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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated 26 Below in Books

Sep 13, 2024 (Updated Sep 13, 2024)  
26 Below
26 Below
Kimberley Woodhouse | 2023 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can Darcie and Jason Stop a Villain Cold?
Darcie Phillips is thrilled to be leading the new Emergency Operations Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. On the team is Jason Myers, a cybersecurity expert. But they’ve just barely begun their jobs when a strange woman appears in town warning about something happening when the temperature drops to 26 below. Since winter is coming, that will be soon. Can Darcie and Jason figure out a way to deal with this crisis?

I was intrigued by this premise, so I decided to give this book a try. Unfortunately, I found this book uneven. There is more buildup than pay off, and some of that buildup gets swept under the rug. I did like Darci and Jason and find them compelling characters, although the rest of the team are fairly one note. This is a Christian novel, and I found that aspect refreshing and emotionally touching in ways I wasn’t expecting. I think this is more of a character study than a thriller, and I wasn’t expecting that. There are a couple of small timeline issues, made more obvious by the way each scene is headlined with date and time. But I had to laugh at how much of a cold weather wimp I am while reading how these characters felt about the weather in Alaska. I am still considering picking up the next book since I am intrigued by the threads left opened here. If you are looking for strong characters in a light thriller, you should consider picking this book up.
  
Me Before You
Me Before You
Jojo Moyes | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.3 (59 Ratings)
Book Rating
<u>Me Before You</u> is an intense story about Will Traynor, a quadriplegic who is not happy about the current status of his life; and Louisa "Lou" Clark, his caregiver, hired by Will's parents for a term of six months.

Louisa Clark had never had any caregiver experience before working with Will Traynor. She had spent the past six years of her life working in a cafe called The Buttered Bun. When the owner decides to retire to a happier place, Lou is without a job and prospects for find one are very low in the town she lives in.

Will Traynor lived his life almost opposite of Louisa. Grabbing life by the horns and trying a new adventure all the time. When Will is involved in a terrible accident that changes his life forever, nothing will stop him from making the one and only decision he is capable of handling on his own.

<u>Me Before You</u> is a story about love and the lengths we will go through to support the ones that we love. Before Will met Louisa, he spent his days inside his home or never venturing far from it for anything more than a doctor's appointment or a trip to the hospital. When Louisa entered his life, she showed him that being in a wheelchair didn't have to be the only thing that defined his life. He could still live the adventurous life he used to, just under different circumstances. Before Louisa met Will, she had never traveled far from their small town. Will showed her all that the world had to offer and that she was worthy enough and deserved to enjoy all that was out there.

This book has been the subject of controversy because of the act of assisted suicide. No one can ever understand another person's turmoil. We all know that is wrong to kill, including killing yourself. In my opinion, Will's life was immensely enriched when Louisa came into it and he had so much to live for. But I could never imagine what he went through mentally and I could never imagine wanting to kill myself.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and I look forward to finding out what happens next for Louisa Clark.
  
Never Grow Old (2019)
Never Grow Old (2019)
2019 | Action, Drama, Thriller
Under-the-Radar Good
Set in the 1800’s, when a band of unsavory men muscle their way into a small town, the town’s undertaker has to face the moral decision of reaping the benefits of their destruction or keeping his family and the town safe. It’s a lot harder of a decision than you might think which is part of the reason why I think this movie works so well. I thought I could easily decide one way or another, but by the end of it, I wasn’t so sure.

Acting: 10
I applaud Emile Hirsch for constantly taking on unique roles and stepping outside of comfort zones. In Never Grow Old, he is Pat the Irish undertaker. The role is original in and of itself, but he manages to take it and really make it his own. As Pat, he gives you that “Every Man” feel giving the sense that you would do the same types of things if put in his situation. You can feel his fear in knowing he may have to do some things he doesn’t want to do to protect his family.

Shout-out to John Cusack playing bounty hunter Dutch. He does an outstanding job of really making you hate his guts. By the end of it, you’re ready to seem him get taken out. I respected his performance because it never felt overdone or unbelievable like some actors struggle with when taking on an antagonist role. Think Thanos with a six-shooter.

Beginning: 9

Characters: 10

Cinematography/Visuals: 10

Conflict: 7

Genre: 9
This film ranks up there in terms of Westerns if nothing else but for its originality. The genre is oversaturated with revenge tales, robberies, and the peacekeeping law. This takes you in an entirely different direction. It’s filled with action, grit, but, more importantly, thought.

Memorability: 8

Pace: 6

Plot: 10

Resolution: 7
Not the ending I was hoping for, but I understand why this directional path was chosen. it was almost unavoidable. I didn’t love it, but I definitely respect it.

Overall: 86
Never Grow Old is one of those hidden gem movies you will be wanting to tell your friends to go see. If you like Westerns, hell even if you don’t, this one is extremely enjoyable and memorable. One of my favorite under-the-radar movies.