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This Adventure Ends
This Adventure Ends
Emma Mills | 2016 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This Adventure Ends started off by speaking to my little sarcastic, witty heart and introducing us to a funny, female character. It’s crazy, but yes girls can be funny. The humorous person in your novel does not have to be a guy. It is your classic high school story where a new girl moves to town and makes friends – but of course, the friends all have drama and secrets.
Sloane is also a singer and loves to read, so basically, this is starting to sound like my life. I joke, sort of, but she is a relatively normal, relatable high school girl. It really made me miss taking voice lessons even though they’re not expressly featured in the book. A lot of the events are more just telling the reader that it happened, than showing them what happened.
I’m sure most readers can relate to this line in the book:
“He looks at me for a moment and then says, ‘Maybe I’ll just watch the movie.’
‘Those are fighting words,’ I say.”
It just speaks to how relatable the author makes the book, from fanfics and fandom to high school sports and friends. This book gives you feels and might even cause a tear of joy. All of the effort that Sloane goes through, the love that Vera and Gabe have for their mother, just comes together in one poignant moment and it’s beautiful.
The friendships are authentic, from their ups and downs to the simple fun they have together. The characters are likable and relatable – and although there’s some typical, adorable teen romantic cuteness, it fits in the story and I approve.
Recommended to teen/young adult readers who enjoy cheery contemporary novels about family, friendship and high school.
  
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James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Wink in Books

Apr 6, 2020  
Wink
Wink
Rob Harrell | 2020 | Humor & Comedy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The characters you will love (0 more)
I wanted even more story, I read it quickly (0 more)
Surprisingly light hearted read
The conversation went like this: "Whats that book? it really like the cover".
"Its called Wink, a new young adult book"
"what is it about?"
"A kid who has cancer of the eye"
"Why would anyone want to read that? It sounds miserable"
"Actually it is meant to be funny".
And actually it is quite a hard sell at first, but, dear reader, this is neither tragically sad not over sentimental. It does get emotional and it does tug at your heart strings except that isn't what sells the book. Its the ease of reading, the loveable character and the huge amount of empathy the book is packed with, in places you wouldn't expect it.
Author Rob Harrell had this exceptionally rare cancer of the tear gland but, instead of writing about his experience, he used his experience and created a teenage boy called Ross and his friends and family and told his story instead. The result is a wonderful book, difficult to put down and very easy to read.
What make this so special, other than the brilliant orange cover, is how real and likeable the characters are. I grew attached to all of them and wanted to stay with them. It is an incredibly human book which is light hearted, honest and (strangely for cancer) fun journey filled with the power of music, friendship and hope.
Now can we have a separate story for Jimmy as well? I loved Jimmy. You will too. Oh and the book made me cry loads of times, in a nice way and isn't that what anyone wants? Art to resonate with you?
  
A Brutal Tenderness (A Terrible Love, #2)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
3.5 stars.

I think this is the first time I have ever read the second book in a series that tells it from another’s POV. If you don’t know what I mean here’s an example: Hopeless (girl’s POV) and Losing Hope (guy’s POV) by Colleen Hoover… but I have to asmit it was very interesting seeing everything from Cas’ POV.

Well, there’s something about a guy who talks dirty when your in bed with him that I like. And Cas with Jess/Jewell is no exception. I think it’s his dominance that I like so much. He wont take no crap, at all, and he uses his body as a weapon in this; both in a seductive and a fighting way.

The bits we read from the crazy psychopath also know as Jess’/Jewell’s step-brother are weirdly creepy but insightful. We never saw anything from his POV in the first book so that was an interesting change between the two stories.

As was reading about the FBI team who were sent out to keep a watchful eye on her. Seeing the interaction between them when they were at FBI headquarters and how they acted when in close confines with Jess was quite fun. Friends one minute, beating each other up the next.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever read another duet like this, if I’m honest, because it is basically just another version of the first book but from another’s POV (although I do have Walking Disaster in paperback, yet-to-read) with added bits when they disappear from the pages of the other.

But if you like New Adult books then this duet are not to be missed. Sure they’re a little darker compared to others but they are compelling reading. I highly recommend them.
  
The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)
The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)
2002 | Animation, Family
10
9.2 (6 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The Thornberry's were the ultimate family goals. I wanted to be Eliza when I grew up. This film is very close to my heart.

The Thornberry's are a family that travel the world while the parents film their nature documentary.

In the tv series, Eliza, the youngest daughter, saves a warthog who was actually a shaman in disguise. For saving him, he grants Eliza the power to talk to animals but she can't tell another human about her powers.

Along the way, she finds Darwin, a chimpanzee, who quickly becomes her best friend and ends up living and traveling with the family.

In the film, while they are in Africa, Eliza is playing with three cheetah cubs she knows. While playing, one of the cubs, Tally, is taken by poachers. Eliza tries to get Tally from the poachers, who are in a helicopter but they cut the rope ladder and Eliza falls (fortunately safely, onto the family's RV).

Eliza blames herself for all of it and as the film goes on, Eliza does everything in her path to save Tally.

This film was made in 2002 and today is still so important. The storyline shows how important it is to protect our wildlife, no matter what country you live in, and to stop poachers.

I first watched this film as a kid, watching it countless times through my childhood. Watching it now as an adult was a whole new experience. You can appreciate the maturity of the storyline and even though I haven't watched the film in years, it's a film that has stuck with me. Even now, while rewatching it, I could still remember every detail, just this time I truly felt the story.

And yes, I cried. Sad tears and happy tears
  
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Kahayatle (Apocalypsis, #1)
Elle Casey | 2012
8
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I can't actually remember where I got this - probably Instafreebie or from the author's newsletter - but I know I got my copy for free.

The book's about a couple of kids coming together after the death of every adult and young child. It's hard to survive, with everyone fighting over any supplies, but things are getting really bad - as in, cannibalism bad.

Bryn partners herself with the skinny, gay kid hiding next door, despite knowing he's not gonna be much help in the defense department. He tells her about the death of his little sister - eaten by other kids. They decide it's no longer safe to stay where they are, and are proven right when attacked inside their home. They plan to retreat to the everglades, where the swamps should be inhospitable enough for others to avoid them, but still safe enough to survive in. On their way, they find Bodo, a German exchange student.

Eventually, they do end up at their destination. But the everglades - or Kahayatle, as the indians call it - hold many new problems.

I did notice a fair few grammar mistakes, and just generally found this book a little unprofessional at times. Often, I find unprofessional books really hard to read - but I actually enjoyed this. I'm even considering buying (or borrowing) the rest of the series.

The tiny bits of romance did seem a little out-of-place, not integrated particularly well sometimes. But I suppose it'll be developed later in the series, and I didn't find it too lovey or anything, which is definitely good.

With a bit more polishing, I think this could easily be a 4 star book. But for now, I'm going to give it 3.5. It was a good read, but there are some improvements that could be made.