LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated American Horror Story - Season 1 in TV
Aug 29, 2019 (Updated Sep 17, 2019)
As we sat down to watch the first season (often referred to as Murder House) of this anthology style series, I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying our time with the Harmons.
The season has a suitably creepy tone throughout, and a plot line that keeps you in the dark with what happens throughout, and a pretty impressive amount of violence and horror effects.
The huge positive about this show though is obviously the ensemble cast.
Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy, and Jessica Lange in particular all carve in some really memorable parts to the overall series.
Sarah Paulson doesn't star too much in season 1, but her short time is a nice taster for the important roles she will play moving forwards.
The overall tone can be campy and hammy at times, but that balance throughout Murder House is pretty good.
We ended up watching the whole season in a couple of nights, and I'm glad that I let AHS into my viewing life đź‘Ť
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Whisper Man in Books
Aug 31, 2019 (Updated Aug 31, 2019)
In The Whisper Man, recently widowed Tom Kennedy moves to Featherbank for a fresh start. What he does not realize is the town has a dark history and, as the old saying goes, history always repeats itself. Twenty years ago, a serial killer abducted and killed people whom he lured out of their house by whispering at their windows at night. Kennedy quickly becomes too familiar with this because his son hears whispering at his window.
The Whisper Man is a dark, suspenseful thriller by Alex North. According to his bio, North is a British crime writer who has previously published under another name. This is his first book published under Alex North. Betterreading.com sums up the mystery by saying "So, who is Alex North? Time will probably tell, but in the meantime, the biggest thriller of 2019 has been written by the Whisper Man himself."
The short chapters move the story at a fast pace. I had a hard time finding an appropriate place to stop reading because each chapter ended with me wanting more. There is a supernatural element but it is not the main focus.
I am looking forward to more by Alex North, whomever he is.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/30/19.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Dead Set in TV
Aug 18, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)
It's also from the mind of Charlie Brooker - the creator of Black Mirror, and the results are pretty good.
The opening episode deals with an eviction night of the British Big Brother series, where everyone involved both on camera and behind the scenes go about their usual business.
As a virus takes hold and chaos quickly ensues, the Big Brother housemates are trapped inside the house - which happens to be pretty secure.
The way that Dead Set is shot is frantic when the action starts. It's nasty and gritty whilst keeping a British dark humour sort of charm without ever going full comedy. In fact, the series is really quite bleak throughout.
The episodes run at 20 minutes each with an extended pilot, clocking in at just over 2 hours and it managed to hold my attention throughout.
Of course, being a Charlie Brooker project, there's an underlying message - as the zombie horde surrounding the house grows and grows, even in death, the public are drawn towards trashy reality shows.
Considering Dead Set is a TV show aired on Channel 4, it's pretty impressive. Well worth checking out for anyone who enjoys horror.
Nest: The Art of Birds
Book
We tend to take birds for granted, in the landscape or in our neighbourhoods. The presence of birds...
Kill Someone
9.0
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Book
From the author of the international best seller The Stone Man, short-listed for Audible UK's Book...
crime fiction
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated The Bone Knife (Dauntless Path, #1.5) in Books
Oct 2, 2020
Synopsis
Rae knows how to look out for her family. Born with a deformed foot, she feigns indifference to the pity and insults that come her way. Wary of all things beautiful, Rae instantly distrusts their latest visitor: an appallingly attractive faerie. Further, his presence imperils the secret her sister guards. But when the local townspeople show up demanding his blood, Rae must find a way to protect both her sister’s secret and their guest. Even if that means risking herself.
My Thoughts:
Even though this prequel is only 35 pages long, I felt incredibly invested in this story. Rae is such a sweet soul, and it's no surprise that she attracted the attention of the faerie. I also loved how Rae's relationship with her sister is so strong. She will do anything to prevent people from knowing that her sister possesses magical powers.
Beautifully written with very descriptive characters, this was a lovely nice short read that made me so excited about book one - The Theft of Sunlight.
Homesick for Another World
Book
The debut short story collection by the author of Eileen, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2016....
Fiction social issues
Huntress (Angelbound Offspring #7)
10.0
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Book
Princess. Warrior. Dragon Shifter. Huntress. When it comes to protecting her family,...
Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Doctor Who - Series 2 (New Season - 2)
9.2
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TV Season
The second series of British science fiction programme Doctor Who began on 25 December 2005 with the...
Marie's Room
7.7
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Video Game Watch
Marie's Room is a short-story exploration game about an unconventional friendship between two...