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Midge (525 KP) rated Glow : Book I, Potency in Books
Mar 23, 2019
Innovative & Fresh
The beautiful front cover and compelling premise lured me into choosing to read “Glow : Book I, Potency” by Aubrey Hadley, a book about apocalypse and alienation.
The Maasai Mara Sleeping Syndrome has appeared in New York, and it has wiped out an entire homeless shelter.
The same night of the outbreak, Harper, a seventeen-year-old girl, stumbles across a glowing figure in the desert outskirts of her neighbourhood. As her suburb goes on lock-down, Harper finds herself isolated from her friends and family, and soon begins to suspect that the events - though thousands of miles apart - may have something in common.
Harper must find her bravery and embark on a plot-twisting adventure that will have her looking for answers in unexpected places and different worlds.
Although this book is not from one of my normally preferred genres and it is a longer read than I normally choose, it was still a really enjoyable novel. I can't say that I've ever read anything exactly like it, or even similar. If you are into vampires or spectres then this isn’t for you. It’s just something totally innovative and fresh and that is why I liked it.
The main characters, whilst not necessarily particularly likeable, were a good fit for the story. As for the ending, I usually prefer one that is a little more definitive, unless it is meant to be a cliffhanger.
Overall, whilst it wasn’t one of my best-ever reads, I would recommend this book by Aubrey Hadley. I am guessing that there will be a sequel to “Glow : Book I, Potency,” so I will look out for it.
[Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher, Ruby and Topaz, for a free ARC of #Glow in exchange for an honest review.]
The Maasai Mara Sleeping Syndrome has appeared in New York, and it has wiped out an entire homeless shelter.
The same night of the outbreak, Harper, a seventeen-year-old girl, stumbles across a glowing figure in the desert outskirts of her neighbourhood. As her suburb goes on lock-down, Harper finds herself isolated from her friends and family, and soon begins to suspect that the events - though thousands of miles apart - may have something in common.
Harper must find her bravery and embark on a plot-twisting adventure that will have her looking for answers in unexpected places and different worlds.
Although this book is not from one of my normally preferred genres and it is a longer read than I normally choose, it was still a really enjoyable novel. I can't say that I've ever read anything exactly like it, or even similar. If you are into vampires or spectres then this isn’t for you. It’s just something totally innovative and fresh and that is why I liked it.
The main characters, whilst not necessarily particularly likeable, were a good fit for the story. As for the ending, I usually prefer one that is a little more definitive, unless it is meant to be a cliffhanger.
Overall, whilst it wasn’t one of my best-ever reads, I would recommend this book by Aubrey Hadley. I am guessing that there will be a sequel to “Glow : Book I, Potency,” so I will look out for it.
[Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher, Ruby and Topaz, for a free ARC of #Glow in exchange for an honest review.]
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Never Be Alone in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Joon is eight years old when her parents are killed and she is put into the foster care system. For 4 years, she is with the same family, but the way they treat her is worse than you would an enemy. When Joon has her chance, she runs away an tried to make a life for herself on the streets. She sees more in her short life than many people experience in an entire lifetime. Will Joon be able to survive on the streets or will she succumb to the pressures of drugs and prostitution?
Thank you to NetGalley and Fiction With Meaning for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a book that every person should read. We have all seen a homeless person and I'm sure many of us judge them without knowing their situation and how they got to where they are. For some, maybe living on the street is better than their other choices.
In this story, I could see myself as Joon, going through life trying to survive, but I don't think I could have done all she did. This book will make you cry, it is absolutely heart wrenching. You want to jump in and try to save Joon. According to the Author's Notes(yes I read those), this book was taken from her own experience with homelessness.
Again, this is a book everyone should read. It will make you look at the world and the people in it very differently. We are all human and we all are just trying to make it through life with the cards we were dealt. Some of us were given a great hand, and others the worse, but it's what we do with it that makes all the difference.
Thank you to NetGalley and Fiction With Meaning for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a book that every person should read. We have all seen a homeless person and I'm sure many of us judge them without knowing their situation and how they got to where they are. For some, maybe living on the street is better than their other choices.
In this story, I could see myself as Joon, going through life trying to survive, but I don't think I could have done all she did. This book will make you cry, it is absolutely heart wrenching. You want to jump in and try to save Joon. According to the Author's Notes(yes I read those), this book was taken from her own experience with homelessness.
Again, this is a book everyone should read. It will make you look at the world and the people in it very differently. We are all human and we all are just trying to make it through life with the cards we were dealt. Some of us were given a great hand, and others the worse, but it's what we do with it that makes all the difference.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Next Victim (DCI Rachel King, #1) in Books
May 22, 2019
Exhausted, overworked and trying to deal with two teenagers with little help from her ex; what Rachel King doesn’t need is an early morning call to a murder scene. Added to her complicated life is a series of text messages from an ex-boyfriend/lover who wants to reconnect with her. She loves him but a major problem is that he is a well-known villain, active in an around Manchester.
Leaving the chaos of her home behind her, she arrives at a grizzly scene. A young man has been tortured, cut up and burned then tossed into the canal. There are few clues, a homeless man who heard the cries of the young man while being tortured can give them no help.
And then another body appears on the scene. The only apparent link is that they are gay, beautiful young men.
While all this is happening, Rachel’s younger daughter is kidnapped but there is nothing to suggest where the murderer might have taken her. Meantime, Rachel is trying to keep her relationship with the crime boss a secret from her team but relies on him to help find her daughter.
This is the first book in a new police procedural series, featuring DCI Rachel King and her sidekick DS Elwyn Price, set in and around Manchester. The novel is a police procedural with lots of action.
You will find plenty of twists and turns in this thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The characters and plot are well developed and I couldn't read this fast enough as I was so gripped with the story.
I think this is gonna be another great series from this fabulous author.
Many thanks to Joffe Books via Netgalley for my digital copy.
Leaving the chaos of her home behind her, she arrives at a grizzly scene. A young man has been tortured, cut up and burned then tossed into the canal. There are few clues, a homeless man who heard the cries of the young man while being tortured can give them no help.
And then another body appears on the scene. The only apparent link is that they are gay, beautiful young men.
While all this is happening, Rachel’s younger daughter is kidnapped but there is nothing to suggest where the murderer might have taken her. Meantime, Rachel is trying to keep her relationship with the crime boss a secret from her team but relies on him to help find her daughter.
This is the first book in a new police procedural series, featuring DCI Rachel King and her sidekick DS Elwyn Price, set in and around Manchester. The novel is a police procedural with lots of action.
You will find plenty of twists and turns in this thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The characters and plot are well developed and I couldn't read this fast enough as I was so gripped with the story.
I think this is gonna be another great series from this fabulous author.
Many thanks to Joffe Books via Netgalley for my digital copy.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Demons in the Big Easy in Books
May 22, 2019
Adventurous in her youth, Cassandra built gateways between Domhan and its parallel realm of Earth. Now shes too old for that kind of thing. But something is making it easier for demons to pass into Domhan. Not only that, but their behavior becomes inexplicable: whenever Cassandra banishes one, it laughs at her rather than resists, and it promises it will soon devour her essence and that of every resident of her small village. Cassandra is certain such a thing is impossible, for strong wards protect her village.
But then Cassandras granddaughter Aine falls through an unstable gateway. Cassandra is the only one within a hundred miles capable of creating a gateway and bringing Aine back. Despite her aching joints, Cassandra goes after her, and the gateway lands her in New Orleans. But something goes wrong with her tracking spell, which indicates Aine exists in four different places at once. As Cassandra struggles to find the true location of her granddaughter in the Big Easy, she discovers the source of the demons confidence. Now, with an unlikely pair of alliesher timid granddaughter and a homeless man who may or may not be crazyshe has to not only save her granddaughter but also prevent both Domhan and Earth from being overrun by demons.
I really enjoyed this novella.
Demons in the Big Easy is a short urban fantasy novella following an elderly witch Cassandra as she searches for her lost granddaughter across dimensions.
I think this story has more to tell and would be first in line if the author decided to expand on it.
This story had a perfect mix of mystery, bad guys and horror. I could not believe the end, I never would have thought who the head demon was.
I am hoping for a sequel!
But then Cassandras granddaughter Aine falls through an unstable gateway. Cassandra is the only one within a hundred miles capable of creating a gateway and bringing Aine back. Despite her aching joints, Cassandra goes after her, and the gateway lands her in New Orleans. But something goes wrong with her tracking spell, which indicates Aine exists in four different places at once. As Cassandra struggles to find the true location of her granddaughter in the Big Easy, she discovers the source of the demons confidence. Now, with an unlikely pair of alliesher timid granddaughter and a homeless man who may or may not be crazyshe has to not only save her granddaughter but also prevent both Domhan and Earth from being overrun by demons.
I really enjoyed this novella.
Demons in the Big Easy is a short urban fantasy novella following an elderly witch Cassandra as she searches for her lost granddaughter across dimensions.
I think this story has more to tell and would be first in line if the author decided to expand on it.
This story had a perfect mix of mystery, bad guys and horror. I could not believe the end, I never would have thought who the head demon was.
I am hoping for a sequel!
Louise (64 KP) rated Worst. Person. Ever. in Books
Jul 2, 2018
Raymond Gunt is the Worst. Person. Ever! Raymond is a foul-mouthed man that speaks his mind without any regards to be peoples feelings. Ray who is behind on his rent decides to see his ex wife (Fiona) for a job as a B cameraman, luckily for him she gives him the opportunity to turn his life around and hires him, only the job is in Kiribati for a show called Survival(Pretty much I'm a celebrity get me out of here!)
A homeless guy, Neal, in which Ray started a fight with in the street is employed as his assistant and a friendship is born. Unfortunatley for Ray, life goes from worse to worse and Neal's just keeps getting better.
Things start going downhill from London airport where he gets caught up in all sorts of dramas such dropping an atomic bomb on the Pacific trash vortex!
I am really not sure about this book and how really to rate it, Coupland did a really good job in making me hate the vile-mouthed, sexist, homophobe that is Gunt. I also enjoyed how his life started going down hill but only because of what a horrible human being he is. The other characters in the book such as Fiona (Fi)is just the female version of Raymond and very unlikeable. My favourite character was Neal as he seemed the most genuine out of them all. I found the plot of this book, disasters and characters rather far-fetched.
Every couple of chapters there are subtexts with factual information with regards to the scenario's at the time.
This is Douglas Couplands fourteenth novel, and have to say that I am a bit apprehensive about reading any of his other works.
A homeless guy, Neal, in which Ray started a fight with in the street is employed as his assistant and a friendship is born. Unfortunatley for Ray, life goes from worse to worse and Neal's just keeps getting better.
Things start going downhill from London airport where he gets caught up in all sorts of dramas such dropping an atomic bomb on the Pacific trash vortex!
I am really not sure about this book and how really to rate it, Coupland did a really good job in making me hate the vile-mouthed, sexist, homophobe that is Gunt. I also enjoyed how his life started going down hill but only because of what a horrible human being he is. The other characters in the book such as Fiona (Fi)is just the female version of Raymond and very unlikeable. My favourite character was Neal as he seemed the most genuine out of them all. I found the plot of this book, disasters and characters rather far-fetched.
Every couple of chapters there are subtexts with factual information with regards to the scenario's at the time.
This is Douglas Couplands fourteenth novel, and have to say that I am a bit apprehensive about reading any of his other works.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Curse Marked ( The Marked series book 1) in Books
Jan 31, 2020
Highly recommended
Contains spoilers, click to show
She doesn’t know anything about herself before the age of thirteen. Even the name she now answers to is not her own, but that isn’t the strangest thing about her.
Anne Smith was found on the steps of a homeless shelter with no memory of her life before that moment and a small tattoo-like mark in the center of her back that has grown and changed with each new moon. It’s been almost fifteen years, and the now the mark covers almost every inch of skin on her back.
With good reason, it’s impossible for her to let anyone in, to let anyone get close. Who would believe that her mark burns itself into her skin every twenty-eight days, leaving it larger than before? But, what if there was not only someone who believes her but has the answers to the questions that she desperately wants to ask? Would she finally be able to let people in?
The mark is almost complete. What will happen when there’s no more room left to grow?
Curse Marked is the first story in a medium-burn reverse harem series. Due to strong language and sexual situations, it is recommended for 18+.
I loved this book! I love the whole story! It's non stop action and so easy to follow and read in a good way. From Emelia finding her Uncle, his boyfriend to learning who she is and what she can do. Finding out her powers are so strong from the Dragon inside and the caster. I love her two mates although we hardly know Ronan yet I'm looking forward to getting to know him.
Finding her mother and the truth hoping she can form sort of relationship with her in future books.
Recommended
Anne Smith was found on the steps of a homeless shelter with no memory of her life before that moment and a small tattoo-like mark in the center of her back that has grown and changed with each new moon. It’s been almost fifteen years, and the now the mark covers almost every inch of skin on her back.
With good reason, it’s impossible for her to let anyone in, to let anyone get close. Who would believe that her mark burns itself into her skin every twenty-eight days, leaving it larger than before? But, what if there was not only someone who believes her but has the answers to the questions that she desperately wants to ask? Would she finally be able to let people in?
The mark is almost complete. What will happen when there’s no more room left to grow?
Curse Marked is the first story in a medium-burn reverse harem series. Due to strong language and sexual situations, it is recommended for 18+.
I loved this book! I love the whole story! It's non stop action and so easy to follow and read in a good way. From Emelia finding her Uncle, his boyfriend to learning who she is and what she can do. Finding out her powers are so strong from the Dragon inside and the caster. I love her two mates although we hardly know Ronan yet I'm looking forward to getting to know him.
Finding her mother and the truth hoping she can form sort of relationship with her in future books.
Recommended
JT (287 KP) rated Safe (2012) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
There doesn’t seem to be a lot that Jason Statham cannot do, if he’s not leaping from building to building he’s punching bad guys through walls, as someone told me once “it’s all chewing gum for the mind.”
Safe is pretty much that, Statham plays Luke Wright an ex-cage fighter among other things whose family are murdered after he fails to throw a fight for a Russian mob boss. Instead of sending him to the grave the Russians’ warn Statham that anyone he gets close to they’ll kill. So he becomes a drifter, a homeless loner. That is until he comes across Mei, a young girl with a mathematical mind who has memorized some numbers for the Triads.
The numbers are the combination to a safe containing a $3om haul. However, it seems that the Russian Mafia have taken an interest in Mei as well as a group of corrupt NYPD cops. The film plays out as you would expect it to, with Statham taking the girl under his wing and gets given the chance to kick some ass once again. “You, the garbage collector?” wails one poor Russian, ” I never collected the garbage, I disposed of it” quips Statham.
Safe carries on at cat and mouse pace with everyone after Statham and the girl. There are some great action set pieces as you would expect, and they are performed with ferocious ferocity and cool like choreography. There isn’t anything unusual here really, the supporting cast amble along but stand back far enough to let The Stath do his thing.
The relationship with Mei is formed well and has a believable level of trust between the pair as Wright attempts to play the three chasing parties off against each other. It’s what you’d expect and there is no question of being short changed here.
Safe is pretty much that, Statham plays Luke Wright an ex-cage fighter among other things whose family are murdered after he fails to throw a fight for a Russian mob boss. Instead of sending him to the grave the Russians’ warn Statham that anyone he gets close to they’ll kill. So he becomes a drifter, a homeless loner. That is until he comes across Mei, a young girl with a mathematical mind who has memorized some numbers for the Triads.
The numbers are the combination to a safe containing a $3om haul. However, it seems that the Russian Mafia have taken an interest in Mei as well as a group of corrupt NYPD cops. The film plays out as you would expect it to, with Statham taking the girl under his wing and gets given the chance to kick some ass once again. “You, the garbage collector?” wails one poor Russian, ” I never collected the garbage, I disposed of it” quips Statham.
Safe carries on at cat and mouse pace with everyone after Statham and the girl. There are some great action set pieces as you would expect, and they are performed with ferocious ferocity and cool like choreography. There isn’t anything unusual here really, the supporting cast amble along but stand back far enough to let The Stath do his thing.
The relationship with Mei is formed well and has a believable level of trust between the pair as Wright attempts to play the three chasing parties off against each other. It’s what you’d expect and there is no question of being short changed here.
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