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Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Tom's Inheritance in Books
May 22, 2019
King Arthur is destined to return and Tom is destined to wake him.
When the Lady of the Lake summons Tom to the Other, she tells him he has to wake King Arthur from his long sleep on Avalon.
Tom starts a journey that will change his life forever.
He finds a world where magic still exists, and mythical creatures walk among fey. And he finds that the legends he thought were myth are very real.
So are ancient enemies.
If hes to survive, he must learn to fight, and find courage he never knew he had.
Hes about to become part of a legend.
If you love magic, mystery, and Arthurian legend, youll love Toms Inheritance.
I have always enjoyed Arthurian tales but this beats the lot.
The characters are delightfully complex and intriguing, and all so different.
This is such a fun and magical adventure.
So beautifully written and descriptive.
I really, really enjoyed this story.
I am looking forward to getting started on the next book in the series Twice Born, which is about Merlin.
Can't wait to see where all the series leads.
When the Lady of the Lake summons Tom to the Other, she tells him he has to wake King Arthur from his long sleep on Avalon.
Tom starts a journey that will change his life forever.
He finds a world where magic still exists, and mythical creatures walk among fey. And he finds that the legends he thought were myth are very real.
So are ancient enemies.
If hes to survive, he must learn to fight, and find courage he never knew he had.
Hes about to become part of a legend.
If you love magic, mystery, and Arthurian legend, youll love Toms Inheritance.
I have always enjoyed Arthurian tales but this beats the lot.
The characters are delightfully complex and intriguing, and all so different.
This is such a fun and magical adventure.
So beautifully written and descriptive.
I really, really enjoyed this story.
I am looking forward to getting started on the next book in the series Twice Born, which is about Merlin.
Can't wait to see where all the series leads.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Deepwater Horizon (2016) in Movies
May 23, 2019
True-life disaster movie permits the audience to feel good about paying their respects to victims of a genuine tragedy while still having all the fun of watching tons of stuff blow up. Marky Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell and his moustache, and various other characters head off to the titular rig, where evil corporate suits in pursuit of the bottom line (boo!) force them to cut costs, imperil safety standards, and so on. Sure enough, something important eventually goes boom.
I don't mean to sound glib about events in which nearly a dozen people died, but the fact is that this is a pretty glib movie - structured like a thriller, clearly designed to entertain, and making full use of its factual basis to include stuff you just wouldn't believe in a work of fiction (one character gets an award for his safety record literally an hour before his oil rig explodes). Capably done and exciting entertainment, but at the same time you are (on some level) watching real people die - I know many people don't have an issue with that, but it makes me uncomfortable, no matter how gravely reverential the film tries to be.
I don't mean to sound glib about events in which nearly a dozen people died, but the fact is that this is a pretty glib movie - structured like a thriller, clearly designed to entertain, and making full use of its factual basis to include stuff you just wouldn't believe in a work of fiction (one character gets an award for his safety record literally an hour before his oil rig explodes). Capably done and exciting entertainment, but at the same time you are (on some level) watching real people die - I know many people don't have an issue with that, but it makes me uncomfortable, no matter how gravely reverential the film tries to be.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Death by Coffee (Bookstore Cafe Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Best friends Krissy and Vickie have moved to Pine Hills and opened a bookstore and coffee shop. They’ve even named it Death by Coffee after one of Krissy’s dad’s bestselling mystery novels. But they find themselves in a real life mystery on their first day in business when a customer buys a cup of coffee, takes it to his office across the street, and dies. Krissy will have to act fast to clear their shop of any wrong doing in the crime.
The book sounded like fun, and I really wanted to like it, but the truth it is turned out to be average. The plot was a little uneven at times, but it still advanced to a great and logical climax. The suspects were good, but most of the series regular characters were a bit flat. Krissy did some embarrassing things that made me cringe, and her cat was annoying. Here’s hoping the series gets better as it goes along.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-death-by-coffee-by-alex.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book sounded like fun, and I really wanted to like it, but the truth it is turned out to be average. The plot was a little uneven at times, but it still advanced to a great and logical climax. The suspects were good, but most of the series regular characters were a bit flat. Krissy did some embarrassing things that made me cringe, and her cat was annoying. Here’s hoping the series gets better as it goes along.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-death-by-coffee-by-alex.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated A Perfect Manhattan Murder in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Nic and Nigel Martini are back in Manhattan for the Broadway premier of their friend Patty’s play. While Nic is happy to see Patty and their mutual friend Harper, she is less enthused about seeing Harper’s husband Dan, a Broadway critic who is as boorish in real life as his reviews are harsh. The morning after the play’s premier, Dan is found dead, and the police quickly zero in on Harper as their prime suspect. Nic is certain that her friend is innocent, but can she prove it?
Once again, we are treated to a fantastically fun story. We get to know Dan and meet the suspects before he dies, which means we don’t waste any time diving into questioning suspects. I didn’t see the ending coming at all. The characters are a little on the thin side, but I don’t mind. The quips and banter flies fast here, and I was constantly laughing. This series continues to be a wonderful homage to The Thin Man.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-perfect-manhattan-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Once again, we are treated to a fantastically fun story. We get to know Dan and meet the suspects before he dies, which means we don’t waste any time diving into questioning suspects. I didn’t see the ending coming at all. The characters are a little on the thin side, but I don’t mind. The quips and banter flies fast here, and I was constantly laughing. This series continues to be a wonderful homage to The Thin Man.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-perfect-manhattan-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Things We Have in Common in Books
Jun 13, 2018
Pacing (1 more)
Plot
Main Character (1 more)
The Ending
An Okay Read
This was a book I couldn’t put down. Okay, I did put it down, but only because real life got in the way. Each page had me hooked. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
Yasmin really annoyed me though. She seemed younger than 15. In fact, she seemed more like she was 9 or 10. I couldn’t stand Yasmin. She annoyed me so much! One thing I wondered is why wasn’t she in therapy? The girl obviously has some mental issues going on. Also, the author wrote it as if she was very obese. While Yasmin is considered obese, I didn’t think she was super obese.
It was the plot that kept me hooked. I wanted to see if Alice was found and who did it. I kept reading to see if Yasmin would do the right thing.
I was not a fan of the ending though. I needed more closure.
I would recommend this book to those 14+. Even though Yasmin is really annoying, and I hated the ending, I still thought the plot was brilliantly written.
Yasmin really annoyed me though. She seemed younger than 15. In fact, she seemed more like she was 9 or 10. I couldn’t stand Yasmin. She annoyed me so much! One thing I wondered is why wasn’t she in therapy? The girl obviously has some mental issues going on. Also, the author wrote it as if she was very obese. While Yasmin is considered obese, I didn’t think she was super obese.
It was the plot that kept me hooked. I wanted to see if Alice was found and who did it. I kept reading to see if Yasmin would do the right thing.
I was not a fan of the ending though. I needed more closure.
I would recommend this book to those 14+. Even though Yasmin is really annoying, and I hated the ending, I still thought the plot was brilliantly written.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated The Girl and Her Ren in Books
Jun 18, 2018
I am a complete blubbering mess after finishing this book. After so many times of having to walk away because I couldn't read through my tears.. I made it. WOW, was this story heartbreaking and breathtakingly beautiful. One of those stories that will stay with me forever..
So much love... more than anything else I can say about this book, so. much. love. A beautiful story about true soulmates, two people born for one another and strangers that become more than family.
Pepper never sugar coats it and this story was no different. Ripping my heart out yet again. But real life happens, the ups and downs, good and bad and I couldn't help but experience every emotion right along with them. "This is how humans are supposed to exist." So true, in so many ways in this incredible story about love, loss, and perseverance.
Beautifully written, as always. An absolute emotional rollercoaster for those that are brave enough. I couldn't possibly love this Duet more.
So much love... more than anything else I can say about this book, so. much. love. A beautiful story about true soulmates, two people born for one another and strangers that become more than family.
Pepper never sugar coats it and this story was no different. Ripping my heart out yet again. But real life happens, the ups and downs, good and bad and I couldn't help but experience every emotion right along with them. "This is how humans are supposed to exist." So true, in so many ways in this incredible story about love, loss, and perseverance.
Beautifully written, as always. An absolute emotional rollercoaster for those that are brave enough. I couldn't possibly love this Duet more.
Eve (9 KP) rated One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) in Movies
Aug 26, 2018
Top notch filmery!
Ok, so where do I start? This is my favourite film and i could write about it all day! This film has every single emotion you can think about, i laughed, cried, felt angry, laughed again and cried and pretty much just fell in love with the film.
Mcmurphy is moved from prison to a psychiatric hospital as they think he is showing signs of being mad! When he gets there he starts to reveal that he is quite obviously not mad and is just a rebel!
He starts to bring life into the hospital doing some crazy things and also trying to drive the head nurse Mrs ratched crazy! They seem to have a love hate relationship. The patients who have never had any chaos in the hospital are all taking a real shine to mcmurphy and are becoming more and more chaotic which causes miss ratched to become extremely angry and nervous, she has a tightly run ship!
The actors in this film are top and do an amazing job of acting out the story, especially jack nicholson, he is just amazing and really gets you believing he is mcmurphy.
Mcmurphy is moved from prison to a psychiatric hospital as they think he is showing signs of being mad! When he gets there he starts to reveal that he is quite obviously not mad and is just a rebel!
He starts to bring life into the hospital doing some crazy things and also trying to drive the head nurse Mrs ratched crazy! They seem to have a love hate relationship. The patients who have never had any chaos in the hospital are all taking a real shine to mcmurphy and are becoming more and more chaotic which causes miss ratched to become extremely angry and nervous, she has a tightly run ship!
The actors in this film are top and do an amazing job of acting out the story, especially jack nicholson, he is just amazing and really gets you believing he is mcmurphy.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Night Circus in Books
Sep 18, 2018
Beautifully written
I read this a few years ago and really enjoyed it, and have read it again this week as I'm going to a charity ball themed around the book at the weekend and felt the need to refresh my memory.
This book is even better than I remembered. The description and detail that have gone into the writing are superb. The circus itself is the main character in this and the depth of writing is truly wonderful and magical, it really makes you feel like you're in a circus and definitely makes you wish you could visit a similar one in real life! Whilst the characters themselves take a back seat to the actual circus, they're still well written and aside from a few, are all endearing characters. The plot itself is not quite what you'd expect and I feel like the only issues with this book are the slightly lacklustre ending and the constant jump in time periods that can get a little confusing. Aside from this though, I could not put this book down. It's hugely enjoyable and entertaining, and definitely worth a read.
This book is even better than I remembered. The description and detail that have gone into the writing are superb. The circus itself is the main character in this and the depth of writing is truly wonderful and magical, it really makes you feel like you're in a circus and definitely makes you wish you could visit a similar one in real life! Whilst the characters themselves take a back seat to the actual circus, they're still well written and aside from a few, are all endearing characters. The plot itself is not quite what you'd expect and I feel like the only issues with this book are the slightly lacklustre ending and the constant jump in time periods that can get a little confusing. Aside from this though, I could not put this book down. It's hugely enjoyable and entertaining, and definitely worth a read.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated The Escape Room in Books
Nov 14, 2018
What an incredible book!!
What an incredible book!?!? I devoured this title in about 3 hours as I simply COULD NOT put it down. A new author for me, I was interested after catching that it was recommended by Lee Child and OMG am I glad I did. Megan Goldin surely has herself a new fan! I truly could not put this book down - kept me on the edge of my seat from page one!
The story takes us through Sara Hall's point of view, a recent MBA graduate a few months out of school and still looking for work. A random encounter in an elevator after the worst interview of her life leads her to her big chance to break into Wall Street Finance.
We also follow four executives participating in a required corporate team building exercise that has them trying to escape a locked elevator. When nerves start to flare and everyone ends up on edge, the real answers start to come out... secrets shared, faults uncovered and a murderer exposed.
HIGHLY recommended and I'll surely be back for more from this author!
The story takes us through Sara Hall's point of view, a recent MBA graduate a few months out of school and still looking for work. A random encounter in an elevator after the worst interview of her life leads her to her big chance to break into Wall Street Finance.
We also follow four executives participating in a required corporate team building exercise that has them trying to escape a locked elevator. When nerves start to flare and everyone ends up on edge, the real answers start to come out... secrets shared, faults uncovered and a murderer exposed.
HIGHLY recommended and I'll surely be back for more from this author!
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Stronger (2016) in Movies
Jan 29, 2019
Heartwarming
It's a little unfortunate that Stronger was released in the same year as the other Boston marathon film, Patriots Day. Whilst the films are as opposite as they can be (one set from the point of view of a cop during the event & the ensuing investigation, whilst this focuses on the life of an injured survivor), I fear that Stronger has been dwarfed by the other bigger film. Which is a shame as this is a very good film in its own right.
This is a character led film, and tells the poignant and harrowing tale of bombing survivor Jeff Bauman. Jake Gyllenhaal excels in this, like he always does when he's given a proper character based story. The rest of the cast too are great and the entire film is just very well done. It doesn't shy away from showing some of Jeff's personal struggles and really is a heartwarming story. Especially when you know there's a happy ending at the end of it. The photos and updates right at the end of the film showing the real Jeff are so uplifting.
This is a character led film, and tells the poignant and harrowing tale of bombing survivor Jeff Bauman. Jake Gyllenhaal excels in this, like he always does when he's given a proper character based story. The rest of the cast too are great and the entire film is just very well done. It doesn't shy away from showing some of Jeff's personal struggles and really is a heartwarming story. Especially when you know there's a happy ending at the end of it. The photos and updates right at the end of the film showing the real Jeff are so uplifting.