Search
Search results
ClareR (5874 KP) rated The End of the Ocean in Books
Nov 6, 2019
The End of the Ocean by Maja Lunde is Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) at its best and most stark. At its best, because everything that happens feels as though they are the reasonable consequences of what we are predicted now; most stark, because this is truly a terrible version of the future.
In the present day(2019), 69 year old environmental activist Signe discovers that her home town, and in particular her ex-boyfriend, is responsible for cutting up and shipping off ice from their glacier to sell to the rich, so that they can have glacial ice in their expensive cocktails. She decides to sabotage the shipment, and steals some of it - or what she can carry in her boat. She sails her ship through a terrible storm with the intention of taking it to the person responsible.
In 2041, David and his daughter Lou, arrive at a refugee camp after escaping from war and fire in their French home. There is little water and food, but David is hopeful that his wife and infant son (who they’ve been separated from) will be there or arrive soon.
The two stories are linked when David and Lou find Signe’s boat in the garden of one of the abandoned houses.
This is such a powerful book. It takes current scientific research and arrives at the extreme end of its prediction: drought, famine and war. I had to read it in short chunks, because I found the story so moving and intensely depressing, to be honest. It doesn’t feel exaggerated: I didn’t read it thinking “Well that would NEVER happen”. It’s all too plausible, in fact. I really liked how the two stories ran parallel to one another and joined up in the latter half of the book, with the boat as some sort of symbol of hope.
It’s not all depressing though. There is an element of hope, and we see the enduring strength of the human spirit. I have The History of Bees on my bookshelf, which I will read now - and I’ll definitely look out for the third in this quartet of books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for my copy of this book.
In the present day(2019), 69 year old environmental activist Signe discovers that her home town, and in particular her ex-boyfriend, is responsible for cutting up and shipping off ice from their glacier to sell to the rich, so that they can have glacial ice in their expensive cocktails. She decides to sabotage the shipment, and steals some of it - or what she can carry in her boat. She sails her ship through a terrible storm with the intention of taking it to the person responsible.
In 2041, David and his daughter Lou, arrive at a refugee camp after escaping from war and fire in their French home. There is little water and food, but David is hopeful that his wife and infant son (who they’ve been separated from) will be there or arrive soon.
The two stories are linked when David and Lou find Signe’s boat in the garden of one of the abandoned houses.
This is such a powerful book. It takes current scientific research and arrives at the extreme end of its prediction: drought, famine and war. I had to read it in short chunks, because I found the story so moving and intensely depressing, to be honest. It doesn’t feel exaggerated: I didn’t read it thinking “Well that would NEVER happen”. It’s all too plausible, in fact. I really liked how the two stories ran parallel to one another and joined up in the latter half of the book, with the boat as some sort of symbol of hope.
It’s not all depressing though. There is an element of hope, and we see the enduring strength of the human spirit. I have The History of Bees on my bookshelf, which I will read now - and I’ll definitely look out for the third in this quartet of books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for my copy of this book.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Slaying Alven in Books
Mar 29, 2020
Slaying Alven is the latest fantasy novel by the versatile author, Jordan Elizabeth. Set in two different worlds, the story merges contemporary life and Dutch mythology. The Van Nuys family were gradually getting on with their lives six years after the murder of Vader (father). Unfortunately, a reluctant trip to see Aunt Annetie turns their world upside down once more.
There are several key characters in the story. Femmitie is about to finish high school and has just got her first boyfriend, Max. Tanneke, who witnessed Vader's death, has not spoken a word since. Sitske is growing up to be a strong, independent girl. Their mother, Catharina has remarried to a man named Xie with whom they have a son, Harvey. And then there is the Wittewijven ...
According to Dutch mythology, a Wittewijven was a wise woman or herbalist who took care of people's physical and mental ailments. When a Wittewijven died, their spirit remained on earth as "elven" beings, helping or hindering the people they met. The Wittewijven in this story, Wit for short, had turned to dark magic before her death hundreds of years ago. She is responsible for Vader's death and now she wants to destroy the rest of the family.
The story takes place between modern-day America and a world made for the Wittewijven, which can only be accessed by touching the words of a specific book. Over the years, Wit has trapped many people in her world and now the Van Nuys' family are her next targets. The only way Wit can be stopped is to be killed by a descendent, which, as it transpires, the Van Nuys are.
Jordan Elizabeth brings a new subject to the fantasy world in the form of the Wittewijven. Although the mythological character has featured in Dutch literature of the past, the legends are virtually unknown in the wider world.
Although the key characters are in their teens,Slaying Alven is more suited to mature readers due to some of the subjects implied. Overall, it is one of Jordan Elizabeth's best novels.
There are several key characters in the story. Femmitie is about to finish high school and has just got her first boyfriend, Max. Tanneke, who witnessed Vader's death, has not spoken a word since. Sitske is growing up to be a strong, independent girl. Their mother, Catharina has remarried to a man named Xie with whom they have a son, Harvey. And then there is the Wittewijven ...
According to Dutch mythology, a Wittewijven was a wise woman or herbalist who took care of people's physical and mental ailments. When a Wittewijven died, their spirit remained on earth as "elven" beings, helping or hindering the people they met. The Wittewijven in this story, Wit for short, had turned to dark magic before her death hundreds of years ago. She is responsible for Vader's death and now she wants to destroy the rest of the family.
The story takes place between modern-day America and a world made for the Wittewijven, which can only be accessed by touching the words of a specific book. Over the years, Wit has trapped many people in her world and now the Van Nuys' family are her next targets. The only way Wit can be stopped is to be killed by a descendent, which, as it transpires, the Van Nuys are.
Jordan Elizabeth brings a new subject to the fantasy world in the form of the Wittewijven. Although the mythological character has featured in Dutch literature of the past, the legends are virtually unknown in the wider world.
Although the key characters are in their teens,Slaying Alven is more suited to mature readers due to some of the subjects implied. Overall, it is one of Jordan Elizabeth's best novels.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Shadow Of The Jaguar (A Leine Basso Thriller) in Books
Apr 12, 2020
I'm a bit of a broken record when it comes to this particular series but I make no apologies for that as each one is as good, if not better, than the last and once again I am struggling to find new words to describe how much I enjoyed this book and I have found myself delving into my thesaurus to come up with some new ones ...love, relish, savour, delight in ... all work but mean the same thing in that this book is one of the many containing Leine Basso that shouldn't be missed.
In this, the ninth instalment, we find Leine and her daughter April in the midst of a kidnapping case deep in the Amazon jungle ... sounds straight forward enough however, things are never as they seem and Leine and April soon have to bring to the fore all of their training and instincts to get to the bottom of what's going on and survive coming into contact with all manner of creatures - both human and animal!
D.V. Berkom literally immerses you on their journey through the Amazon and although I've never had that pleasure unfortunately, I could feel the cloying humidity, the mosquitoes biting and hear the jungle noises in my living room such was the excellent writing and vivid descriptions used throughout this book.
There is plenty of adventure, action and twists to make anyone happy but there is also an educational element thrown in for good measure ... I have learnt a thing or two about Shamans and I'm off to find out what my spirit animal is now! [it's a cat by the way 😺]. Although this is the ninth book in the series, you don't particularly have to have read all the preceding books but I would recommend reading at least a few in order to understand Leine a little better as she is a complex character.
Once again, I have not been disappointed and I want to thank D.V. Berkom for providing me with an advance copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and I can't wait for the next adventure.
In this, the ninth instalment, we find Leine and her daughter April in the midst of a kidnapping case deep in the Amazon jungle ... sounds straight forward enough however, things are never as they seem and Leine and April soon have to bring to the fore all of their training and instincts to get to the bottom of what's going on and survive coming into contact with all manner of creatures - both human and animal!
D.V. Berkom literally immerses you on their journey through the Amazon and although I've never had that pleasure unfortunately, I could feel the cloying humidity, the mosquitoes biting and hear the jungle noises in my living room such was the excellent writing and vivid descriptions used throughout this book.
There is plenty of adventure, action and twists to make anyone happy but there is also an educational element thrown in for good measure ... I have learnt a thing or two about Shamans and I'm off to find out what my spirit animal is now! [it's a cat by the way 😺]. Although this is the ninth book in the series, you don't particularly have to have read all the preceding books but I would recommend reading at least a few in order to understand Leine a little better as she is a complex character.
Once again, I have not been disappointed and I want to thank D.V. Berkom for providing me with an advance copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and I can't wait for the next adventure.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Lights Out (2016) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Growing up, we all had a fear of the dark. Years later, many of us still carry this phobia. It prevents us from going into certain parts of our homes or places we are familiar with unless we have the assistance of light in some form. The darkness symbolizes and encapsulates the unknown. What is it that is hiding in the darkness? Why is it that we cannot trust it? Is there really something lurking in the shadows or is it all in our minds?
In Lights Out audiences bear witness to this fear and are confronted with how this fear becomes a reality for one family. Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) is trying to make a life of her own after becoming estranged from her family. When her brother begins to experience the same problems at home that had plagued her as a child, she is brought back into the center of chaos. All of the fears return and she must save her family from a dark spirit that has attached itself to her mother before it consumes them all.
The film itself offers the ability for audiences to explore some of their earliest fears which had them leaving a light on or plugging in a night light in their rooms in order to feel safe. The film is inventive in its approach and storytelling, but I felt as though there was more to be offered with respect to the villain and relationships between the characters. Greater depth about their backstories would have allowed audiences to feel more invested in the characters and even more interested in the outcome.
For those that are looking forward to a movie that will have them jumping out of their seats, this film delivers. Many of those moments are not as predictable in many other films of the horror genre, nor does it rely on gore in order to shock audiences. Through the direction of David Sandberg, the tension is allowed to build and help carry the story to its culmination. I am looking forward to more adaptations of universal fears and phobias on screen. Lights Out does not disappoint in being a fright-filled popcorn movie.
In Lights Out audiences bear witness to this fear and are confronted with how this fear becomes a reality for one family. Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) is trying to make a life of her own after becoming estranged from her family. When her brother begins to experience the same problems at home that had plagued her as a child, she is brought back into the center of chaos. All of the fears return and she must save her family from a dark spirit that has attached itself to her mother before it consumes them all.
The film itself offers the ability for audiences to explore some of their earliest fears which had them leaving a light on or plugging in a night light in their rooms in order to feel safe. The film is inventive in its approach and storytelling, but I felt as though there was more to be offered with respect to the villain and relationships between the characters. Greater depth about their backstories would have allowed audiences to feel more invested in the characters and even more interested in the outcome.
For those that are looking forward to a movie that will have them jumping out of their seats, this film delivers. Many of those moments are not as predictable in many other films of the horror genre, nor does it rely on gore in order to shock audiences. Through the direction of David Sandberg, the tension is allowed to build and help carry the story to its culmination. I am looking forward to more adaptations of universal fears and phobias on screen. Lights Out does not disappoint in being a fright-filled popcorn movie.
Color iRocks
Book and Lifestyle
App
“Colors App” is the ultimate stress reliever on the go, find joy and color your stress away! ...
Holiday Songs Traditional Xmas Carols Music Tube
Catalogs, Music and Stickers
App
※※ This app contains ※※ • The best traditional holiday music! • Soundbox with cute...
Eventide 3: Legacy of Legends
Games and Stickers
App
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE - 40% OFF FOR LIMITED TIME ONLY! FANTASTIC HIDDEN OBJECT PUZZLE...
The Future Royal Family: William, Kate and the Modern Royals
Robert Jobson and Arthur Edwards
Book
They have been dubbed 'the modern royals' by the world's media, and have not only won the hearts and...
Last of the Kriegies: The Extraordinary True Life Experiences of Five Bomber Command Prisoners of War
David Fraser, Albert Gunn, Charles Clarke and Henry Wagner
Book
'For you the war is over'. 'Last of the Kriegies' tells the extraordinary stories of five of the...
The Pope of Palm Beach
7.0
Rate It
Book
From Florida's king of mayhem--"compulsively irreverent and shockingly funny" (Boston Globe) New...
mystery comedy