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Kristina (502 KP) rated Nocte (The Nocte Trilogy, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2020
Courtney Cole, what have you done to me?! I just finished Nocte and I can't even... I kept putting it off because everyone is so hush-hush about the story, it's difficult for me to find too much interest when I have no clue what I'll be reading about. But now I know why and all I can say is holy freaking cow! I was sucked in from the very beginning, because things like death, dark and crazy catch my attention. It didn't take long and I was reading to see where Finn's thoughts would lead me. Then I kept reading, in addition to Finn's point of view, to figure out what Calla's connection with Dare could be. THEN, I just had to find out what Finn and Dare were hiding from Calla. I was so confused and held captivated by the mystery, I read Nocte in one whole sitting. There was no way I could take a break! Things went from messy to crazy, then fell straight into psychotic. Even though I understood what was happening, I didn't know what would happen hext and I felt like I'd landed inside a tornado, surrounded by scenarios that got even more bizarre by the page. Honestly, it's laughable to look back at some of the theories I came up with. Absolutely nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for the complete truth. I feel like I might need to see a therapist after reading this - but in the most amazingly, wonderful way. Of course, maybe not too wonderful, considering I was left with a cliff-hanger and I'm desperate to see what happens next. Nocte is definitely a new favorite of mine, that's for sure! I can't wait to read the next two books of the trilogy and quench my curiosity once and for all!
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Little Monsters in Books
Apr 4, 2019 (Updated Apr 5, 2019)
This was an interesting read that kept me guessing the entire time. I give Thomas points for its twistiness, as it was an engrossing read. These were some very complicated high school kids. I couldn't help but think that that Kacey was a little too involved in wanting to find her friend and that the high school drama seemed incredibly intense, even for the purposes of a novel. Maybe I'm just naive, but these girls were in deep. There is nothing quite so dark, at times, as the friendship of teenage girls.
Overall, I enjoyed trying to piece things together in this story, even if some of the overly dramatic parts turned me off a bit.
Overall, I enjoyed trying to piece things together in this story, even if some of the overly dramatic parts turned me off a bit.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The Necromancer's Prison in Books
Aug 19, 2019
Daring adventure with realistic teens
**I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
I will admit I was a little hesitant to read this book. Science fiction and I have a love-hate relationship. I tend to get bored if the book is too logical, so it's always a gamble for me. Luckily, this book was right up my alley. It's science fiction that verges on the cusp of fantasy. It's logical, but it doesn't get bogged down by too much logic which I appreciated.
The Necromancer's Prison is a daring adventure book that is sure to keep you turning the page. I loved seeing the interaction between the main characters, and I loved the bickering & comradery they had as well. Each character was there for a reason, and I liked that they acted like teenagers. They had a great connection to each other, and even as an adult, I could connect with them.
Something else that I loved about this book is the plot and how fast-paced it was. Once I got into the story, I devoured it. The plot was intricate and engaging. It also had some twists & turns, which kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. Though I will admit, the present tense threw me for a loop. It took me a bit to get into the book, but once I got into the meat of the book, I enjoyed it.
All in all, this book left me satisfied, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I recommend this book to anyone that wants a quick-paced science fiction that verges on fantasy.
I will admit I was a little hesitant to read this book. Science fiction and I have a love-hate relationship. I tend to get bored if the book is too logical, so it's always a gamble for me. Luckily, this book was right up my alley. It's science fiction that verges on the cusp of fantasy. It's logical, but it doesn't get bogged down by too much logic which I appreciated.
The Necromancer's Prison is a daring adventure book that is sure to keep you turning the page. I loved seeing the interaction between the main characters, and I loved the bickering & comradery they had as well. Each character was there for a reason, and I liked that they acted like teenagers. They had a great connection to each other, and even as an adult, I could connect with them.
Something else that I loved about this book is the plot and how fast-paced it was. Once I got into the story, I devoured it. The plot was intricate and engaging. It also had some twists & turns, which kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. Though I will admit, the present tense threw me for a loop. It took me a bit to get into the book, but once I got into the meat of the book, I enjoyed it.
All in all, this book left me satisfied, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. I recommend this book to anyone that wants a quick-paced science fiction that verges on fantasy.
Peter Strickland recommended The Lighthouse (2019) in Movies (curated)
ABC 123 - Fun US English Alphabet Learning Tool, Phonics Education, Numbers Teacher Game Quiz and Exam with Flash Cards, Colors, Sounds for Kindergarten Kids, Primary K12 and Preschool Children
Education and Games
App
ABC 123 is an educational app for children to help them learn English Alphabet easily with sounds,...
Gisell Middleton (189 KP) rated The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2) in Books
Jan 31, 2020
A good story that does not quite live up to its predecessor. I enjoyed the writing style, which is very descriptive and engaging. The narrator of the audiobook does a good job with the pace and cadence, bringing the characters and story to life. There was a lot of introspection on the part of the protagonist and the murder investigation subplot, while a bit mundane later becomes important; even so, too little, too late. I wish more time had been expended on delving into some aspects of the story that would have been much more interesting. All in all, a good sequel.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Four Days of You and Me in Books
May 7, 2020
I hate writing less-than-positive reviews, especially for authors I typically enjoy, but this book was not a favorite of mine. It's told across Lulu and Alex's four class trips (one per year) with flashbacks to other times. I simply could not warm up to Lulu or Alex. Honestly, of the two, I probably liked him better, but we don't hear his side. It took nearly half the book for the story to engage me even a little bit, and I thought about giving up, but for some reason, I have a tough time just stopping a book.
Now, I read YA a ton, so it's not that I don't enjoy YA novels. I read one right after this and *loved* it. But I found this story way too simplistic, and I feel like teens would too. There is so much better YA out there--for all of us. The book just felt simplistic in its writing and the "will they / won't they" storyline was boring. I did not care if they did or not. Honestly, there was a side plot about Lulu's gay best friend Max that was much more interesting--I would have rather read about him!
Supposedly Lulu is an artist/writer and that's her thing, but that felt forced. Mostly, the book felt about a girl (and her friends) all trying to find boys to like (and like them back). That's what they cared about and talked about. I felt no huge connection between Alex and Lulu and hence no reason to root for them to choose each other. They didn't feel destined for one other, as most couples do in a good romance. The story does pick up a bit near the end, but by then, I just felt burned out.
So maybe this story would resonate a bit more with a teen set (and it should be an older teen set, due to language and themes), but there are a lot of other better books out there. Now, others seem to enjoy this more than me, so maybe I just got caught in a bad mood. 2.5 stars for me, though.
Now, I read YA a ton, so it's not that I don't enjoy YA novels. I read one right after this and *loved* it. But I found this story way too simplistic, and I feel like teens would too. There is so much better YA out there--for all of us. The book just felt simplistic in its writing and the "will they / won't they" storyline was boring. I did not care if they did or not. Honestly, there was a side plot about Lulu's gay best friend Max that was much more interesting--I would have rather read about him!
Supposedly Lulu is an artist/writer and that's her thing, but that felt forced. Mostly, the book felt about a girl (and her friends) all trying to find boys to like (and like them back). That's what they cared about and talked about. I felt no huge connection between Alex and Lulu and hence no reason to root for them to choose each other. They didn't feel destined for one other, as most couples do in a good romance. The story does pick up a bit near the end, but by then, I just felt burned out.
So maybe this story would resonate a bit more with a teen set (and it should be an older teen set, due to language and themes), but there are a lot of other better books out there. Now, others seem to enjoy this more than me, so maybe I just got caught in a bad mood. 2.5 stars for me, though.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Witchtown in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I had a hard time putting this one down, it grabbed me from page one. The writing style was great, I really enjoyed the originality of the plot, and the pace was perfect, no real slow spots. I would have liked a little more character development, especially with the secondary characters since they are integral to the story. As the heroine, I wish Macie had done more to deal with her problems herself instead of always relying on her friends. Parts of the ending felt a little too convenient, as tho the author was in a rush to tie up loose ends. I'm not sure if there will be anymore books about the witchtown world but I certainly hope so! *Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!*
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated The Public Enemy (1931) in Movies
Jul 30, 2020
Boring
The story of the rise and fall of prohibition-era Tom Powers. The Public Enemy currently sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. I was excited to dive in to this movie, but I started drowning as soon as I hit the first ten minutes. And, no, it didn’t get better.
Acting: 7
Beginning: 4
The beginning is extremely slow. It was very hard for me to get engaged or even stay that way. I got out of the first ten minutes thinking, “If this is any indication of how the rest of the movie is going to be, count me out.”
Characters: 2
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 5
For a gangster movie, I was really hoping for a lot more action. The gun fights aren’t bad, but they happen so few and far between it makes the rest of the movie really boring. I never felt any stakes at any point with any of the characters either so the conflict is mediocre by comparison.
Entertainment Value: 5
I enjoyed watching a part of cinematic history. I respected that aspect at least. Overall, though, I was mildly entertained at best. I felt there were more lulls than high spots.
Memorability: 6
Pace: 4
I was bored out of my mind for most of the movie. Again, I expected more from a gangster movie. Too much talking, way too much exposition. The movie drags like a sloth.
Plot: 8
The story is solid. The execution was weak. There are a number of different ways this story could have been approached without there being so much repeated dialogue. Tom Powers has an interesting story that happened to get lost in translation with all of this.
Resolution: 2
I won’t spoil the ending, but it did nothing for the main character or his story overall. I felt we reached a climax where I had no sympathy for Tom because they had done little to nothing to that point to make me give a shit about him. Considering how bad the beginning was already, this was absolutely horrible.
Overall: 53Do I think The Public Enemy is a bad movie? Clearly, but I will say it’s not without a handful of shining moments. The camerawork is phenomenal particularly during gun fights. However, because I could never get to a point where I rooted for the main character, it made the movie as a whole hard to enjoy for me.
Acting: 7
Beginning: 4
The beginning is extremely slow. It was very hard for me to get engaged or even stay that way. I got out of the first ten minutes thinking, “If this is any indication of how the rest of the movie is going to be, count me out.”
Characters: 2
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 5
For a gangster movie, I was really hoping for a lot more action. The gun fights aren’t bad, but they happen so few and far between it makes the rest of the movie really boring. I never felt any stakes at any point with any of the characters either so the conflict is mediocre by comparison.
Entertainment Value: 5
I enjoyed watching a part of cinematic history. I respected that aspect at least. Overall, though, I was mildly entertained at best. I felt there were more lulls than high spots.
Memorability: 6
Pace: 4
I was bored out of my mind for most of the movie. Again, I expected more from a gangster movie. Too much talking, way too much exposition. The movie drags like a sloth.
Plot: 8
The story is solid. The execution was weak. There are a number of different ways this story could have been approached without there being so much repeated dialogue. Tom Powers has an interesting story that happened to get lost in translation with all of this.
Resolution: 2
I won’t spoil the ending, but it did nothing for the main character or his story overall. I felt we reached a climax where I had no sympathy for Tom because they had done little to nothing to that point to make me give a shit about him. Considering how bad the beginning was already, this was absolutely horrible.
Overall: 53Do I think The Public Enemy is a bad movie? Clearly, but I will say it’s not without a handful of shining moments. The camerawork is phenomenal particularly during gun fights. However, because I could never get to a point where I rooted for the main character, it made the movie as a whole hard to enjoy for me.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Deal (Off-Campus, #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
4.5 stars.
This book really grew on me. I wasn't sure at the beginning but I read it non-stop in bed until I got to the 65% mark around midnight last night and my eyes were burning. I had to stop since I had work but I picked it up again this morning and had another marathon reading session and have just finished it and I really liked it!
I fell in love with Garrett from pretty early on. It was just the way he went about getting Hannah to agree to tutor him and then how it all went from there... *sigh* He was pretty amazing by the end of the book.
Hannah was pretty cool, too, once she gave in and became friends with Garrett and then became more. How she trusted him enough to tell him her secret
I just really liked it.
P.S. I really have to start watching my Breaking Bad box-sets!
This book really grew on me. I wasn't sure at the beginning but I read it non-stop in bed until I got to the 65% mark around midnight last night and my eyes were burning. I had to stop since I had work but I picked it up again this morning and had another marathon reading session and have just finished it and I really liked it!
I fell in love with Garrett from pretty early on. It was just the way he went about getting Hannah to agree to tutor him and then how it all went from there... *sigh* He was pretty amazing by the end of the book.
Hannah was pretty cool, too, once she gave in and became friends with Garrett and then became more. How she trusted him enough to tell him her secret
I just really liked it.
P.S. I really have to start watching my Breaking Bad box-sets!