Search
Search results
ClareR (5996 KP) rated The Final Strife in Books
Sep 13, 2025
The Final Strife was a High Fantasy novel that I couldn’t put down!
The main character, a Chosen One, misses out on her calling because of a drug addiction. There’s also great deprivation because of the social hierarchy in this world. It’s a caste system based on the colour of a persons blood.
There are themes of oppression, class, division, poverty and addiction. There’s a Trans main character (and others besides), and this isn’t a society that is prejudiced against LGBTQ+ people, in fact there’s support for those who want to transition. Women hold positions of great power in government and on the battlefield - and they’re just as able as their male counterparts. Often better.
This is a chunky book and a fast read regardless of that. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
The main character, a Chosen One, misses out on her calling because of a drug addiction. There’s also great deprivation because of the social hierarchy in this world. It’s a caste system based on the colour of a persons blood.
There are themes of oppression, class, division, poverty and addiction. There’s a Trans main character (and others besides), and this isn’t a society that is prejudiced against LGBTQ+ people, in fact there’s support for those who want to transition. Women hold positions of great power in government and on the battlefield - and they’re just as able as their male counterparts. Often better.
This is a chunky book and a fast read regardless of that. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
PL
Procurement Law in Ireland
David Browne and Patrick McGovern
Book
This new text provides an overview of the principles of public procurement, thresholds and...
an incredibly interesting concept with a fast paced plot (3 more)
very interesting structure of the book as a book within a book, etc.
a thought provoking commentary on gender, religion, power, war and the future of these things, even with hints towards the dangerous future of chemical/atomic/nuclear weaponry
i am sure that this will be made into a movie (it really is of grand proportions) and i can only hope they do it justice
THANK YOU FOR THIS NOVEL NAOMI ALDERMAN
i cannot encourage anyone to read this book enough. what a concept for a novel!! especially biting from the perspective of a female reader, it reads as a disturbing and compelling gender political satire that sometimes hits a little too close to home. i implore you to read it and reconsider the gender political landscape of our modern society
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Get Out (2017) in Movies
Jan 13, 2018
Good but overrated
I really disliked this on watching this at the cinema, but after watching it again for a second time I have changed my first impression - but it is still a bit overrated.
The performances are good and I like the storyline itself and it's message about today's society. The twist and the resolution were pretty good if not a little bonkers, and Chris and Rod are really endearing characters. It's some of the horror and suspense aspects themselves that I have an issue with. Sometimes the direction and soundtrack really work to create tension and suspense, but then in other scenes it lacks any subtlety whatsoever and actually becomes funny. Lingering shots on characters looking over the top creepy really doesn't work.
But this aside, it's still one of the better horror films of recent years, even if it doesn't live up to the hype.
The performances are good and I like the storyline itself and it's message about today's society. The twist and the resolution were pretty good if not a little bonkers, and Chris and Rod are really endearing characters. It's some of the horror and suspense aspects themselves that I have an issue with. Sometimes the direction and soundtrack really work to create tension and suspense, but then in other scenes it lacks any subtlety whatsoever and actually becomes funny. Lingering shots on characters looking over the top creepy really doesn't work.
But this aside, it's still one of the better horror films of recent years, even if it doesn't live up to the hype.
SummerLGrant (185 KP) rated The Limehouse Golem (2016) in Movies
Sep 10, 2017
Fantastic Victorian thriller
If you go in wanting to be blindsided about who did it then you're going to be disappointed, it's pretty obvious straight away who the Limehouse Golem is. Other than that this is a gripping film exploring the dregs of society in Victorian London as two cases come together for Scotland Yard's John Kildare (Bill Nighy) and George Flood (Daniel Mays). The story is constantly bubbling beneath the surface and as it rushes towards its conclusion the violence and gore gets more and more graphic, a lot of it doesn't add anything to the story but the dramatics of it does put the state of mind of the murderer into context.
Olivia Cooke, who plays Lizzie Cree a woman on trial for the murder of her husband, is fantastic in the role and has really put on display how good an actress she is.
Olivia Cooke, who plays Lizzie Cree a woman on trial for the murder of her husband, is fantastic in the role and has really put on display how good an actress she is.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Capernaum (2018) in Movies
Mar 21, 2019 (Updated Mar 21, 2019)
Astoundingly powerful and almost unbearably bleak social-realist drama from Lebanon. A young boy, in prison for a violent crime, takes his parents to court to sue them for giving birth to him. What has led him to this point? The film tells the story.
Basically a succession of horrors - never especially graphic, but relentless in its detail of the tribulations faced by the boy and those around him as they slip through the cracks of society. It probably sounds unwatchable, and it's not the kind of film you skip away from whistling, but it draws you in thanks to a near-total lack of sentimentality and a remarkable performance from 12-year-old Zain Al Rafeea as the main character. Makes Roma look very precious, dainty and bloodless; I'm not in a hurry to watch this film again, but I'm glad I did.
Basically a succession of horrors - never especially graphic, but relentless in its detail of the tribulations faced by the boy and those around him as they slip through the cracks of society. It probably sounds unwatchable, and it's not the kind of film you skip away from whistling, but it draws you in thanks to a near-total lack of sentimentality and a remarkable performance from 12-year-old Zain Al Rafeea as the main character. Makes Roma look very precious, dainty and bloodless; I'm not in a hurry to watch this film again, but I'm glad I did.
Auburn (57 KP) rated The Neverland Wars (The Neverland Wars, #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
I had high hopes for this book. I really love retellings of Peter Pan and the idea that society is using magic to progress was interesting.
Instead I found myself saddened by the book, the story idea was amazing but I just got bored half way through the book. The premise of Peter Pan stealing kids away from families was only breifly mentioned and the parents/officers were mentioned only in beginning. I wanted more from each side, why did they think their kids were stolen, did most kids return home. Did they lose their memories once home as parents thought they were being kidnapped?
I did enjoy the magic and the thought provoking parts. Do you want to grow up, do you have to grow up? It really makes you think about your life and if growing up is a thought process or just a frame of mind.
Instead I found myself saddened by the book, the story idea was amazing but I just got bored half way through the book. The premise of Peter Pan stealing kids away from families was only breifly mentioned and the parents/officers were mentioned only in beginning. I wanted more from each side, why did they think their kids were stolen, did most kids return home. Did they lose their memories once home as parents thought they were being kidnapped?
I did enjoy the magic and the thought provoking parts. Do you want to grow up, do you have to grow up? It really makes you think about your life and if growing up is a thought process or just a frame of mind.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Shivers in the Night in Books
May 27, 2019
Clever twists (1 more)
plot
From Campfire type to suspense this ten story book has a little something for almost any fan of the diverse horror genre.
In 'The Baby' you learn how hard it can be trying to be brave in front of an older brother walking at night in the dark of rural Oklahoma. Not all gifts are what they seem as you will learn in 'Mr. Sweater's Gift'. The Law will never be the same in 'Revenger' as a small town judge goes to the extremes of having the punishment fit the crime. Detective Clint Mahan has his work cut out for him as he juggles his serial killer case with an aggressive FBI agent in the who done it story 'In Stitches'.
Shivers in the Night is independently published by the Yukon Writer's Society, it includes stories from beginner authors to published authors.
In 'The Baby' you learn how hard it can be trying to be brave in front of an older brother walking at night in the dark of rural Oklahoma. Not all gifts are what they seem as you will learn in 'Mr. Sweater's Gift'. The Law will never be the same in 'Revenger' as a small town judge goes to the extremes of having the punishment fit the crime. Detective Clint Mahan has his work cut out for him as he juggles his serial killer case with an aggressive FBI agent in the who done it story 'In Stitches'.
Shivers in the Night is independently published by the Yukon Writer's Society, it includes stories from beginner authors to published authors.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated I Can Grow a Flower in Books
Jun 5, 2019
RHS I Can Grow A Sunflower is endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society and makes a great starting book for a young gardener with this easy to read, educational guide to growing a sunflower, that comes with free seeds and a sunflower height chart, too!
Sixteen bright board book pages reveal the life cycle of a sunflower, and the excitement of growing a plant from seed. It also has some fun gardening and small critter facts and has fun flaps that open up to reveal hiding creatures!
Winner of the silver award at the Junior Design Awards 2018 – Best Pre-Schooler Book 2-5 Years – this is certainly a book to recommend to parents for children of this age, because not only is it educational, it enables hands-on experience and fun quality time together. It’s a pretty book to gift, that’s also practical and intriguing.
Sixteen bright board book pages reveal the life cycle of a sunflower, and the excitement of growing a plant from seed. It also has some fun gardening and small critter facts and has fun flaps that open up to reveal hiding creatures!
Winner of the silver award at the Junior Design Awards 2018 – Best Pre-Schooler Book 2-5 Years – this is certainly a book to recommend to parents for children of this age, because not only is it educational, it enables hands-on experience and fun quality time together. It’s a pretty book to gift, that’s also practical and intriguing.
Sam (1 KP) rated The Feathered Bone in Books
Feb 8, 2018
If I could give this book 10 stars I would!! I loved that it was set in my own parish and town where I live! The story was hard and difficult at times because of the intense storyline that is going on. It will make you cry but other times it'll make you smile and cheer along with the characters. Julie included so many hard circumstances, that are plaguing our society right now and I think we need more books on these situations. I feel like this book could open up so many conversations that need to happen. Many people don't want to deal with the tragedies that befall us but this book could really help them see they are not alone! Our world needs more awareness of these tragic events that are happening. Truly truly loved this book and the message it gave. You are Loved..always remember that people!