a little time to keep them all straight, but as their personalities came through, I was able to remember who they all were. The plot does slow down in the second half, but everything comes together for a great climax. This looks like the start of a fun series.
ClareR (5603 KP) rated Light Years in Books
Nov 13, 2018
A new YA Science Fiction series
This is a new YA Science Fiction series, following 4 students at the Quatra Fleet Academy - an academy that has only just allowed students from planets other than the main Tridian planet. This book centres around themes of friendship, prejudice and subterfuge.
Students are split in to teams, where they man their own practice craft, and there is someone from pretty much each of the planets in their system: Cormack is from Deva, and has taken his dead brothers place, unbeknownst to the academy; Vesper is the daughter of a Tridian Commander and teacher at the academy. She is finding it difficult to live up to her mothers expectations; Arran is from Chetire, and is very intelligent, something that caused him untold trouble at home; and Orelia, who says she's from Loos, but hides a greater secret.
This is a great start to a new series, lots of diversity, excitement, and a fast read. It sets up the next book really well, with a very interesting ending - what a cliffhanger!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.
Students are split in to teams, where they man their own practice craft, and there is someone from pretty much each of the planets in their system: Cormack is from Deva, and has taken his dead brothers place, unbeknownst to the academy; Vesper is the daughter of a Tridian Commander and teacher at the academy. She is finding it difficult to live up to her mothers expectations; Arran is from Chetire, and is very intelligent, something that caused him untold trouble at home; and Orelia, who says she's from Loos, but hides a greater secret.
This is a great start to a new series, lots of diversity, excitement, and a fast read. It sets up the next book really well, with a very interesting ending - what a cliffhanger!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Intrigue in Istanbul in Books
Mar 29, 2023 (Updated Mar 29, 2023)
Racing to Find Her Father
Jane Wunderly has returned home to Boston with her new fiancé, Redvers. However, when they come home, they discover that Professor Wunderly, Jane’s father, has left town, following a lead to an ancient artifact that he’s been hoping to find for years. Since something in Boston needs his immediate attention, they head to Istanbul only to find that he’s vanished. Not knowing if anyone they are meeting is friend or foe, they try to figure out where he is. Will they find him before it is too late?
It was wonderful to be back in 1926 with Jane and Redvers. Fans will be delighted to find that Aunt Millie is back as well. While there are some murders in the book, there is plenty of story to keep the reader entertained before they happen. I was hooked right away and always had a hard time putting the book down. The time period comes to life wonderfully as well. I enjoyed the new characters we met, and I liked watching Jane grow as a result of what she learned. If you are new to the series, you could jump in here. Whether new to the series or already a fan, you’ll find this book enjoyable.
It was wonderful to be back in 1926 with Jane and Redvers. Fans will be delighted to find that Aunt Millie is back as well. While there are some murders in the book, there is plenty of story to keep the reader entertained before they happen. I was hooked right away and always had a hard time putting the book down. The time period comes to life wonderfully as well. I enjoyed the new characters we met, and I liked watching Jane grow as a result of what she learned. If you are new to the series, you could jump in here. Whether new to the series or already a fan, you’ll find this book enjoyable.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Let the Dead Speak (Maeve Kerrigan, #7) in Books
Feb 19, 2018
This is the 7th novel in the Maeve Kerrigan series, but only the second one I have read. I have to say that I am really enjoying this series. The characters are very well rounded and realistic, and the procedural aspect of the mystery is detailed enough to make me feel as though I’m right there in the thick of things.
When 18 year old Chloe Emery leaves her father’s house earlier than planned to return home to her mother’s house, she’s greeted with what appears to be the scene of a homicide, but no body. As Maeve and her team dig into the matter, they find more and more suspects, and more people guilty of something, whether to not it be murder, than they know what to do with. The story is suspenseful, deliberately paced, and full of twists. Let the Dead Speak is a must-read for mystery lovers.
When 18 year old Chloe Emery leaves her father’s house earlier than planned to return home to her mother’s house, she’s greeted with what appears to be the scene of a homicide, but no body. As Maeve and her team dig into the matter, they find more and more suspects, and more people guilty of something, whether to not it be murder, than they know what to do with. The story is suspenseful, deliberately paced, and full of twists. Let the Dead Speak is a must-read for mystery lovers.
Ross (3282 KP) rated The Change 6: Tokyo: Noriko's Story in Books
Nov 6, 2020
A decent self-contained post-apocalyptic novella
The (seemingly) final instalment in the Change series takes another turn and moves setting to the Japanese capital Tokyo. Where we have seen western cities pretty much out of control and descended into either Walking Dead style chaos or Mad Max style tribalism, we now have Tokyo. Everything is controlled by an AI called HA/HA. Noriko's story is told by a narrator, whose identity isn't revealed until late on and is a nice twist. She is on the run from the Electric Samurai, sentinel-like robots that police the city, just trying to get home. As with the rest of the series, she meets strange people along the way and sees unusual events.
Unlike with the previous books, this one has a satisfying ending. Sadly, it didn't close off the loose ends from the other books as I had hoped.
Unlike with the previous books, this one has a satisfying ending. Sadly, it didn't close off the loose ends from the other books as I had hoped.
Debbiereadsbook (1110 KP) rated Facing Fears (Kiss of Leather #7) in Books
May 3, 2018
i can't fault this series!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Book 7 in the series, and you REALLY should read the others first, they work so much better for you, if you do!
We met Master Hunter and Tobey in the previous book, but it wasn't clear they had any scenes, of anything. In this book, Tobey has run home because of something Master Hunter said. And when Tobey decides that home is NOT Idaho, but in the company of those who live and breathe the lifestyle, he knows he has to face Master Hunter again. He just doesn't know if his heart can stand it!
What I particularly enjoyed about this one was, that Master Hunter and Tobey already had their getting together, they had their feelings grow and develop, and this is about them getting back together! And, also, *don't die of shock, here folks!* there is very little sexy time! Yes, yes I know, I KNOW I usually like my books with lots of sexy time, and this whole series has been amazing for that, but this book?? Not needed, at all. Cos what it's about is really two men, getting their act together and telling each other how they really feel! When Tobey gives Master Hunter a chance to explain his comment, well, lets just say, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (and pass the bucket! ? )
The whole saga around Corey's kidnapping takes another turn, and it isn't Corey in danger this time, it's Liam. And Master Neal's world comes crashing down around his ears when he realised Liam is gone.
I mentioned Cruella (working in Master Neal's tattoo studio) in my review for book 6, but thinking back on it (I had already read book 7 before writing that review) I don't think they don't appear til this book. But I stand by what I said, Cruella and Ray would make an excellent edition to this series, even if they aren't in the lifestyle in any way. Cruella is quite the character, and I do love the quirky ones.
I have book 8 to read, but I don't wanna! I don't want this series to end!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Book 7 in the series, and you REALLY should read the others first, they work so much better for you, if you do!
We met Master Hunter and Tobey in the previous book, but it wasn't clear they had any scenes, of anything. In this book, Tobey has run home because of something Master Hunter said. And when Tobey decides that home is NOT Idaho, but in the company of those who live and breathe the lifestyle, he knows he has to face Master Hunter again. He just doesn't know if his heart can stand it!
What I particularly enjoyed about this one was, that Master Hunter and Tobey already had their getting together, they had their feelings grow and develop, and this is about them getting back together! And, also, *don't die of shock, here folks!* there is very little sexy time! Yes, yes I know, I KNOW I usually like my books with lots of sexy time, and this whole series has been amazing for that, but this book?? Not needed, at all. Cos what it's about is really two men, getting their act together and telling each other how they really feel! When Tobey gives Master Hunter a chance to explain his comment, well, lets just say, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (and pass the bucket! ? )
The whole saga around Corey's kidnapping takes another turn, and it isn't Corey in danger this time, it's Liam. And Master Neal's world comes crashing down around his ears when he realised Liam is gone.
I mentioned Cruella (working in Master Neal's tattoo studio) in my review for book 6, but thinking back on it (I had already read book 7 before writing that review) I don't think they don't appear til this book. But I stand by what I said, Cruella and Ray would make an excellent edition to this series, even if they aren't in the lifestyle in any way. Cruella is quite the character, and I do love the quirky ones.
I have book 8 to read, but I don't wanna! I don't want this series to end!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle (The League of Princes, #2) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
The first book in this series was a Sunshine State Young Readers book this year so I used it as a read aloud in my fourth grade classroom. They loved the first one so much I bought the second & third books. We finished this on the last day of school. They thought it was better than the first book & BEGGED me to start the third one. Lol! Then they were lining up to borrow the third one of the summer. They were all mad when o told the, I'd taken it home so I could read it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Stamped Out (A Stamping Sisters Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
April has returned home to work for her father. But the discovery of a skull in an old construction site makes him the prime suspect in a 10 year old murder. Can April figure out what really happened all those years ago? The plot was painfully slow here with a couple of sub-plots taking prominence. Worse yet, I didn't like the majority of the characters, especially April. I won't be reading any more in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-stamped-out-by-terri-thayer.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-stamped-out-by-terri-thayer.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Scream (2022) in Movies
Jan 17, 2022
Ticks all the Scream boxes (2 more)
Good gore effects
Ties in well with the other films
Welcome home Sidney
Good to see this get good reviews from the critics and you can see why. A great entry in the series while being new also pays homage to the original. The have the usual humour and Horror film commentary that has featured before. Plenty of nods to the other films and to Wes Craven, along with some nice touches. It will keep you guessing until the mask comes off. If you love the original you'll definitely enjoy this.