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ClareR (6253 KP) rated The Liar's Room in Books
Aug 10, 2018
A one-sitting read!
Set in one room (pretty much!), this tells the story of a counsellor, Susannah, and a patient, Adam. What begins as an innocent counselling session, ends up revealing a series of lies that have been hidden for many years.
This was such an exciting - when I read the synopsis that explained that almost all of the book took place in one room, I had flashbacks to my A level French lessons and 'Huis Clos' (a play by Jean-Paul Sartre). Whether that's a good thing or not, I'm not altogether sure. Reading that play was a slog! Luckily, it wasn't the same (huge sigh of relief here!), and if I had been reading the actual book instead of the daily 'stave' from The Pigeonhole, I think I would have charged through this book in an afternoon.
We were taken out of the room via some peripheral characters (Ruth, the dentist who works in the same offices as Susannah and Emily, Susannah's daughter) and some necessary flashback scenes. These flashbacks are a really important device, and they added some real tension to the story.
Adam, the character who has (supposedly) come for counselling, is a really menacing character, although there were times that I felt sorry for him - he seemed very much like a lost little boy.
Ultimately, I felt that this was a story that told of how it wasn't such a good idea to keep secrets: they can build up and become increasingly damaging. Susannah didn't have much of a choice in what she did though, as she wanted to protect her daughter.
A really good thriller, and many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author and the publisher.
This was such an exciting - when I read the synopsis that explained that almost all of the book took place in one room, I had flashbacks to my A level French lessons and 'Huis Clos' (a play by Jean-Paul Sartre). Whether that's a good thing or not, I'm not altogether sure. Reading that play was a slog! Luckily, it wasn't the same (huge sigh of relief here!), and if I had been reading the actual book instead of the daily 'stave' from The Pigeonhole, I think I would have charged through this book in an afternoon.
We were taken out of the room via some peripheral characters (Ruth, the dentist who works in the same offices as Susannah and Emily, Susannah's daughter) and some necessary flashback scenes. These flashbacks are a really important device, and they added some real tension to the story.
Adam, the character who has (supposedly) come for counselling, is a really menacing character, although there were times that I felt sorry for him - he seemed very much like a lost little boy.
Ultimately, I felt that this was a story that told of how it wasn't such a good idea to keep secrets: they can build up and become increasingly damaging. Susannah didn't have much of a choice in what she did though, as she wanted to protect her daughter.
A really good thriller, and many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author and the publisher.
Merissa (14068 KP) rated Lies of Golden Straw: A Rumplestilskin Retelling (End of Ever After) in Books
Jan 14, 2019
Lies of Golden Straw: A Rumplestilskin Retelling (End of Ever After #2) by E.L. Tenenbaum
Lies of Golden Straw is the second in the fairy tale re-tellings, and it is very different, but just as amazing as End of Ever After (book one). This one is a Rumplestiltskin re-telling, but you get so much more. Merlin is in here, plus a couple of famous storytellers themselves, who I won't name. Trust me when I say they all fit perfectly in this story.
Told from the perspective of Millie, you find out about her childhood as the Miller's Daughter, right through to the present when she goes to Ella's coronation, and after. It is full of grand descriptions, fairy tales you may know, and situations where no one is really the winner.
I have to say I think this is the first book where the couple are not in love. Instead, their relationship is built on friendship and respect. It makes sense for the story, but I will admit to wanting a HEA for Millie and...? ? I won't say this name either as I don't want to ruin it for anyone else!
An emotional story that is rich in story-telling history, I was lost within the story and absolutely loving every word. I honestly don't know if there were any errors as I was too engrossed. I would highly doubt it though, as the author is E.L. Tenenbaum, and I have only read the highest quality from her.
An absolute stunner of a book that I loved. Completely and utterly recommended by me.
* 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!
Told from the perspective of Millie, you find out about her childhood as the Miller's Daughter, right through to the present when she goes to Ella's coronation, and after. It is full of grand descriptions, fairy tales you may know, and situations where no one is really the winner.
I have to say I think this is the first book where the couple are not in love. Instead, their relationship is built on friendship and respect. It makes sense for the story, but I will admit to wanting a HEA for Millie and...? ? I won't say this name either as I don't want to ruin it for anyone else!
An emotional story that is rich in story-telling history, I was lost within the story and absolutely loving every word. I honestly don't know if there were any errors as I was too engrossed. I would highly doubt it though, as the author is E.L. Tenenbaum, and I have only read the highest quality from her.
An absolute stunner of a book that I loved. Completely and utterly recommended by me.
* 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!
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020) in Movies
Oct 12, 2020 (Updated Oct 12, 2020)
Starting with the positives for this one...
The three young leads are pretty likable, one of them wears a Ghost shirt at one point which was cool. Method Man plays a priest which is always going to be a good time. It has a diverse cast and deals with the issue of gentrification which you don't see often in movies.
But that was about it for me, everything else is just kind of shoddy. Although the whole cast seem to gel nicely, aside from a few moments that made me smile, none of the humour really landed.
The vampire aspect of this movie was just a bit lame. There's a lot of references to Blade, and a nod to The Lost Boys, but all that does is remind the audience that they could be watching a much better vampire film.
I appreciate that this a family friendly film, but I don't recall seeing a single drop of blood, which is weird considering the subject matter.
There aren't really any set pieces until the end, and honestly, the final showdown is woefully shit. The stakes never seem high throughout, and the twist regarding the vampire leader is telegraphed from the first moment they appear on screen.
Living in the UK, I can't comment on how well Vampires vs The Bronx represents The Bronx itself. In that regard, I've heard positive things, and the closing lines of the movie suggest that this is a film made for those who live there, which is a great thing, but it may somewhat explain why I just didn't connect with it in the way that others have.
As a commentary on several relevant social issues, it's not too bad. As a vampire film, it sucks, pun fully intended.
The three young leads are pretty likable, one of them wears a Ghost shirt at one point which was cool. Method Man plays a priest which is always going to be a good time. It has a diverse cast and deals with the issue of gentrification which you don't see often in movies.
But that was about it for me, everything else is just kind of shoddy. Although the whole cast seem to gel nicely, aside from a few moments that made me smile, none of the humour really landed.
The vampire aspect of this movie was just a bit lame. There's a lot of references to Blade, and a nod to The Lost Boys, but all that does is remind the audience that they could be watching a much better vampire film.
I appreciate that this a family friendly film, but I don't recall seeing a single drop of blood, which is weird considering the subject matter.
There aren't really any set pieces until the end, and honestly, the final showdown is woefully shit. The stakes never seem high throughout, and the twist regarding the vampire leader is telegraphed from the first moment they appear on screen.
Living in the UK, I can't comment on how well Vampires vs The Bronx represents The Bronx itself. In that regard, I've heard positive things, and the closing lines of the movie suggest that this is a film made for those who live there, which is a great thing, but it may somewhat explain why I just didn't connect with it in the way that others have.
As a commentary on several relevant social issues, it's not too bad. As a vampire film, it sucks, pun fully intended.
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Where She Went (If I Stay, #2) in Books
May 16, 2018
Another amazing piece by Gayle Forman. Instead of following the life and thoughts of Mia, as the first book did, Where She Went follows Adam and his spiraling journey after the accident, gaining fame and his struggle with the lost connection with his dreams and the love of his life. As relatable as If I Stay in the realistic emotional and physical turmoil of mental health, waning friendships, exhaustion and so much more. Three years have passed since Adam saw Mia and their connection was seemingly destroyed. A chance of fate brings the two back together for one day to face the demons that brought their relationship a halt as their lives skyrocketed away from them both. Highly recommend a read, especially if Where She Went pulled at your heart strings and kept you turning page after page, as it did to me.
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