Search
Search results
So I think this was actually the first book I had read by Cecelia Ahern, which led me to read all of her books in the short time afterwards!
I was never into dystopia (but that seems to have changed now) but I fancied trying it out anyway. I love the view on the justice system in this – that when someone does something wrong they are marked for life for their mistakes. It’s strangely close to society at the moment (minus the branding) which I think is what really pulled me in.
Celestine could be a little bit annoying, but who wouldn’t complain when they are being punished for helping someone and acting out of the kindness in their heart?
I loved that the action never stopped or even slowed down. It really kept the story going and helped me keep my attention on the plot.
The story of social justice was really gripping and the closeness to reality was scary and it kept me reading.
I was never into dystopia (but that seems to have changed now) but I fancied trying it out anyway. I love the view on the justice system in this – that when someone does something wrong they are marked for life for their mistakes. It’s strangely close to society at the moment (minus the branding) which I think is what really pulled me in.
Celestine could be a little bit annoying, but who wouldn’t complain when they are being punished for helping someone and acting out of the kindness in their heart?
I loved that the action never stopped or even slowed down. It really kept the story going and helped me keep my attention on the plot.
The story of social justice was really gripping and the closeness to reality was scary and it kept me reading.
I do like a post-apocalyptic kind of book, and this delivered in spades. It was written in a completely believable way, beginning with a second American Civil war, that was ended by the North releasing hundreds of airborne viruses that infected and killed those in the South indiscriminately. And those viruses continue to kill.
Vida meets two brothers, Garrett and Dyce, and they travel together in a world where to travel alone is death, to travel or to be outside when the wind blows is death.
I loved the world building in this. There will always be comparisons to Stephen Kings ‘The Stand’ with books like this, but other than viruses and a complete breakdown of society, I couldn’t actually see a comparison.
I’m looking forward to reading ‘North’, which is the final part of this two part series, and seeing where the authors take us.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Corvus, for my copy of this book.
Vida meets two brothers, Garrett and Dyce, and they travel together in a world where to travel alone is death, to travel or to be outside when the wind blows is death.
I loved the world building in this. There will always be comparisons to Stephen Kings ‘The Stand’ with books like this, but other than viruses and a complete breakdown of society, I couldn’t actually see a comparison.
I’m looking forward to reading ‘North’, which is the final part of this two part series, and seeing where the authors take us.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Corvus, for my copy of this book.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Entangled Lives in Books
Jun 5, 2019
In Entangled Lives by Imran Omer we meet orphan Raza, and his pregnant girlfriend who are forced apart when Raza is sent to Afghanistan to join the Taliban. Growing up his life was hard, and it seems it’s not getting any easier with age. As the story unfolds, reporter Rachel Brown gets first hand experience of the horrors of war, and through her point of view were are given her part of the story, and what happens when their paths cross, not just once, but twice.
My heart went out to Raza, as we see the extreme extent of the cause; a poor and vulnerable Pakistani boy fighting not only western society and their prejudices, but a tragic fate that’s controlled by money and power.
I enjoyed reading this, sometimes harrowing, tale that’s realistic and very topical for the current climate. The stark contrast between Raza’s life, and the entitled American reporter, Rachel, is portrayed well, and reveals the depth of this story with compassion and humanity.
My heart went out to Raza, as we see the extreme extent of the cause; a poor and vulnerable Pakistani boy fighting not only western society and their prejudices, but a tragic fate that’s controlled by money and power.
I enjoyed reading this, sometimes harrowing, tale that’s realistic and very topical for the current climate. The stark contrast between Raza’s life, and the entitled American reporter, Rachel, is portrayed well, and reveals the depth of this story with compassion and humanity.
RebelFleur (1 KP) rated Lust, Lies and Lemon Cakes Too in Books
Jan 30, 2018
I'll be completely honest with you, I didn't have high hopes for this book due to having read the first one in the series. However, it turned out to be a welcome surprise. Not only was the sequel better written than the first but I feel that it was also funnier and easier to read. Adding to this, I was actually dissapointed to find I had come to the end of the book as I was looking forward to learning more about the protagonists funny life.
The books light-hearted nature was definitely helped by the fact that a lot of the humour is revolved about the male protagonist going 'viral' on the internet. I feel this helps the reader to identify with him due to the fact that technology is slowly becoming more and more prevalent in our society.
I would definitely reccommend this book to people who are looking for a light read, due to its funny nature.
The books light-hearted nature was definitely helped by the fact that a lot of the humour is revolved about the male protagonist going 'viral' on the internet. I feel this helps the reader to identify with him due to the fact that technology is slowly becoming more and more prevalent in our society.
I would definitely reccommend this book to people who are looking for a light read, due to its funny nature.
Sawyer (231 KP) rated The call of cthulhu (2005) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018
Plays great tribute to the silent era of films (1 more)
Great stop motion Cthulhu
Experienced the madness like never before
The Call of Cthulhu 2005 was developed by the HP Lovecraft Historical Society celebrating the classic short story by the famed Gothic horror writer it was created purposely to correctly portray what a movie would be like if made during the time of the stories publication which is a silent era movie because of this the movie uses practical effects such as miniature toy sets and a stop motion Cthulhu monster
The movie follows the story of a researcher who is trying to learn the secrets of an ancient cult but soon realizes he may have bitten off more than he can chew when he comes across their God
The movie follows the story of a researcher who is trying to learn the secrets of an ancient cult but soon realizes he may have bitten off more than he can chew when he comes across their God
Kyera (8 KP) rated Golden Son in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Golden Son takes place more than a year after Red Rising. Darrow has left the Academy, formed bonds with new people and has a new role in society. It was a little confusing to be thrown into the story with all those new elements because it made me feel like I had missed a book. I had to keep piecing together what happened and who these new characters were. Once it became more natural, the book was much more enjoyable to read.
The second book has just as much (if not more) deception, death, and destruction as the first, and thats saying something. It is full of action, betrayal, hope, and horror that leaves you on the edge of your seat and tears your emotions apart as you read the final pages you just need to immediately start the finale. Highly recommended, but read Red Rising prior to this as it would make absolutely no sense without it.
The second book has just as much (if not more) deception, death, and destruction as the first, and thats saying something. It is full of action, betrayal, hope, and horror that leaves you on the edge of your seat and tears your emotions apart as you read the final pages you just need to immediately start the finale. Highly recommended, but read Red Rising prior to this as it would make absolutely no sense without it.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Downsizing (2017) in Movies
Feb 1, 2018
Great idea, badly executed
Downsizing really has no idea what film it's trying to be. Is it a drama? Is it a comedy? Is it a take on current issues with society and global warming? The problem is it tries to be all of these and more, and it fails at every hurdle.
It isn't funny, all of the jokes pretty much fall flat. The drama side is so boring and unengaging that less than an hour in I was dying to leave. The characters themselves are for the most part underdeveloped and completely forgettable. Paul Safranek as the protagonist is so dull that you find yourself not caring about his exploits. The only exception is played by Hong Chau, as even Christoph Waltz can't seem to impress in this.
The concept of downsizing itself is a fantastic idea, it's just a shame the film itself is dragged down by being too serious and boring. If done right, this could have been a great comedy.
It isn't funny, all of the jokes pretty much fall flat. The drama side is so boring and unengaging that less than an hour in I was dying to leave. The characters themselves are for the most part underdeveloped and completely forgettable. Paul Safranek as the protagonist is so dull that you find yourself not caring about his exploits. The only exception is played by Hong Chau, as even Christoph Waltz can't seem to impress in this.
The concept of downsizing itself is a fantastic idea, it's just a shame the film itself is dragged down by being too serious and boring. If done right, this could have been a great comedy.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Prisoner in TV
Mar 5, 2018
Famously cryptic cult TV show still has things to offer anyone willing to enter its peculiar world. Title character (McGoohan) is whisked off to a very strange prison; subsequent episodes revolve around either his attempts to escape, or the Village masters' schemes to force him to reveal his secrets (things get progressively more outlandishly weird as the series progresses).
Visually striking; the plots represent a weird mashing together of typical ITC action-adventure tropes and something altogether more avant-garde and cerebral: typical episode contains both existential pondering of the nature of society and/or the individual self and at least one punch-up. No-one seems entirely sure what it's all supposed to mean - is it about the conflict between the individual and the collective? The divided self? Patrick McGoohan's frustration at the state of his career? Nevertheless, the show's reputation is deserved - the weaker episodes are simply peculiar, the best ones absolutely mesmerising.
Visually striking; the plots represent a weird mashing together of typical ITC action-adventure tropes and something altogether more avant-garde and cerebral: typical episode contains both existential pondering of the nature of society and/or the individual self and at least one punch-up. No-one seems entirely sure what it's all supposed to mean - is it about the conflict between the individual and the collective? The divided self? Patrick McGoohan's frustration at the state of his career? Nevertheless, the show's reputation is deserved - the weaker episodes are simply peculiar, the best ones absolutely mesmerising.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2440 KP) rated Rest in Peach (Georgia Peach Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
While Nola Mae Harper is intent on finishing up the store front for her new peach business, the rest of Cays Mill is talking about the cotillion, the age old presentation of the young women in town into society. But when a fight over a dress leads to murder, Nola finds herself caught up in helping her friend Ginny prove she is innocent.
I had a lot of fun on this return visit to Cays Mill. Nola is a good main character, and I liked watching her grow here. The rest of the cast is fun as well. I did figure out the mystery early, but there were still a couple of twists I didn’t see coming, and I was having fun along the way, so I really didn’t mind.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-rest-in-peach-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I had a lot of fun on this return visit to Cays Mill. Nola is a good main character, and I liked watching her grow here. The rest of the cast is fun as well. I did figure out the mystery early, but there were still a couple of twists I didn’t see coming, and I was having fun along the way, so I really didn’t mind.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-rest-in-peach-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Gamer (2009) in Movies
Sep 21, 2018 (Updated Sep 29, 2018)
Cool ideas (1 more)
Amazing battle scenes
Another high octane, bloody, brutal action film from the guys who gave us Crank. A real mix-match of several ideas thrown in the blender together from Running Man, eXistenZ, Death Race and games like The Sims and Gears of War. So very low on originality but still a cool idea taken a step further. Two games dominate the future world where virtual reality enables the Player to control another human being. In the Society (Sims) game things take on a weird and sexual nature. In the other game Slayers, death row prisoners can earn freedom if they manage to survive 30 missions. The battle scenes are amazing and you feel like you are there right in the middle of it, not just viewing from the sidelines. Quite violent and over the top like the Crank films. If you like those types of films, games mentioned you should like this.