Search

Search only in certain items:

A Court of Wings and Ruin
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Sarah J. Maas | 2017 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.8 (113 Ratings)
Book Rating
My review: "Okay, so I have some major mixed feelings about this lovely book. If you read my reviews for A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury, then you’ll know that I loved both; especially ACoMaF. For some reason though, I had a hard time getting through this book.

Don’t get me wrong, I did like it. But let me explain some things I did not like. The beginning was slow and honestly, I was a bit bored. Eventually it picked up, but if I hadn’t been so invested in the series, I might have stopped reading. (And I’m glad I continued, btw) Though the pace picked up, I still found myself forcing myself to push through the story. That’s my biggest reason for maybe, kinda, just a little bit- not liking it. The end also seemed a bit rushed. Maybe that’s just me. But I felt like maybe there should be… MORE.

In the first book, I was very much into Tamlin and Feyre. The second book I was drooling over Rhys and totally shipped him and Feyre. Yes, they have a couple steamy scenes in this book, but it didn’t do much for me like the previous book. This time, I was hooked on Cassian. I don’t know what it was, but he stole the show for me. I also thought Lucien and Elaine were super cute, despite things being so strained. But really, can I just have Rhys and Cassian for myself? Please, please, please." Read my entire review here: https://thenerdybookwormsite.wordpress.com/2017/09/16/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin-by-sarah-j-maas/
  
40x40

The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) created a post in Oscars Discussion

Jan 29, 2020  
I'll start it off: Here's my quickest thoughts on each of the best picture nominees thus far:


1917: This is the best picture I've seen this year, and it's not close. This one will be one I hope to see multiple times, unlike most of the rest of this list. I would be proud to own this one.

Once upon a time in Hollywood: Slow, Meandering, Lovingly crafted and worth a watch, but lacks the story to fill the entire time. Not enough happens. QT is the kind of movie maker we need though, a true voice for better or worse. Every movie is an event.

Parasite: Exquisite craftsmanship and I love celebrating foreign films, but this is a horrible and ugly story with beautiful wrappings. I'm not better off for having seen it. I wish I hadn't seen it.

The Marriage Story: No one needs to see this film, The story is simultaneously boring and universally common. the acting is superb, and if you like being depressed, enjoy. I also wish I hadn't seen this one.

Joker: Even trying to brace myself emotionally to endure this film it left me disturbed. I was not happy afterwards for two days. Very well made, and Acting is amazing. It took the gritty Christopher Nolan batman and cranked the dial up to make it ugly beautiful. I wish I had skipped this one as well

Jojo Rabbit: Most unexpected, and completely miss marketed. It's not a comedy. It has comedic moments, but it doe it an injustice if you go into it expecting funny. I really liked it once I got over my expectations.

The Irishman: Terrible title, I heard you paint houses is a MUCH better title. It's actually a Bio-Pic dressed up for gangster fans. It's way too long without adequate reason. I kept waiting for interesting to happen, and found that even though the craftsmanship is superb, was this story worthy of the effort? my answer is No. Joe Pesci's best role ever! Glad I saw it, but not in the theater, this one should be seen at home on Netflix.

The others I hope to see soon. Ok, so what are your quick thoughts?
  
40x40

Autumn (430 KP) rated Meddling Kids: A Novel in Books

Dec 8, 2017 (Updated Dec 8, 2017)  
Meddling Kids: A Novel
Meddling Kids: A Novel
Edgar Cantero | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.1 (15 Ratings)
Book Rating
Scooby-Doo with a more mature feel
When I found this book while looking for something new to read, I was so excited. It’s described as being similar to Scooby-Doo, which is one of my favorite cartoons. The cover was really cool as well. It did not disappoint. It definitely has a Scooby-Doo feel with some references like the Zoinx river. The cast of characters was similar to that of the mystery inc. gang but with new names and some other changes. It’s a bit more mature with its subject matter, but still holds true to that childish humor and adventure that you would expect from the show. For some, the made up and combined words placed throughout the book might make them dislike it, but I think it added that special, somewhat chaotic charm that Scooby-Doo has. I would love a second book.
  
40x40

Becbec (5 KP) rated Solar Bones in Books

Dec 13, 2017  
Solar Bones
Solar Bones
Mike McCormack | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The writing style (1 more)
Skillfully written
Should have ended sooner (0 more)
This is one of those books, a bit like Kent Haruf's books, in which not a lot happens. There is no full stop. I expected the full stop to be at the end but nope none there either. The author is very clever in how he manages to switch from one subject to the next without using a full stop. It is simply a man narrating his life. Not an original idea for a plot but well executed. There isn't really a big event until the end of the novel. You come to root for this man, ordinary and unremarkable as he is. Although i could see the ending coming i found it devastating. My only criticism was that it kept going after the 'big' ending but I suppose that's part of the writing style.
  
40x40

Merissa (13840 KP) rated Going Nowhere in Books

Nov 12, 2018  
Going Nowhere
Going Nowhere
Lena North | 2018 | Humor & Comedy, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Going Nowhere by Lena North
Going Nowhere is a fun-filled frolic with angels, shifters, witches, and glitter-farting unicorns. If you are after a heavy, angst-laden book, then I'm sorry, but you've found the wrong one!

This is an action-packed book that has romantic elements to it, but it doesn't overrule the whole story. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments, in fact, far too many to count. I loved this book from start to finish. With its crazy family, and heart-warming characters, plus there is always which one Hibiscus will go for?!

A brilliant story that I hope will be the start of a new series. Excellently written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow. I thoroughly enjoyed every word, and really can't recommend this lighthearted novel highly enough.

* Verified Purchase ~ October 2018. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
AO
Arrows of Fury (Empire, #2)
2
2.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had read 'Wounds of Honour' a few years back, but wasn't really all that sold on it so never picked up (this) the sequel. That changed, however, when it was on sale for about £2 in my local bargain books.

Truth be told, however, I found this to actually be rather dry: it never really held my attention, or seemed to me that the plot took off in any shape or form. It probably doesn't help that all the characters seem very generic (I got the impression that the novel was more concerned with the minutiae of the Roman Legions than with characterization), with similar-sounding names: so much so, that half the time you have to keep flicking back through the book to find out who is who!

All-in-all: I doubt I'll be picking up the third book in the series anytime soon.
  
Superbad (2007)
Superbad (2007)
2007 | Comedy
First time I have seen this since it was released and I have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. It has some amusing moments but it wasn't nearly as funny as I remember , possibly due to me being 13 years older and my sense of humour not being quite so juvenile (maybe?). I found Jonah Hill's shouty and sweary character incredibly irritating and only laughed at him when he got hit by a car (as if Emma Stone would go anywhere near that). You can't help but like McLovin though and the best moments of the film involve his character and the crazy journey he takes. Plot wise it's pretty standard high school fare that has been done better a million times before in movies that better stand the test of time. Overall it's an easy watch but nothing to write home about.
  
Knives Out (2019)
Knives Out (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Acting (1 more)
Recognisable faces
Daniel Craig's awful fake accent (0 more)
Not bad
When I first put this movie on to watch I very nearly almost gave up with it. It starts with an annoyingly long interview with each family member to try and ascertain what happened with millionaire Harlan thrombie, which to be honest I found long winded and boring. The rest of the movie was good though and we learn why and how he died quite early on. The rest of the movie is the culprit trying not to get caught whilst working alongside the detective working on the case, who has absolutely no idea who hired him and why.
All in all an OK movie, not as humorous as I expected though in fact the only real laughable part was Daniel Craig's awful accent. If you like murder mysteries then I'm sure you'll like this.
  
40x40

David McK (3731 KP) rated Impact Winter Season 3 in Books

Oct 26, 2024 (Updated Oct 26, 2024)  
Impact Winter Season 3
Impact Winter Season 3
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Season 3 of Travis Beacham's audible-only 'Impact Winter' audio drama, which I found to be a bit of a let-down from the previous two instalment, particularly where it concerns what happened to Darcy at the end of the previous entry (I wish they had been braver for the story, I mean).

Anyway, for those not in the know: these are set in the near future, after a comet has hit Earth with the resultant explosion throwing up debris into the sky and blocking out the sun - perfect for the 'creatures of the night' (aka vampires) to come out of their long hiding.

I most definitely would NOT advise anyone to pick up the series here - this is definitely an entry where you need to have read (well, listened to) the proceeding entries in order in order to understand just what is going on!
  
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

There's a reason why Joe's name is "Joe Kool": He's the coolest cat around. So cool, in fact, that it simply can't be spelled correctly; his nickname has to stand out as much as he does. Therefore, we have Joe Kool, and the world is a much better place for it. Why, without him, we wouldn't have many of the great artists we know and love, not to mention certain recreational activities and popular phrases of yesterday and today. What would our lives have been like if Joe had just stayed at home, never leaving home in search and bigger and better pastures? I'll tell you: they would've been horrible, boring, monotonous, and just not any fun at all!

This story was excellent, and I found myself talking about it with family, friends, and even one poor stranger who will probably never take the Metro alone again. There were times that I laughed myself almost to tears, and those were quite plentiful. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to add some comic relief to their lives, and of course, to anyone who wants to know the REAL story behind rock and roll. You think you know, but you have no idea ;)

5 stars