Search
Search results
I really thought this sounded like the kind of book that would be right up my street, but unfortunately I found it didn't meet my expectation and was, in all in all, a bit of a disappointment.
It's the story of a country house, built in the Palladian style, and the people who live in it. To be honest, I found it rather dreary and depressing and the house never really seems properly loved and seen in all its glory. Each chapter is a separate short story or vignette, often trying to link characters from one to the other to try and keep a sense of continuity, but not always working. So many of the character were just plain unpleasant and if there was someone you did want to know something more about, well you are bound to be disappointed. Life isn't all roses, but this just seemed to have too much unhappiness and misfortune in it. also, some of the architecture of the house is described in great detail, but I never felt it strong enough to be a 'character' in the book as I expected.
It's the story of a country house, built in the Palladian style, and the people who live in it. To be honest, I found it rather dreary and depressing and the house never really seems properly loved and seen in all its glory. Each chapter is a separate short story or vignette, often trying to link characters from one to the other to try and keep a sense of continuity, but not always working. So many of the character were just plain unpleasant and if there was someone you did want to know something more about, well you are bound to be disappointed. Life isn't all roses, but this just seemed to have too much unhappiness and misfortune in it. also, some of the architecture of the house is described in great detail, but I never felt it strong enough to be a 'character' in the book as I expected.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Galaxy of Terror (1981) in Movies
Oct 20, 2020
Listen, I enjoy a trashy Roger Corman horror effort as much as the next person, but Galaxy of Terror is a chore to get through.
These films are known for being cheap, but they usually have a sort of charm to them, that I just found lacking here. The main issue is that it's not very cohesive. Various aspects of the narrative are so unexplained and seemingly random, that it's ultimately super boring, and very easy to zone out. I mean, I watched it earlier today and I've already forgotten how it ended...
Even the usually reliable gore is mostly rubbish, with the exception of a couple of half decent practical effects.
The only aspects that I found positive was seeing Sid Haig, Robert Englund, and Grace Zabriskie in early roles and some of the synth music is fun but other than that, it's straight up bollocks.
A lot of films tried to ride the coat tails of Alien following it's release and Galaxy of Terror does nothing more than remind you that you could be watching that instead.
Final note - definitely in the running for Most Misleading Movie Poster Ever.
These films are known for being cheap, but they usually have a sort of charm to them, that I just found lacking here. The main issue is that it's not very cohesive. Various aspects of the narrative are so unexplained and seemingly random, that it's ultimately super boring, and very easy to zone out. I mean, I watched it earlier today and I've already forgotten how it ended...
Even the usually reliable gore is mostly rubbish, with the exception of a couple of half decent practical effects.
The only aspects that I found positive was seeing Sid Haig, Robert Englund, and Grace Zabriskie in early roles and some of the synth music is fun but other than that, it's straight up bollocks.
A lot of films tried to ride the coat tails of Alien following it's release and Galaxy of Terror does nothing more than remind you that you could be watching that instead.
Final note - definitely in the running for Most Misleading Movie Poster Ever.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated 26 Below in Books
Sep 13, 2024 (Updated Sep 13, 2024)
Can Darcie and Jason Stop a Villain Cold?
Darcie Phillips is thrilled to be leading the new Emergency Operations Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. On the team is Jason Myers, a cybersecurity expert. But they’ve just barely begun their jobs when a strange woman appears in town warning about something happening when the temperature drops to 26 below. Since winter is coming, that will be soon. Can Darcie and Jason figure out a way to deal with this crisis?
I was intrigued by this premise, so I decided to give this book a try. Unfortunately, I found this book uneven. There is more buildup than pay off, and some of that buildup gets swept under the rug. I did like Darci and Jason and find them compelling characters, although the rest of the team are fairly one note. This is a Christian novel, and I found that aspect refreshing and emotionally touching in ways I wasn’t expecting. I think this is more of a character study than a thriller, and I wasn’t expecting that. There are a couple of small timeline issues, made more obvious by the way each scene is headlined with date and time. But I had to laugh at how much of a cold weather wimp I am while reading how these characters felt about the weather in Alaska. I am still considering picking up the next book since I am intrigued by the threads left opened here. If you are looking for strong characters in a light thriller, you should consider picking this book up.
I was intrigued by this premise, so I decided to give this book a try. Unfortunately, I found this book uneven. There is more buildup than pay off, and some of that buildup gets swept under the rug. I did like Darci and Jason and find them compelling characters, although the rest of the team are fairly one note. This is a Christian novel, and I found that aspect refreshing and emotionally touching in ways I wasn’t expecting. I think this is more of a character study than a thriller, and I wasn’t expecting that. There are a couple of small timeline issues, made more obvious by the way each scene is headlined with date and time. But I had to laugh at how much of a cold weather wimp I am while reading how these characters felt about the weather in Alaska. I am still considering picking up the next book since I am intrigued by the threads left opened here. If you are looking for strong characters in a light thriller, you should consider picking this book up.
Kayleigh (12 KP) rated The Clock Of Life in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Firstly, thank you to Nancy Klann-Moren for approaching me to read and review this book. Congratulations are also in order, as The Clock of Life was nominated for the general fiction/novel section of the Indie Book Awards.
This book gets a middling 3 stars from me. I found the character development to be really detailed, and I felt as though I knew the characters by the end. As the blurb already mentions, the main focus of the book is on Jason Lee. Starting from when he began school and ending with a relationship and career choice as a teenager, this book is Jason's journey through childhood.
The reason it didn't rate any higher for me though is that I found it to be fairly slow paced, and at times weighed down with politics that as an English woman, I didn't completely connect with. Plotwise, while things did happen, it didn't become exciting until right at the end.
The message about race is a good one, and the book highlights how far attitudes towards race have come. I did enjoy it, although maybe not in the way I enjoyed a book like The Hunger Games, where I felt a sense of satisfaction and couldn't wait to read more. If you like bildungsromans/coming-of-age stories, I'd definitely recommend it.
This book gets a middling 3 stars from me. I found the character development to be really detailed, and I felt as though I knew the characters by the end. As the blurb already mentions, the main focus of the book is on Jason Lee. Starting from when he began school and ending with a relationship and career choice as a teenager, this book is Jason's journey through childhood.
The reason it didn't rate any higher for me though is that I found it to be fairly slow paced, and at times weighed down with politics that as an English woman, I didn't completely connect with. Plotwise, while things did happen, it didn't become exciting until right at the end.
The message about race is a good one, and the book highlights how far attitudes towards race have come. I did enjoy it, although maybe not in the way I enjoyed a book like The Hunger Games, where I felt a sense of satisfaction and couldn't wait to read more. If you like bildungsromans/coming-of-age stories, I'd definitely recommend it.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Saving Me in Books
Mar 5, 2018
The Perfect Book
I simply cannot find the right words to use in this review that will do Saving Me any justice. First I'll say that this is the first book I've read written by Sadie Allen and I loved every single moment of this story. You know that you have found the perfect book when you find that you can relate to the story and characters in such a way that it feels like the author could be retelling your own story. We are allowed access to the very soul of Ally, and we can feel her emotional despair, her hopes, desires and what will ultimately be life changing moments. I wept for her, felt anger for her, but I also felt moments of extreme happiness for her. The reflective message contained within the pages of this book will stay with readers of all ages.
{I received a copy for review purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own,}
{I received a copy for review purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own,}
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The Pornography Industry: What Everyone Needs to Know in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who is interested in psychology, sociology, and sexology I found this book truly fascinating. I loved how detailed this book was and that Shira Tarrant cited her sources. When reading a psychology book I always want the sources because that just gives me more and more things to research and look into.
I felt that Shira Tarrant did a good job at remaining unbiased in this book. You can tell that she has certain opinions but it didn't feel like an opinion piece which is refreshing especially on such a taboo topic. The research was interesting and well done. You can really tell that the author took their time in writing the book and researching the topic.
I learned quite a lot about the pornography industry. If you're interested in learning something new, I highly recommend this book!
As someone who is interested in psychology, sociology, and sexology I found this book truly fascinating. I loved how detailed this book was and that Shira Tarrant cited her sources. When reading a psychology book I always want the sources because that just gives me more and more things to research and look into.
I felt that Shira Tarrant did a good job at remaining unbiased in this book. You can tell that she has certain opinions but it didn't feel like an opinion piece which is refreshing especially on such a taboo topic. The research was interesting and well done. You can really tell that the author took their time in writing the book and researching the topic.
I learned quite a lot about the pornography industry. If you're interested in learning something new, I highly recommend this book!
So what is the truth?
If you like unreliable narrators, then this is the book for you. The Truth is in fact questionable - not the book, the narrators version of events. What can I say without giving the game away? Well, no one in this novel is someone that you’d want to know, they all do immoral, unpleasant things, and I enjoyed it 🤷🏼♀️
I do like an unlikeable main character, and even though when I was reading this, I was telling myself that I should give her a chance, and that circumstances had made her the way she was, I still found her thoroughly unfriendly and rude.
The last third of the novel was particularly good, and really made the book for me. Everything is explained, and it was utterly fascinating: the fact that this is based on a true story blew my mind!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and Naomi Joy for reading along.
I do like an unlikeable main character, and even though when I was reading this, I was telling myself that I should give her a chance, and that circumstances had made her the way she was, I still found her thoroughly unfriendly and rude.
The last third of the novel was particularly good, and really made the book for me. Everything is explained, and it was utterly fascinating: the fact that this is based on a true story blew my mind!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and Naomi Joy for reading along.
Marylegs (44 KP) rated The Night Circus in Books
Aug 14, 2019
The Night Circus is a book I have been intending to read for quite some time. I will start by saying the book is not quite what I expected. Actually I know don’t really know what I expected from this book. I will start by saying I found the first 30-40% of the book quite confusing, dull and at times I contemplated giving up on it completely. The time changes for each chapter whilst confusing at first did become easier to decipher as I learnt the time sequences I was switching between.
This book is worth persevering with as once the dull start is past what you’re left with is actually a beautifully enchanting story. Love and magic in its most subtle forms developing gradually. I fell in love with the elements of the circus and the way they were described, it is almost sad that the place does not exist, that there is no possibility of attending.
This is a book, I think you will come to love if you get past the rocky beginning. Would recommend to people who like me don’t give up on books and read them until they are finished.
This book is worth persevering with as once the dull start is past what you’re left with is actually a beautifully enchanting story. Love and magic in its most subtle forms developing gradually. I fell in love with the elements of the circus and the way they were described, it is almost sad that the place does not exist, that there is no possibility of attending.
This is a book, I think you will come to love if you get past the rocky beginning. Would recommend to people who like me don’t give up on books and read them until they are finished.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
Apr 26, 2019 (Updated Dec 22, 2019)
'That's America's Ass'
I was initially going to review this after I saw it for a second time (tomorrow morning), but I don't feel like my opinion is going to change.
This film is exactly what you expect, there are no real surprises, and it's highly predictable. Is that a bad thing? For me, personally, I like to be surprised, but it made sense.
The ends for the characters are fitting. So, the film ultimately does do what it was aiming for. It was a three hour nostalgia fest that was mostly satisfying. The new Disney+ shows are also set up well.
I want to keep it spoiler free, so I'll end there. Also, I may be the only one that found the fact that a rando side character in the storage center reading Ballard's 'The Terminal Beach' after the snap completely hilarious.
This film is exactly what you expect, there are no real surprises, and it's highly predictable. Is that a bad thing? For me, personally, I like to be surprised, but it made sense.
The ends for the characters are fitting. So, the film ultimately does do what it was aiming for. It was a three hour nostalgia fest that was mostly satisfying. The new Disney+ shows are also set up well.
I want to keep it spoiler free, so I'll end there. Also, I may be the only one that found the fact that a rando side character in the storage center reading Ballard's 'The Terminal Beach' after the snap completely hilarious.
Chloe (778 KP) rated Just My Luck in Books
Sep 4, 2021
Stupid characters (1 more)
Boring
Good premise. Poorly executed
Having now read this I am quite confused why it has such rave reviews on the back cover. I was quite excited for this, considering at easy read between a series I'm reading. The premise seemed promising and there was certainly some interesting characters including Toma.
The plot twist towards the end could have been much better in my opinion, Parks really missed a trick.
Lexi has absolutely no backbone and just rolls with whatever Jake feels like doing. I just found the winning couple to be so stupid, especially Jake.
I think a lot of the story was obvious once you know the premise. Overall, not as great as I anticipated.
Would I recommend it? Probably as a quick and easy read when you haven't got the brain cells for anything too difficult.
The plot twist towards the end could have been much better in my opinion, Parks really missed a trick.
Lexi has absolutely no backbone and just rolls with whatever Jake feels like doing. I just found the winning couple to be so stupid, especially Jake.
I think a lot of the story was obvious once you know the premise. Overall, not as great as I anticipated.
Would I recommend it? Probably as a quick and easy read when you haven't got the brain cells for anything too difficult.