Search
Search results
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated The Dark Cry of Aristid in Books
Jan 26, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The village of Elta is under the rule of the White Citadel. The villagers must do what they're told or face the serious consequences of their actions, including who they worship. They are forbidden to use magic unless they have permission from the overseer, there are however certain people in the village that are gifted with magic and still believe in the old ways.
I found I liked this book from the start the opening chapter 1 is supposed to ease you in and let you get settled, but I found that straight away it was pulling me in and I wanted to find out more about the characters and the village itself. There are so many avenues this book could go! The way it's finished could leave it open for a series, it's one I would continue to read if the author were to go down that route.
I like the support that the villagers give each other in the hard times they suffer.
It's a book I recommend
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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. *
The village of Elta is under the rule of the White Citadel. The villagers must do what they're told or face the serious consequences of their actions, including who they worship. They are forbidden to use magic unless they have permission from the overseer, there are however certain people in the village that are gifted with magic and still believe in the old ways.
I found I liked this book from the start the opening chapter 1 is supposed to ease you in and let you get settled, but I found that straight away it was pulling me in and I wanted to find out more about the characters and the village itself. There are so many avenues this book could go! The way it's finished could leave it open for a series, it's one I would continue to read if the author were to go down that route.
I like the support that the villagers give each other in the hard times they suffer.
It's a book I recommend
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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. *
Audiobook version
This was my second attempt at this book. The first time, I tried to read it and gave up. Several years later, I found it on my library's audiobook app. I glad that I tried it: it really made me laugh, and I give all the credit for that to the excellent narrator, Ron McLarty. It's a very strange story, after all, there are a great deal of drugs involved - and you can tell! I have to admit, it doesn't make me want to visit Las Vegas anytime soon! I'm not so sure that this was the desired outcome....
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Broken Dolls (Broken Dolls, #1) in Books
Dec 12, 2017
What an amazing read! I was unable to put this book down and read it in one sitting. This is a fast paced and intriguing read with just the right amount of the creepy factor (duh, it is about dolls after all.) I found myself making so many assumptions about what was really going on and I was entirely wrong. So wrong that once the truth came out I was blown clear out of the water.
Broken Dolls is a unique and creative story and you will certainly not be disappointed. I'm extremely happy that I stumbled upon this author and I eagerly await the release of the next book.
Broken Dolls is a unique and creative story and you will certainly not be disappointed. I'm extremely happy that I stumbled upon this author and I eagerly await the release of the next book.
David Betteridge (327 KP) rated Happy Death Day (2017) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Unique plot (1 more)
Surprisingly good acting
Groundhog day slasher!
Firstly this is a comedy horror not a straight up horror film.
I have to say I expected nothing from this film, I knew none of the actors and was just looking to pass an hour or so.
I'd like to say I loved this film, it was very 90's slasher poking fun at itself and not taking itself very serious at all, I found the plot unique and was honestly quite surprised by the "killer".
I think if you are looking for something light and breezy rather than a straight up horror this is perfect!
I have to say I expected nothing from this film, I knew none of the actors and was just looking to pass an hour or so.
I'd like to say I loved this film, it was very 90's slasher poking fun at itself and not taking itself very serious at all, I found the plot unique and was honestly quite surprised by the "killer".
I think if you are looking for something light and breezy rather than a straight up horror this is perfect!
The Motorcycle Mentor Podcast
Podcast
Learn how to ride a motorcycle: How do I reduce my risks? How should I handle disapproving family...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2456 KP) rated Death of a Halloween Party Monster in Books
Aug 26, 2023
Cold Costumed Corpse
This story features Lee Hollis’s series star Hayley Powell, who is hosting a Halloween party at her new restaurant. However, the night ends in horror when the body of the high school music teacher is found in the freezer. Is one of Hayley’s friends a killer?
I don’t read this series, just the novellas when they are part of an anthology I want to read, but I found myself feeling right at home partying with these characters from the beginning of this story. I did figure out one aspect of the story early on, but there were several more, including the identity of the killer, that I hadn’t pieced together until Hayley did. It’s a twist on a locked room mystery, which is always fun. The ending was great and kept me turning the pages. There are also some recipes to enjoy while you read or at a party you are hosting this Halloween.
NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.
NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
I don’t read this series, just the novellas when they are part of an anthology I want to read, but I found myself feeling right at home partying with these characters from the beginning of this story. I did figure out one aspect of the story early on, but there were several more, including the identity of the killer, that I hadn’t pieced together until Hayley did. It’s a twist on a locked room mystery, which is always fun. The ending was great and kept me turning the pages. There are also some recipes to enjoy while you read or at a party you are hosting this Halloween.
NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.
NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
ClareR (6037 KP) rated The Buried Giant in Books
Aug 22, 2018
Perseverance needed for this one!
I had really looked forward to this book: I was on the waiting list for it for months before it was released. So I was really excited when I received the email that it had arrived at the library. The added bonus: I was the first person to read it! Now THAT doesn't happen often at the library!
Anyway, on to the content of the novel. Honestly, I found the first half really hard going. I found he narrative voice really wooden and forced, and I was waiting for something to happen for nearly 170 pages. I only persevered because it was Ishiguro - if it had been anyone else, I would have probably stuck to my 3 chapter rule and quit. I'm glad that I kept at it though. Beatrice and Axl are lovely characters. A devoted husband and wife, who are human enough to be bothered about other people as well. To be honest, all of the characters are really likeable.
My advice: keep going, if like me, you're finding this a tough read. You will be rewarded!!
Anyway, on to the content of the novel. Honestly, I found the first half really hard going. I found he narrative voice really wooden and forced, and I was waiting for something to happen for nearly 170 pages. I only persevered because it was Ishiguro - if it had been anyone else, I would have probably stuck to my 3 chapter rule and quit. I'm glad that I kept at it though. Beatrice and Axl are lovely characters. A devoted husband and wife, who are human enough to be bothered about other people as well. To be honest, all of the characters are really likeable.
My advice: keep going, if like me, you're finding this a tough read. You will be rewarded!!
Deborah (162 KP) rated When Beauty Tamed the Beast (Fairy Tales, #2) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
Not so very long ago I reviewed the first of James' fairy tales series, A Kiss at Midnight, which I found OK, but not one to hang on to and read again, and I said that I always thought I should like her books more than I actually do. I have to say that it was almost as if someone was listening, as I liked this book a whole lot better. There is only a thematic connection with the other books; there don't appear to be any characters in common.
I liked this book as the two protagonists had personality and you could see what they would see in each other, which I found hard in the last book. The whole set up was maybe a bit far fetched, but it was quite an amusing tale - with a fair sprinkling of strong language. I smiled when the heroine had been reading Miss Butterworth & the Mad Baron - as I'm sure many readers of Julia Quinn will! A much more engaging and entertaining read, good protagonists and interesting supporting characters, giving enough interest but without detracting from the main plot.
I liked this book as the two protagonists had personality and you could see what they would see in each other, which I found hard in the last book. The whole set up was maybe a bit far fetched, but it was quite an amusing tale - with a fair sprinkling of strong language. I smiled when the heroine had been reading Miss Butterworth & the Mad Baron - as I'm sure many readers of Julia Quinn will! A much more engaging and entertaining read, good protagonists and interesting supporting characters, giving enough interest but without detracting from the main plot.
Amy Curtis (49 KP) rated The Woman in the Window in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Interesting (1 more)
Different
Phenominal!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I cannot recommend this book enough. I found it really easy to read and one that I didn't want to put down. It follows the story of Dr. Anna Fox who suffers from Agraphobia. I found that interesting on its own because it's not a very well know disorder. I think this is one of the things that drew me to the book because I once dealt with a customer who had Agraphobia and I didn't know what it was. It is focalised through Anna and you learn about her day to day life. As she is unable to leave the house, she spies on her neighbours watching their lives instead of living her own. A new family move across the road and she instantly takes an interest in them particularly when the mother pays her a visit and they drink a lot of wine and play chess. One day when spying on the neighbours, she sees the mother get killed. This novel takes you on a rollercoaster as Anna uncovers what happened to her. There are some classic elements of a thriller in this book but I don't think I truly knew what I had got myself into. When reading at work, all I kept saying to my colleagues is "I can't cope with this book, everytime I think I know what's going to happen, there's another twist or turn." The novel itself is written very well and it leaves you constantly questions what real and what's not and what's true and what's false. I really couldn't recommend this book enough.
Before reading this I knew I was nice but not that I had the nice girl syndrome...which according to this book I have quite a severe version of. Once I was diagnosed it was time to learn how to do something about it. I could relate to a very large proportion of this book, however, as extreme niceness is a massive part of my personality I thought there's no way I could change it. I discovered it's not to change a person from being nice it's to give a nice girl some backbone... something that I don't have. I found myself nodding in agreement to a lot of points made in this book. Although in places it seemed quite patronizing, I thought that it was somewhat necessary for it to be blunt, not sunshine and rainbows, we are told from the start...being too nice? Yup, that's a problem! which, unfortunately, is true in society today, you will get treated like a doormat. If you think you may need to give your inner nice girl that kick up the backside she needs in order to have your opinion valued once in while....pick up this book.