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Lady MacBethad
Lady MacBethad
Isabelle Schuler | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I studied Macbeth at school (pre-GCSE), and I don’t think I was told that it was based on a real historical figure - at least I’ve forgotten in the intervening 30-odd years. All I can remember , is that my English teacher at the time, Mr Jones, asked me to read Lady Macbeth’s part, because he thought I suited it! I’m sure I should have been more insulted than I was, but then I always thought that she had the good part…

Lady MacBethad is the story pre-Macbeth and probably closer to the truth. Shakespeare had his reasons for writing his play the way he did (keeping in with the royals and the fee-paying public, perhaps?), but it seems in reality MacBethad had more of a claim to the throne than Duncan.

This novel is of course from Lady MacBethad’s point of view - but she hasn’t got there yet. In this, she’s Gruoch, or as her grandmother says: “Groa, daughter of Boedhe, son of Coinneach, the rightful King of Alba…You will be the greatest of us all”

Gruoch is brought up in a household where her mother remembers her picti and ancient Druid heritage, but her father, Boedhe, follows the new Christian faith. Gruoch is conflicted. But she does know that she wants to be queen, and will stop at nothing to get there.

She’s so young though, and that does come across in some of her attitude, temper tantrums and opinions. She’s certainly undertaking quite some learning curve.

This was such a readable, immersive story, and I found myself backing Gruoch and wanting to actually help her (she would never have listened). I’ve no doubt this will be one of my favourite books this year - and I do wonder if there will be a sequel? I’d read it!
  
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
1994 | Horror, Mystery
Off the bat, New Nightmare is a veritable treat for fans of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Six films deep, the cold hard fact is that this series had become so far removed from what it once was, for better or for worse, and this 7th entry into the franchise provided the shake up so sorely needed. It's meta as hell, taking place in the "real world" where ANOES is just a movie. It's a fun slasher that sees the beloved series bleeding over into reality, when an evil entity begins to terrorize the actual Heather Langenkamp, posing as the ever popular Freddy Krueger.
This whole premise is just great. The dialogue can be a bit on the nose sometimes, but it's honestly forgivable, considering that Wes Craven was trying to out-Scream himself before Scream even existed. Craven himself appears alongside the likes of Robert Englund and producer Rob Shaye as themselves. Krueger himself is thankfully a scary bastard once again. This version doesn't have time for quips or shenanigans, instead opting for general terrorising and murder (a particular highlight riffs on the infamous ceiling kill from the original, but adds to it in the best way) and is probably the scariest version of Freddy since the first two movies.
The plot is clever in its way that it connects back to the original 84 story, and deserves all the credit for having the balls to take the series in a new direction. It deserves bonus points for the commitment to using practical effects

New Nightmare is a wonderful example of what a somewhat stale series should do next, and further cements just how important Wes Craven was to the genre. It's an ambitious sequel that earns it status as a fan favourite.
  
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Merissa (12632 KP) rated Prophecy of the Mayan Undead in Books

Jan 5, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)  
Prophecy of the Mayan Undead
Prophecy of the Mayan Undead
Fiona McGier | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
PROPHECY OF THE MAYAN UNDEAD is most definitely a book of two halves. I won't go over the blurb again as it explains the story quite well.

In the first half, Keisha and Yuri, along with their friends, Casimiro and Apolinar, are trying to stop a centuries-old vampire from taking over her mind and causing her to hurt innocents. You find out the whys and wherefores, mixed in with non-stop action and enough steam to melt your Kindle without taking away from the story. In the second half, although Keisha and Yuri still play a huge part, Niu Ying is a new character, along with Frank. These two also have a massive role in the forthcoming events.

I loved how it all blended together and gave me all the information I needed to understand the overall story arc. Keisha is intelligent, unashamedly so, and Yuri makes no bones about finding her mind attractive. Casimiro and Apolinar I wanted to dislike, simply because of their attitudes at the beginning. However, once they met Keisha, I couldn't help but like them and applaud their efforts to help.

The pacing was smooth, with action and love scenes mixed nicely together. The world-building was what you would expect from a paranormal/erotic/science fiction mix, and nothing stood out to me as being 'wrong'.

All in all, this was a great escape from reality and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

* 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!
Jan 5, 2021
  
The Lost and the Chosen (The Lost Sentinel, #1)
The Lost and the Chosen (The Lost Sentinel, #1)
Ivy Asher | 2018 | Paranormal
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
21 of 220
Kindle
The Lost & the chosen ( Book 1)
By Ivy Asher
⭐⭐⭐⭐

My name is Vinna, and I’ve been keeping a lot of secrets.

You would too if you'd experienced some of the weird shit I have: red-eyed monsters chasing me, markings on my body appearing out of nowhere, a strange power that crackles colorfully over my skin from time to time, and don't get me started on the weapons I can conjure up almost out of nowhere.

Lucky for me, I have yet to meet someone whose ass I couldn't kick, inside the ring or out. I put that to the test when I run headfirst into a fight that brings all my secrets, and reality as I know it, crashing down around me.

Now, I'm looking for answers and trying to piece together what the hell is going on. Paranormal is my new way of life. It's not going to be easy, and I'm not exactly welcome.

That is, until I meet the boys, and trust me, they are anything but boyish.

I'm up against elders who think I’m too powerful, a family who views me as a threat, and something lurking in the shadows that's been coming for me my whole life.

There’s not a chance in hell I’m going down without a fight. I’m not lost anymore, and I'm about to show this world exactly what I can do.


For some reason I didn’t finish this the first time round and I don’t know why! This was really good I enjoyed every minute of it! There were a few rocky patches but I really liked it. The story , the characters and setting is just different. Definitely looking forward to more.