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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Charlie Thorne and the Lost City in Books
Mar 24, 2021 (Updated Mar 24, 2021)
Tracking Darwin Through the Amazon
It's been a few months since Charlotte “Charlie” Thorne has gone missing. While she was initially presumed dead, she took advantage of the confusion of the situation to slip away. She’s currently hiding out in the Galapagos Islands, which turns out to be very fortunate. One day, she is approached by Esmerelda, a researcher from the Darwin Institute who thinks she’s found a message left behind by Charles Darwin almost 200 years ago. Unfortunately, it’s in code, and Esmerelda needs Charlie to help her figure it out. Suddenly, Charlie finds herself on another wild ride that will take her deep into the heart of the Amazon pursued by people out to get the treasure first. But what did Darwin leave behind?
When I realized that Charles Darwin was going to be the featured scientist in this book, I was worried. As expected, there are some jabs taken at people like me, Christians who believe in microevolution (which Darwin clearly observed) but not the theory of macroevolution. I realize that will only be an issue for some readers. The rest will be thrilled with the action, danger, and twists that Charlie finds herself caught up in once again. I do struggle a bit with Charlie’s characters since she comes across as too perfect, but there are others in the book who are more realistic. I appreciated the rising tension we got while traveling through the Amazon as well as the humor that helped lighten the mood at times. There are some great seeds planted, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they pay off in future books. Fans of Stuart Gibbs will certainly enjoy this book.
When I realized that Charles Darwin was going to be the featured scientist in this book, I was worried. As expected, there are some jabs taken at people like me, Christians who believe in microevolution (which Darwin clearly observed) but not the theory of macroevolution. I realize that will only be an issue for some readers. The rest will be thrilled with the action, danger, and twists that Charlie finds herself caught up in once again. I do struggle a bit with Charlie’s characters since she comes across as too perfect, but there are others in the book who are more realistic. I appreciated the rising tension we got while traveling through the Amazon as well as the humor that helped lighten the mood at times. There are some great seeds planted, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they pay off in future books. Fans of Stuart Gibbs will certainly enjoy this book.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Before The Storm (DCI Lorimer #18) in Books
Mar 28, 2021
Where have I been living and why have I never read anything by Alex Gray before? This is book 18 for heaven's sake!!! I must have been living under a rock and walking around with my eyes closed to have missed this series because if the previous 17 are anything close to being as good as this, I really have been missing out on a treat. I was a little concerned that coming into an already well established series wasn't a good idea but I needn't have worried as this worked really well as a standalone.
This is an excellent police procedural with a very up-to-date and relevant story line. It is not a white-knuckle, action packed story and it's not full of swearing, violence or gory details but it is written at a steady pace with a growing sense of tension and urgency which makes it a compulsive and riveting read.
The characters are so good and so well developed that I really felt I knew them. I read a lot of crime fiction and police procedurals and I have to say that it is refreshing for the main character not to be full of his own troubles or issues or who is in conflict with either his colleagues or his bosses. Daniel was an excellent addition and his relationship with his neighbour, Netta, was a joy to read ... I do hope that these 2 make an appearance in subsequent books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and would very much recommend this to everyone and I must thank The Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
Alex Gray is definitely on my watchlist now!
This is an excellent police procedural with a very up-to-date and relevant story line. It is not a white-knuckle, action packed story and it's not full of swearing, violence or gory details but it is written at a steady pace with a growing sense of tension and urgency which makes it a compulsive and riveting read.
The characters are so good and so well developed that I really felt I knew them. I read a lot of crime fiction and police procedurals and I have to say that it is refreshing for the main character not to be full of his own troubles or issues or who is in conflict with either his colleagues or his bosses. Daniel was an excellent addition and his relationship with his neighbour, Netta, was a joy to read ... I do hope that these 2 make an appearance in subsequent books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and would very much recommend this to everyone and I must thank The Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review.
Alex Gray is definitely on my watchlist now!
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Lost Locket (The Magic Magnifying Glass #1) in Books
Jul 29, 2021
Are you looking for a good clean book for your middle-grade children? The Magic Magnifying Glass is a good one. The first book is called “Lost Locket” by Wendy Ann Mattox. This book introduces you to a boy that loves to solve mysteries.
This book also is clean and talking about God helping him along the way. Your child or children will meet some new characters along the way. I enjoy the fact that this book does center around a boy named Finley. Though he needs the help of friends,
Will he learn that God made me the way he is for a reason. Will he know that having new friends might be able to help when he needs it? The way the author puts nature animals in this story. I enjoyed how they come to help or do as they would typically do in natural wildlife.
Children will learn about nature and the wild animals in their backyard. We learn along the way some of the friends that Finley meets as he tries to solve the tricky case. Will he figure out how he got so tiny? Will he learn to trust God?
This book is excellent. Will Finley find the missing locket? This adventure book is ideal for girls and boys. Parents can read it to their children. Children can pick this book up and read it themselves if they want. I was pleased with it. Children learn about nature and animals in their backyard. Some of the animals are common.
Parents could add more activities or learning activities with their children once they have read this book. Children will learn some animal facts about some of the new friends Finley meets in this book.
This book also is clean and talking about God helping him along the way. Your child or children will meet some new characters along the way. I enjoy the fact that this book does center around a boy named Finley. Though he needs the help of friends,
Will he learn that God made me the way he is for a reason. Will he know that having new friends might be able to help when he needs it? The way the author puts nature animals in this story. I enjoyed how they come to help or do as they would typically do in natural wildlife.
Children will learn about nature and the wild animals in their backyard. We learn along the way some of the friends that Finley meets as he tries to solve the tricky case. Will he figure out how he got so tiny? Will he learn to trust God?
This book is excellent. Will Finley find the missing locket? This adventure book is ideal for girls and boys. Parents can read it to their children. Children can pick this book up and read it themselves if they want. I was pleased with it. Children learn about nature and animals in their backyard. Some of the animals are common.
Parents could add more activities or learning activities with their children once they have read this book. Children will learn some animal facts about some of the new friends Finley meets in this book.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train (2020) in Movies
May 23, 2021
I will preface this by stating I have not watched the Demon Slayer show, nor did I read a synopsis of what had happened prior to the characters getting onto the Mugan Train. I wanted to see this film for two reasons, 1) It’s the largest grossing Anime of all time apparently, in Japan and 2) My Regal theater opened finally.
So obviously, as the title suggests, this takes place on a train. There are three main characters introduced, and I did look up their names, so I’m not insulting: Tanjirô (kid with a scar), Zenitsu (blond kid), and Inosuke (a kid that wears a boar mask…). They hop on this train, because apparently people keep going missing, and there’s a demon behind it. They come across this other warrior guy, named Kyôjurô (flame dude), and he’s pretty good at slaying these demons.
You can tell there’s something creepy occurring on this train, and it was quite atmospheric and suspenseful. Then, more nightmare fuel appeared, a disembodied hand that had eyeballs and this crazy set of teeth. So, there’s our demon. Our heroes get trapped in dreams and can’t wake. Obviously, our heroes do eventually wake up, but not before Tanjirô’s sister, Nezuko, hops out of the box that he carries on his back to help wake her bro up. Apparently, Nezuko is a demon and has to be kept in a box.
The majority of the time, I was so confused, but I still enjoyed the movie. The final battles are great, and the animation was great. I do plan on watching the anime now. If you are going to choose to watch this film, I recommend either watching the anime series first, or just go with it and enjoy it as much as you can.
So obviously, as the title suggests, this takes place on a train. There are three main characters introduced, and I did look up their names, so I’m not insulting: Tanjirô (kid with a scar), Zenitsu (blond kid), and Inosuke (a kid that wears a boar mask…). They hop on this train, because apparently people keep going missing, and there’s a demon behind it. They come across this other warrior guy, named Kyôjurô (flame dude), and he’s pretty good at slaying these demons.
You can tell there’s something creepy occurring on this train, and it was quite atmospheric and suspenseful. Then, more nightmare fuel appeared, a disembodied hand that had eyeballs and this crazy set of teeth. So, there’s our demon. Our heroes get trapped in dreams and can’t wake. Obviously, our heroes do eventually wake up, but not before Tanjirô’s sister, Nezuko, hops out of the box that he carries on his back to help wake her bro up. Apparently, Nezuko is a demon and has to be kept in a box.
The majority of the time, I was so confused, but I still enjoyed the movie. The final battles are great, and the animation was great. I do plan on watching the anime now. If you are going to choose to watch this film, I recommend either watching the anime series first, or just go with it and enjoy it as much as you can.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated A Quiet Place: Part II (2021) in Movies
May 29, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
In A Quiet Place: Part II we get to see how it all started, the film begins on 'Day one' when the creatures first arrive (this is also most of the footage used in the trailer). At first glance this seems like an odd move as the film is advertised as sequel, however, this introduction serves as a reminder to the set up of the first film, a reminder as to who some of the characters are and does actually set up a couple of things for later on in the film.
The film soon jumps ahead and picks up almost directly where the first one left off, Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) and family look for other survivors and try to find a way to use what they found out at the end of Part 1.
Like the first film Part 2 uses sound, or the lack of, to help build the suspense and switches between tense, atmospheric scenes, some action and jump scares. It can be slow in parts but this is all in scene setting and tension building.
One of the good thing about 'A Quiet Place: Part 2' is that it doesn't fall into the typical post apocalyptic trap that all survivor groups are sinister (Walking dead, I'm looking at you). In fact the film does make you think that that is the way it's going to go.
A Quiet Place: Part 2 is a sequel in the truest sense, as I said, after the first few scenes it picks up directly after the first film in a way that, if you haven't seen part one (or haven't seen it for a while) then you will be missing some quite important information so a re watch of part 1 may be a good idea.
The film soon jumps ahead and picks up almost directly where the first one left off, Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) and family look for other survivors and try to find a way to use what they found out at the end of Part 1.
Like the first film Part 2 uses sound, or the lack of, to help build the suspense and switches between tense, atmospheric scenes, some action and jump scares. It can be slow in parts but this is all in scene setting and tension building.
One of the good thing about 'A Quiet Place: Part 2' is that it doesn't fall into the typical post apocalyptic trap that all survivor groups are sinister (Walking dead, I'm looking at you). In fact the film does make you think that that is the way it's going to go.
A Quiet Place: Part 2 is a sequel in the truest sense, as I said, after the first few scenes it picks up directly after the first film in a way that, if you haven't seen part one (or haven't seen it for a while) then you will be missing some quite important information so a re watch of part 1 may be a good idea.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated From the Shadows in Books
Sep 24, 2020
The main characters in this novel are detective Monica and social worker Michael. I really enjoyed the way the author developed these two characters throughout the book. Monica is a single mother who is trying her best to be a good mum and a good detective. She is an interesting character with a very distinctive appearance. Michael had his own issues in the past, but at the moment his main goal is to find his client Nichol, who suddenly disappeared, and he is the only one who cares enough to find him. While Monica is dealing with dead teenagers, Michael is launching his own investigation into finding the missing boy. The case gets more tangled and complicated, so Monica and Michael start working together to solve it all.
I really liked this cooperation and teamwork between these two characters, they compliment each other. The narrative was fast paced and full of twists and turns. Sometimes I used to feel, that Michael’s wish to find Nichol was too repetitive, it made him look a little boring at times. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, especially the killer’s parts. It was visible that man is absolutely out of his mind, but still, very amusing to read.
I enjoyed the writing style of this novel, the suspense was very well kept, and overall delivery of the plot is very intriguing. The chapters are quite short, and the whole book was a really quick read for me. The ending was quite unexpected, but at the same time quite disappointing. I was expecting something more. So, to conclude, This is a really good thriller, filled with layered characters and plot. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you will give this book a try and enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
I really liked this cooperation and teamwork between these two characters, they compliment each other. The narrative was fast paced and full of twists and turns. Sometimes I used to feel, that Michael’s wish to find Nichol was too repetitive, it made him look a little boring at times. I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, especially the killer’s parts. It was visible that man is absolutely out of his mind, but still, very amusing to read.
I enjoyed the writing style of this novel, the suspense was very well kept, and overall delivery of the plot is very intriguing. The chapters are quite short, and the whole book was a really quick read for me. The ending was quite unexpected, but at the same time quite disappointing. I was expecting something more. So, to conclude, This is a really good thriller, filled with layered characters and plot. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you will give this book a try and enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Onward (2020) in Movies
Oct 5, 2020 (Updated Oct 5, 2020)
Heartwarmingly funny
For me Pixar films usually fall into one of two categories: very good (Cars, Brave, Coco) and brilliant (Up, Wall-E, Toy Story). However there is no such thing as a bad Pixar film, and Onward does not prove this wrong.
A Pixar film with a fantasy setting, what's not to like? It's a great take on elves, wizards and mythical creatures and also relevant to today's society with it's cultural references and technological advancements. And unicorns acting like stray cats? Genius. The plot itself is exactly the type of quest you'd expect in a fantasy, with your typical Disney/Pixar tropes (dead parent). However this story doesn't necessarily turn out the way you'd expect and I have to commend Pixar for not being predictable. Like Frozen before it, this plays out in a rather emotional and heartwarming yet fairly unexpected way. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get any "feels" watching this!
There's no real need to say that this film looks amazing. I think it'd be more surprising if a Pixar film didn't. It also has a great voice cast although my only real negative of this film is that I felt like the cast could've been given more to work with. It may have just been me not paying attention, but I struggled to even notice John Ratzenberger (which is like missing the late Stan Lee in a Marvel film).
Onward is an unusual Pixar film. For me it falls between the aforementioned categories. It's not "bad" enough to just be very good but it's not quite brilliant, although I did enjoy it very much and laughed a lot more than I was expecting.
A Pixar film with a fantasy setting, what's not to like? It's a great take on elves, wizards and mythical creatures and also relevant to today's society with it's cultural references and technological advancements. And unicorns acting like stray cats? Genius. The plot itself is exactly the type of quest you'd expect in a fantasy, with your typical Disney/Pixar tropes (dead parent). However this story doesn't necessarily turn out the way you'd expect and I have to commend Pixar for not being predictable. Like Frozen before it, this plays out in a rather emotional and heartwarming yet fairly unexpected way. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get any "feels" watching this!
There's no real need to say that this film looks amazing. I think it'd be more surprising if a Pixar film didn't. It also has a great voice cast although my only real negative of this film is that I felt like the cast could've been given more to work with. It may have just been me not paying attention, but I struggled to even notice John Ratzenberger (which is like missing the late Stan Lee in a Marvel film).
Onward is an unusual Pixar film. For me it falls between the aforementioned categories. It's not "bad" enough to just be very good but it's not quite brilliant, although I did enjoy it very much and laughed a lot more than I was expecting.
Mothergamer (1568 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Assassin's Creed Valhalla in Video Games
Dec 14, 2020
I like the AC series a lot and while there are some that I like better than others like Origins, I do enjoy playing each one. I was excited for Valhalla and getting to play Eivor as either female or male was really cool to me. I liked the premise of the story and the setting. I thought the differences with the skill system and armor sets was refreshing. The combat is a lot of fun and I enjoyed the various side quests and mini games. However, I do feel that the story was not as strong as Origins and Odyssey. It was a darker story sure, but given the events in the 9th century that makes sense. However, I felt it was missing a little something. While I liked Eivor there were side characters that were part of the story I came to like and care about more. The ending felt a bit unfinished and I felt a little disappointed. There's also the issue with constant bugs where quests wouldn't load properly, Eivor would get stuck on things, or weird clipping issues in the game. There are also far too many game crashes. I learned to save my game often because I never knew if there would be a game crash around the corner. It feels like perhaps they should not have released the game yet until they got these issues sorted. It's disappointing because I feel the game could have been great instead of just good, but the tech issues really hindered it. You can read the full Mothergamer review here: http://lorrie28-mothergamer.blogspot.com/2020/12/assassins-creed-valhalla-good-viking.html
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Mountain Between Us (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Dr. Ben Bass and photojournalist Alex Martin are stranded in Boise Airport when their flight is cancelled due to a storm. In an attempt to get home Alex hires a local pilot to fly them back so they can both make their appointments. The three of them, plus the pilot's dog, take off for home in Baltimore, Maryland. But mid-flight Walter the pilot suffers a stroke.
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.
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.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Whisper Man in Books
Jul 11, 2019
Spine chilling atmosphere set up (1 more)
Jake the cool if spooky kid
Not much mystery in the crime (1 more)
Poor police characters
If you leave a door half open, soon you'll hear the whispers spoken.......
This book got off to a great start with a really creepy feeling to it. A spooky kids rhyme will always get the chills going.
Jake and his father Tom are struggling with life after the death of Jake’s mum and a fresh start in a new house doesn't lead to the new start Tom hopes for when Jake continues to keep saying freaky stuff and knowing things he couldn’t possibly know. There is a very supernatural feel to the beginning of this book that is well done, and how that is wrapped up is also well dealt with.
However I felt the crime plot let this book down, the killer was obvious to me as soon as they were vaguely mentioned but the police detective Amanda Beck just seemed flat out incompetent. I nearly screamed out loud at her when she gave herself the proverbial pat on the back for a job well done. Staying up all night because a kid has gone missing does not in itself make you a good cop - doing some good old style investigating that actually gets results does.
I liked the complex relationship between Jake and Tom but a lot of the other characters left much to be desired for me. Reformed alcoholic cop Pete Willis; haunted by his past felt like a character I have read/ seen a hundred times before. And the reporter with morals seemed a stretch.
All in all I’d recommend coming to this book for the chills but don’t expect the crime mystery to knock your socks off.
Jake and his father Tom are struggling with life after the death of Jake’s mum and a fresh start in a new house doesn't lead to the new start Tom hopes for when Jake continues to keep saying freaky stuff and knowing things he couldn’t possibly know. There is a very supernatural feel to the beginning of this book that is well done, and how that is wrapped up is also well dealt with.
However I felt the crime plot let this book down, the killer was obvious to me as soon as they were vaguely mentioned but the police detective Amanda Beck just seemed flat out incompetent. I nearly screamed out loud at her when she gave herself the proverbial pat on the back for a job well done. Staying up all night because a kid has gone missing does not in itself make you a good cop - doing some good old style investigating that actually gets results does.
I liked the complex relationship between Jake and Tom but a lot of the other characters left much to be desired for me. Reformed alcoholic cop Pete Willis; haunted by his past felt like a character I have read/ seen a hundred times before. And the reporter with morals seemed a stretch.
All in all I’d recommend coming to this book for the chills but don’t expect the crime mystery to knock your socks off.