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Dana (24 KP) rated The Whispering Skull: Lockwood & Co. #2 in Books
Sep 8, 2017
Good follow-up
This was the only one of the whole series (thus far) that I struggled with. It's not that it wasn't intriguing, but the pace was off. It was so slow. It could have been cut back maybe 50 pages.
However, the characters just make the whole series. I can't believe I ever disliked George as he's now a dear part of my heart. They all are to be honest. Lucy can be annoyingly stubborn, but that flaw makes her feel so real. She is a real kid with real issues.
The plot was a bit more convoluted than it needed to be, in my opinion. It was, of course, interesting and intricate, as I now expect from Jonathan Stroud. There are several seemingly unrelated storylines all leading to the grande finale in the end. It's a joy to read and solve with the agents.
It's hard to put into words, the magic of this series. I even got my mom hopelessly in love with the series. Sorry, not sorry, Mom.
However, the characters just make the whole series. I can't believe I ever disliked George as he's now a dear part of my heart. They all are to be honest. Lucy can be annoyingly stubborn, but that flaw makes her feel so real. She is a real kid with real issues.
The plot was a bit more convoluted than it needed to be, in my opinion. It was, of course, interesting and intricate, as I now expect from Jonathan Stroud. There are several seemingly unrelated storylines all leading to the grande finale in the end. It's a joy to read and solve with the agents.
It's hard to put into words, the magic of this series. I even got my mom hopelessly in love with the series. Sorry, not sorry, Mom.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Bloodmage (The Age of Darkness Trilogy #2) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Bloodmage was a continuation of the story began in Battlemage, with an almost completely new set of characters. There were a few old favorites that were back, but a myriad of new friends to meet as well. The story jumped right in and carried you fast-paced all the way to the end (save a few chapters that dragged a little, but weren’t super slow). It ends in a way that opens up the world to many more adventures in the future.
There wasn’t quite as much a focus on the religion as there was in the first book Battlemage, nor was there as much detail on the essence and mechanism behind the magic. I was hoping for a little more insight into the relm and world of this series. Still, it was satisfactory and fun, adventuresome, and just dark enough to keep me interested.
All in all, fun and interesting, it kept me reading, but a little bit of a let-down because I expected more after the first one was so amazing.
There wasn’t quite as much a focus on the religion as there was in the first book Battlemage, nor was there as much detail on the essence and mechanism behind the magic. I was hoping for a little more insight into the relm and world of this series. Still, it was satisfactory and fun, adventuresome, and just dark enough to keep me interested.
All in all, fun and interesting, it kept me reading, but a little bit of a let-down because I expected more after the first one was so amazing.
Jessica Cashen (1 KP) rated True North (True Born Trilogy, #2) in Books
May 16, 2018
Another Fantastic book by L.E. Sterling. Well written with a great plot and characters. I was engrossed from start to finish. On the eve of Lucy and Margot's reveal, Lasters attack her home and Lucy is forced to run. Margot's has gone missing, Lucy is living with True Born Nolan Storm, unorthodox magic has been set loose upon the land, and Lucy is all mixed up when it comes to her fierce protector, Jared True Born Price.
Even though Lucy is upset about her circumstances, she still helps Storm navigate the Upper Circle. Wanting nothing more than to find her sister, Lucy finally makes some choices of her own. She tries to get help with where he sister might have been taken by a child in a kid gang. The child sets her up and it doesn't look good, but she is saved by Alistair. They wind up friends and he helps her try and find Margot. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.
Even though Lucy is upset about her circumstances, she still helps Storm navigate the Upper Circle. Wanting nothing more than to find her sister, Lucy finally makes some choices of her own. She tries to get help with where he sister might have been taken by a child in a kid gang. The child sets her up and it doesn't look good, but she is saved by Alistair. They wind up friends and he helps her try and find Margot. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Zodiac Starforce: by the Power of Astra in Books
Feb 15, 2019
I really wanted to like this more than what ended up happening. With its Jem-like coloration, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic girl power theme, plus good versus evil, it was right up my alley. The main problem was that it needed fleshed out. The characters, mostly Emma/Gemini, the relationships, and the overall plot should have had more expansion. It felt like slightly more than an outline. Major events happened in the past that were alluded to, which made me wish this had been an origin story instead. The artwork is wonderful and I have no problem with that. I did like the three team members (Kim is awesome!) who were featured more and would like to know more about them, plus more expansion of Emma and Lily. I will read the next one and hope that the series improves from here. Plus, anyone who throws out a Mystery Science Theater 3000 reference has my admiration.
<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/satilanna/GR/zodiacstarforcemst3k_zpszzjattll.jpg">;
Check out more illustrations from Paulina Ganucheau: https://paulinaganucheau.tumblr.com/
<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/satilanna/GR/zodiacstarforcemst3k_zpszzjattll.jpg">;
Check out more illustrations from Paulina Ganucheau: https://paulinaganucheau.tumblr.com/
Sam (228 KP) rated Deadpool 2 (2018) in Movies
Mar 6, 2019
Hilarious (1 more)
Great Characters
Weird Choices for Music (1 more)
Overwhelming Music in Some Scenes
Looking Forward to the Next Movie
Everybody loves Deadpool and this film was a great continuation to the first film. Although the jokes got a little gimmicky at some points my biggest and probably my only real complaint to this film would be the music. In the last movie the music was spot on every single time, however in this second film the music overwhelmed many of the scenes and we rent good choices for the scenes playing out. I hated the addition of Annie during a serious scene, a different song choice could have made the scene but rather it made the whole thing awkward and broke the moment. I understand it was meant to be played over as funny in the spirit of Deadpool but rather it broke the scene and the magic of Deadpool, a true moment where they simply tried to hard. Beyond this the film was great, true to Deadpool and even as it tackled series topics it held a funny overtone just as Deadpool should
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1) in Books
Apr 6, 2019
Fast paced, exciting and brimming with magic
I have been nudged to read this for over two years, in fact, book one was a gift. I just picked it up on a whim and it was the best whim I’ve had this year so far. Kate Daniels is the kind of heroine that doesn’t come along very often and I loved her. She’s strong, snarky, takes risks and is absolutely kick-ass.
I’ve come away from this read shuddering from the gore and violence that really isn’t my bag but the story was so good that I was able to forge through those moments. I actually would not want to be transplanted into this world because the creatures are something hideous and vampires are not handsome and glittery but damn I love reading about it.
So now I have 500,000 questions about all sorts and lots of interest in Curran and Kate sitting in a tree. I also feel like I’ve been let into a special club...IM SO GLAD TO BE HERE!
I’ve come away from this read shuddering from the gore and violence that really isn’t my bag but the story was so good that I was able to forge through those moments. I actually would not want to be transplanted into this world because the creatures are something hideous and vampires are not handsome and glittery but damn I love reading about it.
So now I have 500,000 questions about all sorts and lots of interest in Curran and Kate sitting in a tree. I also feel like I’ve been let into a special club...IM SO GLAD TO BE HERE!
A great follow up to South!
It seems unusual to find an apocalyptic story without zombies and/ or magic these days, but I think this does it well. Instead we have the power-hungry madness of a politician-cum-scientist to contend with.
This is actually the second book in the Divided States series. You don’t need to have read the first novel, South, but it WILL make it easier to understand what’s going on in this book! The privations of the South can’t really be fully comprehended if you’ve only read this book.
I really liked this book: the descriptions of the landscapes (the North doesn’t seem to have escaped from the viruses and the aftermath of the civil war), the people and the madness of those in power, virus inflicted or not, was really well portrayed.
The ending was somewhat satisfying, and reassuringly open ended. I’m looking forward to the possibility of another book in the series!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.
This is actually the second book in the Divided States series. You don’t need to have read the first novel, South, but it WILL make it easier to understand what’s going on in this book! The privations of the South can’t really be fully comprehended if you’ve only read this book.
I really liked this book: the descriptions of the landscapes (the North doesn’t seem to have escaped from the viruses and the aftermath of the civil war), the people and the madness of those in power, virus inflicted or not, was really well portrayed.
The ending was somewhat satisfying, and reassuringly open ended. I’m looking forward to the possibility of another book in the series!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Watchers of the Fallen (Second Death, #1) in Books
May 22, 2019
Fallen angels were sent to kill Frank when he was a boy.
Hes been killing them ever since.
When a Watcher is gruesomely murdered, the Order suspects its one of the Fallen and tasks Frank with apprehending the killer. But nothing could prepare Frank or the Order for what he finds during the investigation:
Someone has used stolen magic to free Arraziel, a fallen angel who feeds on the life force of humans. Frank needs to stop Arraziel and find the killer before more of the Fallen are freed.
If he fails, the human race may not survive.
This is an amazing book!
It has loads of action and intrigue to keep you hooked to the end.
The plot was intriguing and exciting. It focuses on Frank, a watcher and Jessie, a girl who had a horrible life and is now in communication with a dangerous demon.
It's Angel vs. Demons in this series and I am so hooked and need the next book now!
Recommend reading!
I received this book free and this is my honest voluntary review.
Hes been killing them ever since.
When a Watcher is gruesomely murdered, the Order suspects its one of the Fallen and tasks Frank with apprehending the killer. But nothing could prepare Frank or the Order for what he finds during the investigation:
Someone has used stolen magic to free Arraziel, a fallen angel who feeds on the life force of humans. Frank needs to stop Arraziel and find the killer before more of the Fallen are freed.
If he fails, the human race may not survive.
This is an amazing book!
It has loads of action and intrigue to keep you hooked to the end.
The plot was intriguing and exciting. It focuses on Frank, a watcher and Jessie, a girl who had a horrible life and is now in communication with a dangerous demon.
It's Angel vs. Demons in this series and I am so hooked and need the next book now!
Recommend reading!
I received this book free and this is my honest voluntary review.
Cumberland (1142 KP) created a post in The Smashbomb Book Club
May 27, 2019 (Updated May 29, 2019)
Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated Just Add Magic - Season 1 in TV
Feb 9, 2018
There are far worse kid shows to be stuck watching
While I can't say I'm exactly a rabid fan of Just Add Magic, it's not horrible. In comparison to some of the other stuff I've had to listen to while my child gets her allotted TV time, I will happily choose this show.
The three girls are a nice range of personalities. Their older parallels are equally interesting. There are some problems, of course, like the Hispanic one of the older trio of course being the sneaky one. However, that can generate discussion with your child about stereotypes, so you can gripe about it and not watch the show and watch something like Spongebob instead – or you can use it as a reason to have a dialogue with your child about stereotypes and go from there.
The dialogue doesn’t make me want to scrub out my ears. The cinematography is pleasing. My 8 year old loves it. It gives her hints on how doing stuff like trying to take the easy way out never works out well. So, it’s a win for me.
The three girls are a nice range of personalities. Their older parallels are equally interesting. There are some problems, of course, like the Hispanic one of the older trio of course being the sneaky one. However, that can generate discussion with your child about stereotypes, so you can gripe about it and not watch the show and watch something like Spongebob instead – or you can use it as a reason to have a dialogue with your child about stereotypes and go from there.
The dialogue doesn’t make me want to scrub out my ears. The cinematography is pleasing. My 8 year old loves it. It gives her hints on how doing stuff like trying to take the easy way out never works out well. So, it’s a win for me.