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The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy
2018 | Action, Fantasy
Pretty much everything (0 more)
A distinct lack of rain!! (0 more)
Superheroes, time travel, doughnuts and talking chimps
Contains spoilers, click to show
Another day another superhero tv show - right?? Well this one is really something special. Was hooked from episode 1. The best way I can describe it is a not as dark watchmen tv series. Bunch of kids with powers adopted by man who turns them into a superhero team. Years later they reunite when their 'father' dies. Then happens time travel, drugs, assassins, talking chimps, bird watching, robots, JFK conspiracies, the apocalypse and doughnuts! Like watchmen this has an amazing soundtrack which adds to the quality of the show. This would get 10 out of 10 but I just find Ellen Page terrible and every scene with her just made me cringe so (SPOILER) when she turns out to be the villain (sort of) I was quite pleased!! Watch this show!!!
  
AH
A Humble Heart (Hollywood Hearts, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another favourite author of mine - after coming off of Neighbour from Hell this is quite a different pace to come to and read. This book is very adorable and sweet, and actually has quite a bit of excitement, suspense maybe - action with the celebrity aspect. Throws a different light on that type of life I wonder if that's how all celebrity life is or if they live a more "normal" type of celebrity.

I like the book writer aspect and the kids, oh I love kids in books when written right, though sometimes I definitely felt the kids were written older then they were, it didn't bother me too much. This was a re-read for me though i can't remember when I read it for the first time (I read neighbour from hell repeatedly so I figured I'd re-read this series, not sad I did).
  
Beholden (The Fairest Maiden #1)
Beholden (The Fairest Maiden #1)
Jody Hedlund | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Have I mentioned how much I love Fairy Tales?

Well, I really do, especially clean, romantic, mentality stimulating, and engaging ones. Beholden hits all the right notes for me. The quote I shared above sums up and yet barely scratches the surface of the emotions and actions of the characters of this book. Vilmar and Gabrilella have such care for each other and the others around them, they are tested and grow visibly as characters throughout the book. I was sad to see the story end. You have no idea how much. But I am hoping the next book in the series keeps giving my glimpses of these two wonderful characters! And lets not even start on this amazing cover!

I could rave about this book all day, but Id rather you read it to! 5 out of 5 stars for this beautiful retelling of Cinderella’s Story.
  
Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer, #1)
Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer, #1)
8
7.7 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
I would like to thank Karen Chance for letting me fall in love with paranormal romance again. It’s very rare for me to find a paranormal romance series that I love in the never ending shelves filled with them. Among them are Kresley Cole, Gena Showwalter, Jeaniene Frost, Patricia Briggs, Lynn Viehl and now Karen Chance.

I brought this book on a 13 hour car ride, not expecting much, just words to fill the time. It was about halfway through when I realized what a gem I really had. The plot was fascinating, the world was so involved and though out, and the characters were just as interesting as the world they were involved in. I would like to thank Karen Chance once more for not making her heroine, Cassandra, so independent that it made me want to gag. Cassandra knew when she needed help and that she wasn’t going to survive on her own. Of course, Cassandra has an awesome power that makes her wanted by multiple races. I can forgive that stereotypical plot aspect since Cassandra is not the most power creature to ever exist in the world nor is the only one to have had or will have such power.

But, dear Chance, did you really have to throw in such an erotic scene when I am sitting in the car with my family? I was not expecting anything so…steamy from this book that I actually had to put the book down for a moment.

This was one of those novels that made me depressed when I finished it, for the sheer fact that it was over. I immediately turned to my phone to see if there were any more. When I found out it was a series, I ordered every single one.
  
Oh what to say... what to say... Harry Potter truly shaped me into the woman I am today. Not a day goes by that I don't have something remind me of my second home (Hogwarts). I was excited to find out that there was a play, and I couldn't wait for the screenplay to be released.

Now, the first thing that everyone should know is that this is not your typical book. This is a screenplay. This is not like the other novels, it is a completely different medium. Honestly, it scared me that it was going to be so different but I loved it.

This play brings you back to various books, and gives you a fresh perspective. It's a little predictable but honestly, it just made me love the series even more. J.K. Rowling did an amazing job at mapping out this screenplay and John Tiffany & Jack Thorne did a beautiful job at creating a screenplay that will make many fans geek out in the amazingness that is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

If you're on the fence about reading this book, I suggest giving it a try. It's fun, has a few twists and brings back the excitement of Harry Potter. Who knew that 9 years later we would have yet another midnight release? Who knew that Harry Potter would live again (even if it is in a different format)?

Siriusly, just pick it up. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, and I am now content.
  
Onitama: Sensei's Path
Onitama: Sensei's Path
2017 | Abstract Strategy
In the expansion review series, we take a look at a game expansion to discuss whether it is a necessary purchase/addition to one’s collection.

This breakdown is for the excellent two-player game Onitama, and the expansion is named Sensei’s Path, from Arcane Wonders.


This expansion includes 16 Move cards to be added to the base Onitama game box. That’s really all it is.
I do not have much to say on this expansion as it merely adds more of the same to a game that may or may not feel stagnant and samey after a bunch of plays. I personally have not played Onitama near enough to be tired of the base game Move cards, but having more options is always a good thing. Especially when you only have five Move cards each game and base Onitama ships with 16 Move cards as well. Sensei’s Path doubles your Move card arsenal and adds slightly new strategy options to the game.

Is it necessary to own? No. If you like base Onitama the way it is, then there is no need to expand it at all. If the base game Move cards are getting predictable and you play Onitama a whole lot, then pick this up and explore your new options.

Official recommendation: If you suffer from completionist syndrome, as I used to, then get this. If you are looking for more out of Onitama, then get this. If you are looking to add something a little different to the game, check out the Way of the Wind expansion instead.
  
A Celebration of Autumn (Mariana Books Rhyming #3)
A Celebration of Autumn (Mariana Books Rhyming #3)
Roger Carlson | 2020 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Have you wanted your child or children to learn about the seasons? Most if not all children know there are four seasons in a year. I just read another book that deals with the season we call "Fall" called "Autumn." The book's name is "A Celebration of Autumn" by Roger Carlson.

The book talks about the month changing and temperatures drop. "A Celebration of Autumn" is the third book in the series. What a fun way for this book to start. The first paragraph in this book is below:

When August fades and turn to September,
and you start to feel a nip in the air;
it can only mean one thing:
Autumn is nearly there!

Children will learn about the season. They will also learn to rhyme as well. Kids will want their older siblings or parents to read this book repeatedly if it's not a favorite already. What fun activities can children come up with that goes on during this season. The illustrations are colorful and bright. The colors remain shown and represented nicely throughout the book.

I know they mention two autumn holidays that we celebrate during this time. Can you name them? We have fun and games for one and the other we get together as a family to have a meal. Autumn is when children are getting ready to go to school or started school for the year. I am surprised the school does not get a mention in the book. It deals with the different seasonal changes and temperatures that we deal with this season.
  
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Merissa (13123 KP) rated Sticks and Stones (The Wish Makers #1) in Books

Apr 10, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Sticks and Stones (The Wish Makers #1)
Sticks and Stones (The Wish Makers #1)
Shawn McGuire | 2014 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The premise of this book is unusual which immediately grabbed my interest. It isn't the same formula re-worded. However, I was still unsure, even after reading the synopsis, about what I would be getting.

What I got was an interesting, rich and fully detailed book covering not just our main female character but Lexi and the Wish Mistress too. There is enough background on the other characters that they all slot in perfectly together and you know that you are getting a complete story. There are no big chunks missed out of this one.

Mandy's birthday wish was a rare one - it was her soul wish. And it is not just granted without a thought. The wish is the start of a journey that she can choose whether to take or not. And therein lies a brilliant story. It starts off quite light but soon gets darker (in a YA-friendly way). The secret that Mandy was hiding was heartbreaking in its childlike simplicity. It is easy to forget how literal children are with what you say to them and how long it can stay with them. During the conversation with Mandy and her mum, it brought tears to my eyes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will be reading Break My Bones, the second in this series.
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 12, 2016
  
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Debbiereadsbook (1481 KP) rated The Veranda (Lavander Shores #3) in Books

Aug 18, 2018 (Updated Aug 18, 2018)  
The Veranda (Lavander Shores #3)
The Veranda (Lavander Shores #3)
Rosalind Abel | 2017 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
5 star book, 5 star narration
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian I was gifted my copy of this book.

When Donovan met Spencer ten years ago, it was on Spencer's engagement to Donovan's sister. All that time, they had feelings for each but they were never acted upon . But when Spencer's marriage fell apart and he finds himself at masquerade sex party, and Donovan is there too, he can't pass up this chance to have him, even if its just once, and Donovan won't know who he is. But Donovan DID know. And he wants more.

This is book three in the Lavender Shores series, but you don't need to have read the first two to follow this. It might help to read book two first though, because Donovan plays a large part I that book. Not necessary, just might help.

I'm loving this series, I really am. They are easy books to read, and that's a good thing, especially for me currently.

They are told from both men's point of view, in the first person and it flips from chapter to chapter with each change clearly headed. Ya'll know its not my favourite way for a book to be written, but I knew that after book one they would be this way, and I think that helps massively.

You get each man's reaction to that encounter at the party, each man's attempt to stay away and you get it all in glorious detail when they finally, fully and totally give in to each other.

I love how these books have no major break up in them. They are full of story, and plots and people's reactions, but seriously? Lavender Shores is the best place in the damn world to live! I loved how, while obviously hurt by what Donovan and Spencer do, Erica can see they are happy together and she doesn't keep Spencer's kids from him.

While I am loving the easy reads that these books really are, I find myself waiting.....waiting.....waiting.....for that one in the series that has a bit more bite, is a bit more heart wrenching, gut churning, emotionally devastating. One book to tip it over the edge and give it those full five stars. It will be either one alike that, or one that is far too stinking cute and warm and fuzzies all at the same time, that tips it over! But I have no doubt, there will be a five star book in this series, I just gotta bide my time.

An extremely well written, well delivered, well needed...

4 stars

AUDIO Review.

Kirt Graves continues to narrate this series, and he really is growing on me!

His voices for Donovan and Spencer were similar, but just different enough for me, with my crappy hearing, to make out the difference if I had left it off, mid chapter.

He continues to portray much more than I got through reading, and that is only a reflection on his skill, rather than the book. I love the emotion that Graves gets across, that, while reading, you might not pick up. The WORDS are all there, but HEARING them makes it much more real.

His voices for the other guys who have appeared in the series remain consistent throughout, and I love reconnecting with them, each and every time they pop up.

I hope to get the opportunity to listen to the other books, too. Some cracking books in this series, and I CANNOT wait to see how Graves gets them across.

Upgrading the book form 4 to 5 stars, simply because of Graves narration.

5 star book,
5 star narration
5 stars overall

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**