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Monument Valley

Games and Entertainment

8.0 (2 Ratings) Rate It

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** Apple Game of the Year 2014 ** ** Winner of Apple Design Award 2014 ** In Monument Valley you...

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Malice ( Book 1) in Books

Mar 23, 2024

56 of 220
Book
Malice ( Book 1)
By Heather Walter
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love’s kiss.

You’ve heard this before, haven’t you? The handsome prince. The happily ever after.

Utter nonsense.

Let me tell you, no one in Briar actually cares about what happens to its princesses. Not the way they care about their jewels and elaborate parties and charm-granting elixirs. I thought I didn’t care, either.

Until I met her.

Princess Aurora. The last heir to Briar’s throne. Kind. Gracious. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn’t bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Humiliated and shamed by the same nobles who pay me to bottle hexes and then brand me a monster. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though a power like mine was responsible for her curse.

But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating—and she can’t stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it’s what can lift it. Perhaps together we could forge a new world.

Nonsense again. Because we all know how this story ends, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I—

I am the villain.

This was a lot better than I expected. For a different spin on Maleficent this was pretty decent and different to what I thought it would be. You certainly fall in love with Alyce.

Kudos

Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Iron Hearted Violet in Books

Apr 27, 2018

I read a lot of fairy tails as a kid, but never have I read one this profound and unique: an ugly princess, a helpful dragon, a gifted farm-hand, a crazy story-teller, and an evil god trapped in the stones of an ever-changing castle. The language was beautiful and fluid and enchanting, the characters were all unique and special, and the plot itself had me sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time. I never wanted it to end but I was so happy with the conclusion. On top of it all, the audio-book was wonderfully read, full of character and voice, and Simon Vance nailed the personalities of the characters. I have no doubt I will re-read this book eventually, and I am adding Barnhill to my Author Watch list.

Kudos

Awix (3310 KP) rated Aladdin (2019) in Movies

Jun 12, 2019

Aladdin (2019)

2019 | Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Musical

7.2

(157 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Eye-searingly garish, largely redundant auto-cash-in on the 1992 cartoon (which, full disclosure, I've never seen) - if you don't know the plot, well, what's wrong with your parents, did they never take you to a pantomime when you were young? Cave, lamp, genie, princess - I note that Widow Twankey has been ruthlessly scythed from the story.

After a slow start it does generate some energy and entertainment value, mainly because of Will Smith's turn as the genie (Will Smith in good movie role choice shocker!), and for anyone looking for something of substance to contemplate, there is an interesting subtext about the nature of power in traditional hierarchical societies. In the end, though, it manages to take panto plotting, Broadway show tunes, MOR power-ballads, blockbuster CGI, and Bollywood dancing and produce something which still feels essentially lifeless and calculated.

Kudos

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle (The League of Princes, #2) in Books

Mar 9, 2018

When Briar Rose kidnaps Prince Liam to force their marriage, the League of Princes ride to his rescue. However, things go horribly wrong, and they find themselves on a new mission – this time for the very spoiled Briar Rose herself. But what is this princess really after?

I shouldn’t have waited so long before reading this sequel. It’s as delightful as the first one. I laughed the entire way through while enjoying how the characters continue to grow and evolve. The plot takes some nice twists along the way to a satisfying conclusion. This book also sets up some interesting possibilities for the climax of the series, and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-heros-guide-to-storming.html">Carstairs Considers</a>