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ArecRain (8 KP) rated Night Sins in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I read this novel after reading another title by the same author called Amber Fire. Even though both stories are shorter (<100 pages), that the writing in Night Sins felt more skilled and refined. The author said a lot with a little and set the tone for the rest of the novel within the first few pages.
There is a little blurb in the beginning describing Watchers, and it threw me off. The blurb makes the Watchers out to be more than the author made the heroine out to be. I got the feeling the Watchers were suppose to be powerful female defenders, yet right off the bat, I felt the heroine needed protecting. I am not sure if this was intentional for the purpose of adding that element to the hero and heroines dynamic.
Unlike the other novel I read, I felt that this heroine was stubborn. While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt it was the stereotypical story of a powerful male vampire protecting his intended mate. The alpha vampire and one true mate tropes really dont do it for me, but I found the novel an enjoyable quick read filled with steamy scenes. While the story was nothing new, its been awhile since I have read a vampire romance, and I liked it.
I read this novel after reading another title by the same author called Amber Fire. Even though both stories are shorter (<100 pages), that the writing in Night Sins felt more skilled and refined. The author said a lot with a little and set the tone for the rest of the novel within the first few pages.
There is a little blurb in the beginning describing Watchers, and it threw me off. The blurb makes the Watchers out to be more than the author made the heroine out to be. I got the feeling the Watchers were suppose to be powerful female defenders, yet right off the bat, I felt the heroine needed protecting. I am not sure if this was intentional for the purpose of adding that element to the hero and heroines dynamic.
Unlike the other novel I read, I felt that this heroine was stubborn. While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt it was the stereotypical story of a powerful male vampire protecting his intended mate. The alpha vampire and one true mate tropes really dont do it for me, but I found the novel an enjoyable quick read filled with steamy scenes. While the story was nothing new, its been awhile since I have read a vampire romance, and I liked it.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Anne Boleyn: A Kings Obsession (Six Tudor Queens #2) in Books
Oct 10, 2021
165 of 250
Book
Anne Boleyn:A Kings Obsession (Six Tudor Queens book 2)
By Alison Weir
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession by bestselling historian Alison Weir, author of Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen, is the second captivating novel in the Six Tudor Queens series. An unforgettable portrait of the ambitious woman whose fate we know all too well, but whose true motivations may surprise you. Essential reading for fans of Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick.
'Offers a spellbinding solution to the mystery of Anne's true nature . . . Enthralling' Sarah Gristwood
The young woman who changed the course of history.
Fresh from the palaces of Burgundy and France, Anne draws attention at the English court, embracing the play of courtly love.
But when the King commands, nothing is ever a game.
Anne has a spirit worthy of a crown - and the crown is what she seeks. At any price.
ANNE BOLEYN. The second of Henry's Queens. Her story.
History tells us why she died. This powerful novel shows her as she lived.
I absolutely love how this author writes! I was hooked from the start with this book. Anne Boleyn is one of those women who started with such good intentions but then became all dark and twisted! I have zero sympathy for how her life played out but found her story totally captivating. This is definitely a series worth reading!
Book
Anne Boleyn:A Kings Obsession (Six Tudor Queens book 2)
By Alison Weir
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession by bestselling historian Alison Weir, author of Katherine of Aragon: The True Queen, is the second captivating novel in the Six Tudor Queens series. An unforgettable portrait of the ambitious woman whose fate we know all too well, but whose true motivations may surprise you. Essential reading for fans of Philippa Gregory and Elizabeth Chadwick.
'Offers a spellbinding solution to the mystery of Anne's true nature . . . Enthralling' Sarah Gristwood
The young woman who changed the course of history.
Fresh from the palaces of Burgundy and France, Anne draws attention at the English court, embracing the play of courtly love.
But when the King commands, nothing is ever a game.
Anne has a spirit worthy of a crown - and the crown is what she seeks. At any price.
ANNE BOLEYN. The second of Henry's Queens. Her story.
History tells us why she died. This powerful novel shows her as she lived.
I absolutely love how this author writes! I was hooked from the start with this book. Anne Boleyn is one of those women who started with such good intentions but then became all dark and twisted! I have zero sympathy for how her life played out but found her story totally captivating. This is definitely a series worth reading!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Raging Heat (Nikki Heat, #6) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on NYC, Nikki is racing to solve the murder of a man who fell from a plane. Are the clues leading to a powerful politician? Or is she ignoring the true trail and the clues that her boyfriend Rook is finding?
While there are scenes and lines that fans of Castle will love, this book works well as a mystery on its own. And the arrival of Sandy, while predictably timed, does add a great new layer to the story. Some interesting character development and this book is another winner is one of the most brilliant tie in series of all time.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-raging-heat-by-richard.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While there are scenes and lines that fans of Castle will love, this book works well as a mystery on its own. And the arrival of Sandy, while predictably timed, does add a great new layer to the story. Some interesting character development and this book is another winner is one of the most brilliant tie in series of all time.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-raging-heat-by-richard.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
MrsR (11 KP) rated Broken Child in Books
Aug 16, 2018
Based on a true stort
Contains spoilers, click to show
This powerful tale takes readers on a harrowing, unforgettable journey into the nightmare of parental abuse and the darkness of mental illness. Written by a woman who endured horrendous abuse from her mother and became a split personality by the age of five, here is the story of her agonizing childhood, the conflicting personalties, and struggle back to sanity.
Marcia was a toddler when she first recalls the abuse. Her mother a devoted Hitler youth , who moved to America. Didnt love her daughter because she was half Jewish and looked so. This book is not for the weak of heart. You will be moved and emotional at how a mother can do this and the struggle Marcia faced to get to "normal" life.
Marcia was a toddler when she first recalls the abuse. Her mother a devoted Hitler youth , who moved to America. Didnt love her daughter because she was half Jewish and looked so. This book is not for the weak of heart. You will be moved and emotional at how a mother can do this and the struggle Marcia faced to get to "normal" life.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Helsingør Sewing Club [Audiobook] in Books
Feb 13, 2022
![The Helsingør Sewing Club [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/152/637f5c9d-f622-4f67-b890-951e18b0f152.jpg?m=1644757863)
Wow ... just wow!!
What an incredibly powerful story this is and one that is a must read/listen if you want to be gripped by an inspiring tale of bravery that is based on true events.
Told from diary of Inger in 1943 and her granddaughter, Cecilie in the present day, this is the story of how a community in Denmark saved their Jewish friends, neighbours and countrymen from the tyranny of the Nazi regime. Their self-less courage and strength is captured within the words of this book and although it starts off a little slowly, this helps to set the scene of what's to come.
I listened to the audiobook and have to say that Kristin Atherton did an excellent job of narrating this story; she drew me in and kept me there from start to finish.
This is a gripping story about events in Denmark during World War II and one which I wasn't aware of or appreciated so thank you to Ella Gyland for bringing this to my attention and I would certainly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this area or to anyone who just enjoys a really good book.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
What an incredibly powerful story this is and one that is a must read/listen if you want to be gripped by an inspiring tale of bravery that is based on true events.
Told from diary of Inger in 1943 and her granddaughter, Cecilie in the present day, this is the story of how a community in Denmark saved their Jewish friends, neighbours and countrymen from the tyranny of the Nazi regime. Their self-less courage and strength is captured within the words of this book and although it starts off a little slowly, this helps to set the scene of what's to come.
I listened to the audiobook and have to say that Kristin Atherton did an excellent job of narrating this story; she drew me in and kept me there from start to finish.
This is a gripping story about events in Denmark during World War II and one which I wasn't aware of or appreciated so thank you to Ella Gyland for bringing this to my attention and I would certainly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this area or to anyone who just enjoys a really good book.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Kelly (279 KP) rated The Birth of a Nation (2016) in Movies
Jan 9, 2019
Moving and powerful story
Contains spoilers, click to show
The birth of a nation tells the story of slave preacher Nat Turner, who leads an uprising on a plantation in the 1830s. The film itself is based on a true story.
The film tells a story of a personal history, which may otherwise be forgotten and serves as a stark reminder of what happens when we allow profits to prioritise over humanity. The bulk of the film concentrates on the slipping standards and increasing violence on the plantation where Nat was enslaved. Being a preacher, Nat was privy to conditions on nearby plantations, but chose to act after a series of event, which included the brutal attack of his wife and his own lashing for baptising a white man without the permission of his owner.
The acting within the film was good and believable. The plot line includes some pretty horrific scenes that demonstrates the ways in which slaves were punished. These scenes were used to serve a purpose to the story rather than forced to the audience.
Personally, I felt that the film itself focuses too much on the motivation of Nat Turners rebellion, and brushed over the events of the rebellion and Nat’s execution. However I have still scored the film highly, as I believe that it is a story that needs to be told in order to remind us of the horrific way that an entire race of people were perceived and treated during the 17 and 1800s. So many story’s of brave people have been lost, and we need to be aware of stories like that of Nat Turner in order to understand that slaves were not always complacent of their circumstance.
The film tells a story of a personal history, which may otherwise be forgotten and serves as a stark reminder of what happens when we allow profits to prioritise over humanity. The bulk of the film concentrates on the slipping standards and increasing violence on the plantation where Nat was enslaved. Being a preacher, Nat was privy to conditions on nearby plantations, but chose to act after a series of event, which included the brutal attack of his wife and his own lashing for baptising a white man without the permission of his owner.
The acting within the film was good and believable. The plot line includes some pretty horrific scenes that demonstrates the ways in which slaves were punished. These scenes were used to serve a purpose to the story rather than forced to the audience.
Personally, I felt that the film itself focuses too much on the motivation of Nat Turners rebellion, and brushed over the events of the rebellion and Nat’s execution. However I have still scored the film highly, as I believe that it is a story that needs to be told in order to remind us of the horrific way that an entire race of people were perceived and treated during the 17 and 1800s. So many story’s of brave people have been lost, and we need to be aware of stories like that of Nat Turner in order to understand that slaves were not always complacent of their circumstance.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay in Books
Sep 24, 2020
Let me begin by making a confession, I’ve always been a Harry Potter fan, and all the books are real gifts of God (in this case J.K. Rowling) to me. I personally think that not only children will enjoy this story, but grownups as well, because it has something to offer for both. After reading this delightful book I noticed, that the characters are really strong and very diverse. We have some shy ones, some sassy and sexy ones and also powerful and dominant ones. I really liked this variety of characters as it made the book interesting. This creation has very fast paced and adventurous story going on in there, which I really enjoyed as it didn’t make me bored. It is absolutely true that this story is of magic, friendship, love and good winning against evil. It’s absolutely awesome. As this book is original movie script it is very easy to read it and pages just fly past. Unfortunately, if you saw the movie there is no really need to read it, because it’s exactly the same as the book. However, if you got your hands on the book first, don’t forget to see the film and compare your vision of this book with the movie director’s.
Gisell Middleton (189 KP) rated The Furies in Books
Oct 11, 2019
This novel may be better than expected, simply due to the disservice done by comparing it to The Craft. Inevitably, one begins reading this story actively looking for likenesses and parallels with the movie which most likely masks the true plot that, in my opinion, is much more realistic and powerful than witchcraft and “friendships”. The need for adolescents to belong, especially those who feel left out or different is so strong that they often forgo their own identities and end up with a “mob mentality” of sorts which contributes to actions they may not otherwise engage in on their own. As an adult reading this novel, I had to remind myself of my own adolescence and the possibilities portrayed in this novel, every time I began to roll my eyes at the thought of people behaving this way. The “academics” depicted were a bit unnecessary for me, dragging the story into a lull more times that advisable. The slight element of the supernatural or the hint of it enhances the minutiae people will cling to in order to believe and belong. Not my favorite read but certainly more layered and real than some others.
Gail (4 KP) rated An Exaltation of Larks (Venery, #1) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
What a confusingly beautiful story. The beginning was my favorite. How the Author wrote these characters into life. The characters where given more than just another story. They were given true life. No life is perfect we have ups and downs. We just learn to navigate it better. I wasn’t a fan of how everything went down. But it was beautiful in it’s tragedy. Alex and Val have been destined for each other from the first time they didn’t let language be a problem. I loved reading their story and how they found each other after years of pushed aside affection. You add in Jav and things get really hot. I wasn’t expecting the ending but I am glad it ended the way it did. I would’ve had a hard time accepting their relationship when Jav didn’t want Val too just Alex. I see them as a packaged deal and Jav and Alex broke it. Val was amazing like I couldn’t cope with the thought of someone else loving my man. But she was so understanding and brave to try and make everyone happy. I think if they crossed that line anymore relationships would’ve been lost. Not saying it wouldn’t work just that someone would’ve been hurt and it would be Val. Love is a powerful and painful thing.
Civil Rights hero
A masterfully done historical drama,
Chadwick Boseman was absolutely the perfect person for the part of Jackie Robinson.
This film has a very real feel of the hatred and anger in the USA POST WW2.
There was a lot of ignorance and discontent at the time.
I think it is important that this is seen not just as a baseball movie but also that it carries with it to my mind an important piece of the post war civil rights movement.
Powerful and thought provoking, the writers did not shy away from the uglier parts of the racist rhetoric and presented it fully and broadly to be challenged head on.
I would reccomend this to anyone who has an interest in either baseball or civil rights or both together as it presents the telling of a story from a true American hero.
Rest in peace number 42
Chadwick Boseman was absolutely the perfect person for the part of Jackie Robinson.
This film has a very real feel of the hatred and anger in the USA POST WW2.
There was a lot of ignorance and discontent at the time.
I think it is important that this is seen not just as a baseball movie but also that it carries with it to my mind an important piece of the post war civil rights movement.
Powerful and thought provoking, the writers did not shy away from the uglier parts of the racist rhetoric and presented it fully and broadly to be challenged head on.
I would reccomend this to anyone who has an interest in either baseball or civil rights or both together as it presents the telling of a story from a true American hero.
Rest in peace number 42