Search
Search results
Debbiereadsbook (1614 KP) rated Palaces and other Prisons (Part of: Tinsel and Tentacles 3.0) in Books
Nov 23, 2025
my book brain has questions!
Independent reviewer for GRR, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Dawson finds himself, and the oil rig he is working on, left high and dry and on an island in the middle of the North Sea. Ul is king of the island. He knows something changed. The water tastes different and just what is that thing? Only one thing for it, some first contact. But then Ul's markings glow when he meets Dawson. Ul does not have time, nor the heart for a mate.
I liked this, I liked it a lot but I am left with questions! So many questions my book brain is screaming at me!
It was not really explained what Ul and his people are. I mean, they are called krakke, so some sort of kraken type being is assumed but not really fully explained.
How did Dawson get poisoned?? We know it was done, and when. But that's it.
It's not overly steamy, it's more about Ul and Dawson getting to know each other. Loved how Ul's people learn languages, even if Dawson talked the hind legs off a donkey while Ul learned how to speak English!
Basically, I think, there was some fleshing out needed BUT I really did enjoy this book and I want to read more of what happens during the Collapse, as the humans call it. All sorts of mythical beings are appearing in the human world and I want to read them!
4 very good, if slightly questioning, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Dawson finds himself, and the oil rig he is working on, left high and dry and on an island in the middle of the North Sea. Ul is king of the island. He knows something changed. The water tastes different and just what is that thing? Only one thing for it, some first contact. But then Ul's markings glow when he meets Dawson. Ul does not have time, nor the heart for a mate.
I liked this, I liked it a lot but I am left with questions! So many questions my book brain is screaming at me!
It was not really explained what Ul and his people are. I mean, they are called krakke, so some sort of kraken type being is assumed but not really fully explained.
How did Dawson get poisoned?? We know it was done, and when. But that's it.
It's not overly steamy, it's more about Ul and Dawson getting to know each other. Loved how Ul's people learn languages, even if Dawson talked the hind legs off a donkey while Ul learned how to speak English!
Basically, I think, there was some fleshing out needed BUT I really did enjoy this book and I want to read more of what happens during the Collapse, as the humans call it. All sorts of mythical beings are appearing in the human world and I want to read them!
4 very good, if slightly questioning, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Language Therapy 4-in-1
Medical and Education
App
Harness the power of a scientifically proven 4-in-1 speech therapy app that boosts reading, writing,...
Camera Plus Pro
Photo & Video
App
Camera Plus Pro 5 comes with pro-like features to offer amazing photo & video captures, awesome...
Neutron Music Player
Music and Entertainment
App
Neutron is the professional music player with a high quality 32/64-bit audio rendering engine which...
UK Newspapers | Wales Newspapers| Scotland Newspapers |Northern Ireland Newspapers
News and Business
App
Finally, you will put your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the UK and abroad, the same...
Debbiereadsbook (1614 KP) rated Rise (Spelldrift: Coven of Fire #1) in Books
Jan 10, 2018
not one for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
*insert big sigh*
I ....struggled with this book, for a couple of reasons, and it was very touch and go as to whether I would finish it.
First person, single point of view is not one of my favourite ways for a book to be written and only Alix has a here. Matt really should have been given a voice, I think, even if he had been given a first person voice, I would have enjoyed it more.
It could do with a thorough edit. Not enough minor things to put you off reading, but enough of them for me to note they were there and they needed commenting on.
Somewhat predictable plot. I saw it all coming at me. Every twist and turn. Maybe I read too much, but there were no surprises in this book for me.
BUT!!!
Even though only Alix gets a voice, I did like her. Because only she speaks we get up front and personal with her every step of the way. I really felt for her in places. She is very witty and there are a couple of laugh out loud moments.
And BECAUSE I saw it all coming at me like a freight train, I liked watching it all unfold.
I just. . . . . I dunno!
I'm sorry I can't word better what I think about this book, you know it pains me so when I can't say what I need to!
Will I read book 2? Possibly. The blurb will have to really REALLY grab me.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
*insert big sigh*
I ....struggled with this book, for a couple of reasons, and it was very touch and go as to whether I would finish it.
First person, single point of view is not one of my favourite ways for a book to be written and only Alix has a here. Matt really should have been given a voice, I think, even if he had been given a first person voice, I would have enjoyed it more.
It could do with a thorough edit. Not enough minor things to put you off reading, but enough of them for me to note they were there and they needed commenting on.
Somewhat predictable plot. I saw it all coming at me. Every twist and turn. Maybe I read too much, but there were no surprises in this book for me.
BUT!!!
Even though only Alix gets a voice, I did like her. Because only she speaks we get up front and personal with her every step of the way. I really felt for her in places. She is very witty and there are a couple of laugh out loud moments.
And BECAUSE I saw it all coming at me like a freight train, I liked watching it all unfold.
I just. . . . . I dunno!
I'm sorry I can't word better what I think about this book, you know it pains me so when I can't say what I need to!
Will I read book 2? Possibly. The blurb will have to really REALLY grab me.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Awix (3310 KP) rated Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance in TV
May 21, 2018 (Updated May 21, 2018)
I Give It A Year
Mind-bogglingly weird, supposedly based-on-true-events TV movie cashing in on the recent paroxysm of monarchist schmaltz. You know the story: she's on TV, he used to be in the army, hushed intake of breath from the British establishment when it turns out the lad's seeing a lady of her particular type, and so on, and so.
Everything is very clearly presented as the tale of a modern, progressive, independent woman who ain't gonna take no nonsense from this troubled scion of a gaggle of hidebound inbreds; Meghan is the heroine who saves Harry from the crushing oppressiveness of royal tradition. You go, your grace!
Direction is bland, acting mostly indifferent, dialogue execrable. Worth watching for: the scene where Meghan ends up chasing Harry's private jet down the runway after precipitately chucking him. The subplot about Princess Diana being reincarnated as a lion. Some very surprising dialogue ('I love a dirty martini,' says the Duchess of Cornwall). Possibly the least accurate depiction of the Queen ever put on screen - she complains about how she's shown in The Crown, in a nicely meta moment.
Pervasive sense of double-think permeates the production: film is consistently down on the royals, which is odd when you consider that if Harry wasn't a royal it wouldn't actually exist. Media intrusion on the couple is also strongly frowned upon, but if making a whole movie fictionalising their lives isn't an intrusion of some sort, what is? Soon to pass into obscurity, I reckon, but an arresting, mutant production while it's with us.
Everything is very clearly presented as the tale of a modern, progressive, independent woman who ain't gonna take no nonsense from this troubled scion of a gaggle of hidebound inbreds; Meghan is the heroine who saves Harry from the crushing oppressiveness of royal tradition. You go, your grace!
Direction is bland, acting mostly indifferent, dialogue execrable. Worth watching for: the scene where Meghan ends up chasing Harry's private jet down the runway after precipitately chucking him. The subplot about Princess Diana being reincarnated as a lion. Some very surprising dialogue ('I love a dirty martini,' says the Duchess of Cornwall). Possibly the least accurate depiction of the Queen ever put on screen - she complains about how she's shown in The Crown, in a nicely meta moment.
Pervasive sense of double-think permeates the production: film is consistently down on the royals, which is odd when you consider that if Harry wasn't a royal it wouldn't actually exist. Media intrusion on the couple is also strongly frowned upon, but if making a whole movie fictionalising their lives isn't an intrusion of some sort, what is? Soon to pass into obscurity, I reckon, but an arresting, mutant production while it's with us.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated You - Season 1 in TV
Jun 7, 2019 (Updated Jun 7, 2019)
A creepy stalker tale for the modern era....
Well that was something; I’m all over the place with my feelings for this series from hating it to loving it; a bit like my feelings for its lead character and narrator Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley.)
Joe is straight off the bat creepy stalker guy when he becomes obsessed with Guinevere “Beck” (Elizabeth Lail) off the back of meeting her in his bookshop - as if Amazon isn’t doing enough on its own to kill independent bookshops…. Convinced they should be together to pretty much save Beck from herself, Joe goes to ever increasing lengths to get to know everything about her and start manipulating her to become part of his life. It offers up a strong commentary on the power social media as well as the back stabbing competitive world of literature and socialites in New York
The narrative from Joe is hypnotic in him justifying his actions and Badgley’s voice is a perfect mixture of good wholesome guy with undertones that just make you shiver. As the series progressed, I got less and less creeped out by Joe and more frustrated with the other characters (oh my maybe Joe is brainwashing me.) With an almost Dexter feel to cheering on Joe at times I had to keep reminding myself that his moral compass was way off in comparison, just because someone is a self obsessed a****** doesn't mean they deserve to die.
The series started off very strongly but did drop off midway and I worry if the second season can bring back the initial engagement, I’ll certainly be tuning in to find out.
Joe is straight off the bat creepy stalker guy when he becomes obsessed with Guinevere “Beck” (Elizabeth Lail) off the back of meeting her in his bookshop - as if Amazon isn’t doing enough on its own to kill independent bookshops…. Convinced they should be together to pretty much save Beck from herself, Joe goes to ever increasing lengths to get to know everything about her and start manipulating her to become part of his life. It offers up a strong commentary on the power social media as well as the back stabbing competitive world of literature and socialites in New York
The narrative from Joe is hypnotic in him justifying his actions and Badgley’s voice is a perfect mixture of good wholesome guy with undertones that just make you shiver. As the series progressed, I got less and less creeped out by Joe and more frustrated with the other characters (oh my maybe Joe is brainwashing me.) With an almost Dexter feel to cheering on Joe at times I had to keep reminding myself that his moral compass was way off in comparison, just because someone is a self obsessed a****** doesn't mean they deserve to die.
The series started off very strongly but did drop off midway and I worry if the second season can bring back the initial engagement, I’ll certainly be tuning in to find out.
Debbiereadsbook (1614 KP) rated Cowboy In The Crosshairs (Dreamspun Desires #53) in Books
Mar 6, 2018
a bit jumpy but an enjoyable 4 star read
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I liked this, I really did. Its just the characters tend to jump about with their thinking and it got a little difficult trying to keep up in places!
BUT!!!
A great easy read, as usual from Tortuga!
Wacey comes home after an accident and TJ is Sheriff in town now. They split some ten years before, for one reason or other, to be honest I wasn't entirely sure WHY they split! But it's clear they still have an attraction that won't go away. When it becomes obvious that the "accident" might not have been, TJ goes into deep protection mode, and Wacey welcomes it. The culprit is caught, but will Wacey leave TJ again??
Like I said, a really easy read! Told from both Wacey and TJ's point of view, we get how each man feels seeing the other for the first time, their reactions then and after. It's not overly explicit, because it's a DreamSpun Desires, from DreamSpinner, but there is enough that is right for this book. While I do tend to prefer my male/male romances on the more explicit side, I really did enjoy this one with that little bit less.
The story flows well (apart from the jumping around the minds of the guys did!) and I saw no spelling or editing errors. I did not get who was trying to get Wacey until it was revealed in the book!
A perfect way to spend a snowed in Friday afternoon!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I liked this, I really did. Its just the characters tend to jump about with their thinking and it got a little difficult trying to keep up in places!
BUT!!!
A great easy read, as usual from Tortuga!
Wacey comes home after an accident and TJ is Sheriff in town now. They split some ten years before, for one reason or other, to be honest I wasn't entirely sure WHY they split! But it's clear they still have an attraction that won't go away. When it becomes obvious that the "accident" might not have been, TJ goes into deep protection mode, and Wacey welcomes it. The culprit is caught, but will Wacey leave TJ again??
Like I said, a really easy read! Told from both Wacey and TJ's point of view, we get how each man feels seeing the other for the first time, their reactions then and after. It's not overly explicit, because it's a DreamSpun Desires, from DreamSpinner, but there is enough that is right for this book. While I do tend to prefer my male/male romances on the more explicit side, I really did enjoy this one with that little bit less.
The story flows well (apart from the jumping around the minds of the guys did!) and I saw no spelling or editing errors. I did not get who was trying to get Wacey until it was revealed in the book!
A perfect way to spend a snowed in Friday afternoon!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**