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Ameeka (131 KP) rated Gone in Books

Jul 16, 2017  
Gone
Gone
Michael Grant | 2008 | Children
8
7.7 (16 Ratings)
Book Rating
Concept of adults disappearing (3 more)
Well written with a great plot and interesting world building and action packed scenes
Likeable main characters
Secondary characters are realistic and well fleshed out
Highly enjoyable, hooks you at the very start
The storytelling is straightforward and Grant's imagination is so fertile. The writing in the book was good and I liked the fact that there were so many characters to read about. Each one was fully fleshed out. There is a lot of violence in this book, the author does not gloss over any gory details. There are also some downright evil characters with no redeeming qualities whatsoever, the line between good and evil was well defined. The characters were either good or evil. In fact, there were only one or two characters who struggled with their identity, whether or not they identified themselves as good or evil. Those characters really stood out and made for a quite interesting read. There are also many twists and turns in the plot that you won’t be able to put this book down. The characters are well developed, and are relatable. There is action, suspense, romance, and fantasy all rolled into one. Gone is a spectacular beginning to what I can only hope will be a thrilling series.
  
YU
Yours Until Dawn
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Yours Until Dawn is an enchanting novel about a nurse, Samatha Wickersham, and Gabriel Fairchild, a man left scarred and blinded from war.

The banter and encounters with each other throughout the book are wonderful. The wit made me laugh out loud many times. Out of all the romance books I've read, in which some you like the heroine more than the hero and vice versa, Samantha and Gabriel are two of the most well drawn out characters, and I liked them equally. I grew to love these characters, and they are definitely two of my favorites ever.

The big 'surprise twist' near the end I figured out pretty early in the book, but it shocked me still the same because I was hoping it wasn't the case, but alas, it was. While it kind of jolted the book off it's path, the end almost made up for it, but I still think it would have been a better book if TM hadn't written that part. Still, on the whole it's a terrific book.

Yours Until Dawn will keep you up way past bedtime, as it did with me, so I'd recommend starting it early as you will not be able to put it down. A wonderful, touching book. Magical!
4.5/5 stars
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Tolkien (2019) in Movies

May 7, 2019 (Updated May 7, 2019)  
Tolkien (2019)
Tolkien (2019)
2019 | Biography, Drama
Bio-pic of the pop culture colossus is badly hamstrung by the fact it can only allude to the great man's works (they don't even have the rights to the text of his gravestone), and also by the fact that all the stuff he is most famous for doing happened when he was a middle-aged professor sitting in his study for hours at a time.

So instead the script rustles up some sub-Dead Poets stuff about fine-young-chaps-together, and a somewhat trite romance, all the while suggesting that JRR couldn't look out of the window or turn on a light without being bombarded by visions of dragons and black riders and the rest of it. No wonder he wrote all those books; it must have been vital therapy for him. A few scenes do hint at the authentic, but also essentially un-cinematic Tolkien, the man who invented languages as a hobby and loved trees, and they do lift the film, but they also make you realise how bland most of this movie is. Nichola Hoult is good as Professor T and the film is well-mounted, but it still feels like a cash-in which is pushing its luck.
  
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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Killing Floor: (Jack Reacher 1) in Books

May 26, 2019 (Updated May 26, 2019)  
Killing Floor: (Jack Reacher 1)
Killing Floor: (Jack Reacher 1)
Lee Child | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.2 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
Good solid action and mystery. Has a Hollywood summer action blockbuster feel
My first Jack Reacher read and I started with the first of this expansive series. I went into this book expecting it to be a bit too action heavy for my tastes but was pleasantly surprised that the mystery element was pretty gripping. Really enjoyed the main story.

This book introduces ex-military policeman Jack Reacher who is currently of no fixed abode travelling where his whims take him. When he passes through the small yet pristine town of Margrave, Georgia, he is promptly arrested for murder. As the out of town stranger he must convince the town of his innocence, the investigation leads to uncovering uncomfortable truths about this little town.

It was well paced and action sequences weren't too over the top hard to follow affairs. Ok you need to suspend some belief to get along with the plot. I usually struggle to let maddening coincidences go but this book didn't seem to tick me off too much so they must of been done fairly well. Eye-roll at the romance line but again not overdone.

All in all this was a great holiday read, fast paced page turning fun. I will visit with Mr Reacher again
  
With Winter's First Frost
With Winter's First Frost
Kelly Irvin | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The story is set on two families. Though it mostly on two senior citizens and this it really good. I have not read many stories about seniors in the Amish. This is one really well written story. They are in their 70's and it about romance with them.

The author show both points of view for both senior citizens. Will they find love and second chances? Laura seems ready to join her last husband. But God seems to have other plans. Zachariah seems a little bitter and grouchy after his wife passes away. He is also dealing with a disease. What will happen when his family get involved in what he can and cannot do?

The author jumps into different topics like Parkinson. There are others things as well. It the way she she shows you how some of the Amish deal with different diseases and mistakes of the young. There so much going on that you will be surprised at how it all comes together.

There seems to be several different plots going on though out the book. The main plot is about Laura and Zachariah. There is also both families. What will happen and will Gods will be done.
  
A(
Ascension (Cherchez Wolf Pack, #1)
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have read Lauren Dane before but this was my first venture into her fantasy romance. I enjoyed what I read from her previously. But maybe that’s because they have all been novellas/shorts, or the purpose of them was dirty delicious sex. This was definitely not one of her better ones. Unless you are reading it for sex.

The short version: the plotline is an old tired one that is literally a dime a dozen. I felt that Dane used it just to have a plotline at all to further her characters relationship. Her characters weren’t very original either. This would have all been more acceptable had I felt the author tried but I genuinely felt that this story and these characters were created purely to have a sexual relationship. I will concede, however, that the erotica aspect is pretty well written. There are some non-hetero scenes as well as...sharing? So if you want something more vanilla in the romantic department, you should pass this up.

If you can get past the ridiculous aspects and poor writing in terms of plot and characters, you may enjoy the erotica. You’ve been warned though.
  
TS
The Silver Witch
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This novel is told in both the present and in ancient Celtic times, both storylines taking place in the same locale. In present day Wales, following the death of her husband, Tilda moves into the house that she and Matt had purchased to start their new life in together. After spending some time alone in her cottage, Tilda starts to experience strange things, and finds a new sort of power developing inside her. In ancient times, we hear the story of Seren, a shaman and seer to a Celtic Prince who lived on a man-made island in the middle of the lake near Tilda's cottage.

Each story on its is intriguing. We know early on that there is a connection between the two women, but it takes longer for Tilda to realize why she feels such an affinity for the lake and the area around her new home. By the time she does, her life and the life of her new love may be in more danger than she can handle.

This book has a little bit of everything. Historical fiction, fantasy, suspense, and a touch of romance. I highly recommend this one if you are a fan of any of those genres.
  
On Dublin Street
On Dublin Street
Samantha Young | 2012 | Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characters (1 more)
Plot
One of my favorite romances
This is the second time that I have read this book and honestly it is even better than I can remember. Samantha Young has a way with creating a world that you just step into. I first picked this book up in 2012 when I was looking for a cheap read. It was only a few dollars at that time and I couldn't put it down. Joss & Braden are wonderful characters that are sure to make you swoon. Joss is a kick ass girl who has some pretty big issues going on in her life. I loved that she sought help for her issues & I loved how Samantha Young was able to portray therapy in such a positive light. I loved the banter between Joss & Braden and I just loved each and every character that was introduced.

The plot kept me on my toes. I never knew if I was going to laugh, cry or roll my eyes in frustration. This is honestly my favorite romance that I have read. If you haven't read Samantha Young, you're truly missing out. She quickly became one of my favorite authors and has yet to disappoint me. The characters, the plot, literally everything about this book is beautiful.
  
How to Walk Away
How to Walk Away
Katherine Center | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.6 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
The kind of book you're enjoying so much that you can't wait to finish it but at the same time will hate to see it end, author Katherine Center managed to such a feat in How to Walk Away.

While as a disabled individual, I'm often disappointed by the way that popular culture portrays disabled characters as either saintly, pitiable, or evil, I was impressed by the way that Center creates a fully three dimensional heroine who goes through a wide range of emotions after surviving a horrific plane crash.

And although on the surface, the thought of adding a romantic comedy subplot to the novel seemed way out of left field, because Center kept the protagonist so firmly grounded in reality, it wound up working really well.

The second recent upbeat romance involving a disabled lead to be chosen as an official selection by Book of the Month alongside Helen Hoang's sexier title The Kiss Quotient, while some of the contrivances in How to Walk Away's final fifty or so pages move it into cliched romcom territory, it's such a sweet, well-earned finale that it's easy to forgive.

A terrific disabled centric beach read, this one will walk away with your heart.