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Merissa (11953 KP) rated New Nebraska Lessons in Books
Nov 6, 2023
NEW NEBRASKA LESSONS is the first book in a series of standalones, all set in the same world. Even knowing they are standalones, I really hope we catch up with Ceci and her group of men.
She is the janitor at a University, getting lessons and lodging in return for her work, whilst also looking after her ailing mother. She is also the only human there, which means fun times. One by one, she attracts the attention of four different breeds - a bear shifter, a wolf shifter, a fae prince, and a vampire. Her mother disappears and a serial killer is on the loose. Talk about it all going on!
What I loved about it is that however hard the story got, with the concern over her mum, and the grisly murders, the one thing that Ceci didn't have to worry about was the devotion of her men. I LOVED THAT!!! No unnecessary arguments or miscommunications. It was effortless and flowed perfectly. Even with the complications Osric had, it still worked. He wasn't left out and his voice was as strong as the others.
Usually when reading a RH/why choose romance, I have my own personal favourite. Not this time. I love each and every one of them, which is why I'm hoping for a sneaky cameo here or there.
Lots of different characters that I want stories for now, first and foremost being Vesta and Finnian. A brilliant book that I couldn't put down. Highly recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 6, 2023
She is the janitor at a University, getting lessons and lodging in return for her work, whilst also looking after her ailing mother. She is also the only human there, which means fun times. One by one, she attracts the attention of four different breeds - a bear shifter, a wolf shifter, a fae prince, and a vampire. Her mother disappears and a serial killer is on the loose. Talk about it all going on!
What I loved about it is that however hard the story got, with the concern over her mum, and the grisly murders, the one thing that Ceci didn't have to worry about was the devotion of her men. I LOVED THAT!!! No unnecessary arguments or miscommunications. It was effortless and flowed perfectly. Even with the complications Osric had, it still worked. He wasn't left out and his voice was as strong as the others.
Usually when reading a RH/why choose romance, I have my own personal favourite. Not this time. I love each and every one of them, which is why I'm hoping for a sneaky cameo here or there.
Lots of different characters that I want stories for now, first and foremost being Vesta and Finnian. A brilliant book that I couldn't put down. Highly recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 6, 2023
ClareR (5681 KP) rated The Second Sight of a Zachary Cloudesley in Books
Nov 11, 2023
I don’t quite know how I can write anything about this book and still do it justice! It’s a wide sweeping novel, that takes the reader from a clockmakers in London to Constantinople.
Starting in 1754, Zachary is born on the day that his mother dies. His father, Abel, loves him fiercely, and wants to always do his best for him, which brings a Mrs Grace Morley and her baby daughter Leonora into their lives. She’s a strong, forceful woman who is to leave an impression on everyone that meets her.
After a near-fatal accident leaves Zachary blind in one eye, his father sends him to live part of the year with his Aunt Frances. This is another strong, independent woman who is determined to make Zachary the son she never had. She sees in Zachary the gift that his mother had: the ability to read people and see inside to their hopes, wishes and dreams - and also their not-so-positive thoughts.
Abel finds himself forced to go to Constantinople, and Zachary begins to have visions that send him on a chase across Europe to find his father after he loses contact with him.
The descriptions of London, Frances’ house and land, and those of Constantinople are rich and detailed - I could have been there. I was gripped from the first page, immersed in an 18th century world where lives were at stake and a boy had to be brave to save the life of his father. I loved Aunt Frances and Tom, Abel’s apprentice, who both join the Cloudesley’s in Constantinople.
The love between the characters is bright and clear, and their losses are the readers losses as well (I cried). This is historical fiction, an adventure story with a dash of fantasy and the love of family and good friends.
Highly recommended.
Starting in 1754, Zachary is born on the day that his mother dies. His father, Abel, loves him fiercely, and wants to always do his best for him, which brings a Mrs Grace Morley and her baby daughter Leonora into their lives. She’s a strong, forceful woman who is to leave an impression on everyone that meets her.
After a near-fatal accident leaves Zachary blind in one eye, his father sends him to live part of the year with his Aunt Frances. This is another strong, independent woman who is determined to make Zachary the son she never had. She sees in Zachary the gift that his mother had: the ability to read people and see inside to their hopes, wishes and dreams - and also their not-so-positive thoughts.
Abel finds himself forced to go to Constantinople, and Zachary begins to have visions that send him on a chase across Europe to find his father after he loses contact with him.
The descriptions of London, Frances’ house and land, and those of Constantinople are rich and detailed - I could have been there. I was gripped from the first page, immersed in an 18th century world where lives were at stake and a boy had to be brave to save the life of his father. I loved Aunt Frances and Tom, Abel’s apprentice, who both join the Cloudesley’s in Constantinople.
The love between the characters is bright and clear, and their losses are the readers losses as well (I cried). This is historical fiction, an adventure story with a dash of fantasy and the love of family and good friends.
Highly recommended.
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated The Odd Sisters: A Villains Novel (Villains #6) in Books
Jan 13, 2022
I love the Villains series and I think they just get better the more you read. And this was no exception.
Although it’s been a while since I read Mother Knows Best, the story is so easy to follow that it really didn’t matter and it all came flooding back to me as I read on.
We follow Circe and Snow White as they try to understand the Odd Sisters before they find a way to get themselves out of the dreamscape to continue wreaking havoc on the world. Whilst trying to understand them, Snow White falls upon a story related to Gothel’s mother and grandmother but the last pages have been torn out of the book, Snow White knows that she must find those pages in order to understand the story fully and for her suspicions around Gothel and the Odd Sisters to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, in Fairyland, the fairies have heard that the Odd Sisters are trying to resurrect Maleficent in an attempt to use her to destroy Fairyland on their behalf. Will the Odd Sisters succeed? Or will Circe manage to stop her Mothers in time?
I love this series and love the imagination that goes in to the back story for each villain. But the theme of the Odd Sisters throughout each of the books is a very interesting one, and I find it interesting that there is a way to weave them into the chaos of each fairytale somehow. This book made me understand the sisters more, whilst finding out more about their background.
I’m very interested to see what happens in the next 2 books, which I’m sure I won’t be able to put down like I haven’t been able to put this one down!
Although it’s been a while since I read Mother Knows Best, the story is so easy to follow that it really didn’t matter and it all came flooding back to me as I read on.
We follow Circe and Snow White as they try to understand the Odd Sisters before they find a way to get themselves out of the dreamscape to continue wreaking havoc on the world. Whilst trying to understand them, Snow White falls upon a story related to Gothel’s mother and grandmother but the last pages have been torn out of the book, Snow White knows that she must find those pages in order to understand the story fully and for her suspicions around Gothel and the Odd Sisters to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, in Fairyland, the fairies have heard that the Odd Sisters are trying to resurrect Maleficent in an attempt to use her to destroy Fairyland on their behalf. Will the Odd Sisters succeed? Or will Circe manage to stop her Mothers in time?
I love this series and love the imagination that goes in to the back story for each villain. But the theme of the Odd Sisters throughout each of the books is a very interesting one, and I find it interesting that there is a way to weave them into the chaos of each fairytale somehow. This book made me understand the sisters more, whilst finding out more about their background.
I’m very interested to see what happens in the next 2 books, which I’m sure I won’t be able to put down like I haven’t been able to put this one down!
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Mother/Android (2021) in Movies
Jan 14, 2022
Whilst there are a handful of positives about Mother/Android, they are woefully overshadowed by just how unoriginal the overall movie is.
Starting with said positives - Chloë Grace Moretz is always trying her best and here is no different. It's also nice to see Raúl Castillo popping up more and more at the moment and here is no different. There's a scene fairly late on, set in a house full of androids that is genuinely quite tense and is an obvious highlight.
Other than that, it's pretty dire. The dialogue is shoddy, and the writing is all over the place. None of the characters are particularly likable and there's not really anyone to root for (started rooting for the androids by the end). The opening scene is one of intrigue, promising something vaguely resembling Detroit: Become Human, but the story is rushed along so quickly that we're thrown straight into 9 months later, following a pregnant lady through some woods in America, whilst trying to stay silent. Very A Quiet Place. The android designs do nothing to differentiate from the designs seen in Terminator.
However, the most insulting moment of plagiarism comes during the climax, the events of which are quite bleak, and aim for the heartstrings. This moment is intercut with flashes of a happier time, whilst chaos unfolds in the distance, set to some somber music. All of which would have landed way better if it wasn't ripped straight from the undead hands of Train to Busan!
I'm sure that there will be plenty of people out there who find something to like when it comes to Mother/Android but for me, it just came across as plain lazy, lifting ideas from far superior movies left, right, and centre.
Starting with said positives - Chloë Grace Moretz is always trying her best and here is no different. It's also nice to see Raúl Castillo popping up more and more at the moment and here is no different. There's a scene fairly late on, set in a house full of androids that is genuinely quite tense and is an obvious highlight.
Other than that, it's pretty dire. The dialogue is shoddy, and the writing is all over the place. None of the characters are particularly likable and there's not really anyone to root for (started rooting for the androids by the end). The opening scene is one of intrigue, promising something vaguely resembling Detroit: Become Human, but the story is rushed along so quickly that we're thrown straight into 9 months later, following a pregnant lady through some woods in America, whilst trying to stay silent. Very A Quiet Place. The android designs do nothing to differentiate from the designs seen in Terminator.
However, the most insulting moment of plagiarism comes during the climax, the events of which are quite bleak, and aim for the heartstrings. This moment is intercut with flashes of a happier time, whilst chaos unfolds in the distance, set to some somber music. All of which would have landed way better if it wasn't ripped straight from the undead hands of Train to Busan!
I'm sure that there will be plenty of people out there who find something to like when it comes to Mother/Android but for me, it just came across as plain lazy, lifting ideas from far superior movies left, right, and centre.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Open Your Eyes ( Chosen Fate book 1) in Books
May 31, 2022
94 of 230
Kindle
Open your eyes ( Chosen by Fate book 1)
By Aspen Winters
⭐️⭐️
Gods are vanishing; their only salvation is bonding to a human soul.
My name is Clara Daniels. I was your average New Yorker with a degree in business and a need for a job. Everything in my life was normal; well, as normal as it could be with an overbearing mother obsessed with the Lord and trying to find me a man. Not to mention, dealing with the many chauvanistic men that dominate the business world of New York.
Then one day, I ran into Fate - literally - and my entire world was changed. Now, my normal is being the human soul for four, overpowering, disturbingly hot gods. Think Zeus, Aries, Hades - see where I'm going with this. Turns out all that mythology was true. Now, I'm the only chance these four gods have to continue to live and soon they'll become my only chance.
Unfortunately, there's a group of people that don't agree with this and I just became their next target.
Can I trust them to protect me? Or will they let me down like so many others before them? Only Fate knows...and she's not telling.
I almost DNFd this a few times but something in me wanted to see how it played out. Now I’m not into author bashing and I’m not about to start now. This had some major plot holes and a few cringy parts. The mother is just instantly dis likeable I mean she is absolutely vile. There are bits that make you think why?. There are some ok bits and towards the end it came together. The story had good foundation so I think it why I stuck it out.
Kindle
Open your eyes ( Chosen by Fate book 1)
By Aspen Winters
⭐️⭐️
Gods are vanishing; their only salvation is bonding to a human soul.
My name is Clara Daniels. I was your average New Yorker with a degree in business and a need for a job. Everything in my life was normal; well, as normal as it could be with an overbearing mother obsessed with the Lord and trying to find me a man. Not to mention, dealing with the many chauvanistic men that dominate the business world of New York.
Then one day, I ran into Fate - literally - and my entire world was changed. Now, my normal is being the human soul for four, overpowering, disturbingly hot gods. Think Zeus, Aries, Hades - see where I'm going with this. Turns out all that mythology was true. Now, I'm the only chance these four gods have to continue to live and soon they'll become my only chance.
Unfortunately, there's a group of people that don't agree with this and I just became their next target.
Can I trust them to protect me? Or will they let me down like so many others before them? Only Fate knows...and she's not telling.
I almost DNFd this a few times but something in me wanted to see how it played out. Now I’m not into author bashing and I’m not about to start now. This had some major plot holes and a few cringy parts. The mother is just instantly dis likeable I mean she is absolutely vile. There are bits that make you think why?. There are some ok bits and towards the end it came together. The story had good foundation so I think it why I stuck it out.
Merissa (11953 KP) rated The Founder (A Broken World #4) in Books
Nov 29, 2023
The Founder is the fourth book in the Broken World series, but this book takes you on a different route than the previous three. In this one, Skye is by herself, not knowing if she will ever see Brennan again. Instead of running away from the enclave, she is running towards it. She is searching for her mother and will do whatever it takes to get answers. This book certainly has a different dynamic to the others - don't get me wrong, I love Skye. It was just a bit strange to only hear about her and not Brennan too. Instead, Skye manages to get a small group of friends, none of whom know who she really is, whilst she is searching for her mother.
This is one heck of a book, with more twists and turns than a maize maze! There were some parts that were quite technical, but my husband was fascinated when I read them out to him, so I guess it's just not my strong point! Instead, I found the interpersonal relationships intriguing, especially when one of Skye's creche-mates turns up.
This is part of a series, so it does you no good to read this as a standalone. You need to have read the others for it to make sense. However, there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the pace and integrity of the characters are just what I have come to expect from Dean Murray. Ending on a cliffhanger, it will definitely leave you wanting more. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 3, 2017
This is one heck of a book, with more twists and turns than a maize maze! There were some parts that were quite technical, but my husband was fascinated when I read them out to him, so I guess it's just not my strong point! Instead, I found the interpersonal relationships intriguing, especially when one of Skye's creche-mates turns up.
This is part of a series, so it does you no good to read this as a standalone. You need to have read the others for it to make sense. However, there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the pace and integrity of the characters are just what I have come to expect from Dean Murray. Ending on a cliffhanger, it will definitely leave you wanting more. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 3, 2017
The Silent Dead (Detective Jackie Cooke #2)
7.0
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She was lying as if asleep on the wooden kitchen floor, beneath the fridge covered with a child’s...
Kinsey and Me: Stories
7.0
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My name is Kinsey Millhone. I'm a private investigator, licensed, bonded, insured; white, female,...
The Twelve Jays of Christmas
8.0
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The cast of Donna Andrews’ New York Times bestselling Meg Langslow mystery series is back for an...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Scent of Dragon’s Blood ( The Tattered Realm book 1) in Books
Sep 7, 2022
161 of 230
Kindle
The Scent of Dragon’s Blood ( The Tatteted Realm book 1)
By Kova Killian
⭐️⭐️
When the Knight in shining armor needs saving, you send in his hybrid monster girlfriend. . . and her squishy human friend to save the day.
"It's tragic how something so beautiful has been twisted into something so fearful."
Cree has been on the run from the Dread behemoth King since she was a child for crimes her mother committed.
Crimes. . .
Her mother didn’t mean to.
Cree never thought she would fall for one of the knights that stalk her. . . let alone the captain that protects the king. But she did.
And now he’s cursed.
To keep them both safe, she hides in the realm behind The Mirror.
Humans are strange creatures, but in her short year in their realm, they have time and time again shown their kindness.
Too bad the Hunter finds her. And now her human friend, who has no idea how to protect herself, is in danger of the King and his knights.
At least she found a counter curse for her knight. . . maybe.
So what do you do when the knight in shining armor needs saving? You send in his hybrid monster girlfriend. . . and her squishy human friend to save the day.
This book holds so much potential! The premise was good, the characters were good and it really is something I’d like to see developed. But the whole thing was so rushed you just fumbled through each chapter wondering what the hell. I just couldn’t push past how rushed it was which is such a shame. It also left a lot to guess work to I mean a 40ft Wolf??? Was that her sarcasm?? Or maybe it’s really late and I should sleep!
Kindle
The Scent of Dragon’s Blood ( The Tatteted Realm book 1)
By Kova Killian
⭐️⭐️
When the Knight in shining armor needs saving, you send in his hybrid monster girlfriend. . . and her squishy human friend to save the day.
"It's tragic how something so beautiful has been twisted into something so fearful."
Cree has been on the run from the Dread behemoth King since she was a child for crimes her mother committed.
Crimes. . .
Her mother didn’t mean to.
Cree never thought she would fall for one of the knights that stalk her. . . let alone the captain that protects the king. But she did.
And now he’s cursed.
To keep them both safe, she hides in the realm behind The Mirror.
Humans are strange creatures, but in her short year in their realm, they have time and time again shown their kindness.
Too bad the Hunter finds her. And now her human friend, who has no idea how to protect herself, is in danger of the King and his knights.
At least she found a counter curse for her knight. . . maybe.
So what do you do when the knight in shining armor needs saving? You send in his hybrid monster girlfriend. . . and her squishy human friend to save the day.
This book holds so much potential! The premise was good, the characters were good and it really is something I’d like to see developed. But the whole thing was so rushed you just fumbled through each chapter wondering what the hell. I just couldn’t push past how rushed it was which is such a shame. It also left a lot to guess work to I mean a 40ft Wolf??? Was that her sarcasm?? Or maybe it’s really late and I should sleep!