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Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated A Pinky Promise in Books
Aug 19, 2022
I'm not sure how I feel about this book it seems rather rushed if I'm honest.
It's written extremely well from the Creena's point of view but it seems like it's lacking elsewhere, fair enough she gets shipwrecked but then next thing you know it's 2 years on from the accident and she knows all this stuff you don't find out how she's made her discoveries. It would have made for a more interesting read I personally think to know how she came about being able to do the things she did.
The ending is also very sudden it's almost like you're running and then smack into a wall that kind of feeling. I was ready for another chapter or an epilogue or something, not just that's it, we're done.
It's an okay read.
It's written extremely well from the Creena's point of view but it seems like it's lacking elsewhere, fair enough she gets shipwrecked but then next thing you know it's 2 years on from the accident and she knows all this stuff you don't find out how she's made her discoveries. It would have made for a more interesting read I personally think to know how she came about being able to do the things she did.
The ending is also very sudden it's almost like you're running and then smack into a wall that kind of feeling. I was ready for another chapter or an epilogue or something, not just that's it, we're done.
It's an okay read.
Kim Newman recommended The Most Dangerous Game (1932) in Movies (curated)
R.L. Stine recommended Island of Lost Souls (1933) in Movies (curated)
Debbiereadsbook (1069 KP) rated A Pinky Promise in Books
Aug 8, 2022
doesnt work for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. It's not a bad book, by any means, it just didn't float my boat, at all.
I mean, it's reasonably well written, from Creena's point of view. I found I wasn't really liking Creena though. Can't pinpoint why, however!
There are some gaps in the plot, one-minute Creena is shipwrecked, and the next, it's 2 years later. I would have liked some deeper insight to that time period: how she discovers the things she does, and what she does then. Not saying what she discovers, cos spoilers.
And the end is kinda cut off suddenly. So, there's that. An epilogue might have tied up the loose ends.
I liked the premise, it just doesn't deliver, for ME.
3 stars
**Same worded review will appear elsewhere
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. It's not a bad book, by any means, it just didn't float my boat, at all.
I mean, it's reasonably well written, from Creena's point of view. I found I wasn't really liking Creena though. Can't pinpoint why, however!
There are some gaps in the plot, one-minute Creena is shipwrecked, and the next, it's 2 years later. I would have liked some deeper insight to that time period: how she discovers the things she does, and what she does then. Not saying what she discovers, cos spoilers.
And the end is kinda cut off suddenly. So, there's that. An epilogue might have tied up the loose ends.
I liked the premise, it just doesn't deliver, for ME.
3 stars
**Same worded review will appear elsewhere
David McK (3185 KP) rated Robin Hood and the Caliph's Gold in Books
Mar 26, 2020
The 9th entry in Angus Donald's Robin Hood Outlaw series of books, although chronologically I think this is the third (set after Holy Warrior).
As such, this starts with Robin and his men trying to make their way back to England from the Holy Land, with the entire story told (as are all the others) in first person narrative, and from the point of view of Alan a Dale, the true protagonist of these stories (let's face it, Robin isn't always a very nice man...)
Shipwrecked on the way home, this sets off a series of circumstances and encounters that sees Robin and his men hatching a plan to steal the Caliph's Gold (it's all there in the title!), with many a ferocious battle and deeds of derring do throughout.
Having recently just having read one of Angus Donald's other historical works (the Blood series: last one I read was Bloods Campaign), I have to say: I think I prefer the medieval setting of these novels better, with Alan a Dale coming across as a more relatable character than Holcroft Blood.
As such, this starts with Robin and his men trying to make their way back to England from the Holy Land, with the entire story told (as are all the others) in first person narrative, and from the point of view of Alan a Dale, the true protagonist of these stories (let's face it, Robin isn't always a very nice man...)
Shipwrecked on the way home, this sets off a series of circumstances and encounters that sees Robin and his men hatching a plan to steal the Caliph's Gold (it's all there in the title!), with many a ferocious battle and deeds of derring do throughout.
Having recently just having read one of Angus Donald's other historical works (the Blood series: last one I read was Bloods Campaign), I have to say: I think I prefer the medieval setting of these novels better, with Alan a Dale coming across as a more relatable character than Holcroft Blood.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Admirable Crichton (1957) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019 (Updated Feb 23, 2019)
Well-made but somewhat odd British comedy. Status-obsessed Lord Loam (Parker) and his entourage wind up shipwrecked on a desert island; in order to survive some drastic steps have to be taken, and redoubtable butler Crichton (More) - yes, there is a Red Dwarf character named after him - rises to the occasion. Soon, the traditional hierarchy is upended But what will happen if they ever get rescued?
The Admirable Crichton seems incredibly dated nowadays, but it probably did so back in 1957 as well. Its preoccupation with the class system perhaps feels a bit quaint, but the story predicated on it is still involving - Lord Loam's daughter and Crichton fall in love, but can only be together in the class-inverted society they create on the island; there are similar subplots. It's fairly amusing in a broad sort of way, but the moments that stick with you are the ones of sadness and regret. It's hard to imagine a modern rom-com having the bravery to serve up an ending as downbeat as this one. Probably works better as a comedy-drama, to be honest; does so rather well.
The Admirable Crichton seems incredibly dated nowadays, but it probably did so back in 1957 as well. Its preoccupation with the class system perhaps feels a bit quaint, but the story predicated on it is still involving - Lord Loam's daughter and Crichton fall in love, but can only be together in the class-inverted society they create on the island; there are similar subplots. It's fairly amusing in a broad sort of way, but the moments that stick with you are the ones of sadness and regret. It's hard to imagine a modern rom-com having the bravery to serve up an ending as downbeat as this one. Probably works better as a comedy-drama, to be honest; does so rather well.
ClareR (5561 KP) rated My Name is Monster in Books
Jul 30, 2020 (Updated Jul 30, 2020)
My Name is Monster is a book that really took me by surprise. It’s far more thoughtful and gentle than a lot of other post-apocalyptic books that I’ve read before. I kept expecting something terrible to happen - but it becomes apparent that the terrible thing has already happened.
After a series of wars, both sides have unleashed a sickness that has wiped out the population, and the survivors of that have died of starvation. Monster is a survivor. She had sheltered in the Arctic Seed Vault where she had been working. When she emerges, she is alone. She takes a boat and makes for the Scottish coast. When she washes up on a beach, shipwrecked, she walks towards the only place she really wants to see - home.
She starts to build a solitary life, resigned to living alone. And then one day she finds a child. She names her Monster, and renames herself Mother.
This is a story that made me think about the role of society, and what happens to an individual when there IS no society. It also showed what it means to be a mother: that it isn’t always the ones who give birth who are the mothers. Often it can be the things that a person DOES that makes them a mother. It also shows that one doesn’t have to have lots of possessions to be content. Contentment can be achieved through work or relationships.
There was a point quite early on, where I wondered whether this was the book for me, but I’m glad that I kept on reading. It’s the little things in this book that are actually the big things: the actions of an individual and love.
This was a really enjoyable, satisfying read. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book.
After a series of wars, both sides have unleashed a sickness that has wiped out the population, and the survivors of that have died of starvation. Monster is a survivor. She had sheltered in the Arctic Seed Vault where she had been working. When she emerges, she is alone. She takes a boat and makes for the Scottish coast. When she washes up on a beach, shipwrecked, she walks towards the only place she really wants to see - home.
She starts to build a solitary life, resigned to living alone. And then one day she finds a child. She names her Monster, and renames herself Mother.
This is a story that made me think about the role of society, and what happens to an individual when there IS no society. It also showed what it means to be a mother: that it isn’t always the ones who give birth who are the mothers. Often it can be the things that a person DOES that makes them a mother. It also shows that one doesn’t have to have lots of possessions to be content. Contentment can be achieved through work or relationships.
There was a point quite early on, where I wondered whether this was the book for me, but I’m glad that I kept on reading. It’s the little things in this book that are actually the big things: the actions of an individual and love.
This was a really enjoyable, satisfying read. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book.