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David McK (3692 KP) rated The Olympian Affair (The Cinder Spiers #2) in Books
Aug 26, 2024 (Updated Aug 26, 2024)
Well, that was a long wait.
Approximately 10 years (edit: 8, to be precise) since the publication of the previous full-length entry in this series (The Aeronaut's Windlass).
So it's just as well I went back and read that recently, as well as the recently-published 'interquel' short story of Warriorborn.
I *would* advise reading that short story first, since this picks up almost immediately from the end of said story: Benedict jumps at the end of the latter, AMS Predator catches him at the start of this.
That sentence will make more sense to any who have read it.
Anyway, what we have is another full-blown Steampunk novel, with war brewing between the home Spires/nations of the world in which it is set, and with some heavy hints towards the end that it is set in 'our' world, but in the far far (and largely dystopian) future - I also got a bit of a vibe of that bit in 2005's 'King Kong' film where they are on Skull Island and surrounded by giant man-eating millipedes etc (which is why, in the story, the surface world is so feared).
Let's hope I don't have to wait so long for the next instalment
Or even for a new Harry Dresden (my favourite of Butcher's works) story
(with the author even apologising for the wait for this in his authors note at the end)
Approximately 10 years (edit: 8, to be precise) since the publication of the previous full-length entry in this series (The Aeronaut's Windlass).
So it's just as well I went back and read that recently, as well as the recently-published 'interquel' short story of Warriorborn.
I *would* advise reading that short story first, since this picks up almost immediately from the end of said story: Benedict jumps at the end of the latter, AMS Predator catches him at the start of this.
That sentence will make more sense to any who have read it.
Anyway, what we have is another full-blown Steampunk novel, with war brewing between the home Spires/nations of the world in which it is set, and with some heavy hints towards the end that it is set in 'our' world, but in the far far (and largely dystopian) future - I also got a bit of a vibe of that bit in 2005's 'King Kong' film where they are on Skull Island and surrounded by giant man-eating millipedes etc (which is why, in the story, the surface world is so feared).
Let's hope I don't have to wait so long for the next instalment
Or even for a new Harry Dresden (my favourite of Butcher's works) story
(with the author even apologising for the wait for this in his authors note at the end)
Murder at Sea
10.0
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Fear naut, the next Destinations Murder collection is here: Murder at Sea. Third in this...
Merissa (13739 KP) rated The Executioner in Books
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated May 26, 2023)
This short story briefly mentions a local myth and legend about The Executioner, but apart from that, the story is mainly a second-chance romance. On a team-building weekend, something goes wrong and they end up with two dead bodies. Maddie needs to keep it together as Team Leader to assist the police, whilst also figuring out if she will forgive her ex, Nick.
This is a fast-paced story that nevertheless manages to tell the complete story and give you a hint of the mysterious too. Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this makes a perfect coffee break book. Recommended.
* 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!
Mar 8, 2016
This is a fast-paced story that nevertheless manages to tell the complete story and give you a hint of the mysterious too. Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this makes a perfect coffee break book. Recommended.
* 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!
Mar 8, 2016
Merissa (13739 KP) rated Cruising in Books
Jan 30, 2018
Cruising by Cate Ashwood
Cruising is a short book, told from dual perspectives, about best friends who are both in love with each, but completely unaware of the other one's feelings. As it is told by both Jake and Dylan, you get the whole picture about why neither of them had made a move before, whilst hoping that they make a move sooner rather than later. Both characters are well rounded, having their own foibles which just makes their cuteness even higher!
This is only a short story, but it is complete in its build up, cruise, and hopefully HEA. The writing was smooth, the pacing perfect, and there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is only a short story, but it is complete in its build up, cruise, and hopefully HEA. The writing was smooth, the pacing perfect, and there were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (13739 KP) rated Summer Fire (The Lake House, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from Jar O' Marbles in return for a fair and honest review.
This is a short contemporary romance that nevertheless manages to convey the whole build up to the romance plus the anguish that Jack has lived through. There is depth to this novella which usually is missing due to the nature of the book. Somehow, Kate Austin has managed to give you their backstory, and how their relationship developed, plus Jack's history, all in a few short pages. This made the story all the more enjoyable.
If I had one complaint, it would be that you didn't find out anything really about Kara's creepy ex-fiance and family but that isn't really relevant anyway. That's just me being nosy.
Thoroughly enjoy this novella and although this story was wrapped up exceedingly well, was left wanting more from The Lake House. Highly recommended.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is a short contemporary romance that nevertheless manages to convey the whole build up to the romance plus the anguish that Jack has lived through. There is depth to this novella which usually is missing due to the nature of the book. Somehow, Kate Austin has managed to give you their backstory, and how their relationship developed, plus Jack's history, all in a few short pages. This made the story all the more enjoyable.
If I had one complaint, it would be that you didn't find out anything really about Kara's creepy ex-fiance and family but that isn't really relevant anyway. That's just me being nosy.
Thoroughly enjoy this novella and although this story was wrapped up exceedingly well, was left wanting more from The Lake House. Highly recommended.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Die, Monster, Die! (1965) in Movies
Jul 5, 2020
Rather annoyingly not-quite-there horror movie based on an H.P. Lovecraft short story ('based on' in the sense of 'almost entirely different from'). Guy goes to see his girl in the remote English countryside, discovers surly locals, finds her father has been up to experiments into Things Which Man Was Not Meant To Know. Includes the obligatory badly-done Lovecraftian squid-monsters.
Interesting cast, and you can tell Karloff in particular is doing his best with the material, but there's an awful lot of wandering about with not much happening, especially for a film only about an hour and a quarter long. Obviously done on the cheap, and too invested in its standard Gothic tropes - creepy old mansion, spooky domestics, cursed family heritage, etc - to make the most of the potential in the short story it's supposed to be based on. All in all, less interesting than it has any right to be in the circumstances.
Interesting cast, and you can tell Karloff in particular is doing his best with the material, but there's an awful lot of wandering about with not much happening, especially for a film only about an hour and a quarter long. Obviously done on the cheap, and too invested in its standard Gothic tropes - creepy old mansion, spooky domestics, cursed family heritage, etc - to make the most of the potential in the short story it's supposed to be based on. All in all, less interesting than it has any right to be in the circumstances.
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated The Tattooist (2018) in Movies
Sep 28, 2021
The most unusual film I think I’ve ever reviewed on One Mann’s Movies, but very interesting. As horror goes, it’s short, sharp and horrific!
Positives:
Well! This should be a case study for Zack Snyder that you don’t need a film to be a bladder-busting 242 minutes in order to tell a story. At just 80 seconds long, this is a masterclass in subliminal editing.
The film is both disturbing and quirky. Is the tattooist just day-dreaming? Is what he is thinking about down in his shop’s cellar right now? Is the semi-naked girl on the table to be next? All questions and no answers are forthcoming!
It’s impressive when you think of all of the production design that had to go into making each of those subliminal shots (e.g. the still below). As in Wong’s previous short film (“The Story of 90 Coins“), the lighting and cinematography is first rate.
Negatives:
None. For what it is, it’s very impressive.
Positives:
Well! This should be a case study for Zack Snyder that you don’t need a film to be a bladder-busting 242 minutes in order to tell a story. At just 80 seconds long, this is a masterclass in subliminal editing.
The film is both disturbing and quirky. Is the tattooist just day-dreaming? Is what he is thinking about down in his shop’s cellar right now? Is the semi-naked girl on the table to be next? All questions and no answers are forthcoming!
It’s impressive when you think of all of the production design that had to go into making each of those subliminal shots (e.g. the still below). As in Wong’s previous short film (“The Story of 90 Coins“), the lighting and cinematography is first rate.
Negatives:
None. For what it is, it’s very impressive.
Intrusion (Reflections #4)
8.0
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Jess awoke to a world she doesn’t really understand, hounded by impulses that are quite literally...
Young Adult Paranormal Romance Short Story
Merissa (13739 KP) rated Love, Isidor in Books
Sep 15, 2023
LOVE, ISIDOR is a short standalone that details a second-chance romance. We join Henri after he and Isidor have been separated for a decade. He receives a letter from his old flame out of the blue and he has a decision to make.
For all this is a short story, it has everything you could ask for. Told from Henri's perspective, you still manage to hear Isidor's words in the letters he wrote. And, my word, they are so heartfelt. You find out the reason they split, and what they've been up to since, as well as catching up with them now.
This was a great story that was full of emotion and I loved every word. Absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 15, 2023
For all this is a short story, it has everything you could ask for. Told from Henri's perspective, you still manage to hear Isidor's words in the letters he wrote. And, my word, they are so heartfelt. You find out the reason they split, and what they've been up to since, as well as catching up with them now.
This was a great story that was full of emotion and I loved every word. Absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 15, 2023
His Lordship's Gift (His Lordship’s Mysteries #2.5)
8.0
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Dominick has everything he needs in life—a roof over his head, food in his belly, and the man he...
MM Historical Mystery Romance Short Story