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Ama (21 KP) rated A Monster Calls (2016) in Movies
Sep 11, 2017
A truly delicate book adaption
I went into A Monster Calls with big expectations from an absolutely brilliant and enchanting trailer and came out wondering why there aren't more people making films like this.
Before watching the film I had not read the book, and haven't still, in fact (although it is on my list and very close to the top).
A Monster Calls has so much clever story telling that it's hard to believe it wasn't made for film. Adaptions (especially from books) usually struggle to make a storyline out of an already existing one. This film however managed to evoke a feeling, rather than strain to tell a story. The narrative is so effortless that as an audience I could simply focus on being swept away by the characters. In fact, I want to go so far to say that watching this film was almost like reading a book. It kept me hungry for more every second of it, gave just enough away to evoke a feeling of understanding but kept enough secret to make me believe that this is a story just for me that only I understand.
The characters are so deliberate that none feel out of place and their interaction with each other felt very natural.
The cinematography was absolutely stunning. There was a feeling of fantasy, mixed with something very familiar that works very well for the topic at hand.
All that being said, I think it's clear that I am absolutely in love with this film (even though it did make me cry more than once).
However, I have not seen this film in some time and therefore will stay a bit vague with this review as to not make assumptions. I will update/write another review once I've rewatched the film and actually read the book.
Before watching the film I had not read the book, and haven't still, in fact (although it is on my list and very close to the top).
A Monster Calls has so much clever story telling that it's hard to believe it wasn't made for film. Adaptions (especially from books) usually struggle to make a storyline out of an already existing one. This film however managed to evoke a feeling, rather than strain to tell a story. The narrative is so effortless that as an audience I could simply focus on being swept away by the characters. In fact, I want to go so far to say that watching this film was almost like reading a book. It kept me hungry for more every second of it, gave just enough away to evoke a feeling of understanding but kept enough secret to make me believe that this is a story just for me that only I understand.
The characters are so deliberate that none feel out of place and their interaction with each other felt very natural.
The cinematography was absolutely stunning. There was a feeling of fantasy, mixed with something very familiar that works very well for the topic at hand.
All that being said, I think it's clear that I am absolutely in love with this film (even though it did make me cry more than once).
However, I have not seen this film in some time and therefore will stay a bit vague with this review as to not make assumptions. I will update/write another review once I've rewatched the film and actually read the book.
Merissa (14056 KP) rated The Time of My Life in Books
Mar 7, 2018
The Time of My Life by Nora Phoenix
Nora Phoenix is a relatively new author to me. I've only read her No Shame series up until this one. For No Shame, I was hooked. I loved how Ms. Phoenix was able to introduce her characters and ways of living. So when I saw The Time of My Life I immediately signed up to review.
And I am glad that I did!!!
This is an amazing story, that will keep you engrossed from start to finish. The characters, whether they are there to be liked or loathed, all ring true, and sometimes in a whole that's-too-realistic-and-it's-scary kind of way! Judah and Denver are very different, in more ways that one, but they complement each other perfectly. The path to true love is never smooth though, and these two know that more than most.
I honestly don't want to talk too much about particular points in the story as I don't want to ruin it for anyone else. For myself, I loved going in blind, not knowing anything about it. What I can and will say is that there are no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. Spread out over time, this is no insta-love, but it builds up over time, making it all the sweeter. The pacing is smooth and the transitions from one scene to the next are flawless.
Just one more thing that made me laugh to myself - and yes, this is a big hint, I guess - I never considered the title of the book until the ending. Perfect.
Absolutely recommended by me!
* 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!
And I am glad that I did!!!
This is an amazing story, that will keep you engrossed from start to finish. The characters, whether they are there to be liked or loathed, all ring true, and sometimes in a whole that's-too-realistic-and-it's-scary kind of way! Judah and Denver are very different, in more ways that one, but they complement each other perfectly. The path to true love is never smooth though, and these two know that more than most.
I honestly don't want to talk too much about particular points in the story as I don't want to ruin it for anyone else. For myself, I loved going in blind, not knowing anything about it. What I can and will say is that there are no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. Spread out over time, this is no insta-love, but it builds up over time, making it all the sweeter. The pacing is smooth and the transitions from one scene to the next are flawless.
Just one more thing that made me laugh to myself - and yes, this is a big hint, I guess - I never considered the title of the book until the ending. Perfect.
Absolutely recommended by me!
* 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!
The Chrysalis
Book
Haarlem, Holland, seventeenth century: The city’s chief magistrate commissions a family portrait...
Squire's Hazard (Meonbridge Chronicles, #5)
Book
How do you overcome the loathing, lust and bitterness threatening you and your family’s honour? ...
Historical Fiction Medieval Series
Sam (74 KP) rated One of us is Lying in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I love it when the edges of the pages in a book are bright colours! It makes me so happy to find books that look like this, and it automatically makes me want to read the book more. It’s a lovely touch.
However, I feel like the cover could have been better. It definitely doesn’t sell the book with how simplistic it is and I feel that it doesn’t fit the novel too well. This is just my opinion, but for a whodunnit I expected a darker colour scheme for the cover.
I’ve actually never read a whodunnit within the YA genre, and I really feel like it’s a gap that wants covering more.
It did take me a short while to get into the book, but after the first hundred pages, I quickly finished the book within a few hours. It had me gripped with all of the twists and turns.
I was making theories all the way through of who killed Simon, but I wasn’t ever even close to being right. This is so cleverly written that you really have no idea at all until the final few pages.
The characters were definitely realistic. I really liked that there was a real mixture of personalities rather than sticking with just one clichéd group.
The only reason that I can’t get past three stars with this one is just the fact that I almost gave up on it. The start seems to drag a bit and get a bit boring.
Other than that, though, One Of Us Is Lying is really thrilling and mysterious, and definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something different to read.
However, I feel like the cover could have been better. It definitely doesn’t sell the book with how simplistic it is and I feel that it doesn’t fit the novel too well. This is just my opinion, but for a whodunnit I expected a darker colour scheme for the cover.
I’ve actually never read a whodunnit within the YA genre, and I really feel like it’s a gap that wants covering more.
It did take me a short while to get into the book, but after the first hundred pages, I quickly finished the book within a few hours. It had me gripped with all of the twists and turns.
I was making theories all the way through of who killed Simon, but I wasn’t ever even close to being right. This is so cleverly written that you really have no idea at all until the final few pages.
The characters were definitely realistic. I really liked that there was a real mixture of personalities rather than sticking with just one clichéd group.
The only reason that I can’t get past three stars with this one is just the fact that I almost gave up on it. The start seems to drag a bit and get a bit boring.
Other than that, though, One Of Us Is Lying is really thrilling and mysterious, and definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something different to read.
Bake & Decorate
Book
Baking and cake decorating have never been more popular. And whereas there are many books showing...
Everyday Super Food
10.0
Rate It
Book
Jamie's Everyday Super Food makes eating well delicious, easy and fun No matter how busy you are,...
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated The Price of Valor (Global Search and Rescue, #3) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
Whew... what a way to end a series. But that is what I love about Susan May Warren's books. They engage you fully, from your thoughts down to your actions. You can be consumed by her writing.
As this series comes to a close, Susan May Warren chooses to awash us in a battery of action-packed pages, faith-filled moments, and the promise of a second chance. I have personally been looking forward to Ham’s story from day one; I mean who wouldn’t be curious about a guy willing to go over a cliff for his friend? Well, Susan May Warren leads us on a merry chase to learn Ham’s story and she introduced us to Ham’s Wife and Daughter as well. The characters were well done, I loved their interactions with each other and the somewhat over the top action on every page. While this story was not how I picture Ham’s story taking us it was interesting and a conclusion for the ages. I am truly sad to see this series end, but I am looking forward to the next book Susan May Warren writes.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the action-packed moments, the theme of second chances, and for making me want more! I do wish that there had been less going on in the story and that we could have seen more of the main story. But overall, it was good, just left me with more questions!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
As this series comes to a close, Susan May Warren chooses to awash us in a battery of action-packed pages, faith-filled moments, and the promise of a second chance. I have personally been looking forward to Ham’s story from day one; I mean who wouldn’t be curious about a guy willing to go over a cliff for his friend? Well, Susan May Warren leads us on a merry chase to learn Ham’s story and she introduced us to Ham’s Wife and Daughter as well. The characters were well done, I loved their interactions with each other and the somewhat over the top action on every page. While this story was not how I picture Ham’s story taking us it was interesting and a conclusion for the ages. I am truly sad to see this series end, but I am looking forward to the next book Susan May Warren writes.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the action-packed moments, the theme of second chances, and for making me want more! I do wish that there had been less going on in the story and that we could have seen more of the main story. But overall, it was good, just left me with more questions!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated The Falcon Always Wings Twice in Books
Aug 31, 2020
The Game’s Afoot!
Meg Langslow is spending the summer at her grandmother’s craft center helping with the Renaissance Faire Cordelia is hosting on weekends as Cordelia’s second in command as well as doing blacksmithing demonstrations. Her husband, Michael, is in charge of the actors in “The Game,” which is the code for the improvised scenes he and the rest are doing during the day about who will inherit a fictional kingdom. They are mostly having fun with it, but Terence, one of the other actors, is making life difficult for everyone. Meg isn’t super surprised when he is found dead one morning, but as she goes about her day, she keeps picking up information related to the murder. Will she solve it?
This entry is the series at the top of its game. The murder may take place a little later than some books, but the time is well spent setting up the suspects and motives. I was hooked before the body dropped and happily followed the investigation after it happened. Everything is wrapped up in a climax that has us on the edge of our seats and makes us laugh. The characters are at their most charming – funny without being annoying. I laughed many times as the pages flew by. All the characters are great, and I found myself tearing up at some of the development we got thanks to some strong sub-plots. Since Meg is a blacksmith (not that we see her doing it much in the series), I’m surprised we haven’t been to a Renaissance Fair with her before, but this entry was well worth the wait.
This entry is the series at the top of its game. The murder may take place a little later than some books, but the time is well spent setting up the suspects and motives. I was hooked before the body dropped and happily followed the investigation after it happened. Everything is wrapped up in a climax that has us on the edge of our seats and makes us laugh. The characters are at their most charming – funny without being annoying. I laughed many times as the pages flew by. All the characters are great, and I found myself tearing up at some of the development we got thanks to some strong sub-plots. Since Meg is a blacksmith (not that we see her doing it much in the series), I’m surprised we haven’t been to a Renaissance Fair with her before, but this entry was well worth the wait.
Looking for Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an Arab-American Family
Book
A frank and entertaining memoir, from the daughter of Edward Said, about growing up...