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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Outside In (Insider, #2) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
***Possible spoiler alert concerning <b>Inside Out</b>***
<b>2.5 stars</b>
A rather disappointing end to the duet after the very enjoyable first book, [b:Inside Out|7059135|Inside Out (Insider, #1)|Maria V. Snyder|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327883282s/7059135.jpg|6662880]. Suffering from too many subplots that connected to the central story, the book just had too much going on. Each subplot that popped up was quickly taken care of in order to move on to the next scene and felt like the author was going down a checklist, "Okay, that's done, on to the next." It just wasn't very smooth at all. Most of the action was indicative of Chicken-with-its-head-cut-off Syndrome (yes, I did just make that up), so there was way too much confusion and running around, and I wanted it to slow. The. Heck. Down. This lead to my confusion of what in the world was going on, because I couldn't visualize much at all. The more hectic the story became, the more sketchy the details were. Not a good thing to do as an author. Since there was a lot more action than interaction this installment, the characters suffered and I found I didn't care for anyone at all or what happened to them, even Trella. While this book started off well enough, it quickly became more of a chore than a joy to read, and unfortunately, there was more tell than show in the writing. A very weak ending to what was a fun and exciting story arc. As I'm sure there isn't going to be another book in this series, there are many questions left dangling that should have been answered. Like who are the "Insiders" really, where are they from, what are they, who are the "Outsiders," etc., etc. I wasted time reading two books and am left without a real ending explaining most everything, if not all. One of the worst aspects about this sequel was the missed potential. It was already there but it was left ignored. The author would have done better to have created a slow, tension-filled build-up than the fast-paced mess of running around here, there, and everywhere, that ultimately was a big let-down and a disservice to the plot and characters.
<b>2.5 stars</b>
A rather disappointing end to the duet after the very enjoyable first book, [b:Inside Out|7059135|Inside Out (Insider, #1)|Maria V. Snyder|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327883282s/7059135.jpg|6662880]. Suffering from too many subplots that connected to the central story, the book just had too much going on. Each subplot that popped up was quickly taken care of in order to move on to the next scene and felt like the author was going down a checklist, "Okay, that's done, on to the next." It just wasn't very smooth at all. Most of the action was indicative of Chicken-with-its-head-cut-off Syndrome (yes, I did just make that up), so there was way too much confusion and running around, and I wanted it to slow. The. Heck. Down. This lead to my confusion of what in the world was going on, because I couldn't visualize much at all. The more hectic the story became, the more sketchy the details were. Not a good thing to do as an author. Since there was a lot more action than interaction this installment, the characters suffered and I found I didn't care for anyone at all or what happened to them, even Trella. While this book started off well enough, it quickly became more of a chore than a joy to read, and unfortunately, there was more tell than show in the writing. A very weak ending to what was a fun and exciting story arc. As I'm sure there isn't going to be another book in this series, there are many questions left dangling that should have been answered. Like who are the "Insiders" really, where are they from, what are they, who are the "Outsiders," etc., etc. I wasted time reading two books and am left without a real ending explaining most everything, if not all. One of the worst aspects about this sequel was the missed potential. It was already there but it was left ignored. The author would have done better to have created a slow, tension-filled build-up than the fast-paced mess of running around here, there, and everywhere, that ultimately was a big let-down and a disservice to the plot and characters.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Night Life (Nocturne City, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
After skimming some mixed reviews at Amazon, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Night Life. I thought that Luna was a great character; she had the perfect blend of good and bad personality traits, without being a complete b!tch or too perfect, as some urban fantasy heroines can be. Of course there will be some who find her b!tchy, but I didn't and she's what I think Chris Marie Green and Kit Whitfield were each trying for with their heroines in their respective books, The Night Babylon series and Benighted. The other characters: Sunny, Dmitri, and Mac all added to the story and were great also, especially Dmitri.
The plot held my interest and moved at a swift pace without too much action or getting too bogged down with details. I cannot wait until the next book comes out to read what happens with Luna next!
The plot held my interest and moved at a swift pace without too much action or getting too bogged down with details. I cannot wait until the next book comes out to read what happens with Luna next!
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Those Across the River in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I won a copy of this book on Goodreads. I was very much anticpating its arrival and I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed!
If you are not afraid of being out in the woodsat night, you will be after you read this book! Hell you may even be scared of forests in the daylight too. The characters throughoutbthe book are weel developed. While there were a few "typical" characters many of them were shown to have quirks or traits thatnare not typical of a suspense novel.
The plot was well paced. The suspense factor was always high...I found myself constantly wondering who would be next. Yet at the same time it wasn't too over the top. The story contained enough events that were reality based that you even found yourself convinced that the fantastical elements were just as likely to be real.
If you are not afraid of being out in the woodsat night, you will be after you read this book! Hell you may even be scared of forests in the daylight too. The characters throughoutbthe book are weel developed. While there were a few "typical" characters many of them were shown to have quirks or traits thatnare not typical of a suspense novel.
The plot was well paced. The suspense factor was always high...I found myself constantly wondering who would be next. Yet at the same time it wasn't too over the top. The story contained enough events that were reality based that you even found yourself convinced that the fantastical elements were just as likely to be real.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Blizzard of '88 in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Dave Mustaine recommended Ace of Spades by Motorhead in Music (curated)
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated RoseBlood in Books
Jul 5, 2018
I - had words for this book - and my husband had to sit there and just listen to me rage lol
I didn't mind the last portion of the book but this one, though beautifully written, had strange coloured text, which I DESPISED, and was slow, agonizing in some areas, but alas.... did I hate it, no.
Oh Thorn and his adorableness was just... I couldn't help but fall for that character so I guess that's the point - I did enjoy reading mostly his parts of the book, her parts were meh for the most part. I really loved the cat too - I'm a sucker for pets in books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Overall not bad !
I didn't mind the last portion of the book but this one, though beautifully written, had strange coloured text, which I DESPISED, and was slow, agonizing in some areas, but alas.... did I hate it, no.
Oh Thorn and his adorableness was just... I couldn't help but fall for that character so I guess that's the point - I did enjoy reading mostly his parts of the book, her parts were meh for the most part. I really loved the cat too - I'm a sucker for pets in books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Overall not bad !
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Vitality (Vitality #1) in Books
Nov 28, 2022
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is the first in the series of vitality and what a first it is!
It seems like a true love story with lots of twists. I do not want to say too much as I don't want to give anything away, I was hooked when I first started reading and really didn't want to put it down. I honestly can't wait till the second instalment even though my head feels mushed right now!
There are some rather dark moments and an absolute whirlwind of emotion.
I recommend reading it. I thought it was brilliant.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
This is the first in the series of vitality and what a first it is!
It seems like a true love story with lots of twists. I do not want to say too much as I don't want to give anything away, I was hooked when I first started reading and really didn't want to put it down. I honestly can't wait till the second instalment even though my head feels mushed right now!
There are some rather dark moments and an absolute whirlwind of emotion.
I recommend reading it. I thought it was brilliant.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Duchessina: A Novel of Catherine de' Medici (Young Royals, #5) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
<u>Duchessina</u> was a fairly good young adult take on Catherine de' Medici. The historical details are flawlessly added, and while it's <i>too</i> sympathic towards Catherine, I understand the need for the heroine to be that way in this type of book. My only major complaint is the end, where there was too much left in the book to wrap up so quickly. I thought the whole book was just going to be the first twenty or so years of her life, which would have made the book more cohesive. Instead the last thirty pages were rushed with the rest of her marriage and then the historical notes after Henri II died.
However, I do appreciate authors bringing history to younger readers in the hope that they will want to read more about certain people and times. Especially in the case of Catherine de' Medici, whom I feel history was more vicious to than she deserved. She was a woman of her times and she survived as best she could. Was she a saint? No, far from it, but I don't believe she was evil either.
3.5 stars
However, I do appreciate authors bringing history to younger readers in the hope that they will want to read more about certain people and times. Especially in the case of Catherine de' Medici, whom I feel history was more vicious to than she deserved. She was a woman of her times and she survived as best she could. Was she a saint? No, far from it, but I don't believe she was evil either.
3.5 stars
Sonofdel (6291 KP) rated 77 Shadow Street in Books
Jun 3, 2022
I have always loved Dean Koontz because of the way he immerses you in the situations in his book. Its not many authors that make you feel as if you are actually in the book not just reading it. Loved this book because whilst it is a work of fiction there are a lot of instances that ring true, particularly the way we are giving AI too much power and information. At first glance this is just your run of the mill horror house novel, but once you get into it, its so much more. Great character and development and i love the way that he does not concentrate on just one persons story. There are lots of different characters ranging from a small girl with autism to a contract killer and its blended in well to create an atmospheric, horrific and frightening novel. Its split into two books and i must admit that when i was about half way through i thought it was drawing to a close, how wrong i was. Well worth a read A++++
Erika (17789 KP) rated At Eternity's Gate (2018) in Movies
Dec 9, 2018
Willem Dafoe is TOO OLD to be Vincent (1 more)
Accents?!?!
I did have high expectations going into this film, Van Gogh is my favorite painter. The direction was... interesting. There was a lot of shaky-cam work, and I understood that the director was trying to depict things as slightly confused because it was supposed to be from Vincent's point-of-view, but, I don't think it was effective in the end. I liked Rupert Friend as Theo, and Oscar Isaac as Gauguin, and they were close to the actual ages of the characters. BUT, I had a problem with a 60+ year old actor playing Vincent, who was only 37 when he passed away. Dafoe did well at portraying a slightly-off Vincent, but he just looked way too old for me. And finally, the accents. Theo and Vincent had strange American accents? I'm not sure why they didn't opt for Dutch accents? It was very weird, and almost to the point of distracting.
In the end, this film was just ok, and I'm glad I used Regal points for the ticket, and not my own money.
In the end, this film was just ok, and I'm glad I used Regal points for the ticket, and not my own money.