Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Dread Nation in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I did like the analogous way Ireland tackled the race and social issues for the most part but the plot was basically a mess. It just didn't flow well from the events in Maryland to being sent out west and some parts felt more like random filler than relevant to the plot. I'm generally a fan of longer books but this one could have easily been 100 pages shorter without really losing anything, at least in my opinion.
The world building wasn't anything special. I felt like she had the chance to do something truly original here but instead it relies on preconceived notions of the old south and the wild west as depicted in old westerns, just with the addition of zombies.
With the exception of Jane, I didn't really think the characters were as well developed as they could have been. Jane's sass was great, I enjoyed how clearly her personality comes through in the writing but I did find her kind of 'know-it-all,' smarter than everyone around her type of attitude a bit grating at times. I was hoping to see something more than just the enemies to friends trope with Jane and Katherine as well.
Overall, I was a little disappointed with Dread Nation. I expected it to be so much more original than it turned out to be as far as a piece of spec fiction. As commentary on slavery, racism, and social injustice issues I thought it was done well.
I'll most likely pick up the sequel though, as I believe this series will continue to improve.
Narrative of Frederick Douglass
8.0
Rate It
Book
A new edition of the classic African American autobiography, now with with the inclusion of...
Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage
Peter Davis, Michelle L. Stefano and Gerard Corsane
Book
Awareness of the significance of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) has recently grown, due to the...
Beautifully Different: Autism: Viewing the World Through a Different Lens
Book
Beautifully Different is a photographic book about children with high-functioning autism who...
Complex Survey Data Analysis with SAS
Book
Complex Survey Data Analysis with SAS(R) is an invaluable resource for applied researchers analyzing...
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Mountain Between Us (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
The plane loses control and crashes on a mountain top, leaving Alex unconscious, and Ben and the dog to fend for themselves. While Alex recovers, Ben tends to her wounds, buries Walter in the snow, and turns the wreck of the plane into a shelter.
When Alex wakes up she's a realist, there was no flight plan, the tracker was in the plane's tail which is missing, and they've been there a long time without someone already finding them. She wants to leave the safety of the plane but after Ben makes an unsuccessful search he doesn't want to risk it. While he sleeps she sneaks out of the plane with the dog and heads out into the snowy hills.
The movie certainly got me in the feels, just as well I had the screen all to myself really! I'm not sure that I'd be desperate to see it again, but it was an enjoyable way to pass the time. My only real issue is that it was a very predictable story line. Oh... and the fact that they kept the dog on a leash while trekking across the mountains.
It's currently sitting around the 50% mark on Rotten Tomatoes for both critics and us regular plebs. (Slightly lower for the critics, obviously.) That seems about right, nice film but I don't think I'd need to see it again.
Lotto Results + : Mega Millions Powerball Lottery
News and Lifestyle
4.0
Rate It
App
Quick and easy access to Mega Millions, Powerball and state lottery results in the US. This is an...
It's Murder, My Son (Mac Faraday Mystery #1)
10.0
Rate It
Book
“An exciting mystery with plenty of intriguing and enigmatic characters, It's Murder, My Son...
Murder Audiobook Ebook Kindle Murder Mystery Mystery
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated An American Family in Books
Jan 11, 2018
An American Family follows the Khans' journey from Pakistan, to Dubai, to Texas, Maryland, and finally Virginia. And it's fascinating. He says in the beginning of the book that he wrote it to answer the question he's constantly asked: why do you love America? Why are you a Patriot? He couldn't answer it in a few short sentences. This book is his answer, and what an answer it is. It's impossible to summarize this book - it must be read.
It's a very easy read - it flows beautifully, and Khan tells a story well. It's easy, at least, until you get to the point where their son dies in action. Perhaps it wouldn't have such an emotional effect on someone else, but that, and its aftermath, was pretty hard for me to read about. The event is important, however. Its repercussions ripple out through the Khans' lives and affect everything they touch.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. Especially if you're American, and no matter where on the political spectrum you fall, this book is important. It might give you a different view on immigrants.
You can find all of my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
IELTS Prep TestBank! International English Language Testing System
Education and Reference
App
"Here's How To Ace The IELTS Your FIRST Try." The #1 IELTS Prep App! Here's what you get: •...