Search
Search results
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Finding Fraser in Books
Feb 21, 2018
This was a fun read, even for someone who has never read any of the Outlander series.
The book alternates between chapters telling us the story, and blog posts that Emma writes as she goes along. The blog posts are short and sweet, and sometimes provide a little insight into things that have not yet been fully disclosed in the story.
I did feel that the heroine was a bit naive for 29. I often wanted to yell into the book at her, and to point out how blind she was being, or how ridiculous some of her choices were. Even so, Emma is a likable character, and I couldnt help but root for her and wish her success in her quest to find love.
NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The book alternates between chapters telling us the story, and blog posts that Emma writes as she goes along. The blog posts are short and sweet, and sometimes provide a little insight into things that have not yet been fully disclosed in the story.
I did feel that the heroine was a bit naive for 29. I often wanted to yell into the book at her, and to point out how blind she was being, or how ridiculous some of her choices were. Even so, Emma is a likable character, and I couldnt help but root for her and wish her success in her quest to find love.
NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Wonderstruck in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'll begin by saying the cover is fantastic; I couldn't stop looking at it! That being said, it's that feeling, the one that every picture has a story to tell, that is the inspiration behind the stories in this anthology. They go from "drabbles" of 100 words to short stories and novellas, and each is as unique as the author who wrote it. It's amazing how so many people can look at the same picture and yet draw a completely different tale from it, all the while bringing those thoughts and images into reality for the reader. I hope this idea will be continued into another book (or several!), using different pictures, or perhaps with each author being given an opening line and having to write a story from that. Loved it!! =)
5 stars
I'll begin by saying the cover is fantastic; I couldn't stop looking at it! That being said, it's that feeling, the one that every picture has a story to tell, that is the inspiration behind the stories in this anthology. They go from "drabbles" of 100 words to short stories and novellas, and each is as unique as the author who wrote it. It's amazing how so many people can look at the same picture and yet draw a completely different tale from it, all the while bringing those thoughts and images into reality for the reader. I hope this idea will be continued into another book (or several!), using different pictures, or perhaps with each author being given an opening line and having to write a story from that. Loved it!! =)
5 stars
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated They Both Die At The End in Books
Dec 6, 2018
Uplifting and sad
This was more uplifting than I expected and an easy story to slip into despite the dystopian slant of the contemporary setting. Both Matteo and Rufus were endearing characters in different ways with friends and family you could love on. The book takes place over a very short timeline and it takes some talent to make connections work in this context but the dystopia facilitated some of this.
I didn’t expect the culmination (outside of the obvious) to happen in the way that it did. It took me by surprise and half cheated my hopes and desires for the story. However, I felt a lot and sniffed to the end.
Great narration, I particularly liked the use of a third narrator to add in any random characters POV of which this book has rather a few. This third narrator contextualised this aspect.
I didn’t expect the culmination (outside of the obvious) to happen in the way that it did. It took me by surprise and half cheated my hopes and desires for the story. However, I felt a lot and sniffed to the end.
Great narration, I particularly liked the use of a third narrator to add in any random characters POV of which this book has rather a few. This third narrator contextualised this aspect.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Red Turtle (2016) in Movies
Jun 16, 2019 (Updated Jun 16, 2019)
Animated Belgo-Japanese allegorical fantasy is nice to look at and relaxing to watch. A man is washed up on a desert island after a storm, finds his attempts to leave are frustrated by a large crimson chelonian; after an attempt to kill the creature, he resolves to make friends, successfully bringing the turtle out of her shell (thanks, I'm here all week) - the two of them fall in love and have a family together.
As you can see, not short on the traditional 'WTF?!?!?' element of Studio Ghibli films, but it also possesses the typical virtues of being a really, really beautiful and well-told story. Maybe a touch under-powered story-wise, and it doesn't feel rushed even at only about 80 minutes long, but a finely-crafted and very pleasant film. The romance that HP Lovecraft never got around to writing.
As you can see, not short on the traditional 'WTF?!?!?' element of Studio Ghibli films, but it also possesses the typical virtues of being a really, really beautiful and well-told story. Maybe a touch under-powered story-wise, and it doesn't feel rushed even at only about 80 minutes long, but a finely-crafted and very pleasant film. The romance that HP Lovecraft never got around to writing.
The Medusa Chronicles
Alastair Reynolds and Stephen Baxter
Book
Inspired by Sir Arthur C. Clarke's short story A Meeting with Medusa, this novel, with permission...
BookInspector (124 KP) rated Alive (The Craftsman #0.5) in Books
Sep 24, 2020
I know that this short story was a teaser for Sharon Bolton’s book “Craftsman”, but I listened to it after I read the book itself, and I actually recommend doing it that way, for me, it gave different perspective towards the characters and quite a bit of confusion, to be honest.
It tells you the stories of three teenagers, Susan, Steve and Patsy, and how they vanished. And I think they were awesome. Their stories are absolutely engrossing, making “Craftsman” even more dark and sinister. I loved the way Sharon Bolton poetically describes the moon, and I loved the way she made those three stories so twisty and intriguing. It is told from multiple perspectives and really opens up these characters to the reader.
So, without spoiling it for you, if you read Craftsman by Sharon Bolton, you have to listen/ read this little story as well.
It tells you the stories of three teenagers, Susan, Steve and Patsy, and how they vanished. And I think they were awesome. Their stories are absolutely engrossing, making “Craftsman” even more dark and sinister. I loved the way Sharon Bolton poetically describes the moon, and I loved the way she made those three stories so twisty and intriguing. It is told from multiple perspectives and really opens up these characters to the reader.
So, without spoiling it for you, if you read Craftsman by Sharon Bolton, you have to listen/ read this little story as well.
Cry Your Way Home
8.0
Rate It
Book
“Once upon a time there was a monster. This is how they tell you the story starts. This is a...
TM
The Mammoth Book Of Paranormal Romance 2
7.0
Rate It
Book
Anthology of urban fantasy short stories Karen Chance story: "The Gauntlet" is our contribution...
urban fantasy
Merissa (12926 KP) rated Vampire for Christmas in Books
Apr 10, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
OK, so I know October is the wrong month to be reading about Christmas but it was next on my list ;)
This is a novella so the storyline is fast-paced and moves along swiftly. Saying that, you will still find all the information you need to be engrossed in the story of how Rafe and Shannon came to be partners and what their histories are.
This is a wonderful story that I would recommend for a rainy evening or when you are curled up in front of a fire, who knows maybe even during the build-up to the season itself! Short, sweet and sexy.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
October 8, 2016
This is a novella so the storyline is fast-paced and moves along swiftly. Saying that, you will still find all the information you need to be engrossed in the story of how Rafe and Shannon came to be partners and what their histories are.
This is a wonderful story that I would recommend for a rainy evening or when you are curled up in front of a fire, who knows maybe even during the build-up to the season itself! Short, sweet and sexy.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
October 8, 2016
Solomon Wendt (30 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
May 5, 2019
Nostalgia (1 more)
Video Games
This movie is based off of the book of the same name and matches it for most of the major plot points. In short, the story follows Wade Wilson, an egg hunter (Gunter for short), on the search for a virtual Easter egg that unlock control over the virtual reality known as The Oasis. In a scavenger hunt fashion, there are clues and trials that Wade must figure out and overcome in his attempt at such a coveted prize.
The film follows the major points of the book, but does change the clues and trials so its not the same exact story, which I feel is the purpose of film adaptations. However, as with many sci-fi films, majority of interest here is of the world that is constructed which is quickly glossed over. To be fair, how much more do we really need to than people are addicted to virtual reality and want to have more power in it? But the issue is the sort of background that is left out that can leave the soley film consumers a bit confused or leave more questions. As for the actual content of the film, it is a real nostalgia trip for those who enjoyed 80's pop culture and tries to include more recent fandoms such as Overwatch and Halo. Sadly, the viewer doesn't really take part in the treasure hunt as mystery and adventure films try to do. The clues are obscure and related to the creator of the hunt, so there isn't much guessing at what a clue means until it is flat out explained.
However, with the audience participation aside, it is a good sci-fi adventure that utilizes a good blend of motion capture technology and cgi work. It explore a good variety of worlds, environments, and character models that make this film noteworthy of that aspect of production. It leaves quite the impression and I know I looked up how much virtual reality cost after I was done.
In short, it was a good overall production in terms of tools utilized, but lacked a little bit of story in an attempt to cram a different world and rule set while trying to make a complete adventure and story arc. I recommend viewing it at least once, but doesn't really need to be viewed more than that.
The film follows the major points of the book, but does change the clues and trials so its not the same exact story, which I feel is the purpose of film adaptations. However, as with many sci-fi films, majority of interest here is of the world that is constructed which is quickly glossed over. To be fair, how much more do we really need to than people are addicted to virtual reality and want to have more power in it? But the issue is the sort of background that is left out that can leave the soley film consumers a bit confused or leave more questions. As for the actual content of the film, it is a real nostalgia trip for those who enjoyed 80's pop culture and tries to include more recent fandoms such as Overwatch and Halo. Sadly, the viewer doesn't really take part in the treasure hunt as mystery and adventure films try to do. The clues are obscure and related to the creator of the hunt, so there isn't much guessing at what a clue means until it is flat out explained.
However, with the audience participation aside, it is a good sci-fi adventure that utilizes a good blend of motion capture technology and cgi work. It explore a good variety of worlds, environments, and character models that make this film noteworthy of that aspect of production. It leaves quite the impression and I know I looked up how much virtual reality cost after I was done.
In short, it was a good overall production in terms of tools utilized, but lacked a little bit of story in an attempt to cram a different world and rule set while trying to make a complete adventure and story arc. I recommend viewing it at least once, but doesn't really need to be viewed more than that.