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ClareR (5879 KP) rated Circus of Wonders in Books
Mar 15, 2022
After reading The Doll Factory, I was on the look out for Elizabeth Macneal’s next book. Circus of Wonders has NOT disappointed me.
Elizabeth Macneal has described what it is like to be on the margins of society - an outcast because you don’t look the same as everyone else. Nell lives in a time where you are shunned for having birthmarks such as hers. She is considered to be bad luck, a curse. Not helped by the fact that her mother had died in childbirth. Her father constantly reinforces this, and won’t even touch her. Nell’s beloved brother is her sole comfort. He cares for her, and promises to take her with him when he marries.
But Nell’s father sells her to Jasper Jupiters Circus of Wonders. Jasper is a man who is hellbent on being a success, and thinks nothing of using Nell and others like her, to achieve greatness. Jasper and his brother Toby, are both survivors of the Crimean war, and clearly carry many secrets.
Themes such as exploitation, ownership, differences, power, sibling love, secrets, love and loss are central to this book.
Nell is a constant surprise. She goes from being a scared, vulnerable girl, to becoming the centre of attention, in control of all those who come to watch her. This is the other side to the P. T. Barnum story. We’ve probably all heard of ‘The Greatest Showman’, but there’s the other exploitative side that seems to have been brushed under the carpet. This book shows that side.
I loved this book, and I wouldn’t hesitate to tell you all to go out and buy it!
Elizabeth Macneal has described what it is like to be on the margins of society - an outcast because you don’t look the same as everyone else. Nell lives in a time where you are shunned for having birthmarks such as hers. She is considered to be bad luck, a curse. Not helped by the fact that her mother had died in childbirth. Her father constantly reinforces this, and won’t even touch her. Nell’s beloved brother is her sole comfort. He cares for her, and promises to take her with him when he marries.
But Nell’s father sells her to Jasper Jupiters Circus of Wonders. Jasper is a man who is hellbent on being a success, and thinks nothing of using Nell and others like her, to achieve greatness. Jasper and his brother Toby, are both survivors of the Crimean war, and clearly carry many secrets.
Themes such as exploitation, ownership, differences, power, sibling love, secrets, love and loss are central to this book.
Nell is a constant surprise. She goes from being a scared, vulnerable girl, to becoming the centre of attention, in control of all those who come to watch her. This is the other side to the P. T. Barnum story. We’ve probably all heard of ‘The Greatest Showman’, but there’s the other exploitative side that seems to have been brushed under the carpet. This book shows that side.
I loved this book, and I wouldn’t hesitate to tell you all to go out and buy it!
Merissa (12911 KP) rated A Hint of Frost (Araneae Nation #1) in Books
Aug 3, 2017
A Hint of Frost (Araneae Nation #1) by Hailey Edwards
It's not often that someone can do something different with a well known genre but Hailey Edwards has managed it. There are a lot of different clans in this world, all with confusing (to me!) names but the life and spark that Hailey has created is wonderful. There are aspects of this story that I was cringing at to begin with - as you are supposed to! It's written in a way that makes it horribly good. But then as you read more and understand more, you see how something has been abused and debased. It becomes less horrible as an act and more horrible towards the person doing it. Confused? Then give this book a try and see for yourself.
The world is well written and you can tell a lot of thought has been put into this world, the clans in it and the relationships between people, both those of inside and outside the clan. The characters are all very well written and even though it is written from the first person POV, nothing is lost.
This world is too good to read just one book and then leave. The others are now firmly on my T-B-R list.
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The world is well written and you can tell a lot of thought has been put into this world, the clans in it and the relationships between people, both those of inside and outside the clan. The characters are all very well written and even though it is written from the first person POV, nothing is lost.
This world is too good to read just one book and then leave. The others are now firmly on my T-B-R list.
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated The Perfect Girlfriend in Books
Mar 27, 2019 (Updated Mar 28, 2019)
"If you love someone, set them free.
If they come back, they're yours. If they don't, make them."
I cannot even tell you how many times I said to myself, "This chick is INSANE," while reading this story.
And she is. Juliette Price is smart (with enviable investigative skills), attractive, and completely delusional. She is certainly not a likable character - actually, none of the characters are very likable - but she is fascinating in an American Psycho kind of way. The story is made all the more creepy by Juliette's narrative, because the delusional never think they're delusional, now do they? No, everyone else must be the problem. This 100% applies in this case.
I appreciate the fact that there's no "big twist" in this one, but rather a series of smaller twists that help to further the narrative. Honestly, Juliette herself is so twisted, that's all you really need.
Also, can I take a minute here to say that Nate is SUCH a douche, and even a bonkers chick like Juliette deserves someone better to stalk?
I'm giving this one 9.5 stars rounded down because the ending frustrated the hell out of me. How about an epilogue? Gah.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Graydon House Books for the opportunity to preview this title early in exchange for an honest review.
If they come back, they're yours. If they don't, make them."
I cannot even tell you how many times I said to myself, "This chick is INSANE," while reading this story.
And she is. Juliette Price is smart (with enviable investigative skills), attractive, and completely delusional. She is certainly not a likable character - actually, none of the characters are very likable - but she is fascinating in an American Psycho kind of way. The story is made all the more creepy by Juliette's narrative, because the delusional never think they're delusional, now do they? No, everyone else must be the problem. This 100% applies in this case.
I appreciate the fact that there's no "big twist" in this one, but rather a series of smaller twists that help to further the narrative. Honestly, Juliette herself is so twisted, that's all you really need.
Also, can I take a minute here to say that Nate is SUCH a douche, and even a bonkers chick like Juliette deserves someone better to stalk?
I'm giving this one 9.5 stars rounded down because the ending frustrated the hell out of me. How about an epilogue? Gah.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Graydon House Books for the opportunity to preview this title early in exchange for an honest review.
Steph (468 KP) rated Fire Emblem Awakening in Video Games
Jul 11, 2018
Favorite video game of all time!
Fire Emblem Awakening is my favorite video game of all time! I have gotten most of my friends to play it because I love it so much. This is what I tell them: I first played it on my ex-boyfriend's 3 DS. when I broke up with him, I couldn't stop thinking about Fire Emblem Awakening, so I bought a 3 DS so that I could play the game. I have never really played video games but I have now replayed this one four times and counting. When the next game in the Fire Emblem series came out, I literally stopped to purchase it on my way to check myself in to the emergency room. Thats how much I love this game! It has made me excited about the rest of the series as well, but so far this is my absolute favorite.
The characters are incredible the strategy and tactics part is quite good and has a variety of levels for casual up to very serious players. The story is absolutely amazing and the animation is also excellent.
if you don't have this game, you should buy it and play it. If you don't have a 3 DS, you should buy it so that you can play this game. It's that good!
The characters are incredible the strategy and tactics part is quite good and has a variety of levels for casual up to very serious players. The story is absolutely amazing and the animation is also excellent.
if you don't have this game, you should buy it and play it. If you don't have a 3 DS, you should buy it so that you can play this game. It's that good!
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated The Silent Songbird in Books
Aug 30, 2018
The Silent Songbird is a story about a heroine that wants to something all people want. It takes place in either 1700 or 1800 England. It mostly about the King’s warden. Will she find what wants in life? She knows her duty, but she does not want to marry someone she does not love.
Evangeline knows her cousin goes to set up a marriage to an Earl? She tries to tell her cousin she doesn't want to marry this man. She is forced to run away. This is where all twists and turns and surprises start to occur. She meets a man and asks to go along with him and his men. She also has her friend with her as well. I believe this is where she starts to learn about herself and learns about the world around her.
The author does a good job showing us what it likes for women in that era. We learn of what Lord Shivery is like and how he is. You will be surprised at how and what this man did to his first wife. The author does wonders with her characters. You can see how deep she makes them. You are pulled into the era of that time and you feel like you are a part of that world.
Evangeline knows her cousin goes to set up a marriage to an Earl? She tries to tell her cousin she doesn't want to marry this man. She is forced to run away. This is where all twists and turns and surprises start to occur. She meets a man and asks to go along with him and his men. She also has her friend with her as well. I believe this is where she starts to learn about herself and learns about the world around her.
The author does a good job showing us what it likes for women in that era. We learn of what Lord Shivery is like and how he is. You will be surprised at how and what this man did to his first wife. The author does wonders with her characters. You can see how deep she makes them. You are pulled into the era of that time and you feel like you are a part of that world.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Manhunt: Unabomber in TV
Sep 15, 2018
Good performances make it watchable
I was told i had to watch this by my brother, and more surprisingly my mum, but in all honesty I wasn't too impressed.
The performances in this are great and these are what kept me watching. Paul Bettany is very unnerving as Ted and even Sam Worthington, who I don't particularly rate as an actor, was actually quite good. Visually it looks good and the script, staging and directing are all well done and quite gritty and dark.
The problem with this series is that there's nothing to grip you & no surprises. Whilst I wasn't aware of the true story behind the Unabomber, the series starts off by telling you who he is and then relaying how he was caught across the 8 episodes. Even the trial at the end isn't particularly interesting. I can understand why they wanted to tell the story in a non linear manner, but for me this just didn't work. I didn't want to know who the unabomber was right at the start, as even though the investigation into how he's caught is vaguely interesting, there are no plot twists or turns to keep you hooked. It made for a very dull series and my hopes for a massive twist ending or something shocking were sadly dashed.
The performances in this are great and these are what kept me watching. Paul Bettany is very unnerving as Ted and even Sam Worthington, who I don't particularly rate as an actor, was actually quite good. Visually it looks good and the script, staging and directing are all well done and quite gritty and dark.
The problem with this series is that there's nothing to grip you & no surprises. Whilst I wasn't aware of the true story behind the Unabomber, the series starts off by telling you who he is and then relaying how he was caught across the 8 episodes. Even the trial at the end isn't particularly interesting. I can understand why they wanted to tell the story in a non linear manner, but for me this just didn't work. I didn't want to know who the unabomber was right at the start, as even though the investigation into how he's caught is vaguely interesting, there are no plot twists or turns to keep you hooked. It made for a very dull series and my hopes for a massive twist ending or something shocking were sadly dashed.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Mother of Shadows (The Chosen #1) in Books
Mar 15, 2020
"It's not a story."
With four words Helena’s quiet life goes up in flames. When her childhood friend returns to tell her that she is the prophesied ruler of the Chosen, those blessed with the gift of magic, there’s no avoiding her destiny.
Suddenly, Helena is surrounded by a circle of protectors, each man having sworn their loyalty to her since her birth. All except for one: her Mate.
It’s not enough that she learn how to use her magic and undergo a trial to prove her worthiness; in order to claim her title, Helena must also find the man who carries the other half of her soul.
Exiled due to a past he had no part in, Von is the last man the Chosen expect Helena to select. Despite their protests, his soul calls to hers and there’s no denying that he was made for her. But the prophecy stands and all isn’t as it seems.
There’s an enemy lurking within plain sight who will stop at nothing to destroy her.
Meg Anne is a new author for me so glad I found her l. So it was quite good! Characters were easy to get along with, story was easy to follow which made it a pleasure to read. Strong female lead. I really enjoyed getting into this at world looking forward to book 2!
With four words Helena’s quiet life goes up in flames. When her childhood friend returns to tell her that she is the prophesied ruler of the Chosen, those blessed with the gift of magic, there’s no avoiding her destiny.
Suddenly, Helena is surrounded by a circle of protectors, each man having sworn their loyalty to her since her birth. All except for one: her Mate.
It’s not enough that she learn how to use her magic and undergo a trial to prove her worthiness; in order to claim her title, Helena must also find the man who carries the other half of her soul.
Exiled due to a past he had no part in, Von is the last man the Chosen expect Helena to select. Despite their protests, his soul calls to hers and there’s no denying that he was made for her. But the prophecy stands and all isn’t as it seems.
There’s an enemy lurking within plain sight who will stop at nothing to destroy her.
Meg Anne is a new author for me so glad I found her l. So it was quite good! Characters were easy to get along with, story was easy to follow which made it a pleasure to read. Strong female lead. I really enjoyed getting into this at world looking forward to book 2!
Merissa (12911 KP) rated Mad about the Boy in Books
Aug 1, 2019
Mad About The Boy is a contemporary romance stalker story. Eli has things he wants to do with his life, like setting up a dog's boarding home and rescue kennels. He is working to do so, but strange things start happening to him. Luckily for him, he has his friends and Dominic there to help him.
I will be honest here, at points in the story, it is Dominic who comes across as a bit stalkerish. He was intense. However, it all worked out well in the end. As for the other characters, they are all very good. They do what they are supposed to, and that is support the main character, or move the story along.
There were a few loose ends that weren't tied up, not to me at least. I did enjoy this book, and am very glad I've read it. I was wavering between 3 and 4 stars, and have gone with 3 simply because of those loose ends. Perhaps it's just me not seeing them. I definitely recommend this book, because then you can see what I mean, and tell me where I couldn't find them!
* 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!
I will be honest here, at points in the story, it is Dominic who comes across as a bit stalkerish. He was intense. However, it all worked out well in the end. As for the other characters, they are all very good. They do what they are supposed to, and that is support the main character, or move the story along.
There were a few loose ends that weren't tied up, not to me at least. I did enjoy this book, and am very glad I've read it. I was wavering between 3 and 4 stars, and have gone with 3 simply because of those loose ends. Perhaps it's just me not seeing them. I definitely recommend this book, because then you can see what I mean, and tell me where I couldn't find them!
* 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!
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