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Pain ( Destine Academy # 9)
Sara Snow | 2023
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
20 of 235
Kindle
Pain ( Destine Academy # 9)
By Sara Snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As Caroline mourns the death of her family, she finds herself unable to control her powers...despite her friends rallying around her, she can see that one by one, they are starting toFEAR her.After a surprise warning from Tempeste at the funeral, Caroline’s fragile trust in her father is tornapart once again as Tempeste plants her seed.When the headmistress announces the imminent attach on Destine Academy from The Entiere,Caroline realizes she can’t waste any more time.With her powers tied to the outcome, she must finally choose between Aldrick and Corbin.But will she make the right choice?

Love these little bursts of this series I do them all separately so I always have something to look forward to. This was a cliffhanger and I didn’t see it coming!
  
TG
The Grotto Under the Tree
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
(This review can be found on my blog <a href="http://themisadventuresofatwentysomething.blogspot.com/">The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl</a>).


To be honest, I really didn't know what to make of this book when I first received the tour invite in my inbox. It sounded interesting, so I thought I'd take a chance on it. Luckily, the book turned out to be likable.

Sara and Sebastian are both in 5th grade and are best friends. While in school, the learn the legend of the big, old oak tree that sits outside their classroom window. During a storm, the oak is damaged. When Sara and Sebastian are walking by the now damaged oak tree, the notice a hole that leads them into a grotto filled with beautiful and magical beings. However, there are also dangerous beings in this grotto. Little do Sara and Sebastian know that they've just got themselves into a dangerous war between these creatures underground. Will Sara and Sebastian make it back home in one piece?

I think the cover is absolutely gorgeous! I love the magical feel of this picture! The grotto under the tree on the cover is breathtaking! The cover definitely suits the book.

The title is very straight forward. The whole setting is the grotto under the tree, so I think this is a fantastic title for this book.

I thought the world building, for a middle grade novel, was done fantastically! It's so easy to get lost in this magical world thanks to the author's great descriptions! In fact, I wanted to visit this grotto under the oak tree!

The pacing was a bit slow to begin with, and I was thinking that I had made a mistake in agreeing to review this book. Luckily, without even realizing it, the pacing picked up, and I was enthralled with this story.

The book definitely has an interesting plot. I love, love, love the idea of a grotto under a tree. There's not many subplots, but I think this is because it's a middle grade novel. I was quite happy there wasn't many subplots though. The use of mystical creatures as well as a traditional figure was interesting. I even like the way the author made up his own type of mythical creatures. The best thing about the plot was the life lessons found throughout the novel.

I liked the characters. I thought they sounded like they were really sweet. I would've liked to know more about them such as what they were like when they were in their normal existence. I did like the way they looked out for each other no matter what happened. It was touching to see how they were willing to sacrifice their own life for the other's many times. It was obvious how close these two were.

The dialogue was mostly written well for a middle grade novel. However, there were some words in there that I think tweens and younger teens might struggle with. Also, there were times when the children spoke that made them seem more like high school kids rather than elementary kids. Oh, and I found it annoying how the book had to mention every time they held hands or rested their head on each other. It got a bit repetitive. Other than that, the dialogue flows really well and suits a middle grade novel! There's no swearing although there is mild violence.

Overall, The Grotto Under the Tree is a very amusing read which will transport you into a magical realm. With only a few minor issues, this is a novel that children will thoroughly enjoy.

I'd recommend this to children aged 10 - 13 who would love to be transported into a magical and mystical universe!


(I received a free ebook of this title from the tour host in exchange for a fair and honest review).
  
Terminator Genisys (2015)
Terminator Genisys (2015)
2015 | Action
The Terminator franchise has been as relentless and unstoppable as the series namesake. The first two films written and directed by James Cameron are cinematic icons and made many of the ten best lists when they were released.

The subsequent two films that lacked any input from Cameron and as such paled in comparison with the most recent, “Terminator Salvation” failing to achieve the success of the previous films in the series.

Undaunted, the series is back with “Terminator Genisys”, the first in a planned trilogy before the rights to the series revert back to James Cameron.

The new film shows parts of the final battle by the human resistance as they finally defeat the deadly Skynet system but as fans of the series know, learn that a Terminator was sent back to stop humanities savior John Connor (Jason Clarke), from being born.

As fans known, loyal soldier Kyle Reese (jai Courtney) volunteers to travel back to 1984 to save Sara Connor (Emilia Clarke) and preserve the future but upon his arrival in 1984, Reese learns that the mission he has been sent on has changed.

Someone has sent a Terminator back to protect a younger Sarah when she was a child and as such, this Sara is not the naïve waitress Reese had been expecting, rather she is a battle hardened and strong willed woman with a Terminator protector she named “Pops” played by series icon Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This is where any similarities to the original films end as what initially sets up to be moments from the first two films revisited in a new timeline quickly changes and moves to 2017 where Sara, Reese, and Pops, learn that Skynet is about to go live and accomplish the start of Judgement Day which puts the heroes in a race against time and overwhelming odds to save humanity.
This time however there are several new wrinkles to the mix as well as some epic action sequences that have been sorely missing from the series since Cameron’s departure. The 3D effects are solid but note that they are converted from a 2D source and the film was not shot with 3D cameras.

What really worked well for me was the fact that the film is very respectful to the source material and while telling a new chapter to the story does not do much to undermine the impact and the legacy of the first two films. It was reported that James Cameron himself has endorsed this film and had called it the third film in the series.
The action is solid from an epic bus chase to intense firefights across the timelines the film grabs your attention the way the best summer films do and takes you on an epic thrill ride. Action and effects aside, what really makes the film work is the cast. The characters are strong and well portrayed and mix humanity, empathy, and self-sacrifice in the manner to which the characters have been established.

Reese and Sara are strong and determined and in a twist, have a more complicated relationship in this timeline than had been previously established. Of course the star of the film is Schwarzenegger and he knows this character inside and out. From the stoic and intense action sequences to the rivalry and distrust he and Reese share which grows into a solid respect. Arnold knows what audiences want and delivers it again and again. Despite the years, he still remains the backbone of the series and it is great to see him back in form.
While some may have issues with a rebooted timeline to propel future films, there were enough great moments in the film and plenty of entertainments for me not only to recommend the film, but to say bring on the next chapter.

http://sknr.net/2015/07/01/terminator-genisys/
  
A Little Princess
A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett | 2017 | Children
9
8.5 (31 Ratings)
Book Rating
A little Princess was published in full by Charles Scribner's sons in September of 1905 after being a serialisation in St. Nicholas Magazine in 1887 and being a novella in 1888. The book was named one of the Teachers top books for children in 2007 and in 2012 was ranked 56th in the School Library Journal survey. The story follows Sara Crewe a wealthy heiress being sent off to boarding school in England. Despite being wealthy Sara isn't snobbish and rude but polite, clever and generous befriending several other students and the scullery maid Becky. Sara goes from privilege to a pauper after her fathers scheme with is friend over a diamond mine supposedly fails. After spending a few years working hard at the school she once attended Sara is found by her fathers friend and returned to privilege after finding out the diamond mines actually worked.

There are six film adaptions having been released in 1917, 1939, two in 1995 (One version being Filipino) with the most recent being a Russian film released in 1997. the most well known being the 1995 version being directed by Alfonso Cuaron. There have been seven TV shows based on A Little Princess with the 1973 and 1986 (Maureen Lipton was Miss Minchin) versions being particularly faithful to the books, the 1985, 2006 and 2009 versions were various Japanese anime and another Filipino remake happened in 2007. an episode of Veggietales in 2012 was another version of A little Princess. From 2002 to 2014 there have been several musical adaptions of a little princess as well.

Francis Eliza Hodgson Burnett was born in England on the 24th November 1849 in Cheetham, Manchester, England. When her father died in 1852 her family fell on hard times and Francis was looked after by her grandmother who fuelled her love of reading whilst her mother dealt with the family finances. The family eventually emigrated to the states in 1865 but remained somewhat poor thanks to the end of the American Civil war. Francis started writing in fever trying to help her family get out of the financial hole they were in and did so with her first story being published in the Godey's Lady's book in 1868 eventually being published regularly in its pages alongside Scribner's Monthly, Peterson's Magazine and Harper's Bazaar.

In 1872 Francis agreed to and married family friend Swan Burnett. She continued to write which supported them as they moved to Paris to allow Swan to train as an eye and ear doctor. Francis economised by making clothes for both their sons and for herself. The family returned to the US a few years later where swan managed to set up a doctoring business despite being in debt. For several years afterwards Francis wrote several short stories which were continuously published, Francis eventually turned to children's novels after a meeting with Mary Mapes Dodge the editor of children's magazine St Nicholas. In 1884 Francis set to work on Little Lord Fauntleroy which was serialised in 1885 and published in book form in 1886.

In 1887 Francis returned to England for Queen Victoria's golden jubilee which triggered yearly transatlantic trips between the US and England with her sons. She had fallen ill during this time and had spent time confined to bed, she did however managed to write both The Fortunes of Phillipa Fairfax (only published in the UK) and Sara Crewe or what happened at Miss Minchin's which was rewritten as A Little Princess. In December 1890 Francis and Swans eldest son Lionel died of consumption which spurred his mother into a depression and turn away form the Protestant faith and embrace spiritualism.

In 1898 After their youngest son Vivian finished school, Francis and Swan had divorced (though they had begun to drift apart and were living separate lives several years earlier) and two years later Francis had moved back to England and lived at Great Maytham Hall and married Stephan Townsend, which proved to be a terrible marriage and it ended in 1902. In 1907 Francis returned to the states and spent the next seventeen years in Plandome manor writing several more stories and editing for the Children's Magazine upon the insistence of her Son Vivian. Francis died on October 29th 1924 at the age of 72, she's buried in Roslyn Cemetery and her son Vivian is burred nearby having died in 1937.

I knew of the book as a child but didn't read it until I was a teenager, by then I did know of and had seen the 1995 movie directed by Alfonso Cuaron. The books theme of rising above and succeeding in the face of terrible times is a good thing to reed about. I definitely recommend the book to children and teenagers alike and I give it 9/10.
  
TM
The Master and the Muses
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
After first reading <i> Tortured</i>, I was then taken in by <i>The Master and the Muse</i>. I was immediately interested in <i>The Master and the Muse</i> because it was a historical novel about an artist back when painting was still profitable career (for some). It goes through three different women he uses for models and his relationship with them. While <i> Tortured</i> was more about the plot line than the erotica, there was no want for erotic scenes in this book. McIntyre threw me for a loop with how detailed they were, too. Here, I wasn't expecting any heat and instead, I received full on fire.

Once more, I found myself ensnared by McIntyre's expert story telling. The world and characters she created were so vivid and realistic that I found myself falling in love with the novel. With each new muse, I found myself caught up in their stories, their lives, and their emotions. I felt my heart breaking with theirs and smiling with each success. My heart was always with Grace, who I felt for the most. I would have felt more sympathetic for Helen if she wasn't so pathetic, and I couldn't even begin to like Sara who just a brat. I would feel sorry for Edward, but he was so in love with Sara, he couldn't see what a snot she was.

But Grace. How could Thomas see how perfect she was? I literally wanted to punch him for being such a chauvinistic snob that he was. In all honestly, he didn’t deserve her love for how he abandoned her the way he did. And yet, I wanted them to succeed so much that I felt his love for her was apology enough. This novel brought out the romantic in me despite how dark and depressing it really was. Every happily ever after was worth the suffering of getting there.

Definitely a must read in my opinion.
  
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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Broken Beasts (Xoe Meyers #3) in Books

Sep 13, 2020 (Updated Sep 13, 2020)  
Broken Beasts (Xoe Meyers #3)
Broken Beasts (Xoe Meyers #3)
Sara C. Roethle | 2020 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
167 of 200
Kindle
Broken Beasts ( Xoe Meyers book 3)
By Sara C. Roethle


Xoe had hoped that after the events of the last few months, things would finally slow down. No such luck. The werewolves are out for blood, and so are the vampires apparently. Let's not even get started on the problems her own friends are causing. Regardless of the danger, Xoe and her rag-tag entourage are in Moab, facing the werewolf coalition. Their final ruling will change Xoe's fate, and the fate of her friends forever.

Here's hoping that's a good thing.
I got the first 3 books in a set and I have to say I’ve really enjoyed them! They are the new Scooby gang a mismatch of supernatural friends! This one was a bit of a slow burner but still kept the story going! I’m looking forward to more demon action as you don’t get it as much as the usual vampire and werewolves! A good start to a decent series!
  
The Kept Woman (Will Trent, #8)
The Kept Woman (Will Trent, #8)
Karin Slaughter | 2016 | Mystery, Thriller
6
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is what I've been waiting for: the confrontation where Will must put on his big girl panties and make decision - finally leave Angie behind and try to build a future with Sara or run back to the only piece of his past that continues to hurt him. I'll be honest, reading from Angie's point of view gave me no sense of sympathy, at all. As a mother, I could understand her desire to help her daughter and do right by her, but each thought and decision was surrounded by so much crazy, it was difficult to empathize with her. I never liked Angie, really, and with each book, my dislike grew into hatred and, at one point, literal loathing. As far as I'm aware, The Kept Woman is the last of Will Trent's story and I do believe I'm rather satisfied with how much Will has grown, matured, and changed throughout the series. Not sure it could end on a better note than it did!
  
S(
Secrets ( Destine Academy book 3)
Sara Snow | 2022
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
105 of 230
Kindle
Secrets ( Destine Academy book 3)
By Sara Snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After narrowly escaping death and finally unlocking her key, Caroline starts to feel as if she belongs at Destine Academy

...but she discovers that she has only just scratched the surface of the secrets that hold the key to finding her family in the third volume of the intriguing new Destine Academy series.


Sixteen-year-old Caroline is just starting to understand her new reality, a reality in which she finally unlocked her key, but is NO CLOSER to finding her missing mother and brother. With her Aunt Marguerite deliberately keeping her in the dark, Caroline must take matters into her own hands to find out all she can about Tempeste Barrere and the Entiere

I’m beginning to love this series! In such short space of time The author gets so much packed in. The story is heating up and the characters are really well written.
  
C(
Changes ( Destine Academy book 5)
Sara Snow | 2022
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
150 of 230
Kindle
Changes ( Destine Academy book 5)
By Sara Snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

While Caroline comes to terms with the academy’s latest revelations, she’s quickly coming to realize the only people she can TRUST are her friends.

As they start to unravel the extent to which the headmistress—Caroline’s aunt—will go to cover up the truth, they band together to try and figure out why. With Caroline’s powers growing by the day, she struggles with her sense of self

...while also feeling torn between her complicated feelings for both Corbin and Aldrick.

As Caroline refuses to give up on the hope she will see her brother and mother again, she must listen to her friends if she’s to get to the bottom of what’s happened to them

I really like this little series it packs so much into a short space! Leaving you wanting a bit more every instalment.
  
S(
Shatter ( Destine Academy book 8)
Sara Snow | 2022
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
222 of 230
Kindle
Shatter ( Destine Academy book 😎
By Sara snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Caroline and her friends are in a race against the clock as they try to protect themselves from any insidious influence from Tempeste.Gaspar is running out of time in his plight to save his family, andMarguerite Destine, the headmistress, is becoming increasingly desperate in her bid to find Eloise.Can Caroline keep Eloise safe, or is Eloise unable to be saved?

As Caroline struggles to protect those around her, it becomes all too clear the Tempeste—and the Entiere—are coming.

...and she is out of time

This is such a good series in short bursts. I’ve said so many times how this author packs so much into a few chapters it’s like reading a full book. This has a sad undertone especially at the end we find Caroline has finally been pushed to her limits by her dad and aunt.