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ArecRain (8 KP) rated My Forbidden Desire (My Immortals #2) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
Honestly, this book was <i>very confusing.</i> The overall theme was easy to understand: girl is put in danger, her psychotic father doesn't care if she dies as long as he obtains what he wants, her overprotective foster brother forces a fiend to guard her, they are sexually attracted to each other, eventually emotionally involved, and together they survive through a major tragedy, defeat her father, and live happily ever after. That pretty much seems to be the outline for every novel I read nowadays. It has indeed become old. Despite that, I still enjoyed this novel.
However, I often found myself confused. It wasnt because I didnt know what was going on, who somebody was, and didnt read the first in the series. No, the characters gestures and dialogues confused me. Sometimes, one character would touch another in a certain way, and I didnt understand why. Other times, characters would be conversing and I just didnt understand <i>why</i> they were saying the things they were. I dont know if I was tired or what, but I found myself wondering more often than not why they were doing the things they were. After awhile, I just stopped questioning and read.
Xia and Alexandrines relationship also had me scratching my head. At first, all they did was bicker. And not even intelligent arguing either. There was no trying to prove a point or open the others eyes. Nope, this was just flat out arguing for the sake of arguing. I was to the point of pulling my hair when all of a sudden, they cared about each other. They werent emotionally attached yet, just one person caring about the safety of another. I think the turnabout gave me whiplash. Then events actually started happening. By the time I finished the book, I literally had no idea about anything. I think I was just too exhausted to read this novel and actually comprehend it.
However, I often found myself confused. It wasnt because I didnt know what was going on, who somebody was, and didnt read the first in the series. No, the characters gestures and dialogues confused me. Sometimes, one character would touch another in a certain way, and I didnt understand why. Other times, characters would be conversing and I just didnt understand <i>why</i> they were saying the things they were. I dont know if I was tired or what, but I found myself wondering more often than not why they were doing the things they were. After awhile, I just stopped questioning and read.
Xia and Alexandrines relationship also had me scratching my head. At first, all they did was bicker. And not even intelligent arguing either. There was no trying to prove a point or open the others eyes. Nope, this was just flat out arguing for the sake of arguing. I was to the point of pulling my hair when all of a sudden, they cared about each other. They werent emotionally attached yet, just one person caring about the safety of another. I think the turnabout gave me whiplash. Then events actually started happening. By the time I finished the book, I literally had no idea about anything. I think I was just too exhausted to read this novel and actually comprehend it.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Glorious in Books
Apr 27, 2018
It's really hard to say if I liked Glorious or not. I liked it in some ways, in some ways it was good but I could not like it, and in other ways I disliked it.
One of the reasons I did like it, was the writing. McFadden has an interesting writing style: She writes like people think. You get asked a question and you have a million things you want to say, and a million thoughts go through your head at light speed, but all you say is a short quick answer that has no significance to the person who asked, but has monumental significance to you because of your thoughts behind all of it? That's what reading Glorious feels like, and that's how McFadden writes. It's beautiful and insightful.
Glorious is really hard to enjoy, even if you do like it, because of the things that happen. It's a tragic time period, and a lot of horrible things happen to poor Easter. She witnesses families being torn apart by abuse and rape, she sees people die, she commits sins, she gets wrapped up with the wrong people. There are good parts, wonderful parts that make you smile and sigh and say "thank God something good is finally happening to the poor girl." But then there are other parts that say "oh will it ever end for poor Easter?" It's hard to enjoy stuff like rape and murder and lynching. Glorious is a wakeup call, reminding us what life was like for Black Americans (respectively) after they got their freedom, but before they gained equality with Whites.
I got to Chapter 23, about 2/3 of the way through, when I stopped reading. It didn't feel like anything was happening. I mean, lots of things happened to Easter, but nothing was happening in the story. It was just her life written out, and it was too broad. There was no main plot, it was all subplot.
I "enjoyed" (or maybe appreciated is a better word) the part that I read, however I don't think I should read something unless I feel urged to continue.
Content: Adult content. Language, violence, rape, etc. Has some homosexuality
Recommendation: Ages 18+
One of the reasons I did like it, was the writing. McFadden has an interesting writing style: She writes like people think. You get asked a question and you have a million things you want to say, and a million thoughts go through your head at light speed, but all you say is a short quick answer that has no significance to the person who asked, but has monumental significance to you because of your thoughts behind all of it? That's what reading Glorious feels like, and that's how McFadden writes. It's beautiful and insightful.
Glorious is really hard to enjoy, even if you do like it, because of the things that happen. It's a tragic time period, and a lot of horrible things happen to poor Easter. She witnesses families being torn apart by abuse and rape, she sees people die, she commits sins, she gets wrapped up with the wrong people. There are good parts, wonderful parts that make you smile and sigh and say "thank God something good is finally happening to the poor girl." But then there are other parts that say "oh will it ever end for poor Easter?" It's hard to enjoy stuff like rape and murder and lynching. Glorious is a wakeup call, reminding us what life was like for Black Americans (respectively) after they got their freedom, but before they gained equality with Whites.
I got to Chapter 23, about 2/3 of the way through, when I stopped reading. It didn't feel like anything was happening. I mean, lots of things happened to Easter, but nothing was happening in the story. It was just her life written out, and it was too broad. There was no main plot, it was all subplot.
I "enjoyed" (or maybe appreciated is a better word) the part that I read, however I don't think I should read something unless I feel urged to continue.
Content: Adult content. Language, violence, rape, etc. Has some homosexuality
Recommendation: Ages 18+
KerysJayne Draganova (21 KP) rated The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet in Books
Jan 11, 2018 (Updated Jan 11, 2018)
Lack of focus on the destination (1 more)
A few too many story lines
I liked this book, and i would love to be able to say I wasn't at all disappointed with it, but I was.
First off let me say I loved the characters in the book. The mismash of personalities and species on the ship shouldn't have worked but it did, and you can't help but love every single one of them (even some of the slightly less lovable ones: I'm looking at you Corbin).
However I had some issues with the plot:
1) Rosemary's secret: I felt the author flirted with the issue alot but never really delved into it and then it reached its crux and was resolved entirely to quickly.
2) Corbin's little plot line: It came completely out of the blue, I get the author wanted to give him some sort of defining moment but it just seemed unnecessary and incredibly random. There was already so many story lines she could have developed in this book I felt this one could have waited for another book...which I feel also applies to Ohans health issue.
3) The small angry planet: I get that book is supposed to be about their journey rather than their arrival to the planet side, but I was left really disappointed with this part of the story. There was alot of potential for this area of the plot but the author didn't do a whole lot with it. She had the potential to create a bigger confrontation and more issues for the crew of the wayfarer but she didn't. Again it was resolved entirely to quickly.
Despite my issues with the plot I really did fall in love with the characters, so for that reason I will continue reading the series because I want/need to know where they go next.
First off let me say I loved the characters in the book. The mismash of personalities and species on the ship shouldn't have worked but it did, and you can't help but love every single one of them (even some of the slightly less lovable ones: I'm looking at you Corbin).
However I had some issues with the plot:
1) Rosemary's secret: I felt the author flirted with the issue alot but never really delved into it and then it reached its crux and was resolved entirely to quickly.
2) Corbin's little plot line: It came completely out of the blue, I get the author wanted to give him some sort of defining moment but it just seemed unnecessary and incredibly random. There was already so many story lines she could have developed in this book I felt this one could have waited for another book...which I feel also applies to Ohans health issue.
3) The small angry planet: I get that book is supposed to be about their journey rather than their arrival to the planet side, but I was left really disappointed with this part of the story. There was alot of potential for this area of the plot but the author didn't do a whole lot with it. She had the potential to create a bigger confrontation and more issues for the crew of the wayfarer but she didn't. Again it was resolved entirely to quickly.
Despite my issues with the plot I really did fall in love with the characters, so for that reason I will continue reading the series because I want/need to know where they go next.
Merissa (13950 KP) rated Dream Stalker in Books
Nov 15, 2021 (Updated Jul 10, 2023)
DREAM STALKER is told from a first-person perspective and we arrive in Salem near Samhain, also known as Halloween. It is a sad time as Lily's friend, Kitty commits suicide in front of her, but not before passing her a box and telling her to find the truth. This leads to a tangled mess of truths and half-truths, with deaths and accusations flying around.
Lily is a Wiccan and her sister was a Catholic nun. There is some sort of family drama with an adopted daughter and a sister. You get the basics but nothing too deep, so there was a feeling of wanting more. You are led from one person to the next, as our heroine is determined to prove her daughter's innocence. The big bad was a bit too obvious for me, but I still enjoyed reading about how it got to the point that Lily knew.
There are many interesting aspects to this story, especially the Wiccan and Herbalist sides of it. I would have preferred more information on the backstories of some of the characters, plus more about why something happened or connections were made or denied.
At the end of the story, it becomes clear there will be a follow-up to this story. I am looking forward to this as I hope it will give me more details about Lily, her family, and her dream walking ability.
** 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. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 15, 2021
Lily is a Wiccan and her sister was a Catholic nun. There is some sort of family drama with an adopted daughter and a sister. You get the basics but nothing too deep, so there was a feeling of wanting more. You are led from one person to the next, as our heroine is determined to prove her daughter's innocence. The big bad was a bit too obvious for me, but I still enjoyed reading about how it got to the point that Lily knew.
There are many interesting aspects to this story, especially the Wiccan and Herbalist sides of it. I would have preferred more information on the backstories of some of the characters, plus more about why something happened or connections were made or denied.
At the end of the story, it becomes clear there will be a follow-up to this story. I am looking forward to this as I hope it will give me more details about Lily, her family, and her dream walking ability.
** 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. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 15, 2021
Calum (17 KP) rated Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) in Movies
Jul 10, 2018
Catchy music/songs (3 more)
Good range of characters
Fun special effects
That museum scene
Story drags a little bit (2 more)
Somewhat predictable
Range of locations aren't very exciting
Great musical, okay everything else
Back in the summer of 2007 I was at a friends house. I was 10 years old and did not have much previous experience of music but decided to watch this. Looking back, I was probably a little too young for the language and adult themes but I can safely say that this movie single handedly got me into music. Even to this day I could recite every song word for word.
Aside from the amazing range of songs, it is quite a simple musical comedy. There are a good few funny moments but also a lot of jokes that just fall flat.. Let's be honest though, if you're a fan of Tenacious D, you aren't here for the comedy but for the music which I have to say again is simply brilliant! As long as you aren't too easily offended by some of the more vulgar scenes, this is a must watch!
Aside from the amazing range of songs, it is quite a simple musical comedy. There are a good few funny moments but also a lot of jokes that just fall flat.. Let's be honest though, if you're a fan of Tenacious D, you aren't here for the comedy but for the music which I have to say again is simply brilliant! As long as you aren't too easily offended by some of the more vulgar scenes, this is a must watch!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Mind Sweeper (Mind Sweeper #1) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
I won this book via Goodreads' First Reads program (and I'm so happy I did! Thank you for the goodies, too, A.E. :D)
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/DSCN3257.jpg.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/DSCN3257.jpg"; border="0" alt=" photo DSCN3257.jpg"/></a>
4.5 stars.
This book has everything that I like in a paranormal read; action, romance, investigations... I really, really, really liked it!
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/DSCN3258.jpg.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/DSCN3258.jpg"; border="0" alt=" photo DSCN3258.jpg"/></a>
"Happy Reading"? It definitely was for me!
I literally read every word of this, which I don't always do as it is generally just filler/too much information for my liking, but I felt like I would miss something if I missed any one word of this. And still managed to finish it within three days
The case took up all the book and I have to admit that I had no idea who was behind it all but I loved how the author had linked everything together.
The romance was slow growing; it wasn't insta-love and I really felt it happening which was great. I love Kyle and Joe as a couple. I'd love to read more of them (nudge, nudge ;-))
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by the author if there is more along this line coming. Great book for a debut!
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/DSCN3257.jpg.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/DSCN3257.jpg"; border="0" alt=" photo DSCN3257.jpg"/></a>
4.5 stars.
This book has everything that I like in a paranormal read; action, romance, investigations... I really, really, really liked it!
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/leannecrab/media/DSCN3258.jpg.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc19/leannecrab/DSCN3258.jpg"; border="0" alt=" photo DSCN3258.jpg"/></a>
"Happy Reading"? It definitely was for me!
I literally read every word of this, which I don't always do as it is generally just filler/too much information for my liking, but I felt like I would miss something if I missed any one word of this. And still managed to finish it within three days
The case took up all the book and I have to admit that I had no idea who was behind it all but I loved how the author had linked everything together.
The romance was slow growing; it wasn't insta-love and I really felt it happening which was great. I love Kyle and Joe as a couple. I'd love to read more of them (nudge, nudge ;-))
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by the author if there is more along this line coming. Great book for a debut!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Broken Monsters in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Broken Monsters was what I call “High Concept, Poor Execution.” There were two major things that caused me to decide not to finish it.
The first reason: The story was written from several different characters perspectives, and it switched almost every chapter. Some books can get away with this (generally there are two or three PoV) but this one had like 5 different voices, and it was just too much to keep track of.
The second and most important reason: The relationship between the police officer and her daughter. Seriously, no police officer is going to pick up her high school daughter and start telling her all about the secret case they haven’t yet allowed the press to get wind of, or tell her details or hunches, or—what really set me off—have her daughter help her use a search engine to find photos from nasty crime scenes. You just don’t do that.
The premise was cool and the bad-guy was amazing (his PoV was my favorite) but I just couldn’t keep going with those two factors.
The first reason: The story was written from several different characters perspectives, and it switched almost every chapter. Some books can get away with this (generally there are two or three PoV) but this one had like 5 different voices, and it was just too much to keep track of.
The second and most important reason: The relationship between the police officer and her daughter. Seriously, no police officer is going to pick up her high school daughter and start telling her all about the secret case they haven’t yet allowed the press to get wind of, or tell her details or hunches, or—what really set me off—have her daughter help her use a search engine to find photos from nasty crime scenes. You just don’t do that.
The premise was cool and the bad-guy was amazing (his PoV was my favorite) but I just couldn’t keep going with those two factors.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
Nov 19, 2018
I didn't get it
I have to admit, I haven't seen the first film so it is possible my enjoyment of this suffered as a result. But my wife has and it sounds like I shouldn't have needed to see that to get this.
For me, the film was all over the place, plot-wise. It is cleat it was devised as a film rather than adapted from a book. It seems like the plot was simply used to justify the big effects set pieces they had planned. A number of times characters make odd choices for odder reasons and just happen to end up in the thick of the action and a number of revelations made are either so obvious, totally irrelevant (the necklace) or confusing (so were the babies switched or not?!).
I didn't really like Newt as a character, he reminds me too much of the public school boys with the foppish hair I see on the train every morning, doing their homework at the last possible moment and blocking the aisle with their massive kit bags. Ahem, anyway.
Jonny Depp as the baddie was a massive missed opportunity. He could have been so much darker and more mysterious, instead he was more a disapproving teacher, just looking down his nose at everyone and muttering. There was no real sense of evil. Now that I think of it, I couldn't actually say what his "crimes" were, other than escaping prison and murdering a family and living in their home. After that, he was more like a politician than anything else.
And Nicolas Flamel - what was that all about - why was he there at all?
All in all, I just did not enjoy it and thought it a mess of a film with no attempt at a valid plot and no ending.
For me, the film was all over the place, plot-wise. It is cleat it was devised as a film rather than adapted from a book. It seems like the plot was simply used to justify the big effects set pieces they had planned. A number of times characters make odd choices for odder reasons and just happen to end up in the thick of the action and a number of revelations made are either so obvious, totally irrelevant (the necklace) or confusing (so were the babies switched or not?!).
I didn't really like Newt as a character, he reminds me too much of the public school boys with the foppish hair I see on the train every morning, doing their homework at the last possible moment and blocking the aisle with their massive kit bags. Ahem, anyway.
Jonny Depp as the baddie was a massive missed opportunity. He could have been so much darker and more mysterious, instead he was more a disapproving teacher, just looking down his nose at everyone and muttering. There was no real sense of evil. Now that I think of it, I couldn't actually say what his "crimes" were, other than escaping prison and murdering a family and living in their home. After that, he was more like a politician than anything else.
And Nicolas Flamel - what was that all about - why was he there at all?
All in all, I just did not enjoy it and thought it a mess of a film with no attempt at a valid plot and no ending.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated I Owe You One in Books
Apr 4, 2019 (Updated Apr 5, 2019)
Predictable but sweet
This book had to grow on me. In the beginning, Fixie drove me a little crazy. I was less irritated with her devotion to her family (perhaps I could relate there), but I was annoyed at how clueless she was in her adoration to Ryan Chalker, who was just terrible. And truly, Fixie's siblings were pretty awful to her, too. There were very few side characters in this one who were easy to like. Even Sebastian, whose laptop Fixie rescues (and who, obviously, becomes her love interest), goes back to his girlfriend a little often for my taste. Which is sad, because otherwise the Fixie/Seb dynamic is quite enjoyable and really quite funny. Still, the poor girl was clearly under a lot of pressure with her family and the store, so I get some of her behavior there. As for Ryan, I'm not so sure what her excuse was!
Still, this book wins you over with time. Fixie is an engaging character and really, rather endearing. She can't help but be who she is and she really can't help whom she is surrounded by (except Ryan--let's just all agree he's awful). When Seb enters the scene, things become more funny, and things pick up as Fixie starts to grow into her own skin. This growth is a Kinsella staple, and she does it well. There's moments of her trademark humor, as well.
Overall, this one is predictable but sweet, and once I got past some of Fixie's issues, I enjoyed it. It's a light, quick read.
Still, this book wins you over with time. Fixie is an engaging character and really, rather endearing. She can't help but be who she is and she really can't help whom she is surrounded by (except Ryan--let's just all agree he's awful). When Seb enters the scene, things become more funny, and things pick up as Fixie starts to grow into her own skin. This growth is a Kinsella staple, and she does it well. There's moments of her trademark humor, as well.
Overall, this one is predictable but sweet, and once I got past some of Fixie's issues, I enjoyed it. It's a light, quick read.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery in Apps
Oct 30, 2018
Graphics (1 more)
Fun
Takes awhile to earn energy and complete quests (2 more)
New chapters take awhile to be released/Game is not finished
Takes awhile to level areas up
I love Harry Potter, so I was thrilled to discover this game. I love the graphics, and the storyline is fairly interesting as it takes place before Harry Potter attended Hogwarts. It has some interesting characters as well. I love that I’m able to customize my character with hairstyles, clothes, and accessories.
The downside is that energy takes awhile to accumulate. It’s 4 minutes per 1 energy. Also, it takes forever to level up knowledge, empathy, etc the higher your level. Some friendships take forever to level up as well since you can only do activities to level up the friendship after so many hours (which the waiting is too long). New chapters take forever to get released. When I first downloaded this game, I thought it was a finished product. I didn’t realize the game wasn’t finished. I also don’t like competing against other houses as it’s a bit unfair considering most people are in Gryffindor and Slytherin, so there’s no way to win.
However, this is a fun game when there is a chapter released. I will definitely keep playing. I’ve already invested too much time and money (yes, there are micro transactions).
The downside is that energy takes awhile to accumulate. It’s 4 minutes per 1 energy. Also, it takes forever to level up knowledge, empathy, etc the higher your level. Some friendships take forever to level up as well since you can only do activities to level up the friendship after so many hours (which the waiting is too long). New chapters take forever to get released. When I first downloaded this game, I thought it was a finished product. I didn’t realize the game wasn’t finished. I also don’t like competing against other houses as it’s a bit unfair considering most people are in Gryffindor and Slytherin, so there’s no way to win.
However, this is a fun game when there is a chapter released. I will definitely keep playing. I’ve already invested too much time and money (yes, there are micro transactions).