Search
Search results
Dad Next Door (Crimson Club #5)
9.0
Rate It
Book
Moving into my first house is step one in starting my new life. Next is setting up my contracting...
Age Gap Found Family Contemporary MM Romance Series
The Lake House Massacre
Book
18-year-old Tate Robinson should focus on having a relaxing winter break with his friends. Their...
Young Adult Horror LGBTQ+ Thriller
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Star Wars: Lords of the Sith in Books
Aug 8, 2017
Contains spoilers, click to show
I've been a huge Star Wars fan since I was a kid (I can remember going to see the very first Star Wars film in the theater), but I have never read one of the novels before. By the time that I realized there were SW novels out there, there were already so many published that I didn't know where to start to get caught up on them, so I just let them slide, and continued on enjoying the movies. With the establishment of the new Lucasfilm official canon, I decided to try giving some of the new books a try, as it seemed much more manageable this way, and Lords of the Sith had recently been released, so it seemed as good a place to start as any.
The planet of Ryloth is integral to the Empire as both a source of slave labor and the substance known as "spice" (this does bug me a little bit - come up with something that a little more original that doesn't sound like you lifted it directly from Dune), but the inhabitants of Ryloth want to be free. The "Free Ryloth" movement is created for that purpose; led by Cham and Isval, the movement has simply been trying to be a thorn in the Empire's side, but when they learn that both the Emperor and Darth Vader are personally coming to the planet, they see an opportunity to assassinate them both and watch the Empire dissolve as a result.
Of course, without even reading the book, you know that the Emperor and Vader are going to survive this story since they appear in Episodes IV-VI, so it's no surprise that they do survive the attack. What makes this book interesting is seeing their relationship and how they deal with being thrust into a situation that neither were anticipating. It's also interesting seeing a book written more from the point of view of the villains that the heroes. Kemp does a great job in fleshing out all of the characters, tho; Cham, Isval, and the other freedom fighters are just as realized as the Emperor and Vader, even tho they are not the main focus of the story. However, it's the relationship between the Emperor and Vader that is the real highlight of the book; seeing their interactions throughout the book and how that relationship is tested, it the real essence of the story, and Kemp does a great job making that relationship feel real.
The only true drawback that I would have to the book is actually getting to the main action of the book. We know that the Emperor and Vader are going to be trying to survive on Ryloth (this isn't spoilers, it's the whole point of the book), but actually getting them to the planet seems to take way too long. Practically half of the book is taken up with explaining aspects of the resistance unit, getting the Emperor and Vader to the planet, and finally the battle that forces them to crash land on the planet. I just kept wanting to jump ahead to when they finally arrive on the planet, as I knew that's when the story would really start moving. Once the action finally got going, however, the book was fantastic. It was interesting to see the Emperor and Vader's relationship in Vader's early days as a Sith.
I know a lot of people are discouraged by the decision to basically do away with the previously established Extended Universe books, but if this is what the future of the Star Wars fictional universe is going to look like, I'm OK with it.
Recommended, especially for Star Wars fans!
The planet of Ryloth is integral to the Empire as both a source of slave labor and the substance known as "spice" (this does bug me a little bit - come up with something that a little more original that doesn't sound like you lifted it directly from Dune), but the inhabitants of Ryloth want to be free. The "Free Ryloth" movement is created for that purpose; led by Cham and Isval, the movement has simply been trying to be a thorn in the Empire's side, but when they learn that both the Emperor and Darth Vader are personally coming to the planet, they see an opportunity to assassinate them both and watch the Empire dissolve as a result.
Of course, without even reading the book, you know that the Emperor and Vader are going to survive this story since they appear in Episodes IV-VI, so it's no surprise that they do survive the attack. What makes this book interesting is seeing their relationship and how they deal with being thrust into a situation that neither were anticipating. It's also interesting seeing a book written more from the point of view of the villains that the heroes. Kemp does a great job in fleshing out all of the characters, tho; Cham, Isval, and the other freedom fighters are just as realized as the Emperor and Vader, even tho they are not the main focus of the story. However, it's the relationship between the Emperor and Vader that is the real highlight of the book; seeing their interactions throughout the book and how that relationship is tested, it the real essence of the story, and Kemp does a great job making that relationship feel real.
The only true drawback that I would have to the book is actually getting to the main action of the book. We know that the Emperor and Vader are going to be trying to survive on Ryloth (this isn't spoilers, it's the whole point of the book), but actually getting them to the planet seems to take way too long. Practically half of the book is taken up with explaining aspects of the resistance unit, getting the Emperor and Vader to the planet, and finally the battle that forces them to crash land on the planet. I just kept wanting to jump ahead to when they finally arrive on the planet, as I knew that's when the story would really start moving. Once the action finally got going, however, the book was fantastic. It was interesting to see the Emperor and Vader's relationship in Vader's early days as a Sith.
I know a lot of people are discouraged by the decision to basically do away with the previously established Extended Universe books, but if this is what the future of the Star Wars fictional universe is going to look like, I'm OK with it.
Recommended, especially for Star Wars fans!
MissCagey (2652 KP) rated St. Vincent (2014) in Movies
Nov 16, 2017
The description of it put me off " Vietnam vet babysits his neighbour's child" gave me visions of something like The Pacifier but this couldn't be more untrue. It's such a heartwarming story and the child actor is just brilliant. Bill Murray is a grumpy veteran with issues over gambling and drinking and is like Michael Douglas's character in Falling Down. By chance he ends up being the baby sitter for a young boy who is quiet, polite and bullied at school. The film shows their relationship and the warmth and respect growing between them. Lots of laugh out loud moments and a couple of tearful ones. Well worth a watch.
Verner Latskin (74 KP) rated Baby Driver (2017) in Movies
Jul 17, 2017
Masterfully directed (1 more)
Soundtrack
Even Wright's weaker efforts are superior to most everything else you are likely to see.
Baby Driver kind of feels like Wright was trying to prove he could do a film with less "Edgar Wright" style, which isn't a bad thing, persay. It's still better than most of the films it is clearly taking inspiration from, an manages to surprise you unlike most of those films. It's just not "Scott Pilgrim" or "World's End" good, which is another level entirely. It still shows incredible growth to make something like this, at this stage in his career. Saying it's one of his weaker efforts should in no way be construed as a slight.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Swimming Lessons in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Great series of letters let down by monotony
Claire Fuller's writing is poetic and haunting in this novel especially as we read a series of letters left by a wife who has been missing for 12 years.
The story surrounds Ingrid, and her horribly destructive relationship with her writer husband Gil. Her youngest daughter Flora has to come to terms with these revelations, after idolising her father for so long.
My only concern is while the back and forth narrative between Ingrid's letter and the present day is well laid out, the story itself becomes lacklustre and the epilogue is a little misleading leaving a question mark over her death. Good writing but plot could be more rich.
The story surrounds Ingrid, and her horribly destructive relationship with her writer husband Gil. Her youngest daughter Flora has to come to terms with these revelations, after idolising her father for so long.
My only concern is while the back and forth narrative between Ingrid's letter and the present day is well laid out, the story itself becomes lacklustre and the epilogue is a little misleading leaving a question mark over her death. Good writing but plot could be more rich.
jmercado (1 KP) rated Flight (The Crescent Chronicles, #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
So as basic as the writing was this book was pretty good. Not the best but not horrible.
The only thing that threw me off was the main character.
I'm not a big fan of characters who constantly contradict themselves. Like one minute the main character was like "I'm swearing off men and im staying away from the guys who i find attractive." and the next shes like "oh i hope hes still interested in me."
Another flaw in the books was the lack of relationship depth.
Sure you can see the connection but it really didn't play out well enough to have me root for them.
All in all this book gets 3 stars.
The only thing that threw me off was the main character.
I'm not a big fan of characters who constantly contradict themselves. Like one minute the main character was like "I'm swearing off men and im staying away from the guys who i find attractive." and the next shes like "oh i hope hes still interested in me."
Another flaw in the books was the lack of relationship depth.
Sure you can see the connection but it really didn't play out well enough to have me root for them.
All in all this book gets 3 stars.
I really enjoy Steve Harvey as a comedian, but this book just didn't do it for me. Maybe the book would have been helpful when I was still dating but now that I am in a relationship the advise seemed obvious. Even if I was still dating I think most of his advise is common knowledge on how to conduct yourself as a lady but I guess some people need help in that area. The first chapter was the most helpful for me. After that I just read to finish the book. I really wouldn't recommend this book to anyone I know,but it could be helpful to some single women out there.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated The Wall of Winnipeg and Me in Books
Mar 2, 2019
Sports romance with a slow burn
Zapata has mastered the story line that builds over significant time to create the most believable relationship. For some reason, I don't mind a slow burn when she writes it. Aiden 'the wall' wasn't immediately a likeable character but alongside Vanessa, I fell for him. Vanessa taught him what it meant to care, to be friends. This book has left me with a grin on my face and an full feeling in my heart.
This was an audio and Callie Dalton does a great job on male and female dialogue. I will definitely re-listen or read.
2017 Ebook re-read, this was as wonderful second time around.
This was an audio and Callie Dalton does a great job on male and female dialogue. I will definitely re-listen or read.
2017 Ebook re-read, this was as wonderful second time around.
I had a hate/love relationship with this book. I wasn't a fan of this book as I was reading it, but it made me want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. It kept me interested, even though I wasn't liking it. But then a funny think happened, I finished the book. I wrote reviews for it, I told other people my thoughts and then I realized that I had secretly loved it the whole time. I had to go back and take back what I had said and change my reviews. I fell in love with this book and would recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants a good, quick read.