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Christine A. (965 KP) rated Lost and Found in Books
Jan 27, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite books. Being offered the opportunity to read his latest, Lost and Found, is an honor and privilege. I know I am supposed to be unbiased when doing reviews but it was difficult in this case.
Lost and Found is not long, less than 300 pages, and flows wells so it is a quick read. In it, we are introduced to Ezekiel Blast who has a gift for finding lost items. He feels compelled to return his finds. Instead of being thanked, people accuse him of taking the items in the first place. He is friendless and an outcast until a girl walks up to him and asks "Are you really a thief?
This story is charming and engaging. The well-developed characters are endearing. It is being marketed as SciFi and Fantasy as well as Teen and Young Adult. I agree it is a Teen/YA book but, if anything, it is light SciFi and Fantasy. People who do not usually read SciFi and Fantasy will enjoy this story.
I believe I gave an unbiased opinion on this story especially since it is not a typical SciFi and Fantasy book.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/27/20.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite books. Being offered the opportunity to read his latest, Lost and Found, is an honor and privilege. I know I am supposed to be unbiased when doing reviews but it was difficult in this case.
Lost and Found is not long, less than 300 pages, and flows wells so it is a quick read. In it, we are introduced to Ezekiel Blast who has a gift for finding lost items. He feels compelled to return his finds. Instead of being thanked, people accuse him of taking the items in the first place. He is friendless and an outcast until a girl walks up to him and asks "Are you really a thief?
This story is charming and engaging. The well-developed characters are endearing. It is being marketed as SciFi and Fantasy as well as Teen and Young Adult. I agree it is a Teen/YA book but, if anything, it is light SciFi and Fantasy. People who do not usually read SciFi and Fantasy will enjoy this story.
I believe I gave an unbiased opinion on this story especially since it is not a typical SciFi and Fantasy book.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 1/27/20.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Fables: Volume 1: Legends in Exile in Books
Nov 30, 2020
<i>Ed. Note: this review was based on a re-reading, some years after the first reading.</i>
So, prior to writing this review, I wanted to peruse the reviews on here, to see what others said, reducing the risk of writing something already said. What I found were a number of 1-Star reviews, something I found to be quite surprising!
Not every comic (or book, for that matter) will necessarily start with an amazing first arc. It may be good, yes, but it could also be polished in spots. However, despite little things that could be better, the overall content should be seen as good enough to warrant reading the second story arc.
That is how I felt at the conclusion of this first volume, a mystery of sorts that also served to introduce us to a number of characters who go on to appear as series regulars. Sure, the dialogue was not perfect (really? Comparing it to Gaiman's SANDMAN? Like trying to compare RICK & MORTY to THE LAST UNICORN!), but I can safely say that the series matures, like a well-aged wine, and later issues are much, much better.
Long and short: it's an urban fantasy with the fables we grew up with. Go in without an judgments or comparisons, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Jus' sayin'..
So, prior to writing this review, I wanted to peruse the reviews on here, to see what others said, reducing the risk of writing something already said. What I found were a number of 1-Star reviews, something I found to be quite surprising!
Not every comic (or book, for that matter) will necessarily start with an amazing first arc. It may be good, yes, but it could also be polished in spots. However, despite little things that could be better, the overall content should be seen as good enough to warrant reading the second story arc.
That is how I felt at the conclusion of this first volume, a mystery of sorts that also served to introduce us to a number of characters who go on to appear as series regulars. Sure, the dialogue was not perfect (really? Comparing it to Gaiman's SANDMAN? Like trying to compare RICK & MORTY to THE LAST UNICORN!), but I can safely say that the series matures, like a well-aged wine, and later issues are much, much better.
Long and short: it's an urban fantasy with the fables we grew up with. Go in without an judgments or comparisons, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Jus' sayin'..
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) created a post
Apr 6, 2020
ClareR (5885 KP) rated Brothersong in Books
Apr 21, 2025
I have loved this whole series, and the finale to the Green Creek quadrilogy (I think that’s a word!) is no exception. There’s the content that I’ve come to love this series for: family (both genetic and found), love, friendship, acceptance, excitement, fear, joy - and a happy ending. That’s something that the inhabitants of Green Creek deserve, after all.
Whatever will I do without this series? Other than go back to the beginning and start again, of course. Because that’s a perfectly acceptable thing to do, isn’t it!
Look, I know this might seem like a very uncharacteristic series for me to get caught up in, but sometimes life throws curveballs that you need to find some escape from. And TJ Klune just does that for me. These books are my shut-the-world-out books. The goodies are good, decent people, and the baddies get their just desserts. Nothing wrong with that at all. Read what makes you happy, read what makes you feel better informed, read what educates you, read what snatches you up into another world you’d never otherwise experience (my favourite kind of books, incidentally).
This series really should be read in order, so I’m giving you permission to go and buy all four books or borrow them from your library, OK?
Whatever will I do without this series? Other than go back to the beginning and start again, of course. Because that’s a perfectly acceptable thing to do, isn’t it!
Look, I know this might seem like a very uncharacteristic series for me to get caught up in, but sometimes life throws curveballs that you need to find some escape from. And TJ Klune just does that for me. These books are my shut-the-world-out books. The goodies are good, decent people, and the baddies get their just desserts. Nothing wrong with that at all. Read what makes you happy, read what makes you feel better informed, read what educates you, read what snatches you up into another world you’d never otherwise experience (my favourite kind of books, incidentally).
This series really should be read in order, so I’m giving you permission to go and buy all four books or borrow them from your library, OK?
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Little Heaven: A Novel in Books
May 16, 2018
Before I delve into my thoughts about Little Heaven, I would like to thank the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Little Heaven will be available for purchase January 10, 2017 and its definitely on my wishlist for a physical copy.
Little Heaven plays host to an interesting cast of characters that range from three extremely different and unlikely heroes, to your typical, run of the mill, religious zealot. Heavily influenced by the Jonestown Massacre in some regards, I found Cutter's book to be a delightful and fresh read, in the most fiendishly way possible.
Our "heroes" are hired by a concerned woman after her nephew is taken into Little Heaven, a religious compound run by Reverend Amos Flesher. The motley crew quickly find themselves caught up in what can only be described as a nightmare; Reverend Flesher's obsession with his religion, coupled with an ancient evil, wrought a terrifying tale that is worth every minute I spent reading it.
I also have to admit that I was awestruck by Nick Cutter's style of writing. If you read my blog often enough, you're likely aware that I am no stranger to the macabre. The more gruesome, terrifying, and gore-filled a story or movie is, the happier I am. In that regard, Cutter exceeded my expectations. He paints such a vivid picture that there are times I actually found myself feeling squeamish - and that is a feat when it comes to the written word. Other times, I found myself on the verge of an anxiety attack, even if it was action driven, rather than by suspense.
The only thing I really didn't care for was the manner in which it went back and forth between two different time periods, especially since the latter period, 1980, could probably have been largely left out of the equation - or at least implemented into a smoother transition. The part of the story taking place in the 80s felt largely pointless to me up until the end, and even then it didn't have as much of a "wow" factor as I had hoped for. Nonetheless, it was still an excellent read.
Little Heaven is, undoubtedly, one of my favorite books so far this year - or rather, next year if you go by the publication date. I can't wait to read more from this author!
Little Heaven plays host to an interesting cast of characters that range from three extremely different and unlikely heroes, to your typical, run of the mill, religious zealot. Heavily influenced by the Jonestown Massacre in some regards, I found Cutter's book to be a delightful and fresh read, in the most fiendishly way possible.
Our "heroes" are hired by a concerned woman after her nephew is taken into Little Heaven, a religious compound run by Reverend Amos Flesher. The motley crew quickly find themselves caught up in what can only be described as a nightmare; Reverend Flesher's obsession with his religion, coupled with an ancient evil, wrought a terrifying tale that is worth every minute I spent reading it.
I also have to admit that I was awestruck by Nick Cutter's style of writing. If you read my blog often enough, you're likely aware that I am no stranger to the macabre. The more gruesome, terrifying, and gore-filled a story or movie is, the happier I am. In that regard, Cutter exceeded my expectations. He paints such a vivid picture that there are times I actually found myself feeling squeamish - and that is a feat when it comes to the written word. Other times, I found myself on the verge of an anxiety attack, even if it was action driven, rather than by suspense.
The only thing I really didn't care for was the manner in which it went back and forth between two different time periods, especially since the latter period, 1980, could probably have been largely left out of the equation - or at least implemented into a smoother transition. The part of the story taking place in the 80s felt largely pointless to me up until the end, and even then it didn't have as much of a "wow" factor as I had hoped for. Nonetheless, it was still an excellent read.
Little Heaven is, undoubtedly, one of my favorite books so far this year - or rather, next year if you go by the publication date. I can't wait to read more from this author!
Laura lou (304 KP) rated A Simple Favor (2018) in Movies
Dec 16, 2018
unique plot (2 more)
great acting
twists and turns
I went into this movie blind, having never seen the trailer or read the plot, and i thoroughly enjoyed it! Anna Kendrik and Blake Lively come together to make a great pairing, both being great actors and filling their characters with personality that grips the viewers attention from the beginning.
The movie contains many twists and turns, most of them surprising but some of them a little predictable (which is why i only gave it a rating of 9). Unlike some movies with a similar theme to this, such as Gone Girl, i found that the plot pulled you in from the beginning, rather than taking a while to get going.
Overall i thought this was a great movie with a unique plot line, deep and interesting characters, and great acting.
The movie contains many twists and turns, most of them surprising but some of them a little predictable (which is why i only gave it a rating of 9). Unlike some movies with a similar theme to this, such as Gone Girl, i found that the plot pulled you in from the beginning, rather than taking a while to get going.
Overall i thought this was a great movie with a unique plot line, deep and interesting characters, and great acting.
AT (1676 KP) rated Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) in Movies
Feb 28, 2020
It's hard to find a PG movie that doesn't have any major swear words in it nowadays, so huge thumbs up for that! It was a little cheesy with some of the dialogue in parts, and you could easily draw direct correlation between things in this movie, and things in some of the other major modern classics. However, it didn't make the movie bad. I don't think it deserved all of the awful reviews that it was getting while in the theater. It's a PG movie, based on the characters from Sleeping Beauty. I'm not sure what people expected. I thought it was a cute film, overall, especially considering that it's a sequel. Man, I love Maleficent's wings! I'm glad I finally found the time to watch it with my family. I don't feel cheated out of my time at all.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Jun 29, 2020
I found it refreshing to see a movie built specifically around Joker without the backdrop of Batman looming overhead. There have been some remarkable interpretations of Joker in the past but I don't think that the viewer has been given the opportunity to really dive into the villain and what makes him who he has become. It was nice to see a film maker give the audience permission to root for someone who wasn't the traditional hero, but a "hero" in his own rite, depending on your point of view and interpretation.
I do think that there were parts of the movie that were lacking development. But I think that can be said about just about any movie you can find. All in all, worth a watch. I'm not sure if I will watch again. Time will tell.
I do think that there were parts of the movie that were lacking development. But I think that can be said about just about any movie you can find. All in all, worth a watch. I'm not sure if I will watch again. Time will tell.
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Queen of Tomorrow (Stolen Empire, #2) in Books
Feb 4, 2019
This is the second book in the series and picks up just after the last one finished.
By now Sophie has grown up and is becoming Catherine, you start to see more of the leader she could be as she goes about establishing herself within the court.
Sophie has a more clear idea of who she can trust, pretty much no one, and that she must go to extreme lengths if she is going succeed and one day be queen.
Unfortunately this book did not have the bonus content videos like the last one did. I found this a real shame as I really enjoyed the extra insight in he previous book. I did still enjoy the story though.
By now Sophie has grown up and is becoming Catherine, you start to see more of the leader she could be as she goes about establishing herself within the court.
Sophie has a more clear idea of who she can trust, pretty much no one, and that she must go to extreme lengths if she is going succeed and one day be queen.
Unfortunately this book did not have the bonus content videos like the last one did. I found this a real shame as I really enjoyed the extra insight in he previous book. I did still enjoy the story though.
Wendy Jo (37 KP) rated the Xbox One version of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition in Video Games
Mar 2, 2019
Worth the 20 year wait!
Literally have played this franchise since I was 8. Never even for a second imagined there being a third installment. When it came out I couldn't afford it, and the wait for the game made finally besting each difficulty and getting the fill story line so very worth it. The Seasonal Play, (comes as an option, not a pass like with Fortnite or Paladins) further adds to the excitement of rare loot and drops. Granted, you are playing the same game over and over, and for some people that would be infuriating, however, it's part of the reason I love the game so much.