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What a story
Lyra and Pan's journey, and the characters they meet along the way, ranks as one of my favourite works of fiction. The descriptions, the details and varied points of view, make this an engaging and compelling read. I have to say, it was not easy to put down.
The changes the first film made were not good (as proved by the lack of sequels) though it had some great casting. The new series looked promising, but since I read the books bacķ in 2010, I think I will have to revisit them soon!
This magical coming of age story was so lovely, I gave the hardback trilogy to my 9 year old niece who loved it, and has been loving fantasy since!
I recommend this for the hitting puberty audience, since that is a strong theme throughout, but an adult with a love of the genre would love it too!.
The changes the first film made were not good (as proved by the lack of sequels) though it had some great casting. The new series looked promising, but since I read the books bacķ in 2010, I think I will have to revisit them soon!
This magical coming of age story was so lovely, I gave the hardback trilogy to my 9 year old niece who loved it, and has been loving fantasy since!
I recommend this for the hitting puberty audience, since that is a strong theme throughout, but an adult with a love of the genre would love it too!.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Cockroaches (Harry Hole #2) in Books
Jul 16, 2020
Not bad
I'd be intrigued to know Jo Nesbo's rationale behind this book, as it's a bit of an unusual choice. The first Harry Hole book featured Harry going to Australia, and this second book has him in Thailand... it's a little unrealistic thats for sure and just seems a little too similar to the earlier book.
This definitely isn't one of the best Harry Hole books, but neither is it the absolute worst. It was enjoyable enough to read although I felt like Harry as a character doesn't have as much depth and intrigue as he does in later books. Whilst all characters have to develop across a series, he seems a bit like an empty shell here. The plot too is rather weak. None of the secondary characters seem that well developed either and the story seems to jump quickly from plot points with a rather confusing and ridiculous finale, even for a Hole story.
Overall it was readable, but definitely not particularly memorable.
This definitely isn't one of the best Harry Hole books, but neither is it the absolute worst. It was enjoyable enough to read although I felt like Harry as a character doesn't have as much depth and intrigue as he does in later books. Whilst all characters have to develop across a series, he seems a bit like an empty shell here. The plot too is rather weak. None of the secondary characters seem that well developed either and the story seems to jump quickly from plot points with a rather confusing and ridiculous finale, even for a Hole story.
Overall it was readable, but definitely not particularly memorable.
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Debbiereadsbook (1715 KP) rated A Fall of Light in Books
Sep 9, 2023
only ONE thing knocked that star off!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Greg appears as a side character in a series by Greene. I have not read those books, but I don't feel I missed out on anything by not doing. I'm intrigued by this group, though, and may well go back and read them. *if I can find the time*
I gave this 4 stars, and one thing ONLY knocked that star off.
Single person point of view.
Only Greg gets a say here, and I wanted, so desperately wanted to hear from Louis, at many key points along the way and I don't get him.
That said, it's the only fault I can find with this book.
I loved that Greg knew, deep down, that he wasn't a casual person, and he could never be casual with Louis. Yet he jumped right in with everything. I loved that Greg let Louis keep his secret for as long as he wanted to. He knew it would come out in the end, he just had to bide his time. I hated what Greg's brother was doing to him, I really did. Said brother does get his comeuppence though.
Greg's past is dark and shocking, being made homeless at 16, he did what he had to do to survive. Loved that Louis did NOT hold it against him, even if his own flesh and blood did. Loved that the band supported him doing the solo stuff, to appease his brother, and also that they stood by him.
It's not especially explicit for a MM romance, but I liked that here, it's more about the emotions going through Greg (since we don't get Louis!) than anything else.
Some difficult topics dealt with: religious intervention, conversion therapy, street life and doing what you need to do to survive. Triggers for some, be mindful.
This is the first I've read of Greene's work. Like I said, I'd like, *time allowing* to read the series that Greg first appears in, but if not, I will absolutely read any future books by this author.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Greg appears as a side character in a series by Greene. I have not read those books, but I don't feel I missed out on anything by not doing. I'm intrigued by this group, though, and may well go back and read them. *if I can find the time*
I gave this 4 stars, and one thing ONLY knocked that star off.
Single person point of view.
Only Greg gets a say here, and I wanted, so desperately wanted to hear from Louis, at many key points along the way and I don't get him.
That said, it's the only fault I can find with this book.
I loved that Greg knew, deep down, that he wasn't a casual person, and he could never be casual with Louis. Yet he jumped right in with everything. I loved that Greg let Louis keep his secret for as long as he wanted to. He knew it would come out in the end, he just had to bide his time. I hated what Greg's brother was doing to him, I really did. Said brother does get his comeuppence though.
Greg's past is dark and shocking, being made homeless at 16, he did what he had to do to survive. Loved that Louis did NOT hold it against him, even if his own flesh and blood did. Loved that the band supported him doing the solo stuff, to appease his brother, and also that they stood by him.
It's not especially explicit for a MM romance, but I liked that here, it's more about the emotions going through Greg (since we don't get Louis!) than anything else.
Some difficult topics dealt with: religious intervention, conversion therapy, street life and doing what you need to do to survive. Triggers for some, be mindful.
This is the first I've read of Greene's work. Like I said, I'd like, *time allowing* to read the series that Greg first appears in, but if not, I will absolutely read any future books by this author.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Psychology (3 more)
Theories
Criminal behaviour
Crime
Mysterious and exciting
This book was slightly hard to get into at first. I found myself reading a bit then putting it down, not to return to it for a while. But one Spa day and I took this book with me. I realised I needed no distractions to get tucked into this book to understand it. Learning about famous real life cases and about criminal profiling was exciting for me, especially as I have an interest in psychology. This book explores the psychology of criminals, from early in their childhood: before committing crimes. We get to understand the patterns of behaviour that lead individuals to commit crime, and how the different patterns match specific crimes. In this book you will explore different theories of psychology and criminal behaviour, as well as read about the detectives that hunt these criminals down. After reading this book I then went on to watch the series on Netflix which was also done very well!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2528 KP) rated Cinco de Murder in Books
Apr 6, 2018
Celebration Leads to Murder
It’s Cinco de Mayo weekend, and Josie Callahan has a full plate. She will be waitressing at her family’s Tex-Mex restaurant as well as helping her uncle with the first annual chili cook-off and dancing in the parade. The last thing she needs is to find the body of Lucky Straw, one of the cook-off contestants. He wasn’t well liked, but who would kill him?
This is a fun mystery tying into a different holiday, yet it fits the theme of this series perfectly. The mystery is good, with several elements to keep us guessing until the end. I did feel that the book needed another edit to smooth things over as Josie’s changing theories constantly confused me, but not in a good way for a mystery. The series regulars are as fun as always, especially Josie’s abuela
This is a fun mystery tying into a different holiday, yet it fits the theme of this series perfectly. The mystery is good, with several elements to keep us guessing until the end. I did feel that the book needed another edit to smooth things over as Josie’s changing theories constantly confused me, but not in a good way for a mystery. The series regulars are as fun as always, especially Josie’s abuela
A really good start to a new series!
I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it over two days, not actually wanting to put it down!
Danny Sanchez is a reporter working in Spain for an ex-Pats newspaper, and by chance finds himself investigating a murder. It’s paced really well, it isn’t bogged down in detail - but there is enough to keep your interest. The murders are pretty macabre, and Danny is clearly traumatised by having seen one of them. I didn’t think it was gratuitously graphic though.
I really liked the character of Danny - he’s very likeable, and I would be interested to read more books in the series.
And a rather unexpected ending after we were kept guessing at the identity of the murderer. It was definitely worth it though.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy of this to read and review!
Danny Sanchez is a reporter working in Spain for an ex-Pats newspaper, and by chance finds himself investigating a murder. It’s paced really well, it isn’t bogged down in detail - but there is enough to keep your interest. The murders are pretty macabre, and Danny is clearly traumatised by having seen one of them. I didn’t think it was gratuitously graphic though.
I really liked the character of Danny - he’s very likeable, and I would be interested to read more books in the series.
And a rather unexpected ending after we were kept guessing at the identity of the murderer. It was definitely worth it though.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for my copy of this to read and review!
Sam (74 KP) rated The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events #7) in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t really enjoy this one. It’s more of a plot filler to make the whole series 13 books long and it just seems a bit forced.
The Baudelaire’s travel to VFD, where the whole village plans to look after them. The town has recently lost its chief of police and a new one is brought in, who, quite shockingly, isn’t Count Olaf. He comes in later.
I don’t really know what to say about this one. It’s definitely not the most entertaining, and I only read it to get to the next book in the series. It was definitely more of a filler than an actual movement in the plot.
I didn’t give up on it though, even though I was close. I think the fact that I didn’t even enjoy it made me read it faster just to get it over with.
The Baudelaire’s travel to VFD, where the whole village plans to look after them. The town has recently lost its chief of police and a new one is brought in, who, quite shockingly, isn’t Count Olaf. He comes in later.
I don’t really know what to say about this one. It’s definitely not the most entertaining, and I only read it to get to the next book in the series. It was definitely more of a filler than an actual movement in the plot.
I didn’t give up on it though, even though I was close. I think the fact that I didn’t even enjoy it made me read it faster just to get it over with.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Good Omens in TV
Jun 2, 2019
David Tennant (1 more)
Michael Sheen
I'm not a huge fan of Neil Gaiman (or a fan at all), and I was kind of meh on the novel this is based on. But, when I saw David Tennant and Michael Sheen were cast, I was interested. On a whim, I ended up starting the series last night, and wanted to stay up all night to finish, but didn't.
I liked the series way more than the book itself. I was hooked, and Sheen and Tennant were perfect in their roles. The humor was good, and the casting for the other characters was strong too. Jon Hamm as Gabriel was my other favorite.
Of course, with any TV show, the CGI was shoddy, but it kind of seems like the norm to me. Overall, I'm glad Amazon produced this miniseries, and I may have to watch it again.
I liked the series way more than the book itself. I was hooked, and Sheen and Tennant were perfect in their roles. The humor was good, and the casting for the other characters was strong too. Jon Hamm as Gabriel was my other favorite.
Of course, with any TV show, the CGI was shoddy, but it kind of seems like the norm to me. Overall, I'm glad Amazon produced this miniseries, and I may have to watch it again.
Lindsay (1807 KP) rated Child of Promise (Brides of Culdee Creek, #4) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
This is so heartbreaking that it hard to believe it the final book in the series. Beth has her heart set on the priest in Grand View Though she try to be not heartbroken by it. Beth goes to medical school. She hold a heartfelt past as well.
Noah is having struggles with his faith and calling once his wife dies and his daughter has disability from her birth. Noah grandmother help with letting Beth stay with them when she has some trouble with finding a place to stay.
Can things go the way they intend or do Noah and Beth find the love and the god they need and for Noah does he stay and learn that god is there for him and he is doing what god wanted him to do. Come read this series if you enjoy it. The first is emotional though the last.
Noah is having struggles with his faith and calling once his wife dies and his daughter has disability from her birth. Noah grandmother help with letting Beth stay with them when she has some trouble with finding a place to stay.
Can things go the way they intend or do Noah and Beth find the love and the god they need and for Noah does he stay and learn that god is there for him and he is doing what god wanted him to do. Come read this series if you enjoy it. The first is emotional though the last.