Search
Search results
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Shadow Kiss in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This book took a much more central focus of the relationship between Rose and Dimitri, as well as Rose's own unique abilities, thanks to her bond with Lissa. This book delved more into what harnessing the elements could do in practical terms, which I have been very curious about. In some ways, I feel like Mead is holding back in terms of telling the reader all the ways that Spirit can be used, but that is writer's privilege. My favorite part of the books is always Rose's relationship with Dimitri, so much so that I feel everything that she feels, laugh when she laughs, etc. Without spoiling the ending, I can definitely say I felt just as much as she did at the end.
It is interesting to see the effect that Rose and Lissa are collectively having on the political and social structures of this world that Mead has constructed. Unwritten rules that previously were unquestioned are now being broken repeatedly - and not just by Rose. Other Moroi are trying to wield compulsion, male Dhampirs are refusing to become guardians, Moroi are learning to wield their abilities offensively and train under guardians, and so on. Lissa falls under many exceptions, being the only Dragomir, which ironically puts Rose even more in the spotlight of society and allows her to be a catalyst for change.
It is interesting to see the effect that Rose and Lissa are collectively having on the political and social structures of this world that Mead has constructed. Unwritten rules that previously were unquestioned are now being broken repeatedly - and not just by Rose. Other Moroi are trying to wield compulsion, male Dhampirs are refusing to become guardians, Moroi are learning to wield their abilities offensively and train under guardians, and so on. Lissa falls under many exceptions, being the only Dragomir, which ironically puts Rose even more in the spotlight of society and allows her to be a catalyst for change.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The Secretary in Books
Mar 15, 2019
Day after day, year after year, Christine has been there, invisiblewatching, listening, absorbing all the secrets floating around her. Keeping them safe.
Christine is trusted. But those years of loyalty and discretion come with a high price. And eventually Christina will pay.
Yet, it would be a mistake to underestimate such a steadfast woman. Because as everyone is about to discover, theres a dangerous line between obedience and obsession...
"The Secretary" is Renee Knight's second novel. This story has an explosive plot and a very surprising twist at the end.
This story revolves and explores the relationship between the employer and the employee. The author has done a fabulous job of exploring the loyalty of an employee to her employer. The story is completely gripping and I was glued to it.
The characters are completely and utterly convincing and I developed a love/hate relationship with them.
The underlying tension is apparent from the start and it just adds to the suspense going forward.
Some may call this a slow burn but I felt the pace of the story is just perfect. This is an intelligent, twisted, psychological thriller.
Very believable characters and brilliant plot! Perfect story in my opinion.
Highly Recommend!
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.
Christine is trusted. But those years of loyalty and discretion come with a high price. And eventually Christina will pay.
Yet, it would be a mistake to underestimate such a steadfast woman. Because as everyone is about to discover, theres a dangerous line between obedience and obsession...
"The Secretary" is Renee Knight's second novel. This story has an explosive plot and a very surprising twist at the end.
This story revolves and explores the relationship between the employer and the employee. The author has done a fabulous job of exploring the loyalty of an employee to her employer. The story is completely gripping and I was glued to it.
The characters are completely and utterly convincing and I developed a love/hate relationship with them.
The underlying tension is apparent from the start and it just adds to the suspense going forward.
Some may call this a slow burn but I felt the pace of the story is just perfect. This is an intelligent, twisted, psychological thriller.
Very believable characters and brilliant plot! Perfect story in my opinion.
Highly Recommend!
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Captivated by You (Crossfire, #4) in Books
Apr 9, 2019
The story of Gideon Cross and Eva Tramell continues in #4 of the Crossfire series, Captivated By You. In this edition, we find that Eva and Gideon have married, but keeping it a secret from most of the people in their lives. They both still have a lot of issues going on in their lives and they continue to fight over the same issue. Gideon desperately wants to protect Eva, no matter what and Eva wants to be able to be her own person as well as being the most important in Gideon's life. Will they both be able to make the compromises and sacrifices necessary to make their relationship work.
This book was a quick read (2 days). Sylvia Day always provides an interesting story to keep the reader from putting the book down. The scenes in this book are enough to get you hot and bothered. I'm not sure if there are going to be anymore Crossfire books, but I do want to know what is going to happen with Eva and Gideon. Will they be able to make their relationship work and have the future they both want to have with each other. Or will they continue to get in their own way and ruin what they want more than anything; each other.
This book was a quick read (2 days). Sylvia Day always provides an interesting story to keep the reader from putting the book down. The scenes in this book are enough to get you hot and bothered. I'm not sure if there are going to be anymore Crossfire books, but I do want to know what is going to happen with Eva and Gideon. Will they be able to make their relationship work and have the future they both want to have with each other. Or will they continue to get in their own way and ruin what they want more than anything; each other.
Wintersmith (3 KP) rated Hellboy (2019) in Movies
Jun 11, 2019
After seeing Hellboy my advice unfortunately is don't.
Granted, David Harbour is probably the best substitute for Ron Pearlman- he did a really great job and acrually, i can't fault the acting from any of the cast members yet somehow it ended up like a bad B movie. The shots, the editing, the story...amateur, annoying and rather crap.
They tried too hard to be funny to the point where it was boring, annoying and in places stank of desperation.
In what I can only assume was an attempt to create some affinity for the title character, there was 20mins of a truly pointless tangent that had no conclusion or explanation which had no correlation / baring / connection to the main storyline and don't even get me started on their take of the father / son relationship.
No attempt at any sort of deep relationship which leaves what are supposed to poignant / emotive scenes severely lack lustre.
Unfortunately I was highly disapointed as they actually had a really good cast with a high calibre of acting which leads me to believe that it wasn't the calibre of actors that ruined it, it was the story, the editing and the poor script.
All I can say is well done to the entire cast for managing to maintain their high level of craft in what was a very disappointing film.
Granted, David Harbour is probably the best substitute for Ron Pearlman- he did a really great job and acrually, i can't fault the acting from any of the cast members yet somehow it ended up like a bad B movie. The shots, the editing, the story...amateur, annoying and rather crap.
They tried too hard to be funny to the point where it was boring, annoying and in places stank of desperation.
In what I can only assume was an attempt to create some affinity for the title character, there was 20mins of a truly pointless tangent that had no conclusion or explanation which had no correlation / baring / connection to the main storyline and don't even get me started on their take of the father / son relationship.
No attempt at any sort of deep relationship which leaves what are supposed to poignant / emotive scenes severely lack lustre.
Unfortunately I was highly disapointed as they actually had a really good cast with a high calibre of acting which leads me to believe that it wasn't the calibre of actors that ruined it, it was the story, the editing and the poor script.
All I can say is well done to the entire cast for managing to maintain their high level of craft in what was a very disappointing film.
Kaz (232 KP) rated I Am Mother (2019) in Movies
Jun 14, 2019
A Great Sci-Fi Thriller
I watched this yesterday afternoon and I thought is was a very enjoyable sci-fi thriller.
I'm a fan of films which explore interesting ideas and have twists and turns and so 'I am Mother' ,was just my kind of film.
The acting was very good, particularly by the young actress who plays 'daughter'. At first, because the actress is younger, I thought this was going to be a stereotypical teen dystopian movie with some cheesy teen romance through in for good measure, but I was pleasantly surprised how it was more mature than that.
The interesting relationship 'daughter' has with 'Mother' was really interesting. Even though 'Mother' is a machine, the two main characters have some real emotion in their relationship. I think that might have something to do with 'Mother' voice not being metallic, but more 'human'.
This film explores thought provoking ideas, as well has having great tension and action. I also liked the twist towards the end of the film.
The only slight complaint that I had with this film, was that the ending was a tad predictable. However, I still feel that this is satisfactory.
This film is really thought provoking sci-fi film and I would definitely recommend watching it.
I'm a fan of films which explore interesting ideas and have twists and turns and so 'I am Mother' ,was just my kind of film.
The acting was very good, particularly by the young actress who plays 'daughter'. At first, because the actress is younger, I thought this was going to be a stereotypical teen dystopian movie with some cheesy teen romance through in for good measure, but I was pleasantly surprised how it was more mature than that.
The interesting relationship 'daughter' has with 'Mother' was really interesting. Even though 'Mother' is a machine, the two main characters have some real emotion in their relationship. I think that might have something to do with 'Mother' voice not being metallic, but more 'human'.
This film explores thought provoking ideas, as well has having great tension and action. I also liked the twist towards the end of the film.
The only slight complaint that I had with this film, was that the ending was a tad predictable. However, I still feel that this is satisfactory.
This film is really thought provoking sci-fi film and I would definitely recommend watching it.
Sue (5 KP) rated The Coroner in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Emily Hartford seems to be doing well for herself with a promising surgical career in Chicago and having been recently engaged to a third-year surgical resident. Her world is turned upside down when she receives a call telling her that her estranged medical examiner father has suffered a major heart attack and she must come home.
Upon arrival at her hometown of Freeport, which she fled over 12 years ago after the mysterious death of her mother, Emily is pulled into an investigation. With her ME father unable to assist, Sheriff Nick Larson (Em’s old high school flame) asks her help in finding out if the sudden unexplained death of a Senator’s teen daughter was an accident or murder.
This book is engaging with several different stories going on at once. The first story is the mystery of the Senator’s daughter who was an equestrian, good student, and all around loved individual. How and why was she killed? The second story is about the relationship between Emily and her father. They once were so close, but with the mysterious accident her mother suffered leaving her dead, daughter and father have a rocky relationship. The third story is of Emily and trying to find out what she really wants in life.
The is a true mystery-suspense drama with a very surprising ending.
Upon arrival at her hometown of Freeport, which she fled over 12 years ago after the mysterious death of her mother, Emily is pulled into an investigation. With her ME father unable to assist, Sheriff Nick Larson (Em’s old high school flame) asks her help in finding out if the sudden unexplained death of a Senator’s teen daughter was an accident or murder.
This book is engaging with several different stories going on at once. The first story is the mystery of the Senator’s daughter who was an equestrian, good student, and all around loved individual. How and why was she killed? The second story is about the relationship between Emily and her father. They once were so close, but with the mysterious accident her mother suffered leaving her dead, daughter and father have a rocky relationship. The third story is of Emily and trying to find out what she really wants in life.
The is a true mystery-suspense drama with a very surprising ending.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated The Witch In The Window (2018) in Movies
Nov 9, 2018
Performances from father and son (1 more)
Exploration of a complex relationship
Not at all scary, but actually rather enjoyable
This is a Shudder original, and I was expecting a fairly standard haunted house scenario, and the setup doesn't disappoint in this regard.
A father has bought an old country house to renovate and sell, and bring his son out with him, who was recently found looking at 'unsavoury' things on the internet which had traumatised him.
The spooky house elements are fairly predictable, and there are lots of metaphors for the house being alive, the boiler being its 'heart' etc
However, what I actually ended up enjoying was the father-son relationship as they explore the flaws in their characters and come to realise the strength they both possess.
The movie actually becomes more of an exploration of weakness, be it, curiosity, fear of loss, fear of failure, and it is quite engrossing watching the two main leads bouncing off of eachother.
The supernatural element is largely unexplained, and honestly serves little purpose other than to bring father and son closer together, and to provide the grounding for a bittersweet ending.
This is a surprisingly good movie, but not at all what I thought I was in for when I started it up!
A father has bought an old country house to renovate and sell, and bring his son out with him, who was recently found looking at 'unsavoury' things on the internet which had traumatised him.
The spooky house elements are fairly predictable, and there are lots of metaphors for the house being alive, the boiler being its 'heart' etc
However, what I actually ended up enjoying was the father-son relationship as they explore the flaws in their characters and come to realise the strength they both possess.
The movie actually becomes more of an exploration of weakness, be it, curiosity, fear of loss, fear of failure, and it is quite engrossing watching the two main leads bouncing off of eachother.
The supernatural element is largely unexplained, and honestly serves little purpose other than to bring father and son closer together, and to provide the grounding for a bittersweet ending.
This is a surprisingly good movie, but not at all what I thought I was in for when I started it up!
Where the Past Begins: A Writer's Memoir
Book
From New York Times bestselling author Amy Tan, a memoir on her life as a writer, her childhood and...
Confessions of a Fashionista
8.0
Rate It
Book
The incredibly popular Daily Mail column, "Confessions of a Fashionista", feeds its hungry readers...
Frances: The Tragic Bride
Book
She was young, very beautiful and had everything to live for - but the life of Frances Shea, briefly...