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ClareR (6037 KP) rated Trail of Lightening in Books
Apr 30, 2022
Maggie Hoskie is a Native American in an apocalyptic world where monsters are real, and only magical strength can kill them. Most of the world is underwater, but one of the safe places is the Navajo Reservation, otherwise known as Dinétah. And magic has returned. Not just magic though, but also the gods and heroes.
It would seem that Maggie is something of a reluctant hero, and doesn’t take any nonsense form anyone. She likes to be alone, seeking out company when she wants it - not the other way round. I liked her, and I’ll be interested to see how her character develops further in subsequent books.
I liked the world-building, the peripheral characters, but to be honest, I would have loved a bit more background, both in how the world flooded and the gods. But then again, it was a good way of hooking me, because I WILL be reading the next in the series!
It would seem that Maggie is something of a reluctant hero, and doesn’t take any nonsense form anyone. She likes to be alone, seeking out company when she wants it - not the other way round. I liked her, and I’ll be interested to see how her character develops further in subsequent books.
I liked the world-building, the peripheral characters, but to be honest, I would have loved a bit more background, both in how the world flooded and the gods. But then again, it was a good way of hooking me, because I WILL be reading the next in the series!
King of the Mountain (Love at Lake Clyde #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
American cycling sensation and heartthrob Clifford Du Frey is riding the wave of success. Brand Du...
Contemporary MM Romance
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated American Sniper (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Every once in a while a movie just sneaks up on me. A movie that comes out of nowhere to be one of the best that I have seen in a long while. This is how American Sniper hit me. I had seen previews, and thought that it might end up being a decent flick, but I did not expect it to grab a hold of me and teach me something about myself as well.
American Sniper sees Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle in his second movie with “American” in the title (see 2013’s American Hustle). Most of us know the story of Chris Kyle, but for those that don’t here’s a quick rundown. Chris Kyle is the most lethal sniper in American history with 160 confirmed kills as a Navy SEAL, and another 95 probable kills. He served four tours, and wrote a book about his life. This film is based on that book. It tells the story of how he was influenced by his father, joined the military, and then went on to serve four tours while trying to balance his life at home with his wife and children. Acting as the true Sheepdog to all in his life, American Sniper looks at the struggle Kyle went through, and tells the story with passion and respect.
Cooper did a fantastic job portraying Texas-native Kyle. He was almost unrecognizable onscreen, as he put in 8 months of prep to get ready for this role, including a 4-hour a day training regime, and another two with a vocal coach. It was even said that some of Kyle’s brothers-in-arms who helped train Cooper and serve as consultants on the movie could feel his presence through Cooper at the end of training and all throughout filming. Sienna Miller was a great compliment to Cooper’s performance as Taya Kyle, Chris’ wife and the mother of his children. And not surprisingly, Clint Eastwood knocked it out of the park in this go at the Director’s chair. This is his best movie in years, though one would hope so with Chris Kyle’s father threatening to unleash hell if the memory of his son was disrespected with the film.
Mr. Kyle’s passing was a tragic event for those that knew him, and even those that did not know him. I think he may rest well knowing that this film, adapted from his own auto-biography, was handled beautifully with such passion and respect. If I have one issue with the film, it was the rapidity at which things progressed. So many different events packed into 15 minute segments with time just seemed to be rushing like a river, and glossing over parts of the story that could really have used some more build up or exploring. But such is the case when adapting a movie from a book. Though I am sure that movie-goers would not have minded lengthy the movie a bit, even with a run-time of 132 minutes.
If you see one movie this month, let it be American Sniper. If you have not heard of Chris Kyle, or his story, go see American Sniper. Hopefully, the Legend will live on through the lives he touched, and saved.
American Sniper sees Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle in his second movie with “American” in the title (see 2013’s American Hustle). Most of us know the story of Chris Kyle, but for those that don’t here’s a quick rundown. Chris Kyle is the most lethal sniper in American history with 160 confirmed kills as a Navy SEAL, and another 95 probable kills. He served four tours, and wrote a book about his life. This film is based on that book. It tells the story of how he was influenced by his father, joined the military, and then went on to serve four tours while trying to balance his life at home with his wife and children. Acting as the true Sheepdog to all in his life, American Sniper looks at the struggle Kyle went through, and tells the story with passion and respect.
Cooper did a fantastic job portraying Texas-native Kyle. He was almost unrecognizable onscreen, as he put in 8 months of prep to get ready for this role, including a 4-hour a day training regime, and another two with a vocal coach. It was even said that some of Kyle’s brothers-in-arms who helped train Cooper and serve as consultants on the movie could feel his presence through Cooper at the end of training and all throughout filming. Sienna Miller was a great compliment to Cooper’s performance as Taya Kyle, Chris’ wife and the mother of his children. And not surprisingly, Clint Eastwood knocked it out of the park in this go at the Director’s chair. This is his best movie in years, though one would hope so with Chris Kyle’s father threatening to unleash hell if the memory of his son was disrespected with the film.
Mr. Kyle’s passing was a tragic event for those that knew him, and even those that did not know him. I think he may rest well knowing that this film, adapted from his own auto-biography, was handled beautifully with such passion and respect. If I have one issue with the film, it was the rapidity at which things progressed. So many different events packed into 15 minute segments with time just seemed to be rushing like a river, and glossing over parts of the story that could really have used some more build up or exploring. But such is the case when adapting a movie from a book. Though I am sure that movie-goers would not have minded lengthy the movie a bit, even with a run-time of 132 minutes.
If you see one movie this month, let it be American Sniper. If you have not heard of Chris Kyle, or his story, go see American Sniper. Hopefully, the Legend will live on through the lives he touched, and saved.
LilyLovesIndie (123 KP) rated By the Rivers of Water: A Nineteenth-Century Atlantic Odyssey in Books
Nov 5, 2018
I was highly intrigued by this book when I first read about it as I have a minor obsession with everything and anything to do with the American Civil War. Admittedly, this is pre-war and gives an insight into the efforts of missionary do-gooders in trying to relocate the African American population back to their 'native' home.
I was expecting a more fictional style of writing, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it is written in more of a recount style of the lives of the main family, namely Leighton Wilson. The detail and attention paid to the research shone through in every page and was highly informative to read. However, at times this book did have a tendency to drag, and I suspect it is due to the overwhelming attention to small detail. Fabulous if you're using the book as a research project, not so if you're reading out of curiosity into this era of history. In addition, it also occasionally lacked the fine balance between informative on the religious aspect of the missions and preaching through the pages. As a not so religious person, this did become annoying at times, but I could understand why Clarke had this tone in the book.
Overall, an enjoyable, if not very long, book that was incredibly informative and rather enjoyable. The addition of the photographs and personal snippets from letters added a very personal and enjoyable aspect to the tale of the Wilson's.
I was expecting a more fictional style of writing, and was pleasantly surprised to see that it is written in more of a recount style of the lives of the main family, namely Leighton Wilson. The detail and attention paid to the research shone through in every page and was highly informative to read. However, at times this book did have a tendency to drag, and I suspect it is due to the overwhelming attention to small detail. Fabulous if you're using the book as a research project, not so if you're reading out of curiosity into this era of history. In addition, it also occasionally lacked the fine balance between informative on the religious aspect of the missions and preaching through the pages. As a not so religious person, this did become annoying at times, but I could understand why Clarke had this tone in the book.
Overall, an enjoyable, if not very long, book that was incredibly informative and rather enjoyable. The addition of the photographs and personal snippets from letters added a very personal and enjoyable aspect to the tale of the Wilson's.
The Unexpected President: Chester A. Arthur--His Life and Times
Book
When President James Garfield was shot, no one in the United States was more dismayed than his Vice...
Strangers in a New Land: What Archaeology Reveals About the First Americans
J.M. Adovasio and David Pedler
Book
Where did Native Americans come from and when did they first arrive? Several lines of evidence, most...
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Hostiles (2017) in Movies
Jan 28, 2018
Bring westerns back!
I love Christian Bale and I love westerns, so it is no surprise I found this an immensely entertaining film.
It is hard to believe humanity even survived the relentless, bleak, hostile and morose period in American history when native Americans were hunted down, slaughtered and removed from their land. They became equally brutal in retaliation and defending their property.
When Bale (Capt. Joseph J. Blocker) is ordered to transport a dying Indian Chief and former adversary and his family back to Montana based on his dying wish, Bale reluctantly agrees.
Their journey would be marked with heartache, sacrifice and brutality. Bale and his men come under attack and have to band together to survive.
I have seen few westerns which showcase the brutality of the Old West better than this film. Your heart goes out to the men and women left to survive with very little left in their lives to look forward to. Somehow, they manage to carry on and should be inspiring to the rest of us to do the same.
It is hard to believe humanity even survived the relentless, bleak, hostile and morose period in American history when native Americans were hunted down, slaughtered and removed from their land. They became equally brutal in retaliation and defending their property.
When Bale (Capt. Joseph J. Blocker) is ordered to transport a dying Indian Chief and former adversary and his family back to Montana based on his dying wish, Bale reluctantly agrees.
Their journey would be marked with heartache, sacrifice and brutality. Bale and his men come under attack and have to band together to survive.
I have seen few westerns which showcase the brutality of the Old West better than this film. Your heart goes out to the men and women left to survive with very little left in their lives to look forward to. Somehow, they manage to carry on and should be inspiring to the rest of us to do the same.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Tiger's Voyage in Books
Nov 10, 2018
This book starts about a month
after the second book ends. It really plays up the love triangle thing but still has the adventure parts too. Unfortunatly, Kelsey is distracted by who to choose and why that she gets distracted easily. Kudos to her though because she doesn't "check out" when Ren doesn't remember her and her heart is broken (unlike the girl who has to choose between the sparkly vampire and the not werewolf because- he is Native American and the European rules of werewolf don't apply and he really could have shapechanged into a bear or cougar....)
I think the dragon's are fun characters and the gold dragon reminds me of Frank Burns but that might be because I was watching a MASH marathon while reading this.
I also enjoy the diving instructor. I know people whose accent will disappear or get thicker to tease, confuse, or disarm someone.
after the second book ends. It really plays up the love triangle thing but still has the adventure parts too. Unfortunatly, Kelsey is distracted by who to choose and why that she gets distracted easily. Kudos to her though because she doesn't "check out" when Ren doesn't remember her and her heart is broken (unlike the girl who has to choose between the sparkly vampire and the not werewolf because- he is Native American and the European rules of werewolf don't apply and he really could have shapechanged into a bear or cougar....)
I think the dragon's are fun characters and the gold dragon reminds me of Frank Burns but that might be because I was watching a MASH marathon while reading this.
I also enjoy the diving instructor. I know people whose accent will disappear or get thicker to tease, confuse, or disarm someone.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Land You Never Leave in Books
Feb 7, 2020
Fantastic
The second book in Watson's West of West trilogy continues following the Hardworkers (a small tribe of Nordic descendants) and the former Calnian Owsla (a Native American warrior team), who have now joined forces. Their aim is to simply head West to try and save the world, as told by a dream. The book sees them approaching Badland country and expecting trouble. The Calnian army are gathered to track them down and attack them, the empress being controlled by her mysterious new healer, and following her own dream which told her the Hardworkers would destroy the world.
As in the first book, the humorous dialogue keeps this book rolling along really well. The interactions and relations between characters is superb and believable. The world is familiar enough to us, but with some unusual creatures and customs thrown in. The Badlanders are a truly psychotic tribe.
The pacing of the book is top notch with plenty of action and excitement spread throughout, and told from numerous different points of view.
A wonderful read with excellent characters.
As in the first book, the humorous dialogue keeps this book rolling along really well. The interactions and relations between characters is superb and believable. The world is familiar enough to us, but with some unusual creatures and customs thrown in. The Badlanders are a truly psychotic tribe.
The pacing of the book is top notch with plenty of action and excitement spread throughout, and told from numerous different points of view.
A wonderful read with excellent characters.
IP
Interreligious Philosophical Dialogues
Book
This set of volumes provides a unique approach to the philosophy of religion - a dialogical...