Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (2476)

Content

David McK (3663 KP) rated Ready Player Two in Books

Oct 30, 2021

Ready Player Two

Ernest Cline | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy

4.7

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is a direct sequel to Ready Player One, picking up not soon after the events of that previous novel.

It also follows the same characters, told in the same first person point of view as previous - I must admit, I initially found that a bit jarring, as I would have expected (with a title such as it is) that it would follow a different character - after all, how often IRL is Player Two the same person as Player One in a computer game?

Anyway, Wade Watts.

Still an obsessed geek; still fan-worshipping the creator of the Oasis James Halliday (at least initially). However, with the release of new technology by the company he now owns that not only allows its user to control an avatar, but to *feel* like they actually are that person - sight, taste, hearing, sensations and all - and with further experiences (I don't want to give too much away), Watts finds his hero-worshipping lessening somewhat.

If I'm honest, I did also find parts of this novel to drag somewhat, especially in the lengthy section where Cline goes into great detail around the Oasis world dedicated to 'The Artist Formerly Known as Prince' (which just made me uncomfortable). I also had to shake my head at just how some of the characters behaved ...

(yes, I know they're not real. Still need to to be believable, though!)

Kudos

David McK (3663 KP) rated The Long Walk in Books

Nov 13, 2022

The Long Walk

Richard Bachman | 1979 | Fiction & Poetry

8.6

(8 Ratings)

Book Rating

I like going for long walks.

Not sure I'd like to participate in The Long Walk, though!

An early King novel, writing under the pseudonym Richard Bachamn, this is (or was, I think, at the time of writing) a near-future-set dystopian novel where the national pastime has become The Long Walk that happens once a year, where 100 teenager contestants (all male, although I don't know whether that's part of the rules or not!) participate in The Long Walk: basically, walk for days on end without being allowed to drop below a certain pace (4 miles per hour), and with 3 warnings given before you're out for good.

Out out, as in that (more modern) episode of Dr Who with the Weakest Link ripoff - shot by the soldiers pacing the Walkers in their relative safety and comfort.

The novel, as a whole, relies on character development, which there is no denying happens throughout. I just wish, well, that something actually *happened* (apart from a few brief scenes), and that more background had been given into how this state of affairs came about.

It also has a very open-ended 'ending' (it just sort of stops), which is a matter of taste whether you prefer that or not - personally, I could have done with a bit more clarity around that!

Kudos

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Slumber Party Massacre (2021) in Movies

Mar 22, 2022

This update of the 80s cult favourite hits all the right notes for the first two thirds of its runtime. There's some decent gore, some great shots, and it feels different enough from the original to have its own identity. Most importantly, the core group of characters are likable as hell. The movie takes the time to establish that we are following the story of a group of strong, determined women who ain't taking any shit. The feminist stance is far less subtle than the original, but it absolutely works. The scene wherein the group of men are the subjects of a topless pillow fight is ridiculous and hilarious, and moments like this, combined with the capable main protagonists ensure that it's mostly a blast.
Unfortunately, a lot of this falls apart in the final third. The film makes a shift into full blown, serious slasher territory, and flat out abandons a lot of what made the first hour so entertaining. The smart characters start making dumb decisions, and the narrative plays out in a way that leaves a slightly sour taste in the mouth. It ultimately leads to an underwhelming ending, which is a shame considering how genuinely decent it started out.
However, Slumber Party Massacre is a pretty good time overall, and is a slasher that can stand proudly side by side with the original.

Kudos

Night Shade (Chronicles of The Otherworld #1)

Melissa Cummins

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Vampires are real, and her boss is one of them. By day, Gregori Novak is Daniella's friend and...

Paranormal Romance Dark Witches Vampires Fated Mates

Right Place, Right Time (The Pilsdale Chronicles #1)

H.L. Day

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Sometimes the path to true love twists so much that you end up right back where you started. Ben...

Contemporary MM Romance Age Gap Best Friend's Dad

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Malicious ( The Whitethorn Society 1) in Books

Mar 30, 2024

60 of 220
Kindle
Malicious ( The Whitethorn Society 1)
By Rinna Ford
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

On the outside, people see Viv as a spoiled little rich girl who lives for designer clothing and wild parties, not the strong, capable woman she tries so hard to be. But money and power don’t buy love and acceptance, and Viv has definitely learned that the hard way.

College was a taste of freedom from that life, but then, that freedom ends up being stripped away when Viv is expected to go back to the family she hates to embrace a destiny she doesn’t want. Only, she believes that her destiny is to slave away for her family business, not join an ancient society of magical beings that shouldn’t even be real. Secrets and danger lie around every corner, but so do answers and love that she so desperately craves.

With old friends and new, one seriously annoying brother, and an ex that won’t go away, not that she really wants him to, Viv has to face new challenges and become the Whitethorn she was born to be.

She is the key. Whatever that means.

This was really good. A concept I haven’t yet read It was really interesting and I’m looking forward to reading more. I do like this author though and it was a light enjoyable book.