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Sarah (7799 KP) rated Dune in Books

Sep 25, 2020  
Dune
Dune
Frank Herbert | 1965 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.7 (23 Ratings)
Book Rating
A classic
Dune has been on my reading list for quite some time, and it's only after seeing the trailer for the new film that I finally caved and decided to buy this. I didn't even read the synopsis until the book arrived and when I did I was sceptical to say the least, especially as this had comparisons to the likes of Tolkien and Lord of the Rings.

However despite my reservations I was hooked from a few pages in. This is definitely a marmite, love it or hate it kind of book, and the comparisons to Tolkien are very much justified as there are similarities in their writing styles. Whilst there is action in this book, there's also a lot of world building, descriptions and dialogue. This might seem boring to some, but for me i loved every minute of it. Barely any of it was superfluous or unnecessary, and the characters and world that Herbert has built are hugely detailed and well developed. If possible I actually wanted to read more about certain characters than had already been written.

It's taken me longer than normal to read this book. Not because it's bad but because it was that good that I wanted to take my time and relish every chapter. My biggest disappointment about this book was that it ended. There are sequels to this that I've heard don't match up to the this and get progressively worse, so I'm in two minds about whether to read further. But I honestly loved this book and I'm a little ashamed that it's taken me so long to read it, and now I can't wait for the new film..
(5)   
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Debbiereadsbook (1398 KP) rated The Good Green Earth (Colors of Love #3) in Books

Sep 29, 2019  
The Good Green Earth (Colors of Love #3)
The Good Green Earth (Colors of Love #3)
V.L. Locey | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
an enjoyable read
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book three in the Colors of Love series, but save for the hockey player and the agent (Arn) there is not real connection, so you don't need to read Lost In Indigo or Touch of a Yellow Sun before this one.

I enjoyed this one, as much as book two, but not as much as book one, and the same reason applies.

Only Nathan has a voice. Now I know I say it often enough, but here I think I'm justified!

Nathan is a force of nature and he plows himself into Bran's business while doing his community service. Bran is still grieving the loss of his husband two years before. Nathan decides he wants Bran but Bran is in a position of power over Nathan and Bran doesn't want Nathan, or so he says.

But I wanted to hear from Bran, about how he feels about the attraction to Nathan, a much younger man. About his grief for the loss of his husband. About taking the steps he does to, not remove his husband, but to allow Bran and Nathan to move on, without his presence. And Bran doesn't have that voice.

I enjoyed watching Nathan get to the root cause of his behaviour, felt for him when he finally lets it all out, when we hear what happened. Wanted to punch the brother so bloody hard though!

I don't know if there will be any more of this series, but I hope so. I'm enjoying watching these hockey players meet the men who will colour their world!

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
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Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated Trying to Live Happily Ever After in Books

Oct 8, 2019  
Trying to Live Happily Ever After
Trying to Live Happily Ever After
Clive Lilwall | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Booksirens and Clive Lilwall for this opportunity.

I was very intrigued by the concept of Trying to Live Happily Ever After: bringing fairytales into the modern age is right up my street and, on the whole, Clive Lilwall did not disappoint.

With 17 short stories in total I must admit I did not enjoy every tale.

Cinderella, in my opinion, was just as vapid as her stepsisters and it felt like her owning an old model of a mobile phone justified her to get "the prince". Granted, this may have been Lilwall's aim to show how we associate technology with social standing. However, I would have appreciated a stronger role model as opposed to the slightly kinder but still materialistic Cindy we received.

Unfortunately some of the fables were also lost on me but that may be because I am not familiar with the originals.

Nevertheless, some of Lilwall's tales will possibly stay with me forever. Red's granny getting saucy under a wolf skin; Hansel and Gretal getting fat and baked in a whole new way and, of course, the blunt, shameless, no-holds-barred adaptation of The Emperor's New Clothes, starring a certain "president".

The writing is overly simplistic at times but this only highlights the roots of these tales as stories and fables.

The writing does not need to be complex when human actions and consequences are under the spotlight in such a humorous, satirical and thought provoking manner.

These are not the fairy tales you remember, they're not even revolting-rhymes-sort-of-for-kids. Not in the slightest. You have been warned.
(1)   
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Debbiereadsbook (1398 KP) rated Matching with Monsters (The Red Agency #1) in Books

Dec 26, 2023  
Matching with Monsters (The Red Agency #1)
Matching with Monsters (The Red Agency #1)
Crystal Lynn | 2023 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
so close to 5 stars but I needed the guys too!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

One thing, and one thing alone stopped this book getting 5 stars. Well, maybe 2, but the second thing is just me being greedy, but I'm allowed, right??

So that thing? Single person point of view. Only Ari has a say, in the first person. Now, I always want to hear from everyone, but I think HERE, in this case, I am fully justified in wanting to hear from Magnus, the vampire; Gareth, the yeti; Gabe and Lucien, the gargoyles and Rivak, but I'm not telling you what he is, it takes time for the full reveal and you do need that suspense! But it was Rivak that I needed to hear from the most. When he tells of why he holds himself back, you understand but I needed to hear from HIM, you know?

There are other points that I need to make, but I don't think these affect my star rating. The rival clan thing was never fully explained. And I would have loved more about that way this clan of 5 came to be, their history.

It's clear that Ari's two friends, Cami and Lyssa, have a story with their own clan. I hope I get to read them!

So, the other thing that's just me being greedy?? It's very much Ari and HER mates. I would have loved that they were ALL mates, you know?? Obviously, not Gabe and Lucien, since they are twins, but I would have loved some contact between the monsters as well as Ari, you know?? Greedy, like I said!

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
(1)   
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Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) in Movies

Oct 19, 2018  
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
2018 | Thriller
6
7.6 (36 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
The Cast (1 more)
Especially Jeff Bridges
Overlong (1 more)
Marketing a little misleading
Not Bad (times at the El Royale)
This was a film suggested by my better half, on the basis of the trailer, excellent cast, and her love for Chris Hemsworth, which to be fair is justified, the guy's a looker.

The trailer had made it look like fun whoddunit, with a colourful cast of characters, a great group of actors, and a fairly lighthearted mystery, and this ticked all the right boxes for us, so along we went.

However, this movie gets pretty damn dark, fairly violent and pretty relentless, and at 140 minutes, this is a serious film.

There is a lot of love for Tarantino in "El Royale", with the style reminiscent of some of his work, though with a bit less feel for comedy, and bigger penchant for musical numbers.

It is enjoyable, and is broken up regularly by switching perspectives to show the viewer the backstory of the main characters, so it doesn't necessarily feel as long as its 140 minutes suggest.

However, it does begin to meander at times, and if it wasn't for the god-like charm of Jeff Bridges, the earnest performance of John Hamm or the captivating allure of Chris Hemsworth in particular, these scenes could have become unbearable.

Cynthia Erivo was spectacular as the soulful lounge singer, and she more than held her own against some of hollywood's finest, and I look forward to seeing her in more big movies in future.

The highlight for me (Chris Hemsworth dancing was hers) was without a doubt Jeff Bridges, the guy can just keep me entertained, no matter the script, no matter the setting, he is just a quality guy, and I loved his performance.

This is a solid 6/10 movie for me, entertaining, happy to watch it once, but I doubt I will watch it again.
  
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