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Auburn (57 KP) rated The Stone's Heart (The Queen's Wing #2) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
This jumps us right back into the story after the end of the first. If you have not read the first book one should really begin there.
In the second book we get a new voice along with Bel and it is a refreshing addition. New threats are gained just as old are defeated. Petra is added as the second voice. I had thought it would be Col her fiance but I found having Petra was better. She sounded a bit like Bel as the author didn't do a great job of differentiating the differences in personality but it was still refreshing to see a different POV.
As with the first book you need to hang in there for the first part in order to get to the fast paced action. That happens later in the book. I understand why two POV were needed as the book continued. Bel became quite hard to follow by the end of the book.
A good addition to the series that revolves around politics, marriage, and friendship.
In the second book we get a new voice along with Bel and it is a refreshing addition. New threats are gained just as old are defeated. Petra is added as the second voice. I had thought it would be Col her fiance but I found having Petra was better. She sounded a bit like Bel as the author didn't do a great job of differentiating the differences in personality but it was still refreshing to see a different POV.
As with the first book you need to hang in there for the first part in order to get to the fast paced action. That happens later in the book. I understand why two POV were needed as the book continued. Bel became quite hard to follow by the end of the book.
A good addition to the series that revolves around politics, marriage, and friendship.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Ghost Ship (2002) in Movies
Oct 26, 2019
Better than expected
I feel like Ghost Ship is a rather underrated horror film. It may be a little dated now and it definitely shows it in the special effects, but it’s a lot more enjoyable than current modern horrors. It starts off with a bang, and continues with a lot of gore throughout the film. It isn’t the scariest of films which is a shame, but at least it doesn’t rely on cheesy jump scares. It’s got a great cast, and I hadn’t realised Karl Urban was in this which was a nice surprised. The characters may be slightly underdeveloped and there are some characters that come to rather unsatisfying ends, but I found that the twist ending more than makes up for some of these short comings. Whatever you think this film might be, I’d be surprised if you could predict how it turns out. It reminds me a little of Event Horizon at sea, and if it had been a little creepier and satisfying, it’d actually be a very good film.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Moonlight (2016) in Movies
Jan 19, 2019
Good story, if a little dull
I’ve always found Oscar winners to be a bit hit and miss, and the majority are never quite as good as the accolades seem to suggest. Sadly for me Moonlight falls into this category.
You can’t fault the acting, everyone in this is truly fantastic. The story itself is fairly unique and the structure of it focusing on the same character at three different times in his life is a smart move. The problem with this film though is that is comes across as a bit dull and boring. While the basic premise is interesting and there are some good scenes, the full story seems to suffer and I’m actually quite glad I didn’t see this at the cinema as I can imagine sitting there quite bored. There is also an unexplained disappearance of a character which is really quite strange, and I find the evolution and development (or lack thereof) of the main character a little disappointing. It’s frustrating when you don’t feel that a character has really changed, especially in a coming of age story.
You can’t fault the acting, everyone in this is truly fantastic. The story itself is fairly unique and the structure of it focusing on the same character at three different times in his life is a smart move. The problem with this film though is that is comes across as a bit dull and boring. While the basic premise is interesting and there are some good scenes, the full story seems to suffer and I’m actually quite glad I didn’t see this at the cinema as I can imagine sitting there quite bored. There is also an unexplained disappearance of a character which is really quite strange, and I find the evolution and development (or lack thereof) of the main character a little disappointing. It’s frustrating when you don’t feel that a character has really changed, especially in a coming of age story.
Michael Apted recommended Night and Fog in Japan (1960) in Movies (curated)
Alice Rohrwacher recommended A Bout de Souffle (Breathless) (1960) in Movies (curated)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Murder of a Mail-Order Bride in Books
Aug 8, 2022
After Marriage Comes Murder
Long time bachelor Al Little has found a bride thanks to the internet, and he is thrilled that Svetlana is coming to town. Lizzie Hale, owner of the romance bookstore in Tinker’s Cover, Ohio, gets roped into helping make sure their first meeting and their wedding is perfectly romantic. But when Svetlana turns up dead in the middle of the reception, the question becomes, who would want to kill a new comer to town?
This is a strong second book. The plot kept me engaged the entire time. I did guess a couple of plot points early, but there were so many more I didn’t see coming, including the ending. The book is focused on the new characters central to this mystery, and they are all strong. We do have a small core cast of characters who are back, and they are fun. I also enjoy watching Lizzie’s romantic life, which is a great romantic comedy sub-plot. If you are looking for a slight twist on a cozy mystery set up, this is a series you will love.
This is a strong second book. The plot kept me engaged the entire time. I did guess a couple of plot points early, but there were so many more I didn’t see coming, including the ending. The book is focused on the new characters central to this mystery, and they are all strong. We do have a small core cast of characters who are back, and they are fun. I also enjoy watching Lizzie’s romantic life, which is a great romantic comedy sub-plot. If you are looking for a slight twist on a cozy mystery set up, this is a series you will love.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Kinsey and Me: Stories in Books
Jul 9, 2023
Short Stories and Essays
This book breaks down into two unequal sections. The first roughly 70% is made up of nine short stories featuring Kinsey Millhone, PI in Santa Teresa. She solves a murder with a disappearing body and a case of a man who fell off his roof. She also gets involved when an actor gets kidnapped.
The back section featuring thirteen vignettes as author Sue Grafton reflects on her life growing up with a functioning alcoholic father and a destructive alcoholic mother. While she admits they are autobiographical, she frames them around a character named Kit.
Fans of Kinsey will delight in these nine stories, all previous published, but decades ago so hard to track down outside this collection now. Personally, I found the back section depressing, but I suspect these stories were theopoetic for Ms. Grafton to write, and I can see others benefiting from them, too.
Overall, fans of the series will enjoy the collection. If you are new to the series, you can jump in here, too, and meet Kinsey without ruining any of fun of the novels.
The back section featuring thirteen vignettes as author Sue Grafton reflects on her life growing up with a functioning alcoholic father and a destructive alcoholic mother. While she admits they are autobiographical, she frames them around a character named Kit.
Fans of Kinsey will delight in these nine stories, all previous published, but decades ago so hard to track down outside this collection now. Personally, I found the back section depressing, but I suspect these stories were theopoetic for Ms. Grafton to write, and I can see others benefiting from them, too.
Overall, fans of the series will enjoy the collection. If you are new to the series, you can jump in here, too, and meet Kinsey without ruining any of fun of the novels.
Merissa (11964 KP) rated Back Together Again (The Wish Makers #5) in Books
Jun 8, 2023
In this bitter-sweet finale, it's not just Ainsley (the wishee) who has to face uncomfortable truths, Desiree does too. With Mystic Lodge in permanent chaos, some Guides welcome change, some don't. Kaf is back but Desiree doesn't know why. Olanna continues to be her own unhappy self, causing trouble for Desiree whenever she can. It is through this mire that Desiree needs to face her own truths and do what she knows is right.
In this final book, Shawn McGuire continues with her amazing storytelling. This could have been dark and depressing, considering the topics raised, but no! Instead, this book will leave you feeling encouraged and hopeful for the future.
Exceptionally well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this book is guaranteed to sweep you away. Highly recommended!!!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 8, 2016
In this final book, Shawn McGuire continues with her amazing storytelling. This could have been dark and depressing, considering the topics raised, but no! Instead, this book will leave you feeling encouraged and hopeful for the future.
Exceptionally well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this book is guaranteed to sweep you away. Highly recommended!!!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 8, 2016
Kyera (8 KP) rated A Hot Glue Gun Mess: Funny Stories, Pretty DIY Projects in Books
Jan 31, 2018
This is not the usual book that I read, but I was intrigued when I heard about it. I've watched Mr. Kate's YouTube channel and she has some cool DIY projects/decorating tips. The structure of the book is not uncommon, as she tells a short story and then breaks it up with photos - except in this book, the photos are a DIY project that you can do.
There are 50 different stories and accompanying projects. While the DIY's are meant to relate to the story that Mr. Kate just finished telling, they're generally pretty nebulous and only remotely related. I personally found around 10 to be interesting, but that will vary from person to person. They're not just crafty projects, but beauty tips and fashion.
The stories themselves are also very varied, from cute tales about meeting her (now) husband to crude ones that won't appeal to everyone. She also is from a very well off family, so readers may be put off by her constant name-dropping or rich-kid woes. I wasn't completely turned off by it, but I also was 99% there for the crafts and didn't really borrow the book so that I could be engrossed by the stories.
Overall it was a cute book, but probably not one that I would go out and buy. I'll just borrow it from the library if I ever decide I want to do one of the projects.
There are 50 different stories and accompanying projects. While the DIY's are meant to relate to the story that Mr. Kate just finished telling, they're generally pretty nebulous and only remotely related. I personally found around 10 to be interesting, but that will vary from person to person. They're not just crafty projects, but beauty tips and fashion.
The stories themselves are also very varied, from cute tales about meeting her (now) husband to crude ones that won't appeal to everyone. She also is from a very well off family, so readers may be put off by her constant name-dropping or rich-kid woes. I wasn't completely turned off by it, but I also was 99% there for the crafts and didn't really borrow the book so that I could be engrossed by the stories.
Overall it was a cute book, but probably not one that I would go out and buy. I'll just borrow it from the library if I ever decide I want to do one of the projects.