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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2440 KP) rated City of Lies (Counterfeit Lady, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Elizabeth Miles makes her living as a con woman, an unusual profession for a woman in 1917. However, when her latest con goes south, she finds herself on the run from the mark’s goons. In her attempts to escape, she joins a group of suffragists outside the White House and is delighted when they are arrested. But has she truly escaped the men searching for her?
If you pick up this book expecting a murder and five suspects, you’ll be disappointed. However, with those adjusted expectations pick up this book because it is wonderful. The story is captivating and moves quickly; I always had a hard time putting the book down. This may be the first in a series, but the characters are already strong. I’m not normally one to root for a criminal, but I couldn’t help but root for Elizabeth in this book. Real history is woven in without slowing down the fictional story at all. I’m not sure where the series will go from this wonderful beginning, but I can’t wait to find out.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-city-of-lies-by-victoria.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
If you pick up this book expecting a murder and five suspects, you’ll be disappointed. However, with those adjusted expectations pick up this book because it is wonderful. The story is captivating and moves quickly; I always had a hard time putting the book down. This may be the first in a series, but the characters are already strong. I’m not normally one to root for a criminal, but I couldn’t help but root for Elizabeth in this book. Real history is woven in without slowing down the fictional story at all. I’m not sure where the series will go from this wonderful beginning, but I can’t wait to find out.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-city-of-lies-by-victoria.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Debbiereadsbook (1564 KP) rated Stanley's Christmas Redemption (Mission City #2) in Books
Nov 25, 2024
Stanley does redeem himself!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Mission City series, but I am reading it after I've already book 3. It only means I know that there is a happy ever after for Stanley and Justin. They can be read as stand alone books though.
I wasn't sure I'd like Stanley, after what he did to Maddox from book 1, but the man does redeem himself beautifully here, eventually!
It's a very instalove book, much in keeping with book 1. Mid level smexy times, not explicit but thats really not what this book is about.
This book is about looking at your previous life choices, recognising that maybe they weren't the best choice, and trying to make good on them. Stanley does a complete 180 turn at the beginning of this book and it was a bit whiplash-y but it all comes good! I really did like that Maddox became friends with Stanley, in the end.
The ansgt level is mid range, but very much inkeeping with the other two books.
I'm really enjoying this series, I want to visit Mission City again real soon!
4 solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Mission City series, but I am reading it after I've already book 3. It only means I know that there is a happy ever after for Stanley and Justin. They can be read as stand alone books though.
I wasn't sure I'd like Stanley, after what he did to Maddox from book 1, but the man does redeem himself beautifully here, eventually!
It's a very instalove book, much in keeping with book 1. Mid level smexy times, not explicit but thats really not what this book is about.
This book is about looking at your previous life choices, recognising that maybe they weren't the best choice, and trying to make good on them. Stanley does a complete 180 turn at the beginning of this book and it was a bit whiplash-y but it all comes good! I really did like that Maddox became friends with Stanley, in the end.
The ansgt level is mid range, but very much inkeeping with the other two books.
I'm really enjoying this series, I want to visit Mission City again real soon!
4 solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lewis John Hatchett (23 KP) rated Tolkien (2019) in Movies
May 16, 2019 (Updated May 16, 2019)
Unexpectedly Amazing
Went into the film only hearing mildly good things about the film but otherwise not much anticipation, came out feeling blown away. From a not so terrific idea for a story comes a film that explains the inspirations behind what some may consider the best literary series of all time.
Visually stunning for a film set in the late 1800s through WW1 and a soundtrack fitting for the film. Cast was chosen well and stand out performance from Nicholas Hoult in the titular role.
For a film that looked to be just about Tolkienand how he wrote The Lord of The Rings & The Hobbit series, it's so much more. If this doesn't at least receive some nominations for awards I would be shocked. If you have not seen it go see it before it's too late.
Visually stunning for a film set in the late 1800s through WW1 and a soundtrack fitting for the film. Cast was chosen well and stand out performance from Nicholas Hoult in the titular role.
For a film that looked to be just about Tolkienand how he wrote The Lord of The Rings & The Hobbit series, it's so much more. If this doesn't at least receive some nominations for awards I would be shocked. If you have not seen it go see it before it's too late.
Kaysee Hood (83 KP) rated The Mortal Instruments 1: City of Bones in Books
Jan 27, 2018
Characters (2 more)
Diversity
Plot Twists
Some of those Plot Twists (1 more)
Overdone & Prolonged
Another I Wanted to Like
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is more of a overall review for the series, well, up to book 4 as I gave up on trying to get through it all at that point because by then I was tired of the senseless drama.
I wanted to like this series because my friend at the time liked it on top of it sounded interesting. By then the movie was out for it and rumors of the TV show was circling around in the Tumblr community. So, between her and the rest of Booklr I thought why not give it a shot? It couldn't be that bad. Oh how I was wrong.
I shocked a series like this has gained such popularity when really it's good at most. It's not amazing. It's not stunning. It's not special. It's an okay book, with an okay plot, and your basic set of characters.
A girl is average at best, her best friend loves her, and she's being thrown into a world where she's "the one". Oh, did I mention there is a perfect, hot guy with his pals who appear to both be jealous of her? AND THERE'S MORE! The totally hot guy is falling for her...... but they're brother and sister. Oh and they are okay with hooking up despite that. Sort of. It's major conflict. Until you learn they are related and her father was simply messing with them to cause problems in the hopes it would help him have both of them on his side.
As much as Clare offers different types of paranormal things it's all overdone and overplayed. Many times the moments that are suppose to change the whole game in the series are dragged out to the point you're bored to death. Sure, there are gay characters, but they feel more like a "come look at me I'm for your rights even though I'm using your suffering as a way to promote my books as me accepting you" rather than the characters written as simply real. Most of the time that's how secondary characters feel in the series as they are there to be there but not actually meant to be there. Yes, let that idea settle for a second.
I felt like many if Clare had a better team of people proof reading her drafts, pointed out some of these things were not okay (Incest for one), and had people guide her to make the characters more real this could have been a better set of books to me. Maybe it is me still wanting to like it. I'm not sure honestly. I just wish for such a popular series it was worthy of it for everyone.
I wanted to like this series because my friend at the time liked it on top of it sounded interesting. By then the movie was out for it and rumors of the TV show was circling around in the Tumblr community. So, between her and the rest of Booklr I thought why not give it a shot? It couldn't be that bad. Oh how I was wrong.
I shocked a series like this has gained such popularity when really it's good at most. It's not amazing. It's not stunning. It's not special. It's an okay book, with an okay plot, and your basic set of characters.
A girl is average at best, her best friend loves her, and she's being thrown into a world where she's "the one". Oh, did I mention there is a perfect, hot guy with his pals who appear to both be jealous of her? AND THERE'S MORE! The totally hot guy is falling for her...... but they're brother and sister. Oh and they are okay with hooking up despite that. Sort of. It's major conflict. Until you learn they are related and her father was simply messing with them to cause problems in the hopes it would help him have both of them on his side.
As much as Clare offers different types of paranormal things it's all overdone and overplayed. Many times the moments that are suppose to change the whole game in the series are dragged out to the point you're bored to death. Sure, there are gay characters, but they feel more like a "come look at me I'm for your rights even though I'm using your suffering as a way to promote my books as me accepting you" rather than the characters written as simply real. Most of the time that's how secondary characters feel in the series as they are there to be there but not actually meant to be there. Yes, let that idea settle for a second.
I felt like many if Clare had a better team of people proof reading her drafts, pointed out some of these things were not okay (Incest for one), and had people guide her to make the characters more real this could have been a better set of books to me. Maybe it is me still wanting to like it. I'm not sure honestly. I just wish for such a popular series it was worthy of it for everyone.
Vegas (725 KP) rated Jigsaw (2017) in Movies
Sep 16, 2018
It’s a Saw film (1 more)
Gore fest
Not bad
I was a fan of the saw films such as the franchise is.
You know that the series is about, you know what to expect and what is likely to happen and this is no different..
It is well thought out and possibly better than some of the later films in the series but you do tend to wonder why the have revived the series... obviously the film companies coffers are running low and an established film franchise is a money maker...
All in all it is watchable and enjoyable, IF you don’t expect anything different or too unexpected from the originals and like gory films.
You know that the series is about, you know what to expect and what is likely to happen and this is no different..
It is well thought out and possibly better than some of the later films in the series but you do tend to wonder why the have revived the series... obviously the film companies coffers are running low and an established film franchise is a money maker...
All in all it is watchable and enjoyable, IF you don’t expect anything different or too unexpected from the originals and like gory films.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Handmaid's Tale in Books
Feb 12, 2020
It’s rare that I prefer a film or TV series to the book it is based on but I think this may be the exception. Having only seen the 1st series on TV I thought I’d give the book a go and although the world-building lives up to what I’d expect the story itself is slow and not as tense.
It’s scary and an all believable world that Atwood creates but the telling seemed bogged down in details over the mundane.
I probably spoiled myself seeing the TV series first but I’d recommend that to all. I feel the theme has been gone over plenty so won't rehash but it's a worthwhile story however you decide to consume it.
It’s scary and an all believable world that Atwood creates but the telling seemed bogged down in details over the mundane.
I probably spoiled myself seeing the TV series first but I’d recommend that to all. I feel the theme has been gone over plenty so won't rehash but it's a worthwhile story however you decide to consume it.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Rendezvous with Rama - Rama Book 1 in Books
Sep 14, 2017
A little bland and clinical, more for hardcore sci-fi fans
I struggled with this book, mainly for its mechanical nature and rather bland storyline. For hard-core fans of 2001: Space Odyssey, this may be more of an interest given it's the same writer, but for a sci-fi rookie, it was like reading an engineering manual as they clinically detail the climate and condition of this astral being named Rama. And not much else happens apart from them walking across this horizon. It may require reading the entire series of books to see the full picture, but as a stand-alone book, it doesn't seem to work.
Eric Quesenberry (7 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
Apr 30, 2019
Amazing Finish
This is a an amazing movie and worth the three hour time frame. It is the epic ending that the infinity series deserved. The storytelling was absolutely breath taking, just watching it brought back memories from watching all of these characters grow and develop over this past decade. I highly recommend seeing it and to watch all 21 marvel movies if you already haven't seen them. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will experience many emotions before the end of this movie. I feel you all will not regret going to see this movie. As Stan Lee always used to say, Excelsior my fellow fans.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated The Program (The Program, #1) in Books
Jul 5, 2018
While this book had some certain tropes in it (hello love triangle) - and it definitely would have some trigger warnings, a few times I was shocked at what I read, not necessarily in a bad way - but some people may actually have issues with this book if they're super sensitive.
the whole suicide epidemic was quite an interesting story to read (granted that right there should trigger people - hey don't read this book) - the whole lobotomy after getting into the program was intense too - though wickedly fun to read about.
i'm very very curious to see where this series goes.....luckily I checked them all out from the library!
the whole suicide epidemic was quite an interesting story to read (granted that right there should trigger people - hey don't read this book) - the whole lobotomy after getting into the program was intense too - though wickedly fun to read about.
i'm very very curious to see where this series goes.....luckily I checked them all out from the library!
Erika (17789 KP) rated Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) in Movies
Mar 9, 2019
I re-watched this film on the day Luke Perry (RIP) passed. This is also the only thing I've seen to do with the 'Buffy-verse'.
I really enjoy this movie, and I like it even more each time I watch it. It's entertaining and Luke Perry is a looker. He's very swoon-worthy when he cleans up and walks into that dance. Kristy Swanson kicks a lot of butt. But, seriously, Luke Perry has the two best lines in the entire film.
"Are YOU addressing I?"
as well as:
"And, now you're a coat rack."
While I liked this film, I'm not sure about jumping to the series. I may just watch this again.
I really enjoy this movie, and I like it even more each time I watch it. It's entertaining and Luke Perry is a looker. He's very swoon-worthy when he cleans up and walks into that dance. Kristy Swanson kicks a lot of butt. But, seriously, Luke Perry has the two best lines in the entire film.
"Are YOU addressing I?"
as well as:
"And, now you're a coat rack."
While I liked this film, I'm not sure about jumping to the series. I may just watch this again.
