Search
Search results
Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated Micro in Books
Jan 9, 2020
The book Micro by Michael Crichton and Richard Prestom was great. I may be a little biased because Michael Crichton is one of my favorite authors but at the same time I hold his work to a specific standard that he must meet or else I'm disappointed. Like most of his work Micro touches on some topics that as a society we should be aware of. It warns us of some disasters that new technology, being worked on or possibly already created, can cause. It id also an eye opener to the dangers of that our inventions pose.
In Micro a group of young graduate students at a college or approached by the head of a company called Nanigen. The graduate students are invited out to the Nanigen lab in Hawaii to see for themselves the work being done there and to see if they want to work for the company. Out of curiosity all the approached graduate students agree to go but their trip to Hawaii becomes more than what they bargain for.
Nanigen is studying the micro world mainly looking for chemicals that micro animals are making that could be useful to humans in some way. Also like many scientific companies in the private sector Nanigen is doing top secret work for the government. Greed gets in the way for some of the scientist already working for the company and the trip becomes extremely dangerous and even deadly for the graduate students. Having to deal with micro-bots and new technology never heard of before the students must fight to survive a world very different from our own.
What I like most about the book was one of the same features that keeps me reading Michael Crichton's work. The author does his research very thoroughly. The book may be a work of science fiction but there is a bibliography in the back for the curious reader to be able to learn more about the fascinating topics brought up in the book. For being a work of fiction the animals, plants, chemicals, technology,and scientific concepts are not. What I liked least about the book was how similar to another one of his books it was and how predictable some parts felt to me. Again though, I am very familiar with Michael Crichton's work and that would probably explain why it felt so predictable. I cannot hold that against the book.
Overall I would rate this book a 4 out of 4 and would highly recommend it. It has a very strong story and is believable which is an important factor for science fiction. The target readers for this book would start around high school age if not older. I feel like high school students will get the basic concept of what book was talking about but they might be lost on some of the finer detail. It all just depends on if the book is being read for the story or if the reader is interested in science specifically microbiology and nanotechnology.
I feel like I need to note on here that Richard Preston finishing the book did not harm it in any way.
In Micro a group of young graduate students at a college or approached by the head of a company called Nanigen. The graduate students are invited out to the Nanigen lab in Hawaii to see for themselves the work being done there and to see if they want to work for the company. Out of curiosity all the approached graduate students agree to go but their trip to Hawaii becomes more than what they bargain for.
Nanigen is studying the micro world mainly looking for chemicals that micro animals are making that could be useful to humans in some way. Also like many scientific companies in the private sector Nanigen is doing top secret work for the government. Greed gets in the way for some of the scientist already working for the company and the trip becomes extremely dangerous and even deadly for the graduate students. Having to deal with micro-bots and new technology never heard of before the students must fight to survive a world very different from our own.
What I like most about the book was one of the same features that keeps me reading Michael Crichton's work. The author does his research very thoroughly. The book may be a work of science fiction but there is a bibliography in the back for the curious reader to be able to learn more about the fascinating topics brought up in the book. For being a work of fiction the animals, plants, chemicals, technology,and scientific concepts are not. What I liked least about the book was how similar to another one of his books it was and how predictable some parts felt to me. Again though, I am very familiar with Michael Crichton's work and that would probably explain why it felt so predictable. I cannot hold that against the book.
Overall I would rate this book a 4 out of 4 and would highly recommend it. It has a very strong story and is believable which is an important factor for science fiction. The target readers for this book would start around high school age if not older. I feel like high school students will get the basic concept of what book was talking about but they might be lost on some of the finer detail. It all just depends on if the book is being read for the story or if the reader is interested in science specifically microbiology and nanotechnology.
I feel like I need to note on here that Richard Preston finishing the book did not harm it in any way.
Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated Ronaldo: Rudi's Birthday Extravaganza in Books
Jan 9, 2020
Honest Review for Free Copy of Book
The book Ronaldo: Rudis Birthday Extravaganza by Maxine Sylvester followed perfectly in the footsteps of the previous book in the Ronaldo series. It comes right after Ronaldo: The Phantom Carrot Snatcher that I previously gave a 4 out of 4. This is another wonderful Ronaldo book although it was not quite what I expected from the title. For some reason, I was expecting the entire book to take place at Rudi's birthday party but that was not the case.
The book opens to Ronaldo looking at his options for Rudi's birthday present. Then Rudi's mother shows up asking Ronaldo for his help. Rudi needs to go the doctor for an injured hoof but he is afraid of needles and is refusing to go. Ronaldo agrees to go along so that he can support and comfort Rudi. On the way home Ronaldo ends up helping his favorite baker with her shopping bags. After learning that her hip is hurt Ronaldo offers to deliver her cakes to the bakery for her.
On the news Ronaldo lears of Vixen's Workshop and his parents agree to let him go. Rudi wants to go as well but can't because his father just lost his job. Ronaldo takes his earnings from the cake deliveries and tries to pay for Rudi to got to the Workshop himself, unfortunately there is no room. Little dose Ronaldo know Rudi's father got a job with the baker and also tried to get Rudi into the Workshop but was unable to do so as well. At his party Rudi got a wonderful suprise by meeting Vixen and discovering he was going to be able to go to the Workshop anyway.
What I liked best was that once again Ronaldo puts his friendship with Rudi first. He offers his own money that he worked hard for to ty to do something that meant a lot to his friend and that is not all he did Rudi. This book also teaches about honesty as well as the value of friendship. What I did not like about this book was actually similar to my complaint about the previous book. This time there is entire chapter about Ronaldo breaking wind. Again I do understand the usefulness of it in this book as a consequence of Ronaldo being greedy with suckers and cake. I just could do without it.
Target readers for this book is the exact same as the previous one. Elementary students, probably around second grade could handle this book without a problem. Chapters are short and words such as "apprentice" are explained within the story for readers who might not be familiar with them. I rate this book 4 out of 4. It is a great children's book with a wonderful story line. There are even a few nice surprises along the way. I look forward to my own children being old enough to enjoy the Ronaldo books.
https://www.facebook.com/nightreaderreviews
The book opens to Ronaldo looking at his options for Rudi's birthday present. Then Rudi's mother shows up asking Ronaldo for his help. Rudi needs to go the doctor for an injured hoof but he is afraid of needles and is refusing to go. Ronaldo agrees to go along so that he can support and comfort Rudi. On the way home Ronaldo ends up helping his favorite baker with her shopping bags. After learning that her hip is hurt Ronaldo offers to deliver her cakes to the bakery for her.
On the news Ronaldo lears of Vixen's Workshop and his parents agree to let him go. Rudi wants to go as well but can't because his father just lost his job. Ronaldo takes his earnings from the cake deliveries and tries to pay for Rudi to got to the Workshop himself, unfortunately there is no room. Little dose Ronaldo know Rudi's father got a job with the baker and also tried to get Rudi into the Workshop but was unable to do so as well. At his party Rudi got a wonderful suprise by meeting Vixen and discovering he was going to be able to go to the Workshop anyway.
What I liked best was that once again Ronaldo puts his friendship with Rudi first. He offers his own money that he worked hard for to ty to do something that meant a lot to his friend and that is not all he did Rudi. This book also teaches about honesty as well as the value of friendship. What I did not like about this book was actually similar to my complaint about the previous book. This time there is entire chapter about Ronaldo breaking wind. Again I do understand the usefulness of it in this book as a consequence of Ronaldo being greedy with suckers and cake. I just could do without it.
Target readers for this book is the exact same as the previous one. Elementary students, probably around second grade could handle this book without a problem. Chapters are short and words such as "apprentice" are explained within the story for readers who might not be familiar with them. I rate this book 4 out of 4. It is a great children's book with a wonderful story line. There are even a few nice surprises along the way. I look forward to my own children being old enough to enjoy the Ronaldo books.
https://www.facebook.com/nightreaderreviews
Debbiereadsbook (1664 KP) rated Knot That Pucker (Knotty Puckers, #3) in Books
Jan 21, 2026
loved this!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
OHHHHH! I loved this! Even if it is first person/present tense/multi POV!
Bailey is Benton's little sister. Benton is star player for the Krakens. Lincoln is an electrician, but his brother is Korbin, arch enemy to Benton, star player for the Scorpions, along with Milton. Korbin, Lincoln and Milton are brothers in all but blood and they always planned to be a pack. They were just waiting for their scent match. Along comes Bailey into their orbit, and all bets are off, regardless who her big brother is. But will Benton let Bailey be happy, that is the big question, given hsi and Korbin's history.
What I loved MOST about this, was that while Lincoln has a deeply profound MINE moment, it's not because Bailey is their scent match. She isn't, her scent match rejected her, because she was deaf. But Lincoln, after just a couple of meetings with Bailey, knows that she is his, and he just needs to get Korbin and Milton on board.
And on board they get, slowly though and I loved that too! They all take their time with Bailey, slowly, letting her get used to them all. Individually, and together.
The Benton Korbin feud was somewhat annoying, given what is said about Gina and what happened. I can understand, though, why Benton is against Bailey getting with the guys. I did like that he comes good, though, even if he was a bit of a twat (I can't say what I want to, some sites won't let me swear!) He and Korbin talk, really talk, and even though they might never be best buds, they are not feuding anymore.
It's steamy and smexy, but emotional too.
I need to say a little bit about Bailey and her deafness and how it was dealt with here.
I cannot fault it! Bailey is deaf, wears an implant which I assume, but I don't think it was DEFINATELY said, is a cochlear implant. She lips reads, and signs. As a deaf person, I felt the whole topic was dealt with amazingly, amd with sensivitity. I loved that lots of tiny little details were pointed out, and that each man made a massive effort to communicate with Bailey, either by making sure she can lip read them, or having a note pad, or, (and this was the kicker that made it for me!) learning sign language to ask Bailey out, in a way she can really understand what they want.
The book cites American Sign Language. As a UK person, I know that ASL and British Sign Language are different, and at times I got a bit lost in the detailed descriptions of signs. For example, the alphabet in ASL is all done on one hand, in BSL, you use 2. BUT! I found myself trying to do the signs as they were described, when I concentrated more. I don't need sign language, yet, but there may well come I time that I do.
Benton's story is next. We know her name, but not who his pack mates will be! And James needs to be happy too!
5 full and shiny stars, please write more of these people!!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
OHHHHH! I loved this! Even if it is first person/present tense/multi POV!
Bailey is Benton's little sister. Benton is star player for the Krakens. Lincoln is an electrician, but his brother is Korbin, arch enemy to Benton, star player for the Scorpions, along with Milton. Korbin, Lincoln and Milton are brothers in all but blood and they always planned to be a pack. They were just waiting for their scent match. Along comes Bailey into their orbit, and all bets are off, regardless who her big brother is. But will Benton let Bailey be happy, that is the big question, given hsi and Korbin's history.
What I loved MOST about this, was that while Lincoln has a deeply profound MINE moment, it's not because Bailey is their scent match. She isn't, her scent match rejected her, because she was deaf. But Lincoln, after just a couple of meetings with Bailey, knows that she is his, and he just needs to get Korbin and Milton on board.
And on board they get, slowly though and I loved that too! They all take their time with Bailey, slowly, letting her get used to them all. Individually, and together.
The Benton Korbin feud was somewhat annoying, given what is said about Gina and what happened. I can understand, though, why Benton is against Bailey getting with the guys. I did like that he comes good, though, even if he was a bit of a twat (I can't say what I want to, some sites won't let me swear!) He and Korbin talk, really talk, and even though they might never be best buds, they are not feuding anymore.
It's steamy and smexy, but emotional too.
I need to say a little bit about Bailey and her deafness and how it was dealt with here.
I cannot fault it! Bailey is deaf, wears an implant which I assume, but I don't think it was DEFINATELY said, is a cochlear implant. She lips reads, and signs. As a deaf person, I felt the whole topic was dealt with amazingly, amd with sensivitity. I loved that lots of tiny little details were pointed out, and that each man made a massive effort to communicate with Bailey, either by making sure she can lip read them, or having a note pad, or, (and this was the kicker that made it for me!) learning sign language to ask Bailey out, in a way she can really understand what they want.
The book cites American Sign Language. As a UK person, I know that ASL and British Sign Language are different, and at times I got a bit lost in the detailed descriptions of signs. For example, the alphabet in ASL is all done on one hand, in BSL, you use 2. BUT! I found myself trying to do the signs as they were described, when I concentrated more. I don't need sign language, yet, but there may well come I time that I do.
Benton's story is next. We know her name, but not who his pack mates will be! And James needs to be happy too!
5 full and shiny stars, please write more of these people!!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (13792 KP) rated Without Regret (Pyte/Sentinel, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Chris has had it tough. Not only was his childhood nothing to write home about but when a Master attacks their home in Book 1, it is Chris who ends up being shot and severely wounded. Through sheer grit and determination, he has made it back to full health. But along the way he has lost that cheekiness that I loved about him. The responsibility he feels towards his family and making sure that no one can hurt them again is what makes him get up in the morning. His mate is still out there and he imagines she will be just like him. Isabella is the perfect partner for Chris. He needs someone to bring laughter back into his life and she manages to do this even when she doesn't mean to. Isabella shows Chris that you don't always need physical strength. Yes, she is the helpless and hapless female on more than one occasion but she also has a mind and isn't afraid to use it. Her wit is rapier sharp too and once she sets her mind on something, it takes a very good reason for her to change it.
This book is the second in the series and doesn't disappoint. The plot moves along swiftly and we reconnect with characters from book 1 which too often isn't the case. This book is once again filled with action and humour. We get some depth in the lives of all the characters too which is also good to read. Absolutely brilliant with lots of spicy moments. Recommended!
This book is the second in the series and doesn't disappoint. The plot moves along swiftly and we reconnect with characters from book 1 which too often isn't the case. This book is once again filled with action and humour. We get some depth in the lives of all the characters too which is also good to read. Absolutely brilliant with lots of spicy moments. Recommended!
The Making of Zombie Wars
Book
'A raucous, hilarious book ...deadly funny.' Chicago Magazine Script idea #142: Aliens undercover as...
Hard Cold Winter
8.0
Rate It
Book
Former Army Ranger and thief Van Shaw is thrust into danger as lethal and unpredictable as the war...
Little Dorrit
10.0
Rate It
Book
A novel of serendipity, of fortunes won and lost, and of the spectre of imprisonment that hangs over...
Story: 71 starts as we see Gary Hook (O’Connell) going through his training with his regiment before they get deployed to Belfast to deal with the riot situation. In Ireland the regiment receive their instructions and onto the Catholic side of the war. When the riots get out of hand Gary finds himself on the wrong side of the barrier alone and unarmed in the Irish territory.
With tensions rising Gary finds himself in the middle of the battle not knowing which side to trust as both side are preparing to attack each other as Gary learns the harsh reality of what these riots are causing.
71 puts us into the middle of the Irish riots showing just one soldier’s experience behind enemy lines, this works well. My issue with the story is unless you know the history which I only know the basics you are left kind of wondering why the riots are happening in the first place. Another problem I found was telling what was going on with the supporting characters like who was on whose side which I do understand adds to the mystery but in this situation we should be able to identify them easily. As a film about survival in an urban setting this is great though.
Actor Review
Jack O’Connell: Gary Hook is the young soldier who is on his first mission on the streets on Belfast during the riots of 71, trying to receive a lost weapon he gets separated by his unit and stranded alone behind enemy lines never sure who to trust. Jack is great in this leading role in what was an outstanding year for the young actor.gary
Sam Reid: Lt. Armitage is one of the men that wants to start searching for Gary but constantly gets put down Captain Browning. Sam is solid in this role but doesn’t get enough screen time.
Sean Harris: Captain Sandy Browning is the man running the situation he knows that Gary is alive but really is playing both sides of the battle. Sean is also solid but only in a supporting role.
Killian Scott: Quinn is one of the leaders out trying to kill Gary, he takes his men and boys out on the streets on the hunt for him and will hurt anyone who gets in his way. Killian is good in what seems like one of the primary villains.
Support Cast: 71 has a large supporting cast but working out which side they are on gets confusing at times.
Director Review: Yann Demange – Yann gives us wonderfully shot sequences throughout but not enough back story to the events on the film.
Action: 71 has intensely shot action sequences involved.
Thriller: 71 keeps us on edge as we watch Gary trying to survive the warzone.
War: 71 puts us into a warzone as we see Gary trying to avoid conflict seemingly around every single corner.
Settings: 71 puts us in the warzone of the Belfast streets which really works to pull us into the story.
Special Effects: 71 has great effects when needed without having to just go overboard with them.
Suggestion: 71 is one for fans of the genre but otherwise people might find it slightly hard to keep up with. (War Film Fans Watch)
Best Part: Bomb shock.
Worst Part: Not enough history of the events.
Believability: The riots were real but story is fictional.
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Behind Enemy Lines
Awards: Nominated for One BAFTA.
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes
Trivia: Most scenes within the film were shot in Northern England, not in the film’s setting of Belfast.
Overall: Good history war thriller that is intense but never fully drags you into believing everything.
https://moviesreview101.com/2016/11/08/71-2014/
With tensions rising Gary finds himself in the middle of the battle not knowing which side to trust as both side are preparing to attack each other as Gary learns the harsh reality of what these riots are causing.
71 puts us into the middle of the Irish riots showing just one soldier’s experience behind enemy lines, this works well. My issue with the story is unless you know the history which I only know the basics you are left kind of wondering why the riots are happening in the first place. Another problem I found was telling what was going on with the supporting characters like who was on whose side which I do understand adds to the mystery but in this situation we should be able to identify them easily. As a film about survival in an urban setting this is great though.
Actor Review
Jack O’Connell: Gary Hook is the young soldier who is on his first mission on the streets on Belfast during the riots of 71, trying to receive a lost weapon he gets separated by his unit and stranded alone behind enemy lines never sure who to trust. Jack is great in this leading role in what was an outstanding year for the young actor.gary
Sam Reid: Lt. Armitage is one of the men that wants to start searching for Gary but constantly gets put down Captain Browning. Sam is solid in this role but doesn’t get enough screen time.
Sean Harris: Captain Sandy Browning is the man running the situation he knows that Gary is alive but really is playing both sides of the battle. Sean is also solid but only in a supporting role.
Killian Scott: Quinn is one of the leaders out trying to kill Gary, he takes his men and boys out on the streets on the hunt for him and will hurt anyone who gets in his way. Killian is good in what seems like one of the primary villains.
Support Cast: 71 has a large supporting cast but working out which side they are on gets confusing at times.
Director Review: Yann Demange – Yann gives us wonderfully shot sequences throughout but not enough back story to the events on the film.
Action: 71 has intensely shot action sequences involved.
Thriller: 71 keeps us on edge as we watch Gary trying to survive the warzone.
War: 71 puts us into a warzone as we see Gary trying to avoid conflict seemingly around every single corner.
Settings: 71 puts us in the warzone of the Belfast streets which really works to pull us into the story.
Special Effects: 71 has great effects when needed without having to just go overboard with them.
Suggestion: 71 is one for fans of the genre but otherwise people might find it slightly hard to keep up with. (War Film Fans Watch)
Best Part: Bomb shock.
Worst Part: Not enough history of the events.
Believability: The riots were real but story is fictional.
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Behind Enemy Lines
Awards: Nominated for One BAFTA.
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes
Trivia: Most scenes within the film were shot in Northern England, not in the film’s setting of Belfast.
Overall: Good history war thriller that is intense but never fully drags you into believing everything.
https://moviesreview101.com/2016/11/08/71-2014/
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Blood Confession in Books
Feb 15, 2019
<i>4.5 stars</i>
After reading THE BLOOD CONFESSION, I find it a bit surprising that this is specifically targeted to young adults. Not that they wouldn't appreciate or like it, although I don't know how much the appeal would be to that age range unless they're especially morbid (as I was and still am), but because of the subtle nuances and intricate study of character, morality, and belief system, which is well suited for adult readers as well. The book is mainly a character study and the author does a fantastic job bringing Erzebet to life, while slowly and believably evolving her into a mentally ill woman. I never could quite figure out if she was narcissistic, schizophrenic, suffering from some sort of body dysmorphic disorder, something altogether different, or all previously mentioned.
The writing is solid and I found myself sinking into the world Ms. Libby created, with it's brilliant Gothic atmosphere. The pacing had a few slow spots, but nothing that made the book come to a screeching halt. I confess to a few queasy moments thanks to an overactive imagination, but the gore is minimal and the author doesn't romanticize blood letting or murder for vanity.
What I should warn readers is that comparing this Erzebet Bizecka to the real Erzsebet Bathory would be a mistake. This fictional Countess doesn't have much in common with the legendary figure and is only (very) loosely based on her. That Erzsebet Bathory bathed in blood is an unfounded rumor and no one really knows why she killed these girls or how many. Some even say she was framed. Unfortunately the truth is lost to history and we'll never really know.
Only a few quibbles keep me from giving it a perfect rating, but all in all, it was an absorbing read. A couple of lingering questions remained, such as how exactly did Erzebet's mother go insane? I can guess what could have helped it along, but I don't really believe that's all it would have taken. What happened to Snow at the end?
After reading THE BLOOD CONFESSION, I find it a bit surprising that this is specifically targeted to young adults. Not that they wouldn't appreciate or like it, although I don't know how much the appeal would be to that age range unless they're especially morbid (as I was and still am), but because of the subtle nuances and intricate study of character, morality, and belief system, which is well suited for adult readers as well. The book is mainly a character study and the author does a fantastic job bringing Erzebet to life, while slowly and believably evolving her into a mentally ill woman. I never could quite figure out if she was narcissistic, schizophrenic, suffering from some sort of body dysmorphic disorder, something altogether different, or all previously mentioned.
The writing is solid and I found myself sinking into the world Ms. Libby created, with it's brilliant Gothic atmosphere. The pacing had a few slow spots, but nothing that made the book come to a screeching halt. I confess to a few queasy moments thanks to an overactive imagination, but the gore is minimal and the author doesn't romanticize blood letting or murder for vanity.
What I should warn readers is that comparing this Erzebet Bizecka to the real Erzsebet Bathory would be a mistake. This fictional Countess doesn't have much in common with the legendary figure and is only (very) loosely based on her. That Erzsebet Bathory bathed in blood is an unfounded rumor and no one really knows why she killed these girls or how many. Some even say she was framed. Unfortunately the truth is lost to history and we'll never really know.
Only a few quibbles keep me from giving it a perfect rating, but all in all, it was an absorbing read. A couple of lingering questions remained, such as how exactly did Erzebet's mother go insane? I can guess what could have helped it along, but I don't really believe that's all it would have taken. What happened to Snow at the end?