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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Polaris Uprising (Polaris, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[The Polaris Uprising] has a similar plot line of many teen dystopian novels. It seems that the author [Jennifer Ibarra] borrowed the best parts of many and created her own. This is not a bad thing. In fact it helps to get YA readers to try new books.
The plot is set after a war in which the current leadership came to power and had promised to keep the people from want. Although the leader is called a president he is not democratically elected, in fact it represents a monarchy as he is prepping his youngest daughter to take his place when she come of age. His oldest daughter is a doctor who has just come of age and will marry her 'match'.
In this novel the idea that the state takes care of everything including your decisions is a driving force. It has let to the uprising as people want some freedom back. The sisters get entangled in this conflict. The question is what side will they take?
The plot is set after a war in which the current leadership came to power and had promised to keep the people from want. Although the leader is called a president he is not democratically elected, in fact it represents a monarchy as he is prepping his youngest daughter to take his place when she come of age. His oldest daughter is a doctor who has just come of age and will marry her 'match'.
In this novel the idea that the state takes care of everything including your decisions is a driving force. It has let to the uprising as people want some freedom back. The sisters get entangled in this conflict. The question is what side will they take?
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated A Cupboard Full of Coats in Books
May 10, 2018
2.5 starts
A single mother living alone raising her teen-aged daughter. Then she meets this man who she falls in love with almost immediately. Four months later, the mother is dead and the boyfriend is in jail.
This story starts 14 years later, the boyfriend has just gotten out of jail and his best friend is standing on the doorstep ready to explain to the daughter how her death was all his fault.
Jinx(the daughter) and Lemon(the best friend) spend the weekend going over the past. What happened in those four short months and what has happened to them since. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions and growth.
I enjoyed this book as the story was very compelling, but the writing style was such that you didn't know whether you were in the past, or the present, the transitions were not always so smooth. Plus without reading the book description you didn't even know the name of the main character until chapter 2 or later.
A single mother living alone raising her teen-aged daughter. Then she meets this man who she falls in love with almost immediately. Four months later, the mother is dead and the boyfriend is in jail.
This story starts 14 years later, the boyfriend has just gotten out of jail and his best friend is standing on the doorstep ready to explain to the daughter how her death was all his fault.
Jinx(the daughter) and Lemon(the best friend) spend the weekend going over the past. What happened in those four short months and what has happened to them since. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions and growth.
I enjoyed this book as the story was very compelling, but the writing style was such that you didn't know whether you were in the past, or the present, the transitions were not always so smooth. Plus without reading the book description you didn't even know the name of the main character until chapter 2 or later.
FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated 806 in Books
May 23, 2018
Reads Like a Pop Song
Fast, funny, and frequently surprising (even in spite of its contrivances), Cynthia Weil's rollicking YA road trip novella 806 centers on a trio of very different high school students who discover that they share the same unknown sperm donor father.
A contemporary teen fairy tale penned in a light, dialogue heavy style with clever hooks and twists to circumvent the narrative's overall predictability, 806 reads like a summer pop-song, which is only fitting considering Weil's background as a Grammy award winning, Oscar nominated songwriter.
Although it relies a little too heavily on cliches – never delving beneath the surface of its relatively one-dimensional characters long enough to give us a greater sense of who they are beyond some Breakfast Club-like introductions – 806 is inventive everywhere else.
Entertaining if ultimately forgettable, Weil's sophomore work is a wildly infectious read you can flip through at mix-tape speed in order to join the band and road trip along.
Note: I rounded up but (if able) would give this one 3.5 stars.
A contemporary teen fairy tale penned in a light, dialogue heavy style with clever hooks and twists to circumvent the narrative's overall predictability, 806 reads like a summer pop-song, which is only fitting considering Weil's background as a Grammy award winning, Oscar nominated songwriter.
Although it relies a little too heavily on cliches – never delving beneath the surface of its relatively one-dimensional characters long enough to give us a greater sense of who they are beyond some Breakfast Club-like introductions – 806 is inventive everywhere else.
Entertaining if ultimately forgettable, Weil's sophomore work is a wildly infectious read you can flip through at mix-tape speed in order to join the band and road trip along.
Note: I rounded up but (if able) would give this one 3.5 stars.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Devouring (The Devouring, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
For a book classified as young adult horror, THE DEVOURING defies the usual so-called teen horror and actually does feel horrific. I wouldn't say it's in the same league as some of the best adult horror books out there, but it holds its own and the author does a terrific job creating a tense and creepy atmosphere. I've never been one who has ever scared easily, but if I had read this at a younger age I just might have become a little paranoid. The narrative is swift, engaging and simply told (I simply 'devoured' it. Oh har har har. Okay I'll shut-up now. ;P). Reggie is relatable and strong, while Vour Henry if effectively disturbing, and Eben is enigmatic. The other characters are fine for their purpose, although I do wonder at the twins, and I have a feeling they might feature more in the sequel, which I look forward to reading. A warning for the queasy: disturbing and violent imagery is used quite a bit, so some people might want to pass on this book.
Justin (2 KP) rated Power Rangers (2017) in Movies
Feb 2, 2018 (Updated Feb 2, 2018)
Meh
I dont get what this movie is trying to do. I kinda grew up with the original power rangers so the last thing i need from a movie based on them is loads of screen time taken up by character introduction. You could well argue that its targeted at a younger audience who might not have experienced the shows and latter movies first time round. But i would imagine they would have been as dissappointed and bored as i was by the majority of the movie being character intro and development and barely any of the fast action monster arse kicking that both us oldies and the younger generation would be expecting to see. Skip to the last half hour and you have a great high budget episode. Or just watch the trailer and see the last half hour condensed into a teaser that cons you out of your time/money into thinking youll get that throughout. Either way avoid like the plague.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2109 KP) rated The Forgotten Man (Elvis Cole, #10) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Normally, a man shot in an alley in downtown Los Angeles wouldn’t cross Elvis Cole’s radar. However, this man claimed that he was the PI’s long-lost father in town to make up for lost time with his son. Could it be true? If so, what was he doing in the alley when he got shot?
At some point, this part of Cole’s past had to come into the foreground in the series, and this book does a great job of using that hook to springboard us into a great mystery. As you’d expect, there are some good twists and an exciting climax. I did feel that a flashback to Elvis as an early teen really didn’t do much for the story other than slow it down. We don’t get to see much of Joe Pike, Elvis’ partner. Instead, the sidekick role is filled with Carol Starkey, but I hated how she came across here. Definitely a step down for her character.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/01/book-review-forgotten-man-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
At some point, this part of Cole’s past had to come into the foreground in the series, and this book does a great job of using that hook to springboard us into a great mystery. As you’d expect, there are some good twists and an exciting climax. I did feel that a flashback to Elvis as an early teen really didn’t do much for the story other than slow it down. We don’t get to see much of Joe Pike, Elvis’ partner. Instead, the sidekick role is filled with Carol Starkey, but I hated how she came across here. Definitely a step down for her character.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/01/book-review-forgotten-man-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2109 KP) rated Independence Slay (Celebration Bay, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The town of Celebration Bay puts on a spectacular Independence Day event with a reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle. Okay, so the battle never took place, but it’s still a fun event that locals and tourists alike love. However, this year, a murder takes place at the event, and the town’s event coordinator has to determine who killed the victim and even if the victim was the intended target before the town completely turns on the charming teen who appears to be the only suspect.
I love this small town and how the books always put me in the mood for the holiday that is being celebrated. The supporting players from pervious books aren’t a strong presence here, but the new characters definitely make up for that fact. I do wish one series regular would grow a bit more. The plot is strong with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-independence-slay-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love this small town and how the books always put me in the mood for the holiday that is being celebrated. The supporting players from pervious books aren’t a strong presence here, but the new characters definitely make up for that fact. I do wish one series regular would grow a bit more. The plot is strong with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-independence-slay-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2109 KP) rated F is for Fugitive (Kinsey Millhone, #6) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Seventeen years ago, the murder of a teen shocked the small community of Floral Beach. The young man who confessed to the crime broke out of prison a year later, but he’s been recaptured and Kinsey has been hired to prove his innocence. With the trails cold, she has her work cut out for her, and it seems everyone in town is hiding a secret. Can she learn the truth of what happened all those years ago?
One again, we are off on a wild ride that only gets wilder as we go along. Since we spend almost the entire book outside of Kinsey’s normal stomping grounds, the cast of characters are all new, and they are fantastic. Everything comes together for a great and logical ending, and I’m curious to see how the growth Kinsey experienced here will translate in the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-f-is-for-fugitive-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
One again, we are off on a wild ride that only gets wilder as we go along. Since we spend almost the entire book outside of Kinsey’s normal stomping grounds, the cast of characters are all new, and they are fantastic. Everything comes together for a great and logical ending, and I’m curious to see how the growth Kinsey experienced here will translate in the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-f-is-for-fugitive-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Double Star in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ally's on her way to an interview that will change her life. Little does she know, her life's about to turn upside-down, and not in a way she ever expected.
Double Star is a wonderful book, published by an up-and-coming company that rates its books so readers are prepared for what lies within the pages. I'm incredibly glad I got to read it, as I think it's a perfect example of a story that everyone could, and probably should, read. Throughout, I paused to reflect on my own life, about how I've taken many of the things I have for granted, and what I would do if I ever lost them. I think that's a fantastic thing to take from a fictional story, meant to entertain, and I would definitely recommend this to pretty much anyone. I am certainly looking forward to the next installment, and will keep my eyes peeled for more releases from Clean Teen Publishing.
5 stars =)
Ally's on her way to an interview that will change her life. Little does she know, her life's about to turn upside-down, and not in a way she ever expected.
Double Star is a wonderful book, published by an up-and-coming company that rates its books so readers are prepared for what lies within the pages. I'm incredibly glad I got to read it, as I think it's a perfect example of a story that everyone could, and probably should, read. Throughout, I paused to reflect on my own life, about how I've taken many of the things I have for granted, and what I would do if I ever lost them. I think that's a fantastic thing to take from a fictional story, meant to entertain, and I would definitely recommend this to pretty much anyone. I am certainly looking forward to the next installment, and will keep my eyes peeled for more releases from Clean Teen Publishing.
5 stars =)
The Rain follows siblings Simone and Rasmus as they try to find their father and the unlikely group of teens they meet as they navigate this new world and it’s challenges.
There are many storylines as each main characters backstory gets explained in a separate episode, via short flashbacks. I really enjoyed this as it was nice to get to know the other characters not just Simone and Rasmus.
As with any good teen drama there is love, jealousy and heartbreak, as the teens deal with the addition of Simone and Rasmus to their group and everything they have been through since the deadly rain began.
It is obviously a Danish series so it has been dubbed with English voices which just means the speech and voices don’t always match up, however I quickly stopped noticing.
My one criticism would be the ending as it seemed very anti climactic. I’m not sure if this was because they were uncertain if there would be a season 2 or not. However it would not stop me from recommending the series.
There are many storylines as each main characters backstory gets explained in a separate episode, via short flashbacks. I really enjoyed this as it was nice to get to know the other characters not just Simone and Rasmus.
As with any good teen drama there is love, jealousy and heartbreak, as the teens deal with the addition of Simone and Rasmus to their group and everything they have been through since the deadly rain began.
It is obviously a Danish series so it has been dubbed with English voices which just means the speech and voices don’t always match up, however I quickly stopped noticing.
My one criticism would be the ending as it seemed very anti climactic. I’m not sure if this was because they were uncertain if there would be a season 2 or not. However it would not stop me from recommending the series.