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Merissa (12919 KP) rated Trusting Cade (Custos Securities #1) in Books
Aug 1, 2018
Trusting Cade (Custos Securities #1) by Luna David
Trusting Cade is the first book in the Custos Securities series, and also the first book by this author I have read.
We start off with Cade, who is feeling dissatisfied with his personal life. His best friend takes him to task, telling him he needs someone completely different from himself, and as luck would have it, fate drops someone into his lap (not literally!) Bradan is a diabetic runner and baker who is having stalking issues. His business partner is Cade's best friend's sister, so there you have the link. They have insta-lust, with promises of forever pretty much straight away. Bradan's stalker has other ideas though.
This was an easy, but long, read with no real surprises along the way. In some respects, although the storyline is full of hard issues, it was all too easy! Cade figures out who the stalker is immediately, although he isn't able to find him. As stated by other reviewers, some of the conversations are a bit stilted, and definitely don't sound like 'normal' conversations. However, as a first book, I found it to be enjoyable, and would definitely read more by this author.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
We start off with Cade, who is feeling dissatisfied with his personal life. His best friend takes him to task, telling him he needs someone completely different from himself, and as luck would have it, fate drops someone into his lap (not literally!) Bradan is a diabetic runner and baker who is having stalking issues. His business partner is Cade's best friend's sister, so there you have the link. They have insta-lust, with promises of forever pretty much straight away. Bradan's stalker has other ideas though.
This was an easy, but long, read with no real surprises along the way. In some respects, although the storyline is full of hard issues, it was all too easy! Cade figures out who the stalker is immediately, although he isn't able to find him. As stated by other reviewers, some of the conversations are a bit stilted, and definitely don't sound like 'normal' conversations. However, as a first book, I found it to be enjoyable, and would definitely read more by this author.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sarah (2 KP) rated Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald in Books
Aug 30, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
I just finished "A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald" and found the book to be okay. A friend of mine had read the book first, and then when I found out that there was a Prime television show based off of the novel, I wanted to read it. Even though the book is based off of real people, it is a work of fiction. Since the book is about F. Scott's wife Zelda, this is written from her viewpoint and there are times where you really feel badly for F. Scott's treatment of his wife. They were originally married and had a great life ahead of them, however, due to F. Scott's mismanagement of money, alcohol and Zelda does tear at your heartstrings.
What really got to me was when Zelda was put into various psychiatric hospitals and according to the Afterward was misdiagnosed and given treatments that were not necessary. What also really got to me was that Zelda had dreams and aspirations but was pigeonholed to be a wife and mother (as a result of the time period), but that's actually what made me the most upset. When she actually got to write something, it was published first under F. Scott's name and then had a shared byline. The one time that Zelda's named appeared by itself, the works were not successful.
I am now excited to watch the Prime show to see how this book is translates to television.
What really got to me was when Zelda was put into various psychiatric hospitals and according to the Afterward was misdiagnosed and given treatments that were not necessary. What also really got to me was that Zelda had dreams and aspirations but was pigeonholed to be a wife and mother (as a result of the time period), but that's actually what made me the most upset. When she actually got to write something, it was published first under F. Scott's name and then had a shared byline. The one time that Zelda's named appeared by itself, the works were not successful.
I am now excited to watch the Prime show to see how this book is translates to television.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Handbook for Mortals (Handbook for Mortals #1) in Books
Dec 3, 2018
For a first book it's not too bad. I enjoyed the book it was a fast and easy read. Mac and Tad are my favorite characters because I could see real people in them. Zade, she is still trying to find her way in the world. there's not much magick until near the end of the book. Mostly it expands on the ' normal' life Zade wants. While there is a love triangle there isn't much interaction between Zade and Jackson. There are a few typos and a bit of redundancy in the book, and yes, some times it seems almost like product placement and name dropping in some parts. However, with the name dropping they are in Vegas and she is in the business it is kinda expected. the slight product placement.... meh i could be reading too much into it So, by now you're wondering why the three stars and not say two or the more popular one. What can I say it sucked me in. I liked that the chapters where named after Tarot cards. The interaction between characters wasn't forced and I was ok that she second guessed herself as it didn't get to be whiny. For all that she couldn't stand if someone didn't like her. It is good for a fast empty headed read. I also want to see how/if the author and characters grow in the sequel.
Rachael (0 KP) rated Myths and Legends in Podcasts
Dec 6, 2018
Great adaptations (4 more)
Modern retellings and references
Long story arcs. E.g 3 episode stories
Geeky literature Easter eggs. ALL THE TIME.
Great for bedtime listening, and has disclaimers on episodes that are particularly PG rated.
Such a great show for all ages, on the go or at home.
So I absolutely adore this podcast. I feel like I've learnt so much I didn't know already about original stories and heard new ones I've definitely never heard of.
I'm a postwoman, so I spend roughly 6 hours of my day walking around outside, on my own. Finding this podcast had been a godsend. However, the adverts are a lot and I'm glad I have the option to fast forward 15 seconds to get back to the tale. I finally caught up with all the episodes without getting the membership and I do feel bad. Sorry guys, I may have to invest now that you've claimed so many hours of my life! It's taken me nearly a year to catch up and that's including your Fictional Podcast too.
I've tried to find similar podcasts but I've either found the person's voice grates on me or its not really what I'm looking for.
If you're after real, original fairytales, myths, legends (and what the differences are) you need to listen to this show.
I'm a postwoman, so I spend roughly 6 hours of my day walking around outside, on my own. Finding this podcast had been a godsend. However, the adverts are a lot and I'm glad I have the option to fast forward 15 seconds to get back to the tale. I finally caught up with all the episodes without getting the membership and I do feel bad. Sorry guys, I may have to invest now that you've claimed so many hours of my life! It's taken me nearly a year to catch up and that's including your Fictional Podcast too.
I've tried to find similar podcasts but I've either found the person's voice grates on me or its not really what I'm looking for.
If you're after real, original fairytales, myths, legends (and what the differences are) you need to listen to this show.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated The Shape-Shifter's Wife in Books
Jan 4, 2019
Every wonder if you could travel back in time? But it feels so real that do you not know. A young woman some how travel back to the California gold rush Era. Once she does, she does not know why or the reason. She seem to take her time to adjust to the time period.
She meets a young man. She finds out that she need help a family get out of the family curse. To do this they need her. She learns about Indians culture and traditions. In the process she starts to fall in love with this young man.
She deals with this while her sister is still away. When she returns to her era, she does not know if she really was with a man named Reynard. She meets an Indian medicine man and go on a trip with her soul and life.
Will she end up going back to her husband? How did she travel back to her world and still be pregnant with a child? What Shape-Shifter animal does she become? What ever happens to Joseph? Will she fulfill the reason of the family curse?
This is a great book for those that enjoy history. If you are into historical fiction or California gold rush this is the book for you. Are you into time travel. This one is filled with it. The author does a beautifully good job with telling the story though Angelica's and her sister.
She meets a young man. She finds out that she need help a family get out of the family curse. To do this they need her. She learns about Indians culture and traditions. In the process she starts to fall in love with this young man.
She deals with this while her sister is still away. When she returns to her era, she does not know if she really was with a man named Reynard. She meets an Indian medicine man and go on a trip with her soul and life.
Will she end up going back to her husband? How did she travel back to her world and still be pregnant with a child? What Shape-Shifter animal does she become? What ever happens to Joseph? Will she fulfill the reason of the family curse?
This is a great book for those that enjoy history. If you are into historical fiction or California gold rush this is the book for you. Are you into time travel. This one is filled with it. The author does a beautifully good job with telling the story though Angelica's and her sister.
natmac (13 KP) rated Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) in Movies
Oct 17, 2019 (Updated Oct 17, 2019)
The direction is perfect, George miller uses so many little techniques to elevate the action sequences (6 more)
The film looks gorgeous
All of the actors are on point
The characters are really interesting and depth full
George miller accomplishes so much without dialogue, nothing is over explained, a lot is left for you to figure out or imagine
The sound design and special effects are on point
The practical effects and real life stunts make a difference in the emersion.
Probably my favourite movie ever
The plot is very simple but the film isn't about the plot. It's about the world building, the characters and the action. I think I've seen this film close to 20 times in the 4 years that it's been out and it never fails as an enjoyable watch. A lot of people I have watched this film with have complained about it being weird, and that really frustrated me. It's set in the post apocalypse of the director's vision with an explanation behind most things that isn't given. Even elements like the door warrior don't really have logic behind them but are still very creative. It's really enjoyable to watch the relationship between max and furiosa develop over the course of the movie, in what on the surface looks like nothing more than a 2 hour car chase. I love this film and can't find anything about it that bothers me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Murder at the Mansion in Books
Nov 15, 2019
Redwood Cove Faces a Second Killer
Kelly Jackson has returned to Redwood Cove, California, ready to take on her new job as manager of one of the B&B’s in town. While it finishes up some renovations, she is helping out at a sister property, Redwood Heights. Redwood Heights has been having issue with jewelry being stolen from guest’s rooms, but things escalate when Kelly finds one of the guests murdered in that guest’s room. With the aid of the local senior citizen community watch, the Silver Sentinels, Kelly starts digging around. Can she figure out what happened?
Having grown up visiting the redwoods, I love this setting. I would love to visit in real life, between murders, of course. This book starts off strongly and never lets up, always giving us some complication or clue until Kelly pieces everything together. I didn’t have any problem remembering the characters, which is good since there are quite a few of them, but I do feel the cast could be a little better developed. I’m hoping that will come as the series continues. I also stumbled over a few editing errors. They were minor overall, fortunately. While there aren’t any recipes, there is more than enough talk about food to make your mouth water as you read the book. Overall, this is a good second in the series, and I hope to visit Kelly again soon.
Having grown up visiting the redwoods, I love this setting. I would love to visit in real life, between murders, of course. This book starts off strongly and never lets up, always giving us some complication or clue until Kelly pieces everything together. I didn’t have any problem remembering the characters, which is good since there are quite a few of them, but I do feel the cast could be a little better developed. I’m hoping that will come as the series continues. I also stumbled over a few editing errors. They were minor overall, fortunately. While there aren’t any recipes, there is more than enough talk about food to make your mouth water as you read the book. Overall, this is a good second in the series, and I hope to visit Kelly again soon.
JT (287 KP) rated Summer of 84 (2018) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
The arrival of Stranger Things has given those old enough to remember the 80s a real sense of nostalgia; a retro throwback to a time when life was relatively uncomplicated. The film cobbles together another bunch of archetypal misfits who are convinced their sleepy suburb harbours a terrifying secret – that the kind hearted cop living next door is in fact a sadistic serial killer.
Davey (Graham Verchere) is bored and in need of something to spice up his univentful summer. When he starts to suspect that Wayne Mackey (Rich Sommer) is a serial killer, he enlists the help of his friends to piece together the evidence.
It’s not long before the group think that Davey is paranoid and start to cut him off, leaving Davey’s hot neighbour, whom he has a desperate teenage crush on, as the only person who might just believe him. Summer of 84 was always going to come up short to its Stranger Things cousin, but I really enjoyed it, the synth retro soundtrack coupled with a satisfying ending made it a great watch.
It makes no excuses for being thoroughly unoriginal but instead has fun, never taking itself too seriously. Each of the boys has a reason to be outside playing amatuer detective rather than in the confines of their unhappy homes. The final epilogue will leave an unhinged sense of fear in us all and it’s an ending which doesn’t follow the normal rules.
Davey (Graham Verchere) is bored and in need of something to spice up his univentful summer. When he starts to suspect that Wayne Mackey (Rich Sommer) is a serial killer, he enlists the help of his friends to piece together the evidence.
It’s not long before the group think that Davey is paranoid and start to cut him off, leaving Davey’s hot neighbour, whom he has a desperate teenage crush on, as the only person who might just believe him. Summer of 84 was always going to come up short to its Stranger Things cousin, but I really enjoyed it, the synth retro soundtrack coupled with a satisfying ending made it a great watch.
It makes no excuses for being thoroughly unoriginal but instead has fun, never taking itself too seriously. Each of the boys has a reason to be outside playing amatuer detective rather than in the confines of their unhappy homes. The final epilogue will leave an unhinged sense of fear in us all and it’s an ending which doesn’t follow the normal rules.
Chloe (778 KP) rated The Dream Defenders in Books
Apr 14, 2020
Imaginative (3 more)
Clever
Interesting
Good concept
Further development (1 more)
Lacking characters
The title "Dream Defenders" explains the content of the book. Basically the Dream Institute works to protect dreamers through powers they have learned/been taught. Dreamers are recruited when they show a particular acumen for managing their dreams.
The concept is very clever because it is something that could happen in real life, that we are not aware of. It's a very imaginative story with some quite funny bits in places. Love the Sandman name, very clever little note.
The characters and bad guys are well thought out but could have further development e.g. Marshall seems to only like books and that's all I can really say about him. Aeryn is supposedly trained in dream weaving but shows very limited skill. The story felt rushed and I definitely think the concept could do with some embellishment.
I'm not sure whether this is young adult, I felt like it was for children perhaps a similar age to goosebumps. Ocassionally the humour felt forced and in the wrong place. There often seemed to be unnecessary words for example, one sentence states "Nolan's stomach twisted, this time not from the Wispe travel". The events of the previous sentence clearly states what caused the stomach twisting.
Just a note, I think on Page 254 the word dream stream is used when it should be death stream.
I obtained a free copy from Voracious Readers Only!
The concept is very clever because it is something that could happen in real life, that we are not aware of. It's a very imaginative story with some quite funny bits in places. Love the Sandman name, very clever little note.
The characters and bad guys are well thought out but could have further development e.g. Marshall seems to only like books and that's all I can really say about him. Aeryn is supposedly trained in dream weaving but shows very limited skill. The story felt rushed and I definitely think the concept could do with some embellishment.
I'm not sure whether this is young adult, I felt like it was for children perhaps a similar age to goosebumps. Ocassionally the humour felt forced and in the wrong place. There often seemed to be unnecessary words for example, one sentence states "Nolan's stomach twisted, this time not from the Wispe travel". The events of the previous sentence clearly states what caused the stomach twisting.
Just a note, I think on Page 254 the word dream stream is used when it should be death stream.
I obtained a free copy from Voracious Readers Only!
Defend London
Games and Entertainment
App
Defend London from the attack of Hitler in this spectacular 3D game where you can handle planes,...