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This is the first book in this series that I have read and I hope that after going back and reading the others in this series, that I can enjoy this one more. That said, this was not a bad book. Ms. Newport chisels her characters well, and the backdrop of the story is vividly created. Susanna and Adam’s characters really tugged at my heart, but I just couldn’t get as deep into the story as I would have liked to have gotten. 

Something was missing. Or, perhaps, it was because I haven’t read the other books in this series and I just couldn’t fully grasp the entire setting. With that said, however, I still give this book 3.5 stars. Ms. Newport’s talent does shine through, and her characters do pull at your heart. I will be going back and reading the other books in this series then I will pick this one back up and try again. 

I do encourage you to give this book a try, if you’ve read Ms. Newports other books in the series. You may fall in love with these sweet characters quicker that I did and you may love the story line.
  
Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3)
Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3)
Leigh Bardugo | 2014 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.5 (23 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was such a great book. If you have yet to pick up this series, I highly recommend it. Leigh Bardugo does an excellent job in keeping the audience entertained throughout the series. Where there is normally a kind of slump in the second and third books in other series, there is no such thing in these novels. I am now trying to get all of my friends and family to read this series. What a great end to a great story. But, there are more stories to come out in this world. Super excited about that!!! Please READ THIS SERIES!!! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!! There will be minor spoilers ahead, so be aware.


****MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD****


There were quite a few times where I just had to put down the book because of the stuff that went down. When there were too many sad parts, which there were a ton, I was devastated, so I couldn't read on. That's why it took me about a month to finish it. (well, also because of finals and other factors, but that was a main one)
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated Top Boy - Season 3 in TV

Dec 8, 2019 (Updated Dec 8, 2019)  
Top Boy - Season 3
Top Boy - Season 3
2019 |
Great story (1 more)
Good range of characters
Back on Top
I remember the first 2 short series when they were on Channel 4, both good but they were only 4 episodes long and the second one seemed to end abruptly. They are available on Netflix with the Netflix original new series which is 10 episodes long.
It's definitely worth watching the first 2 series as many of the main characters are the same and the story does carry on from then. Although it's been 6 years since the last series.
This is a good crime drama showing how rival drug gangs from different estates are trying to out do each other. It does feel quite realistic as we see the events unfold from many different characters viewpoints. Family, friends, rivals, gang members as they all get tied up with the events that unfold. It definitely feels like a much better all round story than the first 2 series. It's quite violent in parts as you would expect. Definitely worth putting towards the Top of your list to check out. If you like films like @Kidulthood (2006) you will like this.
  
Before Jamaica Lane
Before Jamaica Lane
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I fell in love with this series several years ago now with the first book in the series On Dublin Street where we met Joss and Braden and their amazing group of friends. I have read this series out of order, having read book 4, Fall from India Place, before this one but it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, although some storylines arc through all the books.


I was really enjoying this up until the 65-70% mark before it all went to hell. Yeah, they have to have something that tears them apart or it would be a boring book, but at the same time it annoys the heck out of me. Things were going so well.

I had tears silently pouring from my eyes for a good ten minutes as I read their falling out and the obvious pain they were both in but I really wanted to smack Nate in the face a few times.

Never the less, they worked things out in the end--obviously!--and end up another great couple in this amazing series. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
  
The Reckoning (Matthew Hawkwood #6)
The Reckoning (Matthew Hawkwood #6)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I first picked up and read the first couple of entries in James McGee's Matthew Hawkwood series (that would be Ratcatcher and Resurrectionist) round about 2010 or thereabouts when I came across them in a local branch of The Works.

I enjoyed those two enough to later pick up the next three is the series (Rapscallion, Rebellion and The Blooding). Unfortunately, however, I found the series to be drifting further and further from what it originally was, finding the last of those in particular to be quite hard to get through.

So much so, in fact, that I almost completely forgot about the series as a whole, and wasn't even aware of the fact when the latest one (this) was released in 2017.

Roll forward another five years or so, and I'm not sure how, but I came across this one somewhere on Kindle. Thoguht I would give it another chance.

I'm glad to say that this is back to what I remember the earlier book sin the series being like; back set in England, back with Matthew Hawkwood being a Bow Street Runner and back to, well, being an enjoyable read rather than a slog!

Faith restored ...
  
Resolute (The Lost Fleet Outlands #2)
Resolute (The Lost Fleet Outlands #2)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Entry number 2 (of 3) in Jack Campbell's 'The Lost Fleet: Outlands' series, which itself is a follow-up to both 'The Lost Fleet' series (consisting of 6 entries) and 'The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier2 (a further five) and even 'The Lost Stars' series (a further 4).

So maybe not the best jumping-on point for any newcomers.

Although, having said that, I do feel that enough background was given.

Anyway, this still follows (as did both 'The Lost Fleet' and 'The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier') 'Black Jack' Geary, rescued and awoken from hypersleep a century after the outbreak of war between The Alliance and The Syndicate Worlds and now, having brought about an end to that war and the fall of The Syndicate Worlds (some of which are in 'The Lost Stars' series) is heading a diplomatic mission into deep space and (uninvited) into the realm of the mysterious Dancers, but who has to contend with both political and military attempts at sabotage along the way.

As before, I did enjoy the read, and am looking forward to the next - and, I believe, final - entry in the series.
  
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Sarah (7799 KP) rated The Outsider in TV

Apr 17, 2020  
The Outsider
The Outsider
2020 | Drama, Thriller
A great adaptation
I've had this series recorded on my box for quite a while, lockdown has finally allowed me time to watch it and it really is a brilliant adaptation of the King book.

It isnt an entirely accurate adaptation of the book, but it is a very good attempt. There are some changes but there are a lot of things that match the book too, and the majority of the changes aren't necessarily for the worst either. The story is a great one, not a surprise considering it's based on a King novel. It moves seamlessly from a detective crime thriller to a supernatural horror and the cinematography and soundtrack support this so well along with a decent amount of gore. It also has a fantastic cast. Ben Mendelsohn is perfect as Ralph and Cynthia Erivo is too as Holly, backed by a wonderful supporting cast.

There are some changes that I didn't appreciate as much though, some fairly small and minor nods towards the books - especially the references to Holly from the Bill Hodges trilogy series. Also I didn't appreciate the mid credits scene at the end of the final episode which appears to hint towards another series and a different ending. This series works so well as a standalone and I really dont appreciate them potentially looking at turning this into yet more series! It's also frustrating that the Bill Hodges trilogy has been turned into the Mr Mercedes series for another network, as really these 2 series should be linked with the same cast and theme.

Overall though this is a brilliant adaptation and definitely worth a watch.