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Ross (3284 KP) rated The War of the Dwarves in Books
Feb 20, 2018
The follow-up to the first Dwarves book sees the dwarves again join forces with the humans and now join forces with their age old enemies the elves to battle against a new source of evil.
There is a lot packed into this book with a number of stand-offs against the evil thirdling dwarves, the evil elves and an invading force from the Outer Lands.
For me at times it felt like the story was being made up on the spot with the overarching plot changing a number of times to suit the author's mood. At one point the feared enemy in the West was just a hoax by the thirdlings then it was real etc etc. There were still some good action scenes but these were in the minority here as so much of the book was taken up with politics and intrigue.
Something of a comedown from the first in the series.
There is a lot packed into this book with a number of stand-offs against the evil thirdling dwarves, the evil elves and an invading force from the Outer Lands.
For me at times it felt like the story was being made up on the spot with the overarching plot changing a number of times to suit the author's mood. At one point the feared enemy in the West was just a hoax by the thirdlings then it was real etc etc. There were still some good action scenes but these were in the minority here as so much of the book was taken up with politics and intrigue.
Something of a comedown from the first in the series.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Death of a Ghost (Hamish Macbeth, #32) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
This is good classic Hamish Macbeth. If you are a fan of the series already, then you won't be disappointed. If not, I think you could easily pick this one up and enjoy it as a stand-alone mystery without having read the previous books.
Called to the village of Drim to investigate claims of a "haunted" castle, Hamish and Charlie discover no ghosts, but they do find a dead body. Unfortunately it disappears before CDI Blair arrives on the scene. When the investigation points to local smugglers, the department is quick to wrap up the case. Hamish is not convinced, however, and puts his own life on the line to find the real killer.
Read more on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/02/03/review-death-of-a-ghost-by-m-c-beaton/">The Book's the Thing</a>.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Called to the village of Drim to investigate claims of a "haunted" castle, Hamish and Charlie discover no ghosts, but they do find a dead body. Unfortunately it disappears before CDI Blair arrives on the scene. When the investigation points to local smugglers, the department is quick to wrap up the case. Hamish is not convinced, however, and puts his own life on the line to find the real killer.
Read more on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/02/03/review-death-of-a-ghost-by-m-c-beaton/">The Book's the Thing</a>.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend (The Drenai Saga #6) in Books
Nov 13, 2019
As with any David Gemmell book the synopsis makes it sound like any one of a hundred similar fantasy titles. Man comes home to find village murdered and his wife taken by slavers but he has a huge axe and plenty of muscles, blah blah blah
But if there is one person who can turn something so absurdly cliched into gold, it is Gemmell. There are a number of factors here; he knows his weaponcraft so the fight scenes are grittly realistic, his characters are very subtly drawn with many layers and shades of grey. But the thing that always makes Gemmell stand out for me is the dialogue. When the characters speak, everything they say is not only completely in character but there are no cheesy lines or absurd speeches.
If you like your fantasy epic with a complex hero wading through a sea of adversaries for reasons of love and a sense of justice, this book will not disappoint
But if there is one person who can turn something so absurdly cliched into gold, it is Gemmell. There are a number of factors here; he knows his weaponcraft so the fight scenes are grittly realistic, his characters are very subtly drawn with many layers and shades of grey. But the thing that always makes Gemmell stand out for me is the dialogue. When the characters speak, everything they say is not only completely in character but there are no cheesy lines or absurd speeches.
If you like your fantasy epic with a complex hero wading through a sea of adversaries for reasons of love and a sense of justice, this book will not disappoint
Trading with the Enemy: A Yankee Travels Through Castro's Cuba
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Havana knew me by my shoes," begins Tom Miller's lively and entertaining account of his sojourn for...
Man Walks into a Bar: The Ultimate Collection of Jokes and One-liners
Mike Haskins and Stephen Arnott
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Man Walks Into A Bar is a one-stop shop for anyone who likes to hear and tell jokes. The jokes are...
Grimalkin the Witch Assassin (The Last Apprentice / Wardstone Chronicles #9)
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"I'm coming for you, and nothing living or dead can stop me." One witch is the most feared, the...
I've Got You
10.0
Rate It
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When a single dad and a newly outed veterinarian meet by chance, it takes red-cheeked conversations,...
Contemporary MM Romance
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Fractured: Part 2 ( Soviet book 12) in Books
Mar 21, 2023
33 of 235
Kindle
Fractured:part 2 ( Society book 12)
By Mason Sabre
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second and final instalment of Fractured. When Cade MacDonald made a bargain with his father—his alpha, he never suspected he was sacrificing the very person who meant the world to him. Torn between his love for Gemma, and his loyalty to Natalie, Cade must choose. His life, or the one thing he wants more than anything, Gemma? Especially when he is investigating the murder of a young shifter who was slaughtered for the same secret Cade holds close to his own heart, he must face more truths than his soul can stand.
I freaking loved it!!!! This is what I was looking forward to. Finally seeing something play out with Cade and Gemma and wow is this going to be interesting going forward. The ending had me almost cheering and waking my husband as it’s 2am! Can’t wait to see where we go from here.
Kindle
Fractured:part 2 ( Society book 12)
By Mason Sabre
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second and final instalment of Fractured. When Cade MacDonald made a bargain with his father—his alpha, he never suspected he was sacrificing the very person who meant the world to him. Torn between his love for Gemma, and his loyalty to Natalie, Cade must choose. His life, or the one thing he wants more than anything, Gemma? Especially when he is investigating the murder of a young shifter who was slaughtered for the same secret Cade holds close to his own heart, he must face more truths than his soul can stand.
I freaking loved it!!!! This is what I was looking forward to. Finally seeing something play out with Cade and Gemma and wow is this going to be interesting going forward. The ending had me almost cheering and waking my husband as it’s 2am! Can’t wait to see where we go from here.
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Twilight Heist (Outlaws #2) in Books
Feb 12, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Tuck is in a group of thieves called The Outlaws. Leo is a lone wolf who doesn't let people in. He is friends with one of the Outlaws, Dan, but even he doesn't know about his past and Leo is not about to divulge the information to anybody any time soon! Tuck's past comes calling when somebody from his past calls on him for help. Is there more than meets the eye to this job?
This is book number 2 in the Heist series by Katherine. In my opinion, it could be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed finding out about the characters and didn't feel I had missed out on anything by not reading the first book. However, I will be looking to download the first book and any more that may come in the series as I have thoroughly enjoyed what I've read.
I've read a few series by Katherine now and I feel that no matter what she's writing it pulls you in and takes you with it she is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Tuck is in a group of thieves called The Outlaws. Leo is a lone wolf who doesn't let people in. He is friends with one of the Outlaws, Dan, but even he doesn't know about his past and Leo is not about to divulge the information to anybody any time soon! Tuck's past comes calling when somebody from his past calls on him for help. Is there more than meets the eye to this job?
This is book number 2 in the Heist series by Katherine. In my opinion, it could be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed finding out about the characters and didn't feel I had missed out on anything by not reading the first book. However, I will be looking to download the first book and any more that may come in the series as I have thoroughly enjoyed what I've read.
I've read a few series by Katherine now and I feel that no matter what she's writing it pulls you in and takes you with it she is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Tree of Life (2011) in Movies
Apr 19, 2019
Challenge yourself. Give this a watch!
I have to admit to not having seen many films directed by Terrence Malick. Not by choice, just hadn't gotten around to it. I watched The Thin Red Line when it was released, but thought it was inferior to Saving Private Ryan which was released around the same time. I will give a rewatch soon.
I saw another review which said to describe this film would be like trying to describe the color blue to someone who was blind. A basically impossible task.
The easiest way for me would be to mention other movies, so if you took parts of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Mother!, Revolutionary Road and Stand By Me you might start to come close to the interesting weave of imagery and story which conjoin this film.
Loosely speaking, it's about a family with 3 young boys in Texas in the 1950s. Their relationships, their troubles, their triumphs, the small insignificant moments in their lives combined with the very important ones. Throw in scenes of the creation of the universe, dinosaurs and unusual images of the Earth itself you'll finally start to maybe understand the complexity of this film.
Of course, this is a film like 2001 or Mother in which some will say it is crap or there is no meaning beyond what is displayed onscreen, but I would beg to differ. I respect everyone's opinions, but strive to seek out films that make me think a little and make me ponder during and after the end credits are complete and this film will do that for sure.
I am not a religious person, but you don't need to be to appreciate the vivid imagery in this film. I believe Malick supports differing views whether you believe in God or not.
In short, in a world of summer blockbusters just beyond the horizon, I would challenge you to enjoy those films as they have their place, but also challenge yourself with something rich.
I know I will be finding Days of Heaven and Badlands to get more Malick in the weeks ahead.
I saw another review which said to describe this film would be like trying to describe the color blue to someone who was blind. A basically impossible task.
The easiest way for me would be to mention other movies, so if you took parts of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Mother!, Revolutionary Road and Stand By Me you might start to come close to the interesting weave of imagery and story which conjoin this film.
Loosely speaking, it's about a family with 3 young boys in Texas in the 1950s. Their relationships, their troubles, their triumphs, the small insignificant moments in their lives combined with the very important ones. Throw in scenes of the creation of the universe, dinosaurs and unusual images of the Earth itself you'll finally start to maybe understand the complexity of this film.
Of course, this is a film like 2001 or Mother in which some will say it is crap or there is no meaning beyond what is displayed onscreen, but I would beg to differ. I respect everyone's opinions, but strive to seek out films that make me think a little and make me ponder during and after the end credits are complete and this film will do that for sure.
I am not a religious person, but you don't need to be to appreciate the vivid imagery in this film. I believe Malick supports differing views whether you believe in God or not.
In short, in a world of summer blockbusters just beyond the horizon, I would challenge you to enjoy those films as they have their place, but also challenge yourself with something rich.
I know I will be finding Days of Heaven and Badlands to get more Malick in the weeks ahead.