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Manifest - Season 3
7.0
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TV Season Watch
Manifest returns for a third season of action-packed drama, shocking revelations and the answer to...
Manifest
Cato (Fueled By Lust #3)
10.0
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Book
While monitoring the airwaves for potential mates for the earthbound Insedi, Cato Telarius becomes...
Science Fiction Romance Erotica
I don’t know what to say about this story. It has me feeling negative and angry. I gave it 4 stars because though I was lost and confused while reading it wasn’t a horrible story. Just not a story I could relate to or understand.
There are multiple women that they focus on coming in and out of Nico's life. Luna is at a point in her life where she needs to feel validated for everything. Nico gives her this. What she really gets is a need to always please and be with Nico. She has a husband that loves her but isn’t demanding or possessive. She wants him to give her what she feels with Nico.
I’ve never been in this type of situation or felt these feelings these women have. From my view I feel that they didn’t want to believe what they already knew. They chose not to see the negative that was clearly present to everyone else.
When they said this compares to 50 Shades of Grey and other dark books I was excited. I find myself just continuing to read it because I got the book so I needed to read it. It was a good story but it wasn’t something that I think I want to read again. The characters were different I wasn’t a fan of Luna because she was basically saying that her relationship with her husband wasn’t enough. You’ve been married to this man for a really long time and yet you can’t come forward and tell him how you feel about what’s going on?
All the other women were so naïve. This man has so much power over them to pressure them to do things that they normally wouldn’t even think about doing.
There are multiple women that they focus on coming in and out of Nico's life. Luna is at a point in her life where she needs to feel validated for everything. Nico gives her this. What she really gets is a need to always please and be with Nico. She has a husband that loves her but isn’t demanding or possessive. She wants him to give her what she feels with Nico.
I’ve never been in this type of situation or felt these feelings these women have. From my view I feel that they didn’t want to believe what they already knew. They chose not to see the negative that was clearly present to everyone else.
When they said this compares to 50 Shades of Grey and other dark books I was excited. I find myself just continuing to read it because I got the book so I needed to read it. It was a good story but it wasn’t something that I think I want to read again. The characters were different I wasn’t a fan of Luna because she was basically saying that her relationship with her husband wasn’t enough. You’ve been married to this man for a really long time and yet you can’t come forward and tell him how you feel about what’s going on?
All the other women were so naïve. This man has so much power over them to pressure them to do things that they normally wouldn’t even think about doing.
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Luna was born in the Netherlands, moved to Spain with her husband, gave birth to two wonderful boys, and then her husband tragically passed. She knows she has ties to Spain via a lost grandfather, and she needs to prove who he was and her relationship to him in order to remain in Spain as a national instead of keeping as Visa as a foreigner. However, trying to track down this man proves to be more difficult than she initially thought, and she meets interesting people and uncovers a lot of secrets along the way, secrets that many in Spain would rather keep hidden.
This was a wonderful story. It bounces back and forth between the late 1930s and 2009/2010, as it provides the actual story of Luna's grandfather as a backdrop during her search. While it did get somewhat confusing trying to keep the relatives and relationships straight, it was a very emotional story with a variety of offshoots, and it was interesting to see how the lives of the people in the 30s affected what was going on 70 years later. The 30s was a time of civil unrest and war in Spain, which is why nobody wants Luna digging up the past, both literally and figuratively. However, she has to know about her family, and we learn all about the tragic tale right along with her.
There's romance, heartbreak, a mystery, and tales of war. This book will appeal to a variety of people, and I recommend you read it, not only if you like romances but also if you want to learn a little about the history of Spain during a time they'd rather forget.
4 stars
Luna was born in the Netherlands, moved to Spain with her husband, gave birth to two wonderful boys, and then her husband tragically passed. She knows she has ties to Spain via a lost grandfather, and she needs to prove who he was and her relationship to him in order to remain in Spain as a national instead of keeping as Visa as a foreigner. However, trying to track down this man proves to be more difficult than she initially thought, and she meets interesting people and uncovers a lot of secrets along the way, secrets that many in Spain would rather keep hidden.
This was a wonderful story. It bounces back and forth between the late 1930s and 2009/2010, as it provides the actual story of Luna's grandfather as a backdrop during her search. While it did get somewhat confusing trying to keep the relatives and relationships straight, it was a very emotional story with a variety of offshoots, and it was interesting to see how the lives of the people in the 30s affected what was going on 70 years later. The 30s was a time of civil unrest and war in Spain, which is why nobody wants Luna digging up the past, both literally and figuratively. However, she has to know about her family, and we learn all about the tragic tale right along with her.
There's romance, heartbreak, a mystery, and tales of war. This book will appeal to a variety of people, and I recommend you read it, not only if you like romances but also if you want to learn a little about the history of Spain during a time they'd rather forget.
4 stars
Merissa (12069 KP) rated Forbidden Moon (Gladstone Shifters #4) in Books
Jun 22, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)
FORBIDDEN MOON is the fourth book in the Gladstone Shifters series and you really need to read this as a series rather than a set of standalones.
Now, I've been waiting for Jonah's story, desperately needing the Omega to get his HEA but Luna (or maybe Mr Elliott) decided he wasn't going to have it easy - oh no! Instead, during a time when humans are threatening the pack with exposure and death, Luna decides to make his human mate known. There are a whole host of problems with a human/shifter mating, not the least of which is that RJ didn't have the first clue that shifters actually existed.
As with all these books, it's an emotional ride. I found myself welling up within the first 2%! RJ is a sweetheart who deserves all the good stuff, and that includes Jonah. Oh man, these two melted my heart.
The overall story arc is in full swing and I am LOVING how it all comes together. There is a huge character cast to this series so it definitely keeps you on your toes with just who is who and who they are mated to, if any. The pacing is perfect, giving you a plentiful mix of steam, action, and quiet times to get your breath back.
This series is a wonder - every book gives you something new. And it isn't over yet! Woot!!! I can't wait for this series to continue so I can lost in the lives of the Gladstone shifters once more.
Absolutely and utterly recommended!
** 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!
Jun 22, 2021
Now, I've been waiting for Jonah's story, desperately needing the Omega to get his HEA but Luna (or maybe Mr Elliott) decided he wasn't going to have it easy - oh no! Instead, during a time when humans are threatening the pack with exposure and death, Luna decides to make his human mate known. There are a whole host of problems with a human/shifter mating, not the least of which is that RJ didn't have the first clue that shifters actually existed.
As with all these books, it's an emotional ride. I found myself welling up within the first 2%! RJ is a sweetheart who deserves all the good stuff, and that includes Jonah. Oh man, these two melted my heart.
The overall story arc is in full swing and I am LOVING how it all comes together. There is a huge character cast to this series so it definitely keeps you on your toes with just who is who and who they are mated to, if any. The pacing is perfect, giving you a plentiful mix of steam, action, and quiet times to get your breath back.
This series is a wonder - every book gives you something new. And it isn't over yet! Woot!!! I can't wait for this series to continue so I can lost in the lives of the Gladstone shifters once more.
Absolutely and utterly recommended!
** 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!
Jun 22, 2021
Winter Moon (Walker Papers, #1.5)
8.0
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Book
New York Times bestselling author Mercedes Lackey In an isolated land where the lure of the...
urban fantasy novella
Dana (24 KP) rated Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows, #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Okay, so in this review, there will be some pretty general spoilers in the character descriptions, one that isn't really revealed until about thirty pages in. I will put SPOILER right in front of that one, then you can skip to where I put the asterisk to continue the paragraph if you want.
I am not overly sure on where I stand with this book. While the story itself wasn't bad, it also was not my favorite. There were some issues with me in the pacing of the story itself because a lot of the moments felt like they dragged on for a long time or that they they were repetitive.
Quite a few of the descriptions of the dwellers and other landscapes and characters were also not well described. I want to know more about what they look like, but we were not given those things.
Okay, now onto specifics. In this instance, the characters.
The guardians were very over-protective of Luna. I totally get why, but it got annoying after a while. But the bread Pearla makes sounds so freaking delicious.
Luna is a cool character. Her identity being what it is seemed like it was just pushed in the story.I know it is important later in the novel and will be coming up again in the later book(s) but it could have been mentioned or explored a little more for me. SPOILER: I did not see her being blind coming. No, that was not supposed to be a pun, but it just happened like that. I always enjoy having characters who are not perfect, especially ones who are living, surviving, and overcoming disabilities. Much of the time in books, characters often have a mental disability, if any, so it is awesome to read one where she is blind. I thought it was an awesome parallel that when she came into the world, the rest of the world went "blind" as well. That was really cool and I commend Sophie Jordan on that idea. * Okay, so as a female character, yes, she was strong and stubborn, but I didn't feel any attachment to her or her story line, which was unfortunate. I wanted to feel some sort of connection, but got nothing. I hope we get to know Luna more in the next book.
Now onto Fowler. (Note, I keep wanting to write Flower, but I think he would be pissed if he knew that and that kinda makes me want to do it even more.) Okay. So, he's kind of an ass. He wants survival and to get to this magical island where nothing bad ever happens, but he could be nicer about it. We do get some of his backstory and are able to understand part of the reason he is the way he is, but still, he's an ass. I don't like how he treats everyone, as if he's better than them, or as if they are just pawns to get rid of at the first moment he can. I hope he becomes a more likable character in the next book because I am not a fan.
Minor plot SPOILER that happens within the first fifty pages. I hate how Luna falls in love with Fowler almost instantaneously. I get that he is the first boy she meets, but geez, why? I really wanted them to become besties, not love interests. It would have made for a much more interesting story (in my opinion). CAN WE HAVE A STORY WHERE THERE IS NO LOVE INTEREST FOR THE MAIN FEMALE CHARACTER???? PLEASE? THANK YOU! *
Okay, now onto plot points. We have no idea what really happened on the night Luna was born, only what her guardians told her. Also, we know nothing of the new king and why he's such a skeevy ass. Or how and why the world turned to such crap. I just want to know all of these things! There was a lot introduced, but not explained. I get that it is because this the first book in a series, but I want info to keep me intrigued instead of just being annoyed by the withholding of it.
Overall, it was a pretty interesting read. Yes, it had issues, but a lot of books do nowadays. I will most likely be picking up the next book, if only to see what happens next!
I am not overly sure on where I stand with this book. While the story itself wasn't bad, it also was not my favorite. There were some issues with me in the pacing of the story itself because a lot of the moments felt like they dragged on for a long time or that they they were repetitive.
Quite a few of the descriptions of the dwellers and other landscapes and characters were also not well described. I want to know more about what they look like, but we were not given those things.
Okay, now onto specifics. In this instance, the characters.
The guardians were very over-protective of Luna. I totally get why, but it got annoying after a while. But the bread Pearla makes sounds so freaking delicious.
Luna is a cool character. Her identity being what it is seemed like it was just pushed in the story.I know it is important later in the novel and will be coming up again in the later book(s) but it could have been mentioned or explored a little more for me. SPOILER: I did not see her being blind coming. No, that was not supposed to be a pun, but it just happened like that. I always enjoy having characters who are not perfect, especially ones who are living, surviving, and overcoming disabilities. Much of the time in books, characters often have a mental disability, if any, so it is awesome to read one where she is blind. I thought it was an awesome parallel that when she came into the world, the rest of the world went "blind" as well. That was really cool and I commend Sophie Jordan on that idea. * Okay, so as a female character, yes, she was strong and stubborn, but I didn't feel any attachment to her or her story line, which was unfortunate. I wanted to feel some sort of connection, but got nothing. I hope we get to know Luna more in the next book.
Now onto Fowler. (Note, I keep wanting to write Flower, but I think he would be pissed if he knew that and that kinda makes me want to do it even more.) Okay. So, he's kind of an ass. He wants survival and to get to this magical island where nothing bad ever happens, but he could be nicer about it. We do get some of his backstory and are able to understand part of the reason he is the way he is, but still, he's an ass. I don't like how he treats everyone, as if he's better than them, or as if they are just pawns to get rid of at the first moment he can. I hope he becomes a more likable character in the next book because I am not a fan.
Minor plot SPOILER that happens within the first fifty pages. I hate how Luna falls in love with Fowler almost instantaneously. I get that he is the first boy she meets, but geez, why? I really wanted them to become besties, not love interests. It would have made for a much more interesting story (in my opinion). CAN WE HAVE A STORY WHERE THERE IS NO LOVE INTEREST FOR THE MAIN FEMALE CHARACTER???? PLEASE? THANK YOU! *
Okay, now onto plot points. We have no idea what really happened on the night Luna was born, only what her guardians told her. Also, we know nothing of the new king and why he's such a skeevy ass. Or how and why the world turned to such crap. I just want to know all of these things! There was a lot introduced, but not explained. I get that it is because this the first book in a series, but I want info to keep me intrigued instead of just being annoyed by the withholding of it.
Overall, it was a pretty interesting read. Yes, it had issues, but a lot of books do nowadays. I will most likely be picking up the next book, if only to see what happens next!
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Girl Who Drank the Moon in Books
Sep 12, 2018
I adore this cover. It was what first caught my eye when people started talking about this book, and then to find out it was a fairytale about a girl, a witch, and a dragon? I was sold. The trouble was getting my hands on it! But it has finally worked its way through the long line of other people who wanted to read it at my library, and I got to check it out. I've labeled it YA Fantasy, but it's actually pretty close to middle-grade Fantasy. Definitely something younger readers could understand, but enough meat in it for older readers who like fairy tales to enjoy it as well.
I would argue that the main character is not, in fact, the titular one, but the forest witch, Xan. Xan has been rescuing the babies left outside the Protectorate for many, many years, thinking the parents were abandoning them willfully, not that they were bullied into "sacrificing" wanted children. She'd cluck, take the babies, and deliver them to towns on the other side of the forest, where the villagers knew and loved her and cherished the children, calling them blessed and Star-Children. Meanwhile, the people of the Protectorate lived their days under a gray haze of misery, ruled by a Council who cared only for themselves and used Xan and the forest as a scare tactic.
Into this world Luna is born, and her mother refuses to give her up to be sacrificed, and goes "mad" when she is forced to. She is imprisoned in a tower, watched by fearsome nuns, while the oblivious Xan spirits her daughter away. On the journey, Xan winds up wandering instead of going straight to a village, and accidentally feeds Luna moonlight instead of starlight. Realizing the girl would be too much for a normal family to raise, she takes her home. (She also can't bear the thought of giving this particular child up.) She raises Luna as a granddaughter.
But Luna's mother wants her back, and some of the people of the Protectorate have started to wise up to the Council's games, and the plot really begins.
I really enjoyed this book - the characters were fun, the emotional conflicts were realistic, and the world-building was cute. This would actually be an excellent book to read to a child as a bedtime story, one chapter a night. (My parents read to us that way, working through Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Chronicles of Narnia, Tolkien, and Anne of Green Gables.) Adorable book, gorgeous cover. Slightly simplistic, but it strikes a perfect balance between a middle-grade read and something adults will still enjoy.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
I would argue that the main character is not, in fact, the titular one, but the forest witch, Xan. Xan has been rescuing the babies left outside the Protectorate for many, many years, thinking the parents were abandoning them willfully, not that they were bullied into "sacrificing" wanted children. She'd cluck, take the babies, and deliver them to towns on the other side of the forest, where the villagers knew and loved her and cherished the children, calling them blessed and Star-Children. Meanwhile, the people of the Protectorate lived their days under a gray haze of misery, ruled by a Council who cared only for themselves and used Xan and the forest as a scare tactic.
Into this world Luna is born, and her mother refuses to give her up to be sacrificed, and goes "mad" when she is forced to. She is imprisoned in a tower, watched by fearsome nuns, while the oblivious Xan spirits her daughter away. On the journey, Xan winds up wandering instead of going straight to a village, and accidentally feeds Luna moonlight instead of starlight. Realizing the girl would be too much for a normal family to raise, she takes her home. (She also can't bear the thought of giving this particular child up.) She raises Luna as a granddaughter.
But Luna's mother wants her back, and some of the people of the Protectorate have started to wise up to the Council's games, and the plot really begins.
I really enjoyed this book - the characters were fun, the emotional conflicts were realistic, and the world-building was cute. This would actually be an excellent book to read to a child as a bedtime story, one chapter a night. (My parents read to us that way, working through Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Chronicles of Narnia, Tolkien, and Anne of Green Gables.) Adorable book, gorgeous cover. Slightly simplistic, but it strikes a perfect balance between a middle-grade read and something adults will still enjoy.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Broken Luna ( Broken Trilogy 1) in Books
Sep 8, 2023
124 of 235
Kindle
Broken Luna ( Broken Trilogy 1)
By Paulina Vasquez
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Do you believe in Myths? Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Lucy lost everything four years ago in a rogue attack. She's been abused, starved, rejected, and broken. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, strange things start to happen, things that only happen once every century. She finds friendship in the most unlikely place and escapes to find her true self with the help of the most dangerous Alpha.
I enjoyed this it was a really good read I wanted to go up to 4 ⭐️ but somethings were niggling at me like the communication between them and their Wolf it was a bit dumbed down in places, also felt it was quite rushed in a few places. But it was good and I read it with 24 hours.
Kindle
Broken Luna ( Broken Trilogy 1)
By Paulina Vasquez
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Do you believe in Myths? Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Lucy lost everything four years ago in a rogue attack. She's been abused, starved, rejected, and broken. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, strange things start to happen, things that only happen once every century. She finds friendship in the most unlikely place and escapes to find her true self with the help of the most dangerous Alpha.
I enjoyed this it was a really good read I wanted to go up to 4 ⭐️ but somethings were niggling at me like the communication between them and their Wolf it was a bit dumbed down in places, also felt it was quite rushed in a few places. But it was good and I read it with 24 hours.
Daoist meditation: The Purification of the Heart Method of Meditation and Discourse on Sitting and Forgetting (Zuo Wang Lun) by Si Ma Cheng Zhen
Eva Wong, Wu Jyh Cherng and Lieselotte Schwair
Book
Master Cherng's translation of Discourse on Sitting and Forgetting, an 8th century classic text on...