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Kaz (232 KP) rated The Wasp Factory in Books
May 15, 2019
A Sinister, but Excellent Read
I've just finished 'The Wasp Factory' by Iain Banks and all I can say is wow!
This story is told by Frank, a 16 year old boy, who lives on a remote island in Scotland with his father. This is about Frank, his very dysfunctional family and trying to find his brother, who has escaped from a mental institution.
What I love about this book is the way in which Iain Banks writes characters. Frank is such a complex character that, although in essence he is an evil person, there are flashes of innocence and sensitivity about him, that you can't help but like him. One moment you feel like he is the only reasonable member of his family and then gradually, you realize his true character. Despite that, you feel sorry for Frank and the life that he has grown up in and the next, completely horrified by some of the things he does in the novel. He's not just a bad character, which in turn, makes him all the more believable.
I also liked some of the dark humour in this novel. Some of the more disturbing stories of Frank's family history were told in such a way, as to make them funny. I felt guilty for laughing at times, but I couldn't help it!
Away from the story itself, I liked how the novel comments on human nature's need for power and to overpower others. This idea is relevant in the areas of gender, politics and society.
This novel isn't plot driven, but character driven, so the story was a bit slow at times. However, I was not expecting the twist at the end.
This might not be for everyone, because it is so dark and at times, really intense. However, I thought this was a brilliant first read for 2019.
I would give this 5 starts, but I have to knock a point off, because this book dragged a couple of times.
This story is told by Frank, a 16 year old boy, who lives on a remote island in Scotland with his father. This is about Frank, his very dysfunctional family and trying to find his brother, who has escaped from a mental institution.
What I love about this book is the way in which Iain Banks writes characters. Frank is such a complex character that, although in essence he is an evil person, there are flashes of innocence and sensitivity about him, that you can't help but like him. One moment you feel like he is the only reasonable member of his family and then gradually, you realize his true character. Despite that, you feel sorry for Frank and the life that he has grown up in and the next, completely horrified by some of the things he does in the novel. He's not just a bad character, which in turn, makes him all the more believable.
I also liked some of the dark humour in this novel. Some of the more disturbing stories of Frank's family history were told in such a way, as to make them funny. I felt guilty for laughing at times, but I couldn't help it!
Away from the story itself, I liked how the novel comments on human nature's need for power and to overpower others. This idea is relevant in the areas of gender, politics and society.
This novel isn't plot driven, but character driven, so the story was a bit slow at times. However, I was not expecting the twist at the end.
This might not be for everyone, because it is so dark and at times, really intense. However, I thought this was a brilliant first read for 2019.
I would give this 5 starts, but I have to knock a point off, because this book dragged a couple of times.
Kathryn Bigelow recommended The Terminator (1984) in Movies (curated)
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated The Melody of the Soul (Music of Hope #1) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I'm a big fan of historical novels, particularly those centered around WWII. So, when I came across this one for reviewing, I jumped at the chance. I've not read any Liz Tolsma books before, so it was a double bonus for me. I sat down, opened the book, and wow. What feelings I got with this novel! Sadness, happiness, love.....all of it. It was so many feels!
Liz Tolsma's characters, Anna and Horst, truly came alive for me. Their interactions, their passion for their beliefs and their love for Anna's music....they truly captured my soul. These beautiful souls had a passion for God and I could feel that as I turned each page.
I can't imagine what it was like for the Nazis and the Jews back then, but through richly detailed accounts and beautifully chiseled characters, Ms. Tolsma made me feel a part of that time period. My heart burst for their love of God, but my soul was twisted up and crying when I felt myself enduring all that Anna had to endure. It was a bittersweet experience for sure!
This is definitely a 4 star novel that I will recommend to all who want a soul capturing novel. Ms. Tolsma knows just what to create for her readers that will keep them hooked and turning the pages long into the wee hours of the morning. Each page turn brings you closer to the characters' souls, and when the book ends, you're left reflecting on the melodies created within your own heart. This book is definitely a keeper! Well done, Ms. Tolsma!
*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Liz Tolsma's characters, Anna and Horst, truly came alive for me. Their interactions, their passion for their beliefs and their love for Anna's music....they truly captured my soul. These beautiful souls had a passion for God and I could feel that as I turned each page.
I can't imagine what it was like for the Nazis and the Jews back then, but through richly detailed accounts and beautifully chiseled characters, Ms. Tolsma made me feel a part of that time period. My heart burst for their love of God, but my soul was twisted up and crying when I felt myself enduring all that Anna had to endure. It was a bittersweet experience for sure!
This is definitely a 4 star novel that I will recommend to all who want a soul capturing novel. Ms. Tolsma knows just what to create for her readers that will keep them hooked and turning the pages long into the wee hours of the morning. Each page turn brings you closer to the characters' souls, and when the book ends, you're left reflecting on the melodies created within your own heart. This book is definitely a keeper! Well done, Ms. Tolsma!
*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated The Odd Sisters: A Villains Novel (Villains #6) in Books
Jan 13, 2022
I love the Villains series and I think they just get better the more you read. And this was no exception.
Although it’s been a while since I read Mother Knows Best, the story is so easy to follow that it really didn’t matter and it all came flooding back to me as I read on.
We follow Circe and Snow White as they try to understand the Odd Sisters before they find a way to get themselves out of the dreamscape to continue wreaking havoc on the world. Whilst trying to understand them, Snow White falls upon a story related to Gothel’s mother and grandmother but the last pages have been torn out of the book, Snow White knows that she must find those pages in order to understand the story fully and for her suspicions around Gothel and the Odd Sisters to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, in Fairyland, the fairies have heard that the Odd Sisters are trying to resurrect Maleficent in an attempt to use her to destroy Fairyland on their behalf. Will the Odd Sisters succeed? Or will Circe manage to stop her Mothers in time?
I love this series and love the imagination that goes in to the back story for each villain. But the theme of the Odd Sisters throughout each of the books is a very interesting one, and I find it interesting that there is a way to weave them into the chaos of each fairytale somehow. This book made me understand the sisters more, whilst finding out more about their background.
I’m very interested to see what happens in the next 2 books, which I’m sure I won’t be able to put down like I haven’t been able to put this one down!
Although it’s been a while since I read Mother Knows Best, the story is so easy to follow that it really didn’t matter and it all came flooding back to me as I read on.
We follow Circe and Snow White as they try to understand the Odd Sisters before they find a way to get themselves out of the dreamscape to continue wreaking havoc on the world. Whilst trying to understand them, Snow White falls upon a story related to Gothel’s mother and grandmother but the last pages have been torn out of the book, Snow White knows that she must find those pages in order to understand the story fully and for her suspicions around Gothel and the Odd Sisters to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, in Fairyland, the fairies have heard that the Odd Sisters are trying to resurrect Maleficent in an attempt to use her to destroy Fairyland on their behalf. Will the Odd Sisters succeed? Or will Circe manage to stop her Mothers in time?
I love this series and love the imagination that goes in to the back story for each villain. But the theme of the Odd Sisters throughout each of the books is a very interesting one, and I find it interesting that there is a way to weave them into the chaos of each fairytale somehow. This book made me understand the sisters more, whilst finding out more about their background.
I’m very interested to see what happens in the next 2 books, which I’m sure I won’t be able to put down like I haven’t been able to put this one down!
Dracoria Malfoy (690 KP) rated One of us is Lying in Books
Mar 20, 2019
i gotta say, this book has been given so many good reviews, i was super hyped. unfortunately, although it was a worthwhile read, i was kindaverymuch let down. the lack of diversity was a start; it was incredibly off-putting. of the 4 mains, only one was a POC, two of the others were your classic blonde hair, light-eyed perfect TV show type high schoolers. and i know that may have been a bit deliberate, but,,,,, cmon. the fact that one of the characters was queer was more of a plot point as opposed to actual rep. another con is that the characters seemed incredibly flat, especially at the beginning. if i'm gonna spend 300 pages reading about these characters, i wanna enjoy them
BuT tHiS iS aBoUt LoVe
so pros. THis was definitely an intriguing read. although slightly predictable, it still sometimes left you guessing as to why something happened. that romance got me screaming, we stan an enemies to friends-in-a-situation to friends to lovers.
so yeah, i truly did enjoy this book, even though it doesnt look like it. it was a good read, and maybe i'll pick it up again? who knows.
BuT tHiS iS aBoUt LoVe
so pros. THis was definitely an intriguing read. although slightly predictable, it still sometimes left you guessing as to why something happened. that romance got me screaming, we stan an enemies to friends-in-a-situation to friends to lovers.
so yeah, i truly did enjoy this book, even though it doesnt look like it. it was a good read, and maybe i'll pick it up again? who knows.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Drag Me to Hell (2009) in Movies
Mar 12, 2021
I'll say one thing for certain, Drag Me to Hell is so unnecessarily and gratuitously gross at times (the old woman has the poor girls entire chin in her disgusting mouth on more than one occasion) and in that regard, it's a warm welcome back to over the top horror for Sam Raimi. His signature style is plastered all over the place, and it's great.
The cheesiness isn't a complete positive however. In terms of dialogue, it can take you out of the story a bit. Lead Alison Lohman and co star Justin Long (both actors who I like) suffer from this a bit, and are occasionally comical in a movie that plays it straight for the most part.
Some of the effects are a little iffy as well. There's some good practical stuff going on but a few digital effects are dodgy. It's not enough to severely impact anything, and there a few decent jump scares scattered throughout.
It's a perfectly fine slice of horror, that is elevated by a ballsy as fuck ending, that makes Drag Me to Hell a film worth revisiting now and again. Would love to see a sequel someday!
The cheesiness isn't a complete positive however. In terms of dialogue, it can take you out of the story a bit. Lead Alison Lohman and co star Justin Long (both actors who I like) suffer from this a bit, and are occasionally comical in a movie that plays it straight for the most part.
Some of the effects are a little iffy as well. There's some good practical stuff going on but a few digital effects are dodgy. It's not enough to severely impact anything, and there a few decent jump scares scattered throughout.
It's a perfectly fine slice of horror, that is elevated by a ballsy as fuck ending, that makes Drag Me to Hell a film worth revisiting now and again. Would love to see a sequel someday!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Rebel Heart (Dust Lands, #2) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
I didn't like this as much as the first. I wanted more Jack!
That being said, it was another riveting adventure across the hard world they live in and I enjoyed it.
Meeting back up with old friends and making new ones was cool. The Free Hawks are a great bunch and seeing Maev and Ash again was nice. I cant quite remember Creed but he made it all a bit more light-hearted with his flirting.
Lugh has been annoying me since he came back at the end of the last one and he didn't endear himself to me at all in this one, though at the end of the book I understand his feelings but that doesn't excuse him for the rest of the story.
DeMalo was also a little strange. And Saba's decision about two thirds through the book annoyed me too. Why would you do that?!?!
Jack got mixed up in trouble as usual but I still love his and Saba's relationship and I so hope they get some sort of HEA in the third book.
P.S. What's happening with that heart-stone??
That being said, it was another riveting adventure across the hard world they live in and I enjoyed it.
Meeting back up with old friends and making new ones was cool. The Free Hawks are a great bunch and seeing Maev and Ash again was nice. I cant quite remember Creed but he made it all a bit more light-hearted with his flirting.
Lugh has been annoying me since he came back at the end of the last one and he didn't endear himself to me at all in this one, though at the end of the book I understand his feelings but that doesn't excuse him for the rest of the story.
DeMalo was also a little strange. And Saba's decision about two thirds through the book annoyed me too. Why would you do that?!?!
Jack got mixed up in trouble as usual but I still love his and Saba's relationship and I so hope they get some sort of HEA in the third book.
P.S. What's happening with that heart-stone??
ClareR (6001 KP) rated The Last One in Books
Aug 29, 2023
The Last One had me riveted from the first page. I mean, what must be going on in the mind of Will Dean that makes him write like this? I’ve asked the same question many times before of Stephen King, and I could see him writing something along these lines 30 years ago: a woman wakes up on a cruise ship that holds over 1000 people - and they’re all gone. Every single one of them. Where could they be? The boat is out at sea - surely the boat can’t have been evacuated and she’s just left there alone?
And it just gets stranger and stranger. There were times that I really didn’t want to read on. I hated Will Dean for writing certain things - how could he even think them?! 🤭 Genius. It made me feel supremely uncomfortable, angry, SO ANGRY, frustrated, and a bit sad, too.
I can’t/ won’t say any more about the plot. To say anything at all would be to give it away - and the reveal is EVERYTHING!
This is one of those books that I’ll be thrusting into peoples hands saying: “Read this, now! It’ll drive you MAD, but you’ll love it!!”
And it just gets stranger and stranger. There were times that I really didn’t want to read on. I hated Will Dean for writing certain things - how could he even think them?! 🤭 Genius. It made me feel supremely uncomfortable, angry, SO ANGRY, frustrated, and a bit sad, too.
I can’t/ won’t say any more about the plot. To say anything at all would be to give it away - and the reveal is EVERYTHING!
This is one of those books that I’ll be thrusting into peoples hands saying: “Read this, now! It’ll drive you MAD, but you’ll love it!!”
Rose Christie is a young Classics teacher who gets a teaching post at an elite public boarding school in Scotland: Caldonbrae Hall.
But this school isn’t as it first appears. Rose loves her subject and wants to share that love: the girls don’t want to learn, and they frankly can’t see the point. Frustration radiates off the page - or perhaps as an ex-teacher I was just projecting! Honestly, this part nearly made me stop reading! I was so angry with the students behaviour!
It would seem that the senior management team at the school very much agree with the girls though, and want Rose to become more like them.
Not likely!
And then there was Rose’s predecessor and her strange disappearance, which of course Rose has to find out more about.
I’m so glad that I read beyond my 3 chapter cut off, because I did enjoy this. I will say that there’s a fair bit of age-inappropriate sexual behaviour, so if you find this problematic, it may be best to steer clear. But it was all in keeping with the ethos of the school - I KNOW!!
But this school isn’t as it first appears. Rose loves her subject and wants to share that love: the girls don’t want to learn, and they frankly can’t see the point. Frustration radiates off the page - or perhaps as an ex-teacher I was just projecting! Honestly, this part nearly made me stop reading! I was so angry with the students behaviour!
It would seem that the senior management team at the school very much agree with the girls though, and want Rose to become more like them.
Not likely!
And then there was Rose’s predecessor and her strange disappearance, which of course Rose has to find out more about.
I’m so glad that I read beyond my 3 chapter cut off, because I did enjoy this. I will say that there’s a fair bit of age-inappropriate sexual behaviour, so if you find this problematic, it may be best to steer clear. But it was all in keeping with the ethos of the school - I KNOW!!
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Letters to God in Books
Jun 3, 2025
I like this children's book. Its style is different and enjoyable. It has letters written by children, and it reads in that kind of way. Children are asking about some other things. They are all mean as you turn a page in the book. A different child writes a new letter. They could be thanking God for something, writing to help heal a loved one, or telling God how they feel. Each one is different. On the other page is a scripture or quote from the bible that goes along with it.
The pictures are well done. I would say that each page showcases a different family. They are all different in many different ways, from a mommy and a sibling to a family of a few to more than one of two.
This book is a quick and easy read. But it teaches children about kindness, love, and how talking to God is okay—doing so anywhere or any place or writing your prayer down is also fine. God will listen or hear any forms of payers even if they are written and sent to him that way.
The pictures are well done. I would say that each page showcases a different family. They are all different in many different ways, from a mommy and a sibling to a family of a few to more than one of two.
This book is a quick and easy read. But it teaches children about kindness, love, and how talking to God is okay—doing so anywhere or any place or writing your prayer down is also fine. God will listen or hear any forms of payers even if they are written and sent to him that way.