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Breaking Bad: The Official Book
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One of the most critically acclaimed series ever produced, Breaking Bad won legions of avid viewers...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2662 KP) rated Bear Bottom in Books
May 25, 2021 (Updated May 25, 2021)
Missing Necklace and Bison
Teddy Fitzroy is in Yellowstone with his parents and the McCrackens to evaluate a ranch that J.J. McCracken is thinking about buying. The ranch is just outside of the national park, and the Fitzroys are also using the time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The ranch raises bison, and they’ve had a couple go missing, so Teddy is asked to try to figure out what has happened to them. Before he can even start on that, the house where everyone is staying is broken into by a Grizzley bear. In the aftermath, Mrs. McCracken’s expensive necklace disappears. Can Teddy solve both mysteries?
Part of the fun of the FunJungle series is the setting and the recurring characters. I’ll admit I missed them. However, this book does have a core cast of regulars, and I enjoyed spending time with them. Both mysteries are intriguing and kept the pace steady. Watching Teddy work is always fascinating, and we got some wonderful action scenes along the way. While the series always tackles some environmental issues, I felt like this book lectured a bit more than the series usually does. It doesn’t help that one thing intended to be funny didn’t come across that way to me; instead, if felt like more lectures. I still did enjoy this book overall. It’s just not quite up to Stuart Gibbs’s usual high standards.
Part of the fun of the FunJungle series is the setting and the recurring characters. I’ll admit I missed them. However, this book does have a core cast of regulars, and I enjoyed spending time with them. Both mysteries are intriguing and kept the pace steady. Watching Teddy work is always fascinating, and we got some wonderful action scenes along the way. While the series always tackles some environmental issues, I felt like this book lectured a bit more than the series usually does. It doesn’t help that one thing intended to be funny didn’t come across that way to me; instead, if felt like more lectures. I still did enjoy this book overall. It’s just not quite up to Stuart Gibbs’s usual high standards.
David McK (3921 KP) rated Dark Force Rising (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, #2) in Books
Aug 27, 2021
The mid-part of Timothy Zahn's 'Heir to the Empire' series, which many - myself included - feel should have been used for the basis of the sequel trilogy. Mainly because this has the one thing that trilogy lacked: an over-arching plot!
Now considered non-canon, this series is set five years after the events of 'Return of the Jedi', where Coruscant has now become the seat of the New Republic rather than of the Empire, and where Leia and Han are expecting twins, just as Grand Admiral Thrawn - a character who has made the jump to canon - returns from his mission to the Outer Rim for The Empire and launches a campaign against the forces of the New Republic.
In this mid entry to the series, Leia has to convince the Noghri that The Empire are not who they say they are, whilst Luke hears rumours of a Jedi Master C'Boaoth who has come out of hiding (and is secretly working alongside Thrawn and co) and hopes to learn more about the ways of the Force from said Master.
Meanwhile, Hand and Lando find themselves seeking down the location of the legendary Katana fleet: a fleet of dreadnaughts that went missing during The Clone Wars (here, 50 or so years prior), and that may swing the balance of power in the Galaxy ...
Now considered non-canon, this series is set five years after the events of 'Return of the Jedi', where Coruscant has now become the seat of the New Republic rather than of the Empire, and where Leia and Han are expecting twins, just as Grand Admiral Thrawn - a character who has made the jump to canon - returns from his mission to the Outer Rim for The Empire and launches a campaign against the forces of the New Republic.
In this mid entry to the series, Leia has to convince the Noghri that The Empire are not who they say they are, whilst Luke hears rumours of a Jedi Master C'Boaoth who has come out of hiding (and is secretly working alongside Thrawn and co) and hopes to learn more about the ways of the Force from said Master.
Meanwhile, Hand and Lando find themselves seeking down the location of the legendary Katana fleet: a fleet of dreadnaughts that went missing during The Clone Wars (here, 50 or so years prior), and that may swing the balance of power in the Galaxy ...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2662 KP) rated Shady Hollow in Books
Oct 3, 2025 (Updated Oct 3, 2025)
Not Bad, but Didn’t Quite Work For Me
Welcome to the village of Shady Hollow, a place where woodland creatures live in peace and harmony. That is, until someone kills Otto, a toad. Vera Vixen, a fox and reporter for the local paper, is on the case. But can she figure out who committed the crime?
When I heard about this series, I had to give the book a chance since it sounded creative and fun. The book’s omniscient narration took a little for me to adjust to, but once I did, it worked okay. It did give the book a slower start than I would have liked, but the mystery was decent once it got going. And I liked the characters. While I found the idea of these characters living side by side and interacting fun, it does take some buying into this world, something I was ready to do. I did feel the authors could have done a more creative job of creating their world, or at least that’s what I was expecting. My biggest hang up was the idea of interspecies romance. I realize that’s a me thing, but it is enough that I won’t be returning to the series. Others love it, so if this intrigues you, by all means, give the series a chance.
When I heard about this series, I had to give the book a chance since it sounded creative and fun. The book’s omniscient narration took a little for me to adjust to, but once I did, it worked okay. It did give the book a slower start than I would have liked, but the mystery was decent once it got going. And I liked the characters. While I found the idea of these characters living side by side and interacting fun, it does take some buying into this world, something I was ready to do. I did feel the authors could have done a more creative job of creating their world, or at least that’s what I was expecting. My biggest hang up was the idea of interspecies romance. I realize that’s a me thing, but it is enough that I won’t be returning to the series. Others love it, so if this intrigues you, by all means, give the series a chance.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2662 KP) rated Probable Caws in Books
Sep 8, 2026
Rescuing Horses is Murder
When Meg gets a phone call from her dad, she learns that a horse rescue organization in a neighboring county has to move their horses, and Meg’s neighbor and friend Ragnar has agreed to take the horses in. But they need people to help settle the horses, so she goes over to help. As the day progresses, Meg begins to learn about the fight between the owner of the farm the horses came from and his brother, who has just inherited half of the farm. That night, Meg finds a dead body in one of the barns. Can she figure out who the killer is?
Series like this walk a fine line between giving us information on the hook of the series, in this case animals, and focusing on the mystery. This one errs on the side of animal talk, which did slow things down. Don’t get me wrong, there was a good mystery here, with some twists I enjoyed and a logical climax, but it could have been stronger. The suspects are interesting. We don’t have the full cast of regulars in town, but those who are in town are their usual charming selves. The humor didn’t seem as strong either, but there were some laughs and grins. While not the strongest in the series, it will entertain Meg’s many fans.
Series like this walk a fine line between giving us information on the hook of the series, in this case animals, and focusing on the mystery. This one errs on the side of animal talk, which did slow things down. Don’t get me wrong, there was a good mystery here, with some twists I enjoyed and a logical climax, but it could have been stronger. The suspects are interesting. We don’t have the full cast of regulars in town, but those who are in town are their usual charming selves. The humor didn’t seem as strong either, but there were some laughs and grins. While not the strongest in the series, it will entertain Meg’s many fans.
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 (10827 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!