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Merissa (14009 KP) rated Of Sea and Stone (Secrets of Itlantis #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2023
I won't give you a rundown of the story, you can get that from the synopsis. However, what I will say is that the author has done a simply amazing job with her characters. They are all incredibly 'life-like' and have their own temper tantrums and foibles. Aemi is real - she's not larger-than-life or superhero material. She's a girl in a hard situation that gets worse before it gets better. She has her doubts, her hopes, her fears and her dreams.
I have to say that amongst the characters you are supposed to like, there isn't one that I don't; all the characters that you are meant to dislike, I do. To be drawn into each and every character in such a way makes it wonderful for the reader. Yes, some readers might want to make their own minds up but for me, to be able to connect, like or dislike and empathise with the characters means that the author has done an amazing job of making them come alive for me.
The plot is well-written and well-paced. Questions are asked throughout the book and most of them get answered when the timing is right. There are still some questions left for the next book, By Sun and Saltwater. Aemi herself, Nol, Kit, Lyssia, Tob, Merelus, and Mella all have stories still (I hope!) to tell which I need to read.
Recommended to all Fantasy fans of any age.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
September 10, 2016
I have to say that amongst the characters you are supposed to like, there isn't one that I don't; all the characters that you are meant to dislike, I do. To be drawn into each and every character in such a way makes it wonderful for the reader. Yes, some readers might want to make their own minds up but for me, to be able to connect, like or dislike and empathise with the characters means that the author has done an amazing job of making them come alive for me.
The plot is well-written and well-paced. Questions are asked throughout the book and most of them get answered when the timing is right. There are still some questions left for the next book, By Sun and Saltwater. Aemi herself, Nol, Kit, Lyssia, Tob, Merelus, and Mella all have stories still (I hope!) to tell which I need to read.
Recommended to all Fantasy fans of any age.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
September 10, 2016
Morgan Sheppard (1010 KP) created a post
Sep 21, 2022 (Updated Sep 21, 2022)
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated The Testament of Gideon Mack in Books
May 14, 2017
Gideon meets the Devil and he's not quite what he expected
This was a really good read. The novel is written in the style of a memoir and is pretty convincing. There are layers and layers of myths and legends throughout the novel and truth and lies become so merged that the reader is left wondering about the clarity of the protagonist and the statements and evidence of the editor and journalist who represent the story. The novel explores the life of Gideon Mack, who, like his father become a minister of the Christian church. Gideon however, has no real faith in god until his accident leads him on a journey of discovery in which he claims he meets the devil.
I thought the description of the devil was excellent and the significance of the shoes has baffled me a little, however, it may be the old, 'What is it like to walk in my shoes', I am undecided. I thought the book was well written and kept me hooked until the end. Good plot, good narrative voice and convincing read.
I thought the description of the devil was excellent and the significance of the shoes has baffled me a little, however, it may be the old, 'What is it like to walk in my shoes', I am undecided. I thought the book was well written and kept me hooked until the end. Good plot, good narrative voice and convincing read.
[Last Days of Last Island] by [Bill Dixon] shows that being rich doesn't always come with common sense. In the mid 1800 in America the rich were looking for new ways to enjoy their wealth. In Louisiana the plantation owners found a beautiful island off the coast. It had great views and fishing. Also the breezes were a nice change from the temperatures inland in the South.
The catch is this "island" was little more than a large sandbar. What we know as barrier islands. This did not deter them from building it up as a resort for the well to do. What could go wrong?
There was no weather forecasting as their is today and the Gulf Coast was as prone to hurricanes then as it is now. There also was no easy escape since the only way to the island was by boat.
[Dixon] tell the tragic story of life and death on Last Island during the Hurricane of 1856. The research is well done and the narrative makes the saga of the inhabitants real in this pre Civil War natural disaster. Although he does get quite repetitive with details it was still a very informative read.
The catch is this "island" was little more than a large sandbar. What we know as barrier islands. This did not deter them from building it up as a resort for the well to do. What could go wrong?
There was no weather forecasting as their is today and the Gulf Coast was as prone to hurricanes then as it is now. There also was no easy escape since the only way to the island was by boat.
[Dixon] tell the tragic story of life and death on Last Island during the Hurricane of 1856. The research is well done and the narrative makes the saga of the inhabitants real in this pre Civil War natural disaster. Although he does get quite repetitive with details it was still a very informative read.
ClareR (6230 KP) rated Little Fires Everywhere in Books
Jan 14, 2018 (Updated Jan 14, 2018)
A slow burner
Slow to start, this book drew me in and made it very difficult to put down. It seems to be a story of opposites: the wealthy and the poor, people who live their lives as they have been 'taught' and expected to and those who live a freer life without pandering to the expectations of others. It's about growing up as a teenager, about being a parent. It's hard to judge the characters in the book, they act as they feel they should to benefit themselves, their friends or their family. This book shows you what it is to be human, to make mistakes and to live with the repercussions. I loved it. There were times where I thought I should dislike a character for their actions/ opinions, but the situation was portrayed in such a way that you could understand what they did and why they did it. This is what I really like about the two Celeste Ng books that I've read. She shows the real human side of her characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy of the book to read and review.
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy of the book to read and review.
This is such a gentle, beautifully written book, about a harrowing, terrible subject. I had seen other reviews saying how much they'd enjoyed this, however based on the synopsis, I was hesitant at first: a mother kills her six year old daughter with a hatchet. What can be poetic or lyrical about that?
The story jumps back and forth in time as it follows the lives of the mother, father, the daughters and Ann, the 'new' wife. It isn't confusing though, surprisingly. The murder isn't one of those protracted descriptions, it's more of an aside. I don't even think that it comes across as something that was done on purpose.
This book is about the repercussions of this single act and how it affects all those involved, even those who weren't there.
I was captivated. I know that seems like a big thing to say about a book, but once I got going (real life and it's distractions, eh!) the end seemed to come around all too quickly.
I would highly recommend this - but make sure you have a box of Kleenex to hand. It's achingly sad in places.
The story jumps back and forth in time as it follows the lives of the mother, father, the daughters and Ann, the 'new' wife. It isn't confusing though, surprisingly. The murder isn't one of those protracted descriptions, it's more of an aside. I don't even think that it comes across as something that was done on purpose.
This book is about the repercussions of this single act and how it affects all those involved, even those who weren't there.
I was captivated. I know that seems like a big thing to say about a book, but once I got going (real life and it's distractions, eh!) the end seemed to come around all too quickly.
I would highly recommend this - but make sure you have a box of Kleenex to hand. It's achingly sad in places.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Child's Play (1988) in Movies
Mar 21, 2019
He'll be your friend till the end
Coming from the UK the childs play films are best remembered for the real life James Bulger murders where 2 evil shits kidnapped a young boy and killed him using scenes from the films as inspiration - particularly childs play 2. It was a horrible crime and I remember when i first watched the Childs Play films i expected gore galore but in all honesty there was never really that much gore in them until Bride of Chucky. It's been years since I've watched them and with the 'remake/reboot' out soon I thought I'd revisit the original. So being the film that started it all, the original childs play is far more a suspenseful horror than a gore flick. Tension is built up as chucky stalks his prey and then dispatches them using some good old fashioned jump scares. Some of the support acting is quite wooden but Andy and his mum are really good and the always impressive Chris Sarandon is excellent. A 'classic' that holds up ok still.
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 (2570 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>.