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As Shadows Scream
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This review was published first on <a href="http://theghastlygrimoire.com/"; target="_new"> The Ghastly Grimoire</a>.

As Shadows Scream by Kylen Coetzee is the first title I received as a request through The Ghastly Grimoire. Originally published on Wattpad, I’ve decided to approach this review a little differently than I typically do. First, because I do not have access to a final published copy, there is no way for me to tell whether or not the many grammatical errors I encountered were fixed. For those that haven’t used Wattpad, much of the work posted there does not go through the usual editing process from what I’ve read. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; however, it can negatively impact the story. That said, I’ve refrained from making my usual judgments on editing this time around and instead focused on the contents of this book.

Coetzee’s work, though flawed in some ways, brings to the table an interesting concept – one I feel could easily be adapted into a film. Throughout his book, Coetzee explores several mental illnesses, most of which deal with personality disorders. Whether or not this is intentional outside of the main baddie is hard to tell, but it gives an unexpected depth to the characters readers meet.

The pacing is quick and urgent, fitting given the content of As Shadows Scream. As usual, I feel that this book could have benefit from a bit more length, which would have allowed Coetzee to truly expand upon this world he’s created that is riddled with references of good and evil.

In regards to the death scenes – because all horror typically has at least one (though there are exceptions to this rule) – Coetzee does a beautiful job at rendering the scenes disgustingly gory. In fact, several times Coetzee shows moments of eloquence in the writing of his book, which speaks volumes to his ability to write. I think a little refinement would go a long way.

As stated at the beginning of this review, I chose to mostly overlook the glaring editing errors, thus giving the author the benefit of the doubt. If you’re interested in reading this tale, you can find it on Wattpad or purchase the paperback copy via Amazon.
  
Young Enough (The Age Between Us #2)
Young Enough (The Age Between Us #2)
Charmaine Pauls | 2018 | Erotica, Romance
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
You need book one first!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book two in The Age Between Us set, and you MUST read book one, Old Enough, before you read this one, it is not a stand alone.

I'm not gonna write a blurby bit, cos I might give something away!

When it all starts to unravel for Jane, and indeed for Brian, together, and separately, its like a ball rolling down a hill. As it moves, it gets faster and faster, and for Jane and Brian, things move at great speed, one thing after another after another, til the only way is for them both to walk away. When reading this unraveling, its like Oh My God. Then its, No Freaking WAY! And SAY WHAT NOW!!!

Because Pauls chucks so many, so bloody MANY things at this couple, and at us, it's a wonder they are still standing. So many twists and turns, so much that came totally out of left field, that I was totally blown away with the plot twists!


I've filed it on the darker/grittier shelf, because some of the things that are thrown at Brian and Jane need that tag. But if I tell you what they are, that would give plot lines away, so if anyone wants to know, please feel free to message me, and I will tell you, but I'm not doing that here.

BUT!!!

It's again, first person present tense, from both Jane and Brian's point of view. And as much as I loved this book, more so than the first, I still can't get past that. And for that I'm sorry!

Its very well written, though and you really do feel for both Brian and Jane when things start to go wrong. Strangely, I felt more for Brian than I did for Jane. Well I did, up to a point, and after that point?? It was Jane I felt more for!

So, even though I enjoyed this one more than book one, I still can't get past the present tense .....

4 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
2018 | Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
It is an inevitability in life that eventually you will watch all the films in the Harry Potter world, whether you want to or not. Mostly, I want to, but do find them a little difficult to hold in my mind as separate entities. I remember that I saw each one and generally enjoyed the magic and inventiveness of them, but pushed to identify which set piece happens in which film would probably stump me.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the first of the extended world of J. K. Rowling’s wizarding wonderland, is no exception. Couldn’t tell you a single thing that happened, having seen it once over a year ago. But I can tell you I thought it was slightly better than I thought it would be. And the same goes for the sequel, which I thought had a nice balance of the dark and light elements, and some really entertaining sequences.

Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander particularly impresses me in this context, being such a mild mannered hero, with a twinkle in his eye and hidden depths: an interesting character to observe. As do Johnny Depp, as the titular Grindelwald, and Jude Law as a younger Dumbledore – two ageing actors it is becoming increasingly hard to cast these days, but who are very well placed here. There is also some nice support from Ezra Miller and Katherine Waterston, both of who I wish would do more high profile stuff and Zoë Kravitz, who keeps popping up on my radar.

Of course, the effects are pretty good: this franchise has a few quid. And David Yates knows his way around this stuff competently enough by now, it being his 6th film in the Potter universe. He is also already signed on for a further 3 of these, making it a very lively franchise, with one film a year scheduled for the foreseeable future. I have no argument with them. They don’t change the world, but as distracting entertainment they are perfectly fine. I know I’d be chuffed as a parent of a youngish child that at least something semi intelligent and magical was out there.
  
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Dilemma in Books

Jul 2, 2020  
The Dilemma
The Dilemma
B. A. Paris | 2020 | Thriller
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Livia became pregnant when she was seventeen and her wealthy but distant parents basically disowned her. As such, she's always dreamed of having a giant party of her own. Now she's turning forty and finally having the lavish party she's always longed for. Her husband Adam and eldest child, Josh, will be there, but her younger daughter Marnie, who is studying in Hong Kong, will miss the celebration. And, secretly, Livia is relieved--something she hasn't even told Adam. Adam, meanwhile, just wants it all to go well for Livia. He has his own surprise planned, until he learns something terrible that will change everything.


"What I hate most is that my need for this party came from my parents. If I'd been able to have the wedding they promised me, I wouldn't have become obsessed with having my own special day."


Well, I can say one thing about this book: it's really readable. I flew through it in one day. Now, did I enjoy it? That's something entirely different. The plot is based on a preposterous web of lies and secrets that I don't think any couple would actually keep from one another. Not to mention that Livia is just ridiculous in her desire for this elaborate party, which we learn she has truly been dreaming about and planning for twenty freaking years. Seriously, lady?

Both Livia and Adam make insane decisions in the name of their secrets, but Livia's "secret"--which is actually just her being crazy yet again and overreacting to life--pales in comparison to Adam's, so it's impossible to take her seriously about anything. Meanwhile, you just want to shake Adam, tell him it's a stupid party, and get it together. Man up, tell your wife, and let's go. None--none of this--is necessary!

Honestly, while I kept turning the pages because a) I hoped someone would grow up and make a smart decision and b) I was wishing things would turn out differently, this book was stressful. It was hard to read, emotional, and tense (and not in a good, thrilling way). The whole story has an "ick" factor to it. While it was a quick read, it's not one I really recommend. 2 stars.
  
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Jeff Lynne recommended Cloud Nine by George Harrison in Music (curated)

 
Cloud Nine by George Harrison
Cloud Nine by George Harrison
1987 | Pop
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I didn’t know George at that time. I got to know George because of Dave Edmonds. I did a song with Dave Edmonds in Holland because I was doing an album over there – an ELO album – and he rang me up and said, ""do you fancy writing a song for me and I’ll come over while you’re there and I can sing it?"" So he came over and we recorded this track together and he played this big six-string bass. We recorded it, finished it and a few weeks later we’re having dinner, finished dinner, went our separate ways and he shouts down the street, ""by the way, I forgot to tell you: George Harrison asked me to ask you if you’d like to work on his new album with him!"" I said, ""what do you mean, 'by the way'?"" [laughs] As if that shouldn’t be the first thing you’d say over dinner! But that’s what happened. I got invited to George’s and I went there, we got on great and we went to Australia to the Grand Prix together to see if we were going to be pals. And we were. We were great pals and we got on great and we worked together for about 13 years or so. I love Cloud Nine because it was my first outside production that I’d done; it was a big album. And producing a Beatle wasn’t lost on me. It was like, “fucking hell! This is good, this, innit?” You know, it was great because I’d just had a year off and playing in my own studio in England and learning to be an engineer, believe it or not. I’d never really mastered engineering; I’d always been a producer and always had to tell the engineer what I wanted because I couldn’t do it myself. I taught myself how to do it myself and I was much more in tune with all the knobs. You know, I knew exactly which little tweak I needed to do because I’d been there doing it in my own studio for about a year."

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The Square (2017)
The Square (2017)
2017 | Comedy, Drama, International
The Movie That Never Ends
Artsy-fartsy movies are very hit or miss for me. Artsy-fartsy movies about art are almost always going to be a no. Enter The Square, a movie about an art curator who is preparing to launch his next exhibit called…The Square. I wish I could simply tell you to just not watch the movie, but I need to tell you why so here goes…

Acting: 10
How phenomenal is Elisabeth Moss? I appreciate the roles she takes on and I appreciate the obvious time and energy she puts into each. While she is supporting here, I certainly felt the most impact from her role. Sure Claes Bang was solid in the lead role as Christian, but this movie would have been damn near unbearable without Moss. The acting definitely didn’t hinder the success of this movie.

Beginning: 4

Characters: 9

Cinematography/Visuals: 9
For all of its flaws, the movie is at the very least gorgeous. I loved the dark and ominous tones throughout that represented a certain foreshadowing. Bright colors and shadows are played with perfectly. Director Ruben Ostlund does a magnificent job of creating an off-putting effect that casts a cloud over the movie (in a good way).

Conflict: 5

Entertainment Value: 3
From the beginning of this movie to its lackluster conclusion, I was just bored throughout. Like really bored. Like “When does this end? Oh my God, it’s almost 2 1/2 hours!” bored. Moss was great, but she wasn’t enough to save a work of art that is so boring and unmoving. Snoozefest.

Memorability: 3
Sure the Human Monkey Scene stands out as something to remember, but even that ultimately became annoying after watching three minutes of it. Nothing stood out in the entire 142 minutes of The Square. It suffers from no edification or value overall.

Pace: 5

Plot: 4

Resolution: 2

Overall: 54
Rule of Thumb: If you’re going to make a movie that’s well over two hours, you have to keep people interested right out of the gates. Otherwise, what’s really the point? That’s what I found myself asking every second of The Square. Not recommended in the least.