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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Golden Tresses of the Dead in Books
Apr 4, 2019 (Updated Apr 8, 2019)
Love Flavia but a letdown for the series ending
Flavia's sister, Feely, is finally getting married. But at the wedding, as Feely and Dieter cut their cake, Feely slices into a human finger! How very Flavia! It's certainly a case for Arthur W. Dogger & Associates, with Flavia being the main associate, of course. And, not long after, the two are hired by a Mrs. Prill to help track down some missing letters. Flavia and Dogger barely know where to focus first. Then someone else winds up dead--with Flavia and Dogger in the thick of things--and things spiral from there..
"Aside from that-except for the human remains-it was a beautiful occasion."
So says Flavia of Feely's wedding, in very Flavia fashion. By now, if you've read the first nine books in this series, this one will feel quite familiar and sweet to you. Flavia is her usual fun, clever self, and I can't help but love her to pieces. She's up to her usual tricks in her laboratory and busy working away with her beloved Dogger, who may be the best butler/sidekick/friend in the history of mystery novels.
"I'd like to remark at the outset that I'm a girl with better than an average brain."
These books are always wonderfully descriptive, and I love seeing the world from Flavia's unique point of view:
"I don't know if you've ever dissected a rat, but to me, there was only one word for it: exhilarating."
Flavia and Dogger have two cases to solve here--and they intersect quickly. We get plenty of Flavia and Dogger time, which is great. Unfortunately, Feely is shipped off on her honeymoon, and we barely see any of Daffy. I missed the usual sarcasm and biting wit that comes with de Luce sister time. There is more of Flavia's cousin, Undine, who I admit is growing on me (and perhaps Flavia?). She will be a good companion Flavia, I think.
Sadly, though, I've read in several places that this is the last of the Flavia de Luce series. If so, this book felt woefully unresolved on several fronts for me. The mysteries felt underwhelming, as if the loose ends didn't really tie together; I was confused about how it all wrapped up in the end. And if this is really the last book, it just didn't seem as if it did our amazing heroine justice. Flavia went out with a whimper, not a bang. I would have liked to see more finality, more resolution somehow, instead of some partially ended cases and no real conclusion. It just didn't feel like a satisfactory end to what has been an amazing series featuring such a plucky girl who has been through so very much.
Still, I'm really glad I've had a chance to read this series, and I certainly enjoyed this book and all of Flavia's adventures. She's such a fun, unique character, and I can't recommend this lovely series enough.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
"Aside from that-except for the human remains-it was a beautiful occasion."
So says Flavia of Feely's wedding, in very Flavia fashion. By now, if you've read the first nine books in this series, this one will feel quite familiar and sweet to you. Flavia is her usual fun, clever self, and I can't help but love her to pieces. She's up to her usual tricks in her laboratory and busy working away with her beloved Dogger, who may be the best butler/sidekick/friend in the history of mystery novels.
"I'd like to remark at the outset that I'm a girl with better than an average brain."
These books are always wonderfully descriptive, and I love seeing the world from Flavia's unique point of view:
"I don't know if you've ever dissected a rat, but to me, there was only one word for it: exhilarating."
Flavia and Dogger have two cases to solve here--and they intersect quickly. We get plenty of Flavia and Dogger time, which is great. Unfortunately, Feely is shipped off on her honeymoon, and we barely see any of Daffy. I missed the usual sarcasm and biting wit that comes with de Luce sister time. There is more of Flavia's cousin, Undine, who I admit is growing on me (and perhaps Flavia?). She will be a good companion Flavia, I think.
Sadly, though, I've read in several places that this is the last of the Flavia de Luce series. If so, this book felt woefully unresolved on several fronts for me. The mysteries felt underwhelming, as if the loose ends didn't really tie together; I was confused about how it all wrapped up in the end. And if this is really the last book, it just didn't seem as if it did our amazing heroine justice. Flavia went out with a whimper, not a bang. I would have liked to see more finality, more resolution somehow, instead of some partially ended cases and no real conclusion. It just didn't feel like a satisfactory end to what has been an amazing series featuring such a plucky girl who has been through so very much.
Still, I'm really glad I've had a chance to read this series, and I certainly enjoyed this book and all of Flavia's adventures. She's such a fun, unique character, and I can't recommend this lovely series enough.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
Maddie (37 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Books
Nov 16, 2017
Character development (2 more)
Great cliffhanger
Emotional investment
Emotional investment (1 more)
Can be slow paced for younger readers
Much better than I remember it being
I remember that this was the most difficult Harry Potter book for me to get through the first time. I thought it was long and poorly paced. However, I was much younger and lengthwise it was a jump from the first three.
Having read it a few more times since then, I have come to better appreciate Goblet of Fire. It's still not my favorite of the series, but the story is well written, and an older me prefers that Rowling took her time developing the plot for this one.
Having read it a few more times since then, I have come to better appreciate Goblet of Fire. It's still not my favorite of the series, but the story is well written, and an older me prefers that Rowling took her time developing the plot for this one.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated A Quarrel Called (Stewards of the Plane #1) in Books
Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)
Once I got into the story line I couldn't put it down. This was truly an interesting and intriguing read though by the end I was left with some questions but not enough to deter my rating. I did find some of the characters somewhat lacking but there were others such as Melody and Sam that made it all worthwhile to me. I enjoyed the paranormal elements to this story and I certainly enjoyed the world building. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
{I received an eARC when I signed up to host the book tour and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
{I received an eARC when I signed up to host the book tour and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Star Wars: The Force Unleashed in Video Games
Dec 16, 2017
Not long enough (1 more)
Some of the bosses were hard
If you are a Star Wars fan, The Force Unleashed series might be the closest you ever come to being able to use The Force yourself.
My favorite part of this game was the eventual buildup of Force powers and being able to use them at will.
Choking stormtroopers, throwing them across the room or over a cliff, or chucking your lightsaber at their face was about as much fun as you can have in a video game. Also, being able to throw out Force lightning at a group of troopers all at once is amazing.
I loved just about everything in this game!
My favorite part of this game was the eventual buildup of Force powers and being able to use them at will.
Choking stormtroopers, throwing them across the room or over a cliff, or chucking your lightsaber at their face was about as much fun as you can have in a video game. Also, being able to throw out Force lightning at a group of troopers all at once is amazing.
I loved just about everything in this game!
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Insurgent (2015) in Movies
Jun 30, 2017
Do these people read the books
When it comes to the books. I love this series till Alligent. First book amazing premise, Second Book good but predictable Third well don't talk about it rushed and fractured and tried to hard to be clever and ended up failing. However this is a film review
Divergent movie first half was close to book second half changed for Hollywood glam
Insurgent film Just went for Hollywood glam and through a lot of the plot out the window if you want a action movie don't give it the same name as a book if your not going to keep the premise.
Divergent movie first half was close to book second half changed for Hollywood glam
Insurgent film Just went for Hollywood glam and through a lot of the plot out the window if you want a action movie don't give it the same name as a book if your not going to keep the premise.
Auburn (57 KP) rated The Darkest Star (Origin, #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
A new book in the ever magnificent Lux universe. The Darkest Star brings new light to the world while standing on its own as a magnificent book. The plot focuses on both tragic love but equally on just what are Luxon and are they truly the most dangerous aliens out there.
Evie and Luc bring banter, tension, and laughs as they spend more time together and learn exactly who they could be together.
I absolutely adore this book and am excited that it can be read as a standalone and not as a continuation of the orignial series. If you haven't read Lux it is ok, you will still enjoy this book!
Evie and Luc bring banter, tension, and laughs as they spend more time together and learn exactly who they could be together.
I absolutely adore this book and am excited that it can be read as a standalone and not as a continuation of the orignial series. If you haven't read Lux it is ok, you will still enjoy this book!
ClareR (6062 KP) rated The Hazel Wood in Books
Mar 3, 2018
After a rather slow start, this definitely picked up! However, I did rather like the slow build up - it really built up the main character, Alice. Alice and her mother, Ella, are pretty much ‘on the run’ from Ella’s mother, and some unseen ‘bad luck’. The bad luck is something that Alice could never imagine. I loved the parts in the Hazel Wood, and I’m intrigued to see how the second book in the series will potentially revisit The Hinterland.
I’m a sucker for grown up fairy tales (because I’m pretty sure all original fairy tales were at med at grown ups, and not children at all!) and this did it for me.
I’m a sucker for grown up fairy tales (because I’m pretty sure all original fairy tales were at med at grown ups, and not children at all!) and this did it for me.
The first book in this long running kids series introduces us to Encyclopedia Brown and his mind for facts. As in all the books, there are 10 cases for him to solve, and we are given the clues to solve them along with him.
I'd love to say that I figured all these out on this reread. Really, I would. A few I remembered, but most of the time I was stumped. I had a rough idea what the clue was, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Guess I'm still not smarter than a fifth grader.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-encyclopedia-brown-boy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I'd love to say that I figured all these out on this reread. Really, I would. A few I remembered, but most of the time I was stumped. I had a rough idea what the clue was, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Guess I'm still not smarter than a fifth grader.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-encyclopedia-brown-boy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse, #11) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
For fluff, it's got some really dark scenes. It doesn't have enough of a plot to be anything more than fluff, though. It absolutely does NOT stand alone, so don't consider reading this book unless you've read all that went before it - you'll be hopelessly lost.
Sookie has changed so much over the course of this series that she is having trouble recognizing herself, and is troubled over it, with good reason. Having a main character change is good, and I'll say that some of that change is growth, but I can't say it's all growth, or all to the good. (Can any of us say that, though, about the changes we go through in our lives?)
Sookie has changed so much over the course of this series that she is having trouble recognizing herself, and is troubled over it, with good reason. Having a main character change is good, and I'll say that some of that change is growth, but I can't say it's all growth, or all to the good. (Can any of us say that, though, about the changes we go through in our lives?)
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated A Fool's Gold Christmas (Fool's Gold, #9.5) in Books
Dec 16, 2018
Fun Christmas Read
This is a great book for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit. The plot is much like that for your typically Hallmark movie, and I for one love it.
Evie is a dancer who finds herself in the small town of Fools Gold after she is injured. The story follows her as she reconnects with her family, and fights against her attraction for the boy next door.
This is technically part of a series, but you do not need to be familer with the other books to enjoy it. I do want to read the other books as soon as possible now. Mostly in hopes of my favorite characters making an appearance.
Evie is a dancer who finds herself in the small town of Fools Gold after she is injured. The story follows her as she reconnects with her family, and fights against her attraction for the boy next door.
This is technically part of a series, but you do not need to be familer with the other books to enjoy it. I do want to read the other books as soon as possible now. Mostly in hopes of my favorite characters making an appearance.