Ross (3284 KP) rated Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun in Books
Aug 19, 2019
It has been a number of years since I watched Pan's Labyrinth, but remember it as being a dark, twisted fairy tale set during the second world war. The book keeps that feel, we are introduced to Ofelia, a quiet bookish young girl who is moving with her mother to live with her stepfather, as he tries to break a group of Spanish rebels, ahead of the birth of her half-brother.
Ofelia sees some unusual statues and artefacts in the woods and soon meets the Faun, who sets her a mission to return to take her place as the princess of the Underground Kingdom.
There follows a brilliant mix of Ofelia's real life, the despicable exploits of Franco's army, and the fairy tale world she steps into.
This is a very short, immersive fairy tale with lots of nice side-stories that all weave into the book in some form.
No Ordinary Star
6.0
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A soldier is summoned to the North Pole, days before the year changes, told to fix the great Clock...
Through Water by Lapsley
Album
On 20th March 2020, Låpsley will release her highly-anticipated second album. Titled Through Water,...
The Body
Book
'We spend our whole lives in one body and yet most of us have practically no idea how it works and...
Super Fun Sexy Time
8.7
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Cartoonist Meredith McClaren (Hinges) tells five short, sexy stories featuring superheroes,...
Erotica Superheroes
New York: Give Me Your Best or Your Worst
Reed Farrel Coleman, Tom Straw, Elizabeth Crowens, Charles Salzberg, Randee Dawn, Barbara Krasnoff, Steven Van Patten and Triss Stein
Book
New York, NY – Writer and photographer, Elizabeth Crowens is one of 500 New York City-based...
Coffee Table Book Photography Short Stories New York
INCEPTIO (Roma Nova Thriller #1)
8.0
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“It's about Roman blood, survival and money. Mostly yours." In an alternative New York, Karen...
Thriller
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2440 KP) rated The Wrong Side of Goodbye (Harry Bosch #19) in Books
Jul 13, 2024
These cases were both intrigued, and I appreciated how the stakes kept being raised, explaining why Bosch would focus on one case at any given moment. While both stories resolved logically, I did feel like one got short changed, leaving me not completely satisfied with how that was wrapped up. Even retired, Bosch is still Bosch, mostly for better, although a couple of subplots are predictable at this point. We do get an update on his daughter, and Mickey Haller also shows up. The new characters are well drawn and help pull us in. Overall, this is a book that Bosch’s many fans will enjoy.
David McK (3632 KP) rated Batman the Killing Joke in Books
Jan 28, 2019 (Updated Sep 26, 2025)
Commonly cited as one the best Batman stories (after [b:The Dark Knight Returns|59960|Batman The Dark Knight Returns|Frank Miller|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327892039s/59960.jpg|1104159]), The Killing Joke is, in reality, an origin story.
However, rather than being the origin story of a Superhero, this takes the somewhat unusual idea of being that of a villain instead: in this case, how did the most Notorious (and deadly) of Batman's foes - The Joker - come to be how he is?
This also draws parallels between The Joker and Batman himself, depicting them each as, if you will, two sides of the same coin - both have had a very bad day, but each have reacted to it differently (or have they?).
Personally, I feel that the origins of The Joker would have been better left to mystery rather than detailed as in this story; however, that's not denying that this is a good (if short) read in its own right.
Merissa (13427 KP) rated The Botanist (The Sin Bin #2.5) in Books
Sep 16, 2017
Wyatt (Earp) Hardy is a Navy Seal, on a combined exercise with the UK. They come across a boat that shouldn't be there, and their scans reveal four bodies on-board, when there should only be one. It turns into a rescue mission, and Wyatt lays eyes on Aled for the first time. Aled has been tortured, and is in a state of shock. However, he is returned home, and Hamish and Wyatt hope that he will be okay.
He's not.
I am a long-term fan of Ms. Donovan's; she has never disappointed me with any of her stories - and trust me when I say this one is right up there! Wyatt is a giant of a man, with a heart to match. He wants to push Aled in some ways, but never bad ways. He goes above and beyond to do what he thinks will help. Aled, what a brave and courageous guy, even when he thinks he isn't. The rapport that these two have is off the charts, and I loved the pair of them.
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this was one helluva story that packs a mighty punch for being short. And that, right there, is the only problem I have with it! I NEEDED MORE!!!! I seriously wasn't ready for this book to be over. I loved every single word. There just weren't enough of them to please me ?
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely!
Do I recommend any of Dahlia Donovan's work? You betcha!
Do I want more from Aled and Wyatt? YES!!!!!!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comment here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!