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Ian Deakin (20 KP) rated the Xbox One version of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown in Video Games

May 4, 2019  
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
2019 | Action, Action/Adventure
Realistic controls (4 more)
Awsome story
Not to easy but not to hard
Multiplayer quick matches
Good repayable
Expert controls are a hard to get used to (2 more)
But repetitive and simlar levels to previous games
Very expensive top tier craft to unlock
Good game all over
Absolutely joy to play on normal controls easy to fly and shoot and do all missions. But on the expert controls which for me just can not get used to. Aircraft are brilliantly designed and look so like the real thing. Nice bit if scifi with the laser weapons on the later craft unlock. Unlocking the aircraft you have to think ahead to which path you want to take. As i tried to get the su57 towards the end. Playing multiplayer is good for noobs like me most of the matched dont really score much but you get a lot ofcash to unlock more craft and part quickly.

Over all a great game
  
Entangled Lives
Entangled Lives
Imran Omer | 2019
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In Entangled Lives by Imran Omer we meet orphan Raza, and his pregnant girlfriend who are forced apart when Raza is sent to Afghanistan to join the Taliban. Growing up his life was hard, and it seems it’s not getting any easier with age. As the story unfolds, reporter Rachel Brown gets first hand experience of the horrors of war, and through her point of view were are given her part of the story, and what happens when their paths cross, not just once, but twice.
My heart went out to Raza, as we see the extreme extent of the cause; a poor and vulnerable Pakistani boy fighting not only western society and their prejudices, but a tragic fate that’s controlled by money and power.
I enjoyed reading this, sometimes harrowing, tale that’s realistic and very topical for the current climate. The stark contrast between Raza’s life, and the entitled American reporter, Rachel, is portrayed well, and reveals the depth of this story with compassion and humanity.
  
HT
His to Love (Fireside, #1)
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another novel that I am not sure why I requested it. Maybe because it sounded like a bad girl good guy trope that I have been interested in lately.

I felt the couple naturally meshed well together. Their chemistry was palpable, their conversation realistic and well written. As a whole, the story was intense and well written. I wasn’t ready for such a severe, emotional read but that was what I got. While it was a powerful read, I felt like it was too emotional for me to enjoy. I tend to get caught up in stories, and they wreck me. At this time in my life (nursing school), I am not equipped to handle this.

Overall, there wasn’t a lot action in terms of fighting, shooting, or crime stuff in general. I recommend it to all the Law and Order, CSI buffs out there who are looking for a good romance.
  
The Blind Assassin
The Blind Assassin
Margaret Atwood | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Novel within a novel with great twists
Once again, literary maestro Margaret Atwood has produced another creative mega-feat. Her novel in a novel reminds me of her other work Hagseed, also exploring the theme of revenge.

However, there is very little to laugh about in this story in which narrator Iris, at the end of her life, describes the mysterious circumstances that her sister, husband and lover all died in. Younger sibling Laura is said to have been killed after her car edged off a cliff, all the while leaving the world with a controversial novel that describes a racy affair.

Iris reveals the truth about the incidents from her perspective, which means we always see Laura as child-like and naive, while her husband Richard and his sister Winifred are portrayed as cardboard villains. With that in mind, Atwood's characters are realistic because they are all just points of view from one person. Great twists in this book.
  
Key West's annual literary conference is focusing on food this year, something that excites Hayley since she is now covering food for a local magazine. However, when she finds the keynote speaker floating face down in a reflection pool, her weekend gets crowded with sleuthing as well as food.

I really did enjoy this book. The characters are great and the plot is complex enough I didn't have a clue what was happening until Hayley did. My only complaint is the relationship between Hayley and her mother, who is visiting during the book. It's realistic, but at times the way they interacted drove me crazy. I love how they grew as a result of spending the time around each other, however, so it was a great sub-plot in the end.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-death-in-four-courses-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Sarah (7799 KP) rated Red Sparrow in Books

Feb 26, 2018 (Updated Feb 26, 2018)  
Red Sparrow
Red Sparrow
Jason Matthews | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
An interesting slow burner
When I first started this book, I was unsure what to make of it as the writing style seemed a little odd. However I soon got into it and it's actually a very interesting read. It's definitely a slow burner, there isn't a massive amount of action and it takes it's time getting to the conclusion, but this isn't a bad thing.

The main characters are well developed, although I'm not sure how you're meant to feel towards them. I can't say I warmed to Dominika, but maybe that's the point? The plot itself is interesting and although there aren't any massive surprises, it's good enough to keep you reading regardless. My only criticism would be the ending, as it felt a little disappointing. It is probably a more realistic ending than what id hoped for, but sometimes fantasy is a good thing, especially in such a serious and dark novel.
  
HF
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
As usual, too much romance for my tastes--but the rest made up for it. I keep reading Sinclair's work, even though it is largely romance, because she also has good plots and does a good job with character development. Unlike many authors, each of her main characters is a well-defined individual, not "another good guy" or "another beautiful-yet-insecure woman." There was a touch of beautiful-yet-insecure in Rya Bennton (SUCH an annoying clich@eacute;!), but she got past it.

Some of the things that annoy me the most are, apparently, standard romance memes. Having relationship problems just because nobody will say, "Hey, this is what I want and need, how about you?" is fairly realistic, but I'd love to see SOMEBODY in a book who has grown past that.

Anyway, this was a worthy read, and it does stand alone, but everything will make far more sense if you read the earlier books in the same universe.
  
War and Peach (Georgia Peach Mystery, #3)
War and Peach (Georgia Peach Mystery, #3)
Susan Furlong | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really enjoyed the last book in this series, Rest in Peach, but I think War and Peach is even better. When local farmer and mayoral candidate Clem Rogers is found in the debris of his burned-down barn, everyone suspects his political rival Margie of having done away with her competition. Nola Mae is sure that the woman isn’t capable of murder, but the rest of her small town don’t seem to agree. Sure that an innocent woman is being railroaded, Nola steps in to investigate.

I love the small town feel of this series, and the realistic, down-to-earth people. They could be your neighbors rather than characters in a story, and that might be what keeps drawing me back to Cays Mill. You can jump right in with this book even if you haven’t read the first 2 in the series, but you’ll probably want to go back and catch up if you do!
  
Mask of Shadows
Mask of Shadows
Linsey Miller | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.5 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I first read the description of Mask of Shadows I knew I had to read it. It sounded absolutely fascinating and something just a little bit different than the normal Fantasy Young Adult novels on the market. The first thing that stood out to me was the gender fluid nature of the main character. It was well done. I loved the openness of this book and the fact that it wasn't highlighted too much. I loved how different Sal was and how the gender fluidity was there but more realistic in a sense.

The plot was intense and it kept my attention. I loved how it was Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones meets Selection. It was interesting to read and it had some twists and turns that had me on my toes.

Ultimately, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure.
  
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Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Perfect in Books

Jan 29, 2019  
Perfect
Perfect
Natasha Friend | 2004 | Children, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Important Middle Grade Read
I don't expect much from middle grade books, so I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Isabelle has some very real problems that can be hard for anyone to deal with, and she is trying her best to handle everything. I love that as soon as her mother finds out Isabelle is forcing herself to throw up, she sends her to group therapy. This book has a great message. Telling the readers that if they need help get it, and if they see some in there life needs help encourage them to get it. Its also very realistic. Isabelle has to got to multiple sessions, and receives some one on one counseling before she sees any improvement. My only complaint is that I wish Ashley had her own book. I didn't feel like her story was finished, and I really would like to read things from her perspective.