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Merissa (12051 KP) rated Ripping Off the Mask in Books
Oct 16, 2018
Ripping Off The Mask by Harper Jewel
Ripping Off The Mask starts with action. Coop is with his (work) partner, Silvio, when they are called to a bank robbery. Others are on their way, or already there, chasing the suspects. Silvio goes off by himself as he is faster than Coop. That leads to them both being shot, only Silvio doesn't make it. What he does do is to open up a hornet's nest within Coop, as he tries to come to terms with everything that has happened, and what he did.
I liked Coop and Wes when they weren't talking. In fact, I liked ALL the characters when they weren't talking. The minute they opened their mouths, I lost interest. The conversations and comments made came across as very stilted and forced, with lots of repetition between what they thought and what they said.
Some of the situations in the book just didn't seem realistic - and yes, I know this is fiction, but I still like to be able to pretend it's real! There is a paranormal element to this book that you will either like or loathe. Personally, I liked it, but that's just me. The premise of this book is a good one, and has all the elements there that I normally like. However, although I still liked the book, it didn't really get to me. There are plenty of themes in this book, from the twins separated at birth, to ghosts/angels, to the big bad with a rough childhood. This is a long book, so there is plenty of time for everything to play out.
I think if you can get to grips with the pacing and style of writing, then you will probably enjoy this book.
* 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!
I liked Coop and Wes when they weren't talking. In fact, I liked ALL the characters when they weren't talking. The minute they opened their mouths, I lost interest. The conversations and comments made came across as very stilted and forced, with lots of repetition between what they thought and what they said.
Some of the situations in the book just didn't seem realistic - and yes, I know this is fiction, but I still like to be able to pretend it's real! There is a paranormal element to this book that you will either like or loathe. Personally, I liked it, but that's just me. The premise of this book is a good one, and has all the elements there that I normally like. However, although I still liked the book, it didn't really get to me. There are plenty of themes in this book, from the twins separated at birth, to ghosts/angels, to the big bad with a rough childhood. This is a long book, so there is plenty of time for everything to play out.
I think if you can get to grips with the pacing and style of writing, then you will probably enjoy this book.
* 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!
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Suicide Squad (2016) in Movies
Sep 29, 2020
Entirely crackbrained and nonsensical - I'm not even sure there's a single theme in either this nor the extended cut - but way better than 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 for the chief purposes that it doesn't look like pure ass and doesn't really try to act like it's anything more than religiously entertaining dirtpunk grit-fetish trash. It's just about as thinly-written as the former, but if you're going to make one-note characters and a bullshit plot I'd rather them sport this sort of wildly memorable, freakish cringe rather than the flat, market-tested cringe of most modern day Marvel. There's more meme-worthy, hilariously dumbass quotes in here than you can shake a stick at and the designwork on display is simply delicious imo - the lush, matted mess of CGI is actually quite stunning and the production is exquisite: the sickly makeup + vibrant costuming against the sets where you often see opulent golds and corporate lucre juxtaposed with a dank coat of dirt and graffiti - it's total eye candy. The image of Harley Quinn and Joker laughing in the chemical bath while Kehlani's "Gangster" blasts in the background and the colors from their clothes melt away is nothing less than a knockout piece of moving imagery. Smith is the weak link, not only horribly miscast but it also seems like he isn't even trying - otherwise everyone else does a bangup job from Jared Leto's "Pimp Daddy" chilling street tweaker Joker to Viola Davis' business-casual demon Waller to Cara Delevingne's gonzo, always sauntering, Meryl Streep-sounding Enchantress. Very dynamically idiotic in that random fun shit is just allowed to happen because it's clear this isn't at all concerned with making any sort of sense to begin with. All this and with a soundtrack that can only be described as epic, I truly believe this is a fascinating curio that got way too bad of a rap. As dumb as everyone says but also better than the last five MCU entries.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Serpent's Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
So sad to know that this is the last book in Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles. This trilogy has been my favorite of all his works by far! I'm hoping he will work Sadie, Carter, & Walt/Anubis into another series as the end left it pretty open to be picked up into the future with new Gods & magic trying to disrupt the ancient Egyptian beliefs.
This book was great! It was a satisfying ending to the series, despite the fact that it did leave things open to being picked up in the future. (Maybe he'll do something like he did with Percy Jackson & then Heroes of Olympus?!?) Again Sadie & Carter are such likable, believable, well-developed characters. The things they go through are extraordinary without a doubt, but they are so easy to identify with...which I'm sure helps with the appeal of the series to younger readers. But just because that is the target audience, doesn't mean an adult won't enjoy it.
The book is full of history, love, battles, & courage that it is very easy to get wrapped up in.
This book was great! It was a satisfying ending to the series, despite the fact that it did leave things open to being picked up in the future. (Maybe he'll do something like he did with Percy Jackson & then Heroes of Olympus?!?) Again Sadie & Carter are such likable, believable, well-developed characters. The things they go through are extraordinary without a doubt, but they are so easy to identify with...which I'm sure helps with the appeal of the series to younger readers. But just because that is the target audience, doesn't mean an adult won't enjoy it.
The book is full of history, love, battles, & courage that it is very easy to get wrapped up in.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Outlander in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Okay so like pretty much everyone else I'd heard of this series & heard great reviews. I was very unsure about diving into the series because I am not & never have been a "romance novel" fan. It took me winning a copy of this book on Goodreads to actually pick it up & start reading. I have to say that I am glad I won it.
Outlander is NOT your typical trashy romance. The story is very well written & it hooks the reader in from the very first chapter. Are there typical romance novel things in it? Of course, but they were NOT out of this world sex scenes that make you uncomfortable reading it. In fact, I was more into the story line & the character development throughout the book than I was getting into that part of it. It was more a necessary component to move the plot along than a gratuitous sex scene that was just stuck in there for fun.
I can't wait to continue reading the series & find out what happens to Claire, Jamie, & yes, even Frank.
Outlander is NOT your typical trashy romance. The story is very well written & it hooks the reader in from the very first chapter. Are there typical romance novel things in it? Of course, but they were NOT out of this world sex scenes that make you uncomfortable reading it. In fact, I was more into the story line & the character development throughout the book than I was getting into that part of it. It was more a necessary component to move the plot along than a gratuitous sex scene that was just stuck in there for fun.
I can't wait to continue reading the series & find out what happens to Claire, Jamie, & yes, even Frank.
ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Immortalists in Books
May 6, 2018
Do we have a choice or is it all dates?
Starting in 1969, four siblings visit a fortune teller who tells them the exact day that they will each die. This is about how they decide to live their lives knowing that date. Each pet of the book follows a separate sibling, starting with the one who dies the youngest. Each subsequent part takes up after the previous sibling dies.
I really liked this: I liked how the author describes their lives and decisions. I felt that it made them more human and not just another story. I like these family dramas though, and the chance to peek into someone else’s life.
This is definitely not a fantasy or science fiction book though. I did think there was a possibility that it might be when I first read the synopsis, but it’s definitely set in our world. AIDS, depression, obsession, OCD: these people have real life struggles.
It wasn’t always a comfortable read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I really liked this: I liked how the author describes their lives and decisions. I felt that it made them more human and not just another story. I like these family dramas though, and the chance to peek into someone else’s life.
This is definitely not a fantasy or science fiction book though. I did think there was a possibility that it might be when I first read the synopsis, but it’s definitely set in our world. AIDS, depression, obsession, OCD: these people have real life struggles.
It wasn’t always a comfortable read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Specials (Uglies, #3) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I loved this book and thought it was the best of the trilogy. The excitement of Tally and Shay's destruction of the Armory, Tally helping to defend Diego from attack, and other scenes - written so well that I could almost feel the adrenaline pumping through my own veins. The feel and speed of the book had a cinematic quality. I imagine Westerfeld wrote in this style on purpose to capture the style of the Specials, just as the second book had an "airhead" style of writing. The vocabulary also reflects the subculture of the Specials with words such as icy, which indicates the state of being clear-headed. I was saddened by Zane's death and disappointed that Tally could not have had more of a good-bye with him before he died, but I did like that she was reunited with David. I'm rather split as to which boyfriend of hers I prefered, since Zane and David are both very different and compliment Tally in different ways. Fortunately, Westerfeld made that decision for me.
Sam (74 KP) rated Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars, #1) in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I was really excited to start this because it is a universally known fact that the book is always better than the film or TV adaptation. I don’t think that rule applies to Pretty Little Liars.
I definitely feel that the series is much better than the books. The series is always gripping, gives plenty of time for the plot to develop, and has likeable characters. I was addicted to it for a year of binging.
I had a few issues with the book.
If I had read the book before watching the series, I wouldn’t have gone onto Netflix and binged on it. I feel like the book was too small and the plot was too condensed. This made the characters very two-dimensional.
The characters in the book are also all unlikable. They are all really bratty and spoiled and they really annoyed me. The creators of the series completely changed them for the good.
It is still getting two stars because I did manage to finish the book. I was just really disappointed that it wasn’t any better.
I definitely feel that the series is much better than the books. The series is always gripping, gives plenty of time for the plot to develop, and has likeable characters. I was addicted to it for a year of binging.
I had a few issues with the book.
If I had read the book before watching the series, I wouldn’t have gone onto Netflix and binged on it. I feel like the book was too small and the plot was too condensed. This made the characters very two-dimensional.
The characters in the book are also all unlikable. They are all really bratty and spoiled and they really annoyed me. The creators of the series completely changed them for the good.
It is still getting two stars because I did manage to finish the book. I was just really disappointed that it wasn’t any better.
Justin (2 KP) rated Power Rangers (2017) in Movies
Feb 2, 2018 (Updated Feb 2, 2018)
Meh
I dont get what this movie is trying to do. I kinda grew up with the original power rangers so the last thing i need from a movie based on them is loads of screen time taken up by character introduction. You could well argue that its targeted at a younger audience who might not have experienced the shows and latter movies first time round. But i would imagine they would have been as dissappointed and bored as i was by the majority of the movie being character intro and development and barely any of the fast action monster arse kicking that both us oldies and the younger generation would be expecting to see. Skip to the last half hour and you have a great high budget episode. Or just watch the trailer and see the last half hour condensed into a teaser that cons you out of your time/money into thinking youll get that throughout. Either way avoid like the plague.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Fiction Can be Murder in Books
Jun 6, 2018
Mystery Author Framed for Murder by Her Own Manuscript
Melinda has a reputation for taking pleasure in being mean to people. Even though Charlee Russo is an author this agent represents, she’s seen Melinda’s mean streak before. So it isn’t necessarily a surprise when Melinda winds up murdered. What is a surprise is the method – straight out of Charlee’s just submitted book. Clearly, someone in her life is trying to frame her for murder. But which of her friends could it be?
Early on, I was worried that I was about to be flooded with suspects. While there are a lot, they were presented in a way that it was easy to remember them as the book went along. It also helped that potential series regulars are also suspects and that the characters are distinct. I did feel like the plot focused on one aspect of the mystery over some of the others, but there was still a good twist or two and the ending had me turning pages as quickly as possible.
Early on, I was worried that I was about to be flooded with suspects. While there are a lot, they were presented in a way that it was easy to remember them as the book went along. It also helped that potential series regulars are also suspects and that the characters are distinct. I did feel like the plot focused on one aspect of the mystery over some of the others, but there was still a good twist or two and the ending had me turning pages as quickly as possible.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated From Twinkle, with Love in Books
Jul 5, 2018
I won this book in a giveaway a while ago - and finished it last night - I actually listened to When Dimple Met Rishi around the time it showed up at my door - and I must say that I much prefer that - either because of the listening aspect or because I liked the story more. For some reason I found Twinkle to be a bit annoying, repeating same things over and over (her feelings about what she was going through) and it was just not my cup of tea - perhaps if I would have listened to it I would have liked it more, and I intend to do that in the future. I have no ill words to say about any of the other characters and I quite enjoyed Maddie she seemed like she had her head on straight. Overall it was an OK read and had some funny moments but it definitely didn't hit all my wants in a book. Though I did enjoy the journal formatting/texts/emails, that was something I had never really read before.