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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Dragonsinger (Pern: Harper Hall, #2) in Books
Nov 12, 2019
Dragonsinger is the second of the Harper Hall books and continues the story of singer Menolly as she becomes an established and accomplished harper on the world of Pern.
As usual with the Pern novels the way that ordinary life fits together is well described and the characters McCaffrey uses here are very well developed and incredibly three dimensional. It's a world that almost seems close enough to touch.
As with Dragonsong, having a book that does not focus on the rarified world of the dragonriders is refreshing showing a different take on the world, even if it is still a position of privilege in one of the most respected professions on the world.
However for me this does suffer the same weakness of the other books that are in essence a periphery to the dragon-centric stories: they don't move the overall story arc forward and as such are a pleasant enough read but ultimately not as satisfying as some of the other books. And anyone who finds characters being relentlessly talented and nice to each other grating won't appreciate a lot of the story. Still a good read though.
As usual with the Pern novels the way that ordinary life fits together is well described and the characters McCaffrey uses here are very well developed and incredibly three dimensional. It's a world that almost seems close enough to touch.
As with Dragonsong, having a book that does not focus on the rarified world of the dragonriders is refreshing showing a different take on the world, even if it is still a position of privilege in one of the most respected professions on the world.
However for me this does suffer the same weakness of the other books that are in essence a periphery to the dragon-centric stories: they don't move the overall story arc forward and as such are a pleasant enough read but ultimately not as satisfying as some of the other books. And anyone who finds characters being relentlessly talented and nice to each other grating won't appreciate a lot of the story. Still a good read though.
Judi: Behind the Scenes
Book
An illustrated memoir of one of Britain's greatest and best-loved actors. 'National treasure? I hate...
Merissa (11961 KP) rated Bonded (Law of the Lycans #1) in Books
Mar 26, 2018
Bonded (Law of the Lycans #1) by Nicky Charles
This book has been languishing on my Kindle since April 2013, but I've finally got round to reading it, and I'm currently kicking myself for waiting so long!
This is an excellent story that shows the work it takes to keep wolves from the humans' radar, but also how some wolves think they are better than others, and what they do to them. And in the middle of it all, we have Reno and Brandi - a couple that surely belong together if only they would stop being so stubborn.
Well written, with some steamy scenes that in no way take away from the story. A smooth pace and an intricate storyline. I'm about to start Betrayed now as I am hooked on this world. Absolutely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is an excellent story that shows the work it takes to keep wolves from the humans' radar, but also how some wolves think they are better than others, and what they do to them. And in the middle of it all, we have Reno and Brandi - a couple that surely belong together if only they would stop being so stubborn.
Well written, with some steamy scenes that in no way take away from the story. A smooth pace and an intricate storyline. I'm about to start Betrayed now as I am hooked on this world. Absolutely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated The Hazel Wood in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Deliciously dark take on fairytales! Creepier than I expected, I almost didn't want to read it after dark lol. And that cover is gorgeous!
I'm a huge fan of anything related to the fair folk so this was right up my alley. As soon as I started reading it I didn't want to put it down, the writing immediately grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. The plot was one of the most unique I've read among the fairytale genre. I adored the Tales of the Hinterland referenced throughout, they were so interesting that I'd love to see them published as a companion to The Hazel Wood.
Fans of books like Holly Black's The Cruel Prince or anyone who likes their fantasy on the darker side will love The Hazel Wood!
**Thanks to Flatiron Books for sending me an advanced review copy! All opinions are my own.**
I'm a huge fan of anything related to the fair folk so this was right up my alley. As soon as I started reading it I didn't want to put it down, the writing immediately grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. The plot was one of the most unique I've read among the fairytale genre. I adored the Tales of the Hinterland referenced throughout, they were so interesting that I'd love to see them published as a companion to The Hazel Wood.
Fans of books like Holly Black's The Cruel Prince or anyone who likes their fantasy on the darker side will love The Hazel Wood!
**Thanks to Flatiron Books for sending me an advanced review copy! All opinions are my own.**
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Maleficent (2014) in Movies
Nov 8, 2019
Fairy Tale: True Loves Kiss
Maleficent- is a movie that people are mix about. Some people hate it, some people love it. For me i like it. Its a different take on the oringal source materal but with the same elements.
The plot: As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom.
Angelina Jolie is really good as Maleficent and Elle Fanning is really good as Aurora.
It is a underrated movie and should be watched.
The plot: As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom.
Angelina Jolie is really good as Maleficent and Elle Fanning is really good as Aurora.
It is a underrated movie and should be watched.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Queen's Gambit in TV
Jan 20, 2021
Lavish drama based on Walter Tevis' novel about a female chess prodigy. What sounds like fairly unpromising material - a young orphan discovers an immense talent for chess and rises to take on the world champion in Moscow, confronting her personal demons along the way - is elevated to something really special by the simple method of having a fantastic script, direction, acting and production values.
Looks fantastic, and Anya Taylor-Joy deserves all the accolades coming her way, but the show's real achievement for me is that it manages to capture the excitement and fascination of chess without becoming bogged down in details like the difference between the Orangutan and the Grob openings. The chess sequences are genuinely thrilling: you almost get a sense of what it feels like to have that kind of effortless talent in something. Brilliant TV aimed at people with brains.
Looks fantastic, and Anya Taylor-Joy deserves all the accolades coming her way, but the show's real achievement for me is that it manages to capture the excitement and fascination of chess without becoming bogged down in details like the difference between the Orangutan and the Grob openings. The chess sequences are genuinely thrilling: you almost get a sense of what it feels like to have that kind of effortless talent in something. Brilliant TV aimed at people with brains.
Galaxy on Fire 2™ HD
Games
App
[ Galaxy on Fire 2 HD is now fully optimized for iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6 as well as iPhone 4S (or...
ClareR (5686 KP) rated Do You Dream of Terra-Two? in Books
Jan 30, 2019
"The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet meets The 100" - that'll do me!!
This book seemed to take over my life whilst I was reading it - if I wasn't actually reading, I was thinking about it. Partly the moral ramifications of training 12/13 year olds to travel in space for 20+ years to get to an Earth-like planet that no-one had ever been to before, and partly - how exciting would THAT be!!
The characters fascinated me. There was a lot of character development, and I enjoyed it all. The lead up to getting on the ship was quite long, but I really think it was needed. We could see how controlled these young people were, what such an intense life created in them, and their own reasons for their overwhelming commitment.
The prose is gorgeous though. The descriptions of Earth and Space, the inner lives of the astronauts, all had me aching to be there to be honest. For the record, I did a reading challenge a few years ago, where one of the challenges was 'a book set somewhere you would like to go'. I chose 'The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. Space, and people's imaginings of it, has ALWAYS fascinated me.
And that ending!!! I just love an open ended book. Whether there will be more (I would read a follow up to be honest), is immaterial to me. I loved this book!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy of this book
The characters fascinated me. There was a lot of character development, and I enjoyed it all. The lead up to getting on the ship was quite long, but I really think it was needed. We could see how controlled these young people were, what such an intense life created in them, and their own reasons for their overwhelming commitment.
The prose is gorgeous though. The descriptions of Earth and Space, the inner lives of the astronauts, all had me aching to be there to be honest. For the record, I did a reading challenge a few years ago, where one of the challenges was 'a book set somewhere you would like to go'. I chose 'The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber. Space, and people's imaginings of it, has ALWAYS fascinated me.
And that ending!!! I just love an open ended book. Whether there will be more (I would read a follow up to be honest), is immaterial to me. I loved this book!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy of this book
Merissa (11961 KP) rated Unapologetically Me (Offbeat Shifters #3) in Books
Mar 25, 2021 (Updated Aug 2, 2023)
UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME is the third book in the Offbeat Shifters series, but the first one of Charlie and Austin. Charlie was the unreliable pop Divo, who wouldn't take any nonsense, and Austin was Jesse's dad, who made more than a few mistakes when raising his son. This is their story.
And what a story it is!!! I really enjoyed Jesse and Isaac, I did. But these two, wow! I loved their story. It made me smile, it made me laugh, and it also made me cry. I NEED their happy ending! Part of what I loved though, was seeing Jesse and Isaac with the twins, through Austin's eyes, and seeing how he felt about his past.
This is an incredibly well-written story, that has an open ending designed to leave you hanging on for the next book, which I need, like yesterday! The characters are all amazing, with their own interests and foibles to make them more 'human'. I loved how Charlie bakes when he's stressed! And I do so love a flapjack.
This really is a fantastic addition to the series, and I can't wait for more. It was brilliant seeing Jesse and Isaac again, but now I need to know Austin and Charlie get their HEA!
* 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. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 25, 2021
And what a story it is!!! I really enjoyed Jesse and Isaac, I did. But these two, wow! I loved their story. It made me smile, it made me laugh, and it also made me cry. I NEED their happy ending! Part of what I loved though, was seeing Jesse and Isaac with the twins, through Austin's eyes, and seeing how he felt about his past.
This is an incredibly well-written story, that has an open ending designed to leave you hanging on for the next book, which I need, like yesterday! The characters are all amazing, with their own interests and foibles to make them more 'human'. I loved how Charlie bakes when he's stressed! And I do so love a flapjack.
This really is a fantastic addition to the series, and I can't wait for more. It was brilliant seeing Jesse and Isaac again, but now I need to know Austin and Charlie get their HEA!
* 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. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 25, 2021
