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Merissa (13798 KP) rated Queen Wolf (Triad Mates #1) in Books

Oct 15, 2018  
Queen Wolf (Triad Mates #1)
Queen Wolf (Triad Mates #1)
Erin M. Leaf | 2018 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Queen Wolf (Triad Mates #1) by Erin M. Leaf
Queen Wolf is the first book in the Triad Mates series, and we start off with a boom! Quite specifically, the boom that follows something being set alight. Avery has decided to burn her ex's old porn magazines, and takes great delight in doing so. Although part of a pack, Avery doesn't feel like she belongs, for a number of reasons. However, times are a-changing for the pack, and that has a major impact on Avery and her life too.

I love Erin M. Leaf's books, and always look forward to reading them. This book was no different. We have wolves, we have a triad, and we have sneaky stuff going on that is causing trouble for them all. What could be better?

First books in a new series can always be tricky. It's hard getting the world building just right without info-dumping on the poor reader. However, this is set in 'our' world, which means the author has been able to concentrate on the pack and how it works, including the problems it now finds itself with.

I loved the world building in this book, and that, coupled with strong characters and no editing or grammatical errors, means I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait for the next book in the series. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
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Lee (2222 KP) rated Mary Queen of Scots (2018) in Movies

Jan 20, 2019  
Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
2018 | Biography, Drama, History
4
6.3 (15 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Mary (Saoirse Ronan), having lived in France where she was recently widowed, returns home to Scotland to claim her rightful place as queen. But she is not exactly welcomed with open arms in the world of men and when she also decides to set her sights on becoming successor to the crown of England, a power struggle ensues. Both at home, and with her cousin Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie).

There's not very much that I enjoyed about this movie to be honest. An important and intriguing period in history, involving two extremely interesting and strong women, this should have been so much better. It tries to cover so much ground in its two hour runtime, barely focusing on any particular element for very long. Vast numbers of characters are introduced, none of which are given enough time for you to feel any kind of interest or emotional investment in and at times it drastically shifts between varying tones with confusing editing.

What the movie does manage to portray is that all the men are complete bastards. Scheming, plotting and murdering, all for their own gains. It's sad that, aside from the murdering (I hope), not much has changed in modern politics.

Both female leads, especially Saoirse, are actually very good in this, despite everything, and probably the best scene in the movie is when they meet alone towards the end (something which didn't actually happen in real life!). Sadly though, I was fidgeting in my seat up until that point just waiting for it to end.
  
Show all 6 comments.
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Lee (2222 KP) Jan 20, 2019

@Dianne Robbins this one was definitely relying on the costumes and the beautiful Scottish countryside but I'm hoping it was just down to a bit of bad directing as the characters and their story are just so interesting, such potential. I'm not usually a fan of period dramas but I really love The Crown, that is what period drama should be like in my opinion
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Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) Jan 20, 2019

@Lee I haven't watched The Crown yet but it's on my list. I've heard wonderful things about it.
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Deborah (162 KP) rated Devil's Consort in Books

Dec 21, 2018  
Devil's Consort
Devil's Consort
Anne O'Brien | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the third book by Anne O'Brien I have read recently, and I have found her to be a very readable author - far better that the dull Gregory, if you want my opinion! All three of the novels I have read have been written in the first person, which is a narrative technique that I don't generally care for as it often feels too contrived and limits the point of view (see Philippa Gregory!). However, O'Brien, for me, has managed to pull this off and the first person narrative works for her and gives you a real empathy with her protagonists.

This was a good read and a good piece of historical Fiction, with perhaps a bit more emphasis on the Fiction element, as a few incidents I'm not convinced actually happened, or have been embroidered in the retelling. This deals with Eleanor's earlier life, from just before she becomes Queen of France to just after she becomes Queen of England. There could be a whole other book to be written on her life after the end of this book!

O'Brien made Eleanor come alive for me as a person, even if, as I have already said, I did have some reservations on historical accuracy. I think that if an historical novelist gives you a real feel for a person and makes you want to know more, then they have certainly done their job. There are some good biographies on Eleanor out there, so hopefully readers of this novel will feel inspired to seek them out.
  
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Christine A. (965 KP) rated Good Neighbors in Books

May 13, 2021  
Good Neighbors
Good Neighbors
Sarah Langan | 2021 | Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.

Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan is a difficult book to review in 200 words. There is so much I want to mention but need to limit myself. My review can be summed up in three words "read this book."

Maple Street is a perfect place to raise a family. The neighbors interact with each other as an extended family. They gather for barbeques, help each other, and look out for each other's children.

The new family is different. Arlo, a has-been rock star. Gertie, a beautiful ex-pageant queen. Julie, an intelligent preteen who curses like a sailor. Larry, an autistic boy who, along with his family, does not fit with the Maple Street image. The queen bee, Rhea, takes the family under her wing, and everyone welcomes them into the fold.

After a booze-fueled night, Rhea overshares to Gertie, which starts the Maple Street implosion.

Good Neighbors is a twisted story that takes its time to grow like the heat in summer. I recently read an ok writer cannot mess up a great plot while a great author will take a great plot and make it even better. Langan's writing and the great plot make for an excellent, well-written book.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com.