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Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated Should You Keep A Secret? in Books
Apr 14, 2022
This book didn’t capture me as much as I thought it would by the blurb, but once I got into it I didn’t want to put it down (until I had to, but then I struggled to pick it back up again for some reason!).
The book is based around the idea of finding something out about a friend’s other half and then the dilemma of whether you tell them and potentially blow up their relationship, or whether you keep it to yourself but feel guilty every time you see your friend.
It was interesting to see how the friends wrestled with the idea of whether to tell their friend or not and the way in which they went about it. It was also interesting to follow the fall out, and see what happened to the relationship afterwards.
I also liked how we had chapters from different people’s perspectives and we got to know them a bit more and also found that, although from an outsider’s point of view their lives might seem pretty good, everyone has their own demons and own problems to deal with.
I didn’t like how we switched between first person and third person narratives, and wasn’t completely sure why the only first person narrative was for Stella, I would have preferred all first person (the chapters told you when the character had changed) or all third person rather than a mix.
However, overall this wasn’t a bad book to read. The secret was pretty ridiculous, but I suppose that’s one way to keep you reading, and I felt annoyed by some of the characters decisions. But it was something a little different to my usual reads.
The book is based around the idea of finding something out about a friend’s other half and then the dilemma of whether you tell them and potentially blow up their relationship, or whether you keep it to yourself but feel guilty every time you see your friend.
It was interesting to see how the friends wrestled with the idea of whether to tell their friend or not and the way in which they went about it. It was also interesting to follow the fall out, and see what happened to the relationship afterwards.
I also liked how we had chapters from different people’s perspectives and we got to know them a bit more and also found that, although from an outsider’s point of view their lives might seem pretty good, everyone has their own demons and own problems to deal with.
I didn’t like how we switched between first person and third person narratives, and wasn’t completely sure why the only first person narrative was for Stella, I would have preferred all first person (the chapters told you when the character had changed) or all third person rather than a mix.
However, overall this wasn’t a bad book to read. The secret was pretty ridiculous, but I suppose that’s one way to keep you reading, and I felt annoyed by some of the characters decisions. But it was something a little different to my usual reads.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated A Series of Unfortunate Events - Season 1 in TV
Apr 20, 2019
This is how you adapt a book to a tv show!
A Series of Unfortunate Events is one of my all-time favorite book series and when I found out Netflix was going to be making it into a TV show I'm not going to lie I was excited. The books are just so fun and strange and wonderful that I really wanted to put full faith into them to do a really good adoption and let me tell you I was not let down. From the very first opening of the very first scene you knew they were going to stay true to the book. The set design was absolutely perfection the casting was even better somehow Neil Patrick Harris meet such a perfect Count Olaf and the three actors that played the baudelaire children you're absolutely amazing.
I blew through the first season in the first day in one sitting because I just could not stop watching! I wanted to cry because of just how an amazing of a job adapting the books. It was almost word for word correct abd what was changed was foe the best and I didn't mind at all!
And best of all they kept all the dark humour of the books!
Also they ended on thw perfect book/episode.
I blew through the first season in the first day in one sitting because I just could not stop watching! I wanted to cry because of just how an amazing of a job adapting the books. It was almost word for word correct abd what was changed was foe the best and I didn't mind at all!
And best of all they kept all the dark humour of the books!
Also they ended on thw perfect book/episode.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated The Silent Patient in Books
Jan 22, 2019
Alicia Berenson is an artist who shoots her husband five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.
Theo Faber is the criminal psychotherapist who wants to fix her.
The backstory helps to fill in details about both characters, of course, but at one point early on I found myself wondering if I really needed that much background info about Theo. I'm just going to tell you that yes, you do need that info. Nothing in this book is done by accident. The secondary characters are very much secondary characters, in that they seem to be far less interesting than either Alicia or Theo. They do what they're designed to do and further the plot, not much more. Until.
And I really can't give you much more than that. This is a book that depends upon the reader being fooled by the twist - and what a twist it is! I appreciate a good twist, assuming I didn't see it coming, and in this case I definitely did not.
This is a hell of a debut novel, and I truly hope to read more from this author. The movie rights have already been optioned by Plan B Productions / AnnaPurna Pictures, and I cannot wait to see how this story translates to the big screen.
Thanks to Celadon Books for the ARE!
Theo Faber is the criminal psychotherapist who wants to fix her.
The backstory helps to fill in details about both characters, of course, but at one point early on I found myself wondering if I really needed that much background info about Theo. I'm just going to tell you that yes, you do need that info. Nothing in this book is done by accident. The secondary characters are very much secondary characters, in that they seem to be far less interesting than either Alicia or Theo. They do what they're designed to do and further the plot, not much more. Until.
And I really can't give you much more than that. This is a book that depends upon the reader being fooled by the twist - and what a twist it is! I appreciate a good twist, assuming I didn't see it coming, and in this case I definitely did not.
This is a hell of a debut novel, and I truly hope to read more from this author. The movie rights have already been optioned by Plan B Productions / AnnaPurna Pictures, and I cannot wait to see how this story translates to the big screen.
Thanks to Celadon Books for the ARE!
Mothergamer (1568 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Vampyr in Video Games
Nov 16, 2020
The game is not totally terrible. I found the concept interesting and being set in 1918 London during the influenza epidemic and World War I made for an interesting setting. I really wished that there was fast travel in the game because walking back and forth between neighborhoods for quests and gathering information could be really tedious. I also felt that the game was hindered by the lack of a manual save because sometimes conversations would go wrong if you picked the wrong choice with an NPC and you would lose the clue forever and there's no way to redo it unless you want to start the entire game over again. I truly don't understand why that decision was made by the game developers and it could be really frustrating to use a conversation hint and not be able to have a redo. The combat isn't bad, figuring out what vampire abilities worked best for each fight was intriguing, but it wasn't too challenging which I liked. The story is good, but not great because there were some unanswered questions and some plot holes leaving more questions. Overall, I did enjoy the story and I'm glad I played through it at least once. Full Mothergamer review is here: http://lorrie28-mothergamer.blogspot.com/2020/11/mothergamer-plays-vampyr.html
Lovely little short book that left me wanting more! I haven’t read A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder, but I got the feeling from this prequel that it was the murder mystery dinner that ignited the passion in Pip to try and solve the murder that happened in her little town 5 years previously.
The murder mystery dinner was written so well that I felt like I was there and solving the “murder” with the characters. There was also the suspense of the environment around the dinner party with the weird noises and lights going out, which really made me wonder whether there was something sinister going on around them or if everything had a genuine explanation. I think it added to the suspense of the murder mystery part and made you more aware of little things, which I guess is why people like murder mystery parties!
I loved the writing style and how the notes were included as though you were reading them off the slip of paper that had been found, which doesn’t very often happen in books. I thought it was a nice addition and really gave you the feel of being a part of the dinner party. <br/>This has definitely made me want to read on and read the next instalment from Holly Jackson.
The murder mystery dinner was written so well that I felt like I was there and solving the “murder” with the characters. There was also the suspense of the environment around the dinner party with the weird noises and lights going out, which really made me wonder whether there was something sinister going on around them or if everything had a genuine explanation. I think it added to the suspense of the murder mystery part and made you more aware of little things, which I guess is why people like murder mystery parties!
I loved the writing style and how the notes were included as though you were reading them off the slip of paper that had been found, which doesn’t very often happen in books. I thought it was a nice addition and really gave you the feel of being a part of the dinner party. <br/>This has definitely made me want to read on and read the next instalment from Holly Jackson.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Reclaimed ( Releasing the Magic book 3) in Books
May 13, 2022
84 of 230
Kindle
Reclaimed ( Releasing the Magic book 3)
By Maya Riley
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
What happens when your past catches up to you?
We found the Salvaged Lands and were welcomed into this secret sanctuary. Inside we find survivors, some comforts, and people who bring us more questions than answers.
With this new adventure, comes a new threat. We can no longer trust some of the new friends we've made.
The list of strange things going on is growing longer. My guys are developing more powers, and now I’m becoming afraid to touch them, in fear I may inadvertently turn them into rotters instead.
I don’t know the full potential of what I can do. I don’t know if I’m technically even human.
But what I do know, is:
1) There are more dangers in this world than I originally thought, and
2) If you don’t fight, you die.
I liked it but didn’t love it! The character building is really good. The story is developing well I’m enjoying this series and this one was slightly better than book 2. The powers and the small explanations we are getting is really well done. Besides all this I think it was lacking that spark. Mateo is starting to rile me a little but overall it’s a good book .
Kindle
Reclaimed ( Releasing the Magic book 3)
By Maya Riley
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
What happens when your past catches up to you?
We found the Salvaged Lands and were welcomed into this secret sanctuary. Inside we find survivors, some comforts, and people who bring us more questions than answers.
With this new adventure, comes a new threat. We can no longer trust some of the new friends we've made.
The list of strange things going on is growing longer. My guys are developing more powers, and now I’m becoming afraid to touch them, in fear I may inadvertently turn them into rotters instead.
I don’t know the full potential of what I can do. I don’t know if I’m technically even human.
But what I do know, is:
1) There are more dangers in this world than I originally thought, and
2) If you don’t fight, you die.
I liked it but didn’t love it! The character building is really good. The story is developing well I’m enjoying this series and this one was slightly better than book 2. The powers and the small explanations we are getting is really well done. Besides all this I think it was lacking that spark. Mateo is starting to rile me a little but overall it’s a good book .
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Reclaimed ( Releasing the Magic book 3) in Books
May 13, 2022
84 of 230
Kindle
Reclaimed ( Releasing the Magic book 3)
By Maya Riley
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
What happens when your past catches up to you?
We found the Salvaged Lands and were welcomed into this secret sanctuary. Inside we find survivors, some comforts, and people who bring us more questions than answers.
With this new adventure, comes a new threat. We can no longer trust some of the new friends we've made.
The list of strange things going on is growing longer. My guys are developing more powers, and now I’m becoming afraid to touch them, in fear I may inadvertently turn them into rotters instead.
I don’t know the full potential of what I can do. I don’t know if I’m technically even human.
But what I do know, is:
1) There are more dangers in this world than I originally thought, and
2) If you don’t fight, you die.
I liked it but didn’t love it! The character building is really good. The story is developing well I’m enjoying this series and this one was slightly better than book 2. The powers and the small explanations we are getting is really well done. Besides all this I think it was lacking that spark. Mateo is starting to rile me a little but overall it’s a good book .
Kindle
Reclaimed ( Releasing the Magic book 3)
By Maya Riley
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
What happens when your past catches up to you?
We found the Salvaged Lands and were welcomed into this secret sanctuary. Inside we find survivors, some comforts, and people who bring us more questions than answers.
With this new adventure, comes a new threat. We can no longer trust some of the new friends we've made.
The list of strange things going on is growing longer. My guys are developing more powers, and now I’m becoming afraid to touch them, in fear I may inadvertently turn them into rotters instead.
I don’t know the full potential of what I can do. I don’t know if I’m technically even human.
But what I do know, is:
1) There are more dangers in this world than I originally thought, and
2) If you don’t fight, you die.
I liked it but didn’t love it! The character building is really good. The story is developing well I’m enjoying this series and this one was slightly better than book 2. The powers and the small explanations we are getting is really well done. Besides all this I think it was lacking that spark. Mateo is starting to rile me a little but overall it’s a good book .
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Death by Haunted House in Books
Aug 17, 2022
A Haunted Flashback
This novella flashes back ten years to 2009 and a time when series protagonist Hayley Powell was still married. A new family has moved to town and moved in next door to Hayley and her young family into a long-abandoned house that is rumored to be haunted. When they move in, they are unfriendly and obviously keeping secrets, and Hayley’s husband, Danny, is certain that they are hiding something. When a dead body turns up in the woods behind their neighborhood, Danny is certain they are involved. Is he right?
I found the story here very entertaining, although I did guess a couple plot points early. Still, the solution to the mystery was a surprise, and I had to laugh at some of the events along the way. On the other hand, I found Danny extremely selfish and annoying, and Hayley does something extremely stupid, with is ironic since she complains about Danny’s behavior at times.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
I found the story here very entertaining, although I did guess a couple plot points early. Still, the solution to the mystery was a surprise, and I had to laugh at some of the events along the way. On the other hand, I found Danny extremely selfish and annoying, and Hayley does something extremely stupid, with is ironic since she complains about Danny’s behavior at times.
NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Delirium in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I have to admit that I'd heard so many good things about this book that I was thrilled to finally get started on it. I have to say though, that I was not hooked right from page one like I thought I'd be. It took me several chapters to really get into the story & the characters. BUT once I did, I was hooked! I can't wait to see what happens to Lena & Alex!!!!!
Delirium tells the story of love being a sickness, a disease, something that the US government has found a cure for. Society cures people at the age of 18 after they've gone through an interview process & then been matched with their mate & told what they will do & how many children they can have.
Lena's mother was infected & the cure was adminstered to her with no effect. Lena lives terrfied that she will be like her mother & therefore counts down the days until she can be cured. And then,quite by accident, she meets Alex. And as they say the rest is history!
There isn't much more I can say without giving too much away. The story sucks you in & sweeps you away. I was laughing & crying & hoping against hope that Lena would somehow avoid the cure. Did she? I don't know & that's the part that SUCKS! Gotta wait til the next book is released. ARGH!!!
Delirium tells the story of love being a sickness, a disease, something that the US government has found a cure for. Society cures people at the age of 18 after they've gone through an interview process & then been matched with their mate & told what they will do & how many children they can have.
Lena's mother was infected & the cure was adminstered to her with no effect. Lena lives terrfied that she will be like her mother & therefore counts down the days until she can be cured. And then,quite by accident, she meets Alex. And as they say the rest is history!
There isn't much more I can say without giving too much away. The story sucks you in & sweeps you away. I was laughing & crying & hoping against hope that Lena would somehow avoid the cure. Did she? I don't know & that's the part that SUCKS! Gotta wait til the next book is released. ARGH!!!
David McK (3562 KP) rated Changes (The Dresden Files, #12) in Books
Nov 14, 2021
<2021 update>
Still good!
<original 2011 review>
I'd read the first 11 or so Dresden Files in a (relatively) short space of time, before taking a break and reading some other novelists, interspersed with his Codex Alera series.
Right from the first sentence of this novel, however, it's obvious that this one has been particulary aptly named, and why I found this particular series to be better than his other. It's all happening here: this novel hits the ground running (a weakness I found with the Codex Alera, in that they took a lot longer to get up to speed) and barely pauses for breath right throughout it's 500+ pages! By the end, it's obvious that nothing will be the same again ...
I remember reading somewhere that Jim Butcher had the series planned out to be 20 books: if that's so, we're just slightly over the 1/2 way mark by now, and you can see some of the plot threads introduced in earlier novels begining to move towards their denouement, with one (in particular) tied up in this novel. For that reeason, I probably wouldn't recommend this to be a first read - while technically possible to read them out of sequence, I feel that you would be doing yourself a great dis-service in doing so, especially with the recurring characters, references and themes that continually pop up.
Still good!
<original 2011 review>
I'd read the first 11 or so Dresden Files in a (relatively) short space of time, before taking a break and reading some other novelists, interspersed with his Codex Alera series.
Right from the first sentence of this novel, however, it's obvious that this one has been particulary aptly named, and why I found this particular series to be better than his other. It's all happening here: this novel hits the ground running (a weakness I found with the Codex Alera, in that they took a lot longer to get up to speed) and barely pauses for breath right throughout it's 500+ pages! By the end, it's obvious that nothing will be the same again ...
I remember reading somewhere that Jim Butcher had the series planned out to be 20 books: if that's so, we're just slightly over the 1/2 way mark by now, and you can see some of the plot threads introduced in earlier novels begining to move towards their denouement, with one (in particular) tied up in this novel. For that reeason, I probably wouldn't recommend this to be a first read - while technically possible to read them out of sequence, I feel that you would be doing yourself a great dis-service in doing so, especially with the recurring characters, references and themes that continually pop up.