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Beach Rivals
9.0
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For fans of Emily Henry, Sophie Kinsella and Tessa Bailey -- One bookshop in paradise. Two...
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Spine Chillers: The Scarecrow in Books
Jan 4, 2019
The Plot (2 more)
The Pacing
The Characters
A Great Spooky Read!
I've read two other novels by Nancy Gray, Empty Eyes and Krampus, so when I read the synopsis of The Scarecrow, I know I had to read it. It sounded really interesting. I was not disappointed.
All of the previous books in the Spine Chillers series have been short, and The Scarecrow was no exception. I love how each book in the series can be read as a standalone.
I found myself enthralled by the plot of The Scarecrow from the very beginning. Once I started reading, I was immediately thrust into all the action. Yes, the plot about a scary scarecrow come to life has been done many times before, but I loved the way Nancy Gray made her story a bit different. There are a couple of plot twists, and there was even one I didn't see coming. The Scarecrow is a scary read, but it's not overly scary for its targeted audience. I found the world building to be believable. It was easy to be transported to Sophie's world with each word I read.
The pacing for The Scarecrow is done fantastically. Not once did it slow down to where it became boring, and it was never too fast paced where I was just left confused. The pacing is spot on, and I found myself wanting to know more about the scarecrow, Hunt, Sophie, and Edward with each page. This was a definite page turner. Luckily The Scarecrow is a short read because I never wanted to stop reading. I had to know how everything would turn out.
I loved the characters in The Scarecrow. I found Sophie to be incredibly brave and sweet the way she was willing to put her life on the line to look for and save her cousin. Edward was an interesting character in a good way. Even the adults in this book were likable as well as believable.
Trigger warnings for The Scarecrow include one minor profanity (one of the characters says "what the hell"), violence, and disobeying adults.
Overall, The Scarecrow is a great read for those that like to be spooked. It has a great story line, interesting characters, and fantastic pacing. I would definitely recommend Spine Chillers: The Scarecrow by Nancy Gray to those aged 11+. Even though this is written for the middle grade age group, I really think adults would enjoy it too.
All of the previous books in the Spine Chillers series have been short, and The Scarecrow was no exception. I love how each book in the series can be read as a standalone.
I found myself enthralled by the plot of The Scarecrow from the very beginning. Once I started reading, I was immediately thrust into all the action. Yes, the plot about a scary scarecrow come to life has been done many times before, but I loved the way Nancy Gray made her story a bit different. There are a couple of plot twists, and there was even one I didn't see coming. The Scarecrow is a scary read, but it's not overly scary for its targeted audience. I found the world building to be believable. It was easy to be transported to Sophie's world with each word I read.
The pacing for The Scarecrow is done fantastically. Not once did it slow down to where it became boring, and it was never too fast paced where I was just left confused. The pacing is spot on, and I found myself wanting to know more about the scarecrow, Hunt, Sophie, and Edward with each page. This was a definite page turner. Luckily The Scarecrow is a short read because I never wanted to stop reading. I had to know how everything would turn out.
I loved the characters in The Scarecrow. I found Sophie to be incredibly brave and sweet the way she was willing to put her life on the line to look for and save her cousin. Edward was an interesting character in a good way. Even the adults in this book were likable as well as believable.
Trigger warnings for The Scarecrow include one minor profanity (one of the characters says "what the hell"), violence, and disobeying adults.
Overall, The Scarecrow is a great read for those that like to be spooked. It has a great story line, interesting characters, and fantastic pacing. I would definitely recommend Spine Chillers: The Scarecrow by Nancy Gray to those aged 11+. Even though this is written for the middle grade age group, I really think adults would enjoy it too.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated Surprise Me in Books
May 25, 2018
I usually like Sophie Kinsella books, but I have to say this one was not a favorite. I felt like I was reading two different books - one about a couple trying to add Surprise to their marriage (so the title works) and one about a secret between another couple. The two just did not mesh. The Surprise Me part got lost along the way. And WHAT COUPLE goes into marriage not thinking FOREVER?? and one minute they're crazy in love and in a split second hes brooding and mean and terrible to her?!! It just doesn't work. Sorry. Granted though - it got 3 stars because I was dying to know why the hell the switch flipped and Dan became psycho. I couldn't put it down cause I wanted to know what the secret was. It was so annoyingly crazy that I just wanted to get it over with and find out WTF was going on. The job thing almost felt like a third story and the neighbor and her son a 4th story! Things were just not meshed together very well and I felt like I was all over the place, with no real ties.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Anatomy of a Scandal in Books
Mar 11, 2018
A well-timed book about abuse of power
An Anatomy of a Scandal is a book about privilege and power, a timely novel given the recent spate of high profile sexual harassment cases. In this instance, James is a privileged, charismatic, successful member of Parliment and is accused of raping his mistress in a lift on the grounds of Westminster, while his doting wife Sophie, is torn between believing him and staying with him.
A trial then ensues, in which the accuser, Olivia is forced to face her worst nightmares, all the while fighting against a system in which he is king. Her lawyer Kate on the other hand, knows he is guilty, and we watch her back story unfold.
The book is told from alternating viewpoints with alternating timelines. As more of the past is revealed it is even more clear, that James is hiding more than expected.
An Anatomy of A Scandal exposes sexual assault for being more than just a moment in isolation. It is a culmination of behaviours and attitudes leading up to that moment and involves more than just the victim and the assaulter. An interesting read, and worth a trigger warning.
A trial then ensues, in which the accuser, Olivia is forced to face her worst nightmares, all the while fighting against a system in which he is king. Her lawyer Kate on the other hand, knows he is guilty, and we watch her back story unfold.
The book is told from alternating viewpoints with alternating timelines. As more of the past is revealed it is even more clear, that James is hiding more than expected.
An Anatomy of A Scandal exposes sexual assault for being more than just a moment in isolation. It is a culmination of behaviours and attitudes leading up to that moment and involves more than just the victim and the assaulter. An interesting read, and worth a trigger warning.
Tarkin (14 KP) rated Surprise Me in Books
Oct 27, 2018
Funny (2 more)
Relatable
Gripping
Slow acceleration, but gripping once you get into it.
So started this book full of optimism, after all, I have loved every Sophie kinsella book I've read so far so why wouldn't I like this one? Took a while to get going, and I was starting to get bored and lose faith ,until about half way through when the plot and pace finally started to pick up. As soon as it got into the swing of it, I couldn't put the book down! Started reading while waiting for my hair dye to work, next thing I know 3 hours have gone by and I should have washed the dye out hours ago! (Its ok, it was non chemical dye, I'm good!) The ending of the book was also not a disappointment. Finished it feeling maybe a little wiser and much better about my own relationship, after relating to some of the thoughts of the main character. Anyway, this book kinda hits home once you've finished it, so if you do get bored, stick with it and you won't be able to put it down!!
Andrew Kennedy (199 KP) rated Doctor Who - Season 25 in TV
Jun 17, 2019
Daleks (2 more)
Cybermen
The S
Season 25 starred Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace and comprised of four serials.
Remembrance of the Daleks was a trip back to 1963 and to Coal Hill School. Two Dalek factions trying to acquire some Time Lord technology the Hand of Omega. We get Daleks exploded, Daleks attacking each other and a superb cast. It is only bested by Genesis of the Daleks
The Happiness Patrol was probably remembered best for it's Bertie Bassett inspired Candyman who some fans thought immature but I loved him. There is girl gangs, a blues musician and an angry dog but Happiness will prevail.
Silver Nemesis was the return of the Cybermen. Plus we see more of The Doctors engimatic side as the race is on to find the living statue of Nemesis. Nice to see the Cybermen still been allergic to gold and also just what is the Doctor's name?
The Greatest Show in the Galaxy is the Doctor goes to the circus. It's fact clowns are freaky and so are bus conductors. As note we also meet Mags here a werewolf.
Remembrance of the Daleks was a trip back to 1963 and to Coal Hill School. Two Dalek factions trying to acquire some Time Lord technology the Hand of Omega. We get Daleks exploded, Daleks attacking each other and a superb cast. It is only bested by Genesis of the Daleks
The Happiness Patrol was probably remembered best for it's Bertie Bassett inspired Candyman who some fans thought immature but I loved him. There is girl gangs, a blues musician and an angry dog but Happiness will prevail.
Silver Nemesis was the return of the Cybermen. Plus we see more of The Doctors engimatic side as the race is on to find the living statue of Nemesis. Nice to see the Cybermen still been allergic to gold and also just what is the Doctor's name?
The Greatest Show in the Galaxy is the Doctor goes to the circus. It's fact clowns are freaky and so are bus conductors. As note we also meet Mags here a werewolf.
How Many Camels are There in Holland?: Dementia, Ma and Me
Book
The charming, funny successor to the hugely popular 'Notes to my Mother-in-Law', from the inimitable...
The Dark Lake
7.3
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Rosalind's secrets didn't die with her. The lead homicide investigator in a rural town, Detective...
mystery thriller
How to be Parisian: Wherever You Are
Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline De Maigret and Sophie Mas
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How To Be Parisian brilliantly deconstructs the French woman's views on culture, fashion and...
A View from a Broad
8.0
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With her brassy voice and bold performances making the world finally pay attention, Sophie Von...