Search
Search results
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Police (Harry Hole #10) (Oslo Sequence #8) in Books
Sep 5, 2020
A gripping thriller
I've really messed up the reading order of the Harry Hole books. I first read this 5 years ago, and it was only earlier this year that I read the following sequel book 11 (The Thirst) and then after that the previous book 9 Phantom. Aside from my idiocy at messing up the order of these books, I really enjoyed reading this again now i finally understand better what's going on thanks to Phantom.
This is a thrilling read. I could barely put it down and just wanted to get to the end to find out how it all ended (as I couldn't remember from the first time round). The plot is complicated but not so far-fetched that it gets ridiculous and there's lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked. I like the Harry in this book a lot more than in previous books, although there is still some of the old good character we know and love still there. After reading so many of Jo Nesbo's books recently I've noticed he really does like his tropes and cliffhangers a lot and this can get a bit predictable after a while. However this is still one of the best books in the series - definitely on par with The Snowman.
This is a thrilling read. I could barely put it down and just wanted to get to the end to find out how it all ended (as I couldn't remember from the first time round). The plot is complicated but not so far-fetched that it gets ridiculous and there's lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked. I like the Harry in this book a lot more than in previous books, although there is still some of the old good character we know and love still there. After reading so many of Jo Nesbo's books recently I've noticed he really does like his tropes and cliffhangers a lot and this can get a bit predictable after a while. However this is still one of the best books in the series - definitely on par with The Snowman.
David McK (3633 KP) rated Aftermath (Star Wars: Aftermath, #1) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
It must be strange being in [a: Chuck Wendig|17152|Chuck Wendig|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1294919586p2/17152.jpg]'s shoes when he was given the green-light to write this novel.
Not so much for what the novel is (a Star Wars book), but for what it isn't (the first in the 'new' non-EU canon).
I imagine there would have been both a feeling of freedom in that he is no longer tied down to making sure everything 'fits', as well as a feeling of responsibility as some of that old EU stuff was quite well regarded.
Regardless, this is set after the events of 'Return of the Jedi', but before the new 'The Force Awakens', and is the first in a series of novels leading up to that movie that should (hopefully) fill in the gaps in that movie. While Luke didn't make an appearance in this, there are some old returning characters: most noticeably Wedge Antilles, who provides the MacGuffin that gets the whole plot rolling!
It may not be the best Star Wars book I've read (sorry), but it does do a serviceable job in getting the ball rolling again.
Not so much for what the novel is (a Star Wars book), but for what it isn't (the first in the 'new' non-EU canon).
I imagine there would have been both a feeling of freedom in that he is no longer tied down to making sure everything 'fits', as well as a feeling of responsibility as some of that old EU stuff was quite well regarded.
Regardless, this is set after the events of 'Return of the Jedi', but before the new 'The Force Awakens', and is the first in a series of novels leading up to that movie that should (hopefully) fill in the gaps in that movie. While Luke didn't make an appearance in this, there are some old returning characters: most noticeably Wedge Antilles, who provides the MacGuffin that gets the whole plot rolling!
It may not be the best Star Wars book I've read (sorry), but it does do a serviceable job in getting the ball rolling again.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Sprout Mask Replica in Books
Nov 26, 2019
I always use this book to illustrate just how off the wall Rankin's writing is. Purportedly his autobiography, he gets run over by a bus and killed halfway through. That really ought to give the reader some some of idea that this is not entirely serious.
Telling the "stories" of various family members then moving onto his own life this is less a coherent novel with a plot than the literary equivalent of an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus; a series of sketches with some recurring characters and ideas which don't behave according any of the accepted standards of story telling.
The result is an absolute hoot as a stream of consciousness experience, especially as Rankin re-uses his well-tested recurring gags. However it is by no means his best work; the lack of a plot means that the book just sort of ends and it does rely a little too much on knowing nods to previous works.
Not a bad read, and certainly worth a go if you like something that's unusual and bursting with odd ideas but there are better Rankin books to read.
Telling the "stories" of various family members then moving onto his own life this is less a coherent novel with a plot than the literary equivalent of an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus; a series of sketches with some recurring characters and ideas which don't behave according any of the accepted standards of story telling.
The result is an absolute hoot as a stream of consciousness experience, especially as Rankin re-uses his well-tested recurring gags. However it is by no means his best work; the lack of a plot means that the book just sort of ends and it does rely a little too much on knowing nods to previous works.
Not a bad read, and certainly worth a go if you like something that's unusual and bursting with odd ideas but there are better Rankin books to read.
Wonderful book. I was unsure about picking it up at first but fell in love with it within the first few pages. It ties other famous authors and locations from both history and well known fantasy worlds into a story all its own. At first I did not notice some of the references made in the beginning of the story but once I started paying attention, it was amazing just how much James A. Owen researched to provide readers with an amazing, one of a kind experience. The author writes so wonderfully that readers feel as if they were actually in the Archipelago of Dreams, a place that I am sure most anyone who loves myth and fantasy would like to visit at least once in their lives.
I am a part of a book club at my local library, and plan on recommending this book to my fellow members, most of who are teachers and would appreciate not only the literary references but the historical ones as well found in this book. I also plan on reading the rest of the series.
<b>This is a highly recommended book in my opinion.</b>
I am a part of a book club at my local library, and plan on recommending this book to my fellow members, most of who are teachers and would appreciate not only the literary references but the historical ones as well found in this book. I also plan on reading the rest of the series.
<b>This is a highly recommended book in my opinion.</b>
David McK (3633 KP) rated The Old Guard (2020) in Movies
Jul 14, 2020 (Updated Apr 11, 2021)
Netflix's newest (at the time of writing) action-adventure, starring Charlize Theron as the leader of a group of immortals (whose immortality can come and go at any point) that have been alive for centuries, if not (in her case) for millennia. Think a less Scottish Highlander, and with the immortals working together rather than trying to chop each others heads off.
Apparently based on a relatively-new comic series, you can also tell that this is a straight-to-TV affair, with it not *quite* having the budget or flair of a Hollywood film. It's also unclear just what happens if any of these immortals lose a limb - does it grow back?
Anyway, the driving force behind this is the discovery of a new immortal, just after the other's last mission goes sideways, with Big Pharma - in a plot development that will surprise no one - now out to see if they can extract the secret of their immortality from the group (who don't know it themselves).
Also definitely set up for a sequel: if it is half as good as this one, I'll be watching.
Apparently based on a relatively-new comic series, you can also tell that this is a straight-to-TV affair, with it not *quite* having the budget or flair of a Hollywood film. It's also unclear just what happens if any of these immortals lose a limb - does it grow back?
Anyway, the driving force behind this is the discovery of a new immortal, just after the other's last mission goes sideways, with Big Pharma - in a plot development that will surprise no one - now out to see if they can extract the secret of their immortality from the group (who don't know it themselves).
Also definitely set up for a sequel: if it is half as good as this one, I'll be watching.
Daoism and Anarchism: Critiques of State Autonomy in Ancient and Modern China
Book
This volume in the Contemporary Anarchist Studies series focuses on anti-statist critiques in...
David McK (3633 KP) rated Star Trek Beyond (2016) in Movies
Mar 6, 2021
Space ... the Final frontier ...
The latest (at the time of reviewing) Star Trek film - from 5 years ago, so 2016 - this is the third film to be set in the so-called Kelvin Universe (after 'Star Trek' and 'Star Trek: Into Darkness'), still starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho and (the late) Anton Yelchin as Kirk, Spock, 'Bones' McCoy, Lt Uhura, Scotty, Sulu and Chekov respectively.
This time around, Idris Elba plays the baddie role as a character who later proves to have a surprising link with The Federation, with the film also apparently including 50 new alien species as it was released in the year of the 50th anniversary of the TV series.
And therein lies part of the problem: that was hardly broadcast at all - indeed, I feel that they missed a major trick in not broadcasting that fact at all!
While the loose outline of the plot deals with ageing, and with a farewell given to Ambassador Spock, this is perfectly serviceable but not as good as the original film in the Kelvin trilogy (IMO).
This time around, Idris Elba plays the baddie role as a character who later proves to have a surprising link with The Federation, with the film also apparently including 50 new alien species as it was released in the year of the 50th anniversary of the TV series.
And therein lies part of the problem: that was hardly broadcast at all - indeed, I feel that they missed a major trick in not broadcasting that fact at all!
While the loose outline of the plot deals with ageing, and with a farewell given to Ambassador Spock, this is perfectly serviceable but not as good as the original film in the Kelvin trilogy (IMO).
Merissa (13443 KP) rated All That Glitters (Sol #1) in Books
May 8, 2021
In the first Science Fiction by Erin Kellison I have read, we have a wedding, politics, love, betrayal and goodness knows what else!
Mica left Sol five years ago to follow her dream, although this did mean leaving her lover behind. Simon had his own plans for Mica and himself that he never told her, pride and circumstance getting in the way. Things go well for Mica, but not so good for Simon. It is due to these circumstances that Simon shoots down Mica's craft, not knowing that she is the pilot. Choices have to be made by Mica and Simon - will they ever be able to trust each other, and be together, again?
This novella packs a punch as you have pretty much everything you could wish for. You get a back story, plot, and possible future. You learn about their political system, about the different categories of planets, and the different people who live on them. With plenty of action and adventure, this is a delightful first story in the Sol Sisters series. Definitely recommended by me.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mica left Sol five years ago to follow her dream, although this did mean leaving her lover behind. Simon had his own plans for Mica and himself that he never told her, pride and circumstance getting in the way. Things go well for Mica, but not so good for Simon. It is due to these circumstances that Simon shoots down Mica's craft, not knowing that she is the pilot. Choices have to be made by Mica and Simon - will they ever be able to trust each other, and be together, again?
This novella packs a punch as you have pretty much everything you could wish for. You get a back story, plot, and possible future. You learn about their political system, about the different categories of planets, and the different people who live on them. With plenty of action and adventure, this is a delightful first story in the Sol Sisters series. Definitely recommended by me.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Faction Paradox: Of the City of the Saved... (Faction Paradox, #2) in Books
Nov 30, 2020
I didn't finish the book, but as you can only either list your books as "Want-To Read", "Currently Reading" or "Read", I went with the latter choice, as it was the only that seemed to fit even remotely. So, my review..
I try to keep an open mind for most things - meeting new people, going to see a movie or checking out a new TV series, or even when starting a new book. This book came highly recommended, the highest recommendation coming from Faction Paradox creator, Lawrence Miles. So, without even cracking the book open, it already had high expectations thrust upon it.
After five attempts at reading it, I gave up tonight! The book bored me unbelievably! Things got to be so bad that I used to help me to get to sleep the last 2 re-reading attempts.
I felt there was just too much going on, with a difficult to really get a feel for *any* of the characters in the first quarter I trudged through. After devouring Miles' FP debut novel, 'This Town Will Not Let Us Go', I thought this would be just as good; sadly, not so much.
I try to keep an open mind for most things - meeting new people, going to see a movie or checking out a new TV series, or even when starting a new book. This book came highly recommended, the highest recommendation coming from Faction Paradox creator, Lawrence Miles. So, without even cracking the book open, it already had high expectations thrust upon it.
After five attempts at reading it, I gave up tonight! The book bored me unbelievably! Things got to be so bad that I used to help me to get to sleep the last 2 re-reading attempts.
I felt there was just too much going on, with a difficult to really get a feel for *any* of the characters in the first quarter I trudged through. After devouring Miles' FP debut novel, 'This Town Will Not Let Us Go', I thought this would be just as good; sadly, not so much.
Caught in the Crossfire (PROTEKT #3)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Book three in the PROTEKT series Musician Bastien Desmarais is thrust into danger, but he’ll...
4 stars male/male multi partners military dudes darker
Erika (17789 KP) Sep 6, 2020
Sarah (7800 KP) Sep 7, 2020