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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated One Final Turn in Books
Jun 9, 2026 (Updated Jun 9, 2026)
I Expected This Ending. But It Still Disappointed
Ellie McDonnell is getting ready to head to Portugal. The country is neutral, and it is where people are expecting her cousin to head now that he’s rumored to have escaped. The hope is that they can rescue these escapees and gain information on the route they took to escape, keeping it open for others. While Major Ramsey is also on the mission, he isn’t in charge, which is a good thing since he has recently fired Ellie. But once they’ve arrived, will they be able to get beyond the tension between them to complete their mission?
I was anxious to read this book after the cliffhangers we got at the end of book four. The mission of this book gets off to a slow start with some repetitive action due to the focus on Ellie and Ramsey’s romance. Sadly, I found it even more toxic than it had been previously. When the mission picks up in the second half, I was hooked. Fans will be satisfied with the resolution we get in this final book in the series. I know I was. That includes the storyline about Ellie’s parents. I’m not sorry I read the series, I just wish I could have gotten behind the romance.
I was anxious to read this book after the cliffhangers we got at the end of book four. The mission of this book gets off to a slow start with some repetitive action due to the focus on Ellie and Ramsey’s romance. Sadly, I found it even more toxic than it had been previously. When the mission picks up in the second half, I was hooked. Fans will be satisfied with the resolution we get in this final book in the series. I know I was. That includes the storyline about Ellie’s parents. I’m not sorry I read the series, I just wish I could have gotten behind the romance.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Maze Runner (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Kids have one heck of an imagination, and “The Maze Runner” gives off the impression that is exactly where its plot came from. The film is an adaption of the first book in the young adult sci-fi series written by James Dashner.
In the film, the action starts right out of the gate with a boy in a cage being delivered up to a strange place. Upon his arrival, he encounters a group of boys, each of which arrived in the same way. The boys created a sort of primitive community in a beautiful green glade. Each boy is assigned a specific role in order to contribute to their survival. None of them are able to remember where they came from or their life before arriving.
The plot quickly begins to revolve around the boys who have been deemed maze runners. The glade in which the community resides is surrounded, or I should say enclosed, by a gigantic stone maze. The maze runners run through the maze trying to find out more about it in order to eventually escape. But, the maze is unsolvable because it changes shape each day and is too dangerous to stay in overnight.
The main protagonist Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) quickly interjects himself into the maze runner role, against the wishes of the community. But it isn’t long until he proves himself capable of the role when he becomes the first boy to kill what they call a “griever.” His arrival marks the beginning of new hope for the boys’ escape. At this point, one must wonder why none of the boys had ever killed a “griever” before the arrival of Thomas.
The “grievers” are cyborg spiders residing within the maze. They are the main threat keeping the boys confined to the glade, and they come off as an incredibly hokey aspect of the film. However, this may be really enjoyable for fans of corny science fiction.
I have not had a chance to read the series myself, but something tells me details were left out of the film which would have brought the quality of the plot up a level.
Unfortunately, the plot is poorly developed in crucial areas which could have made the film great, had they been further developed. For example, the creators of the strange place and the robotic spiders are not given much depth. The lack of detail in this area is what gives the execution of the plot a make-believe feel. Perhaps this part of the plot is purposefully left open to lay the ground work for the rest of the series to be made into film.
All criticism aside, what makes “The Maze Runner” enjoyable is that it stems from a unique idea. It takes the audience on a new adventure. However, I would hardly say the film aims to please a young adult audience. Its execution seems tailored for tweens. It lacks any real graphic violence, staying well within its PG rating.
I give “Maze Runner” 3 out of 5 stars.
In the film, the action starts right out of the gate with a boy in a cage being delivered up to a strange place. Upon his arrival, he encounters a group of boys, each of which arrived in the same way. The boys created a sort of primitive community in a beautiful green glade. Each boy is assigned a specific role in order to contribute to their survival. None of them are able to remember where they came from or their life before arriving.
The plot quickly begins to revolve around the boys who have been deemed maze runners. The glade in which the community resides is surrounded, or I should say enclosed, by a gigantic stone maze. The maze runners run through the maze trying to find out more about it in order to eventually escape. But, the maze is unsolvable because it changes shape each day and is too dangerous to stay in overnight.
The main protagonist Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) quickly interjects himself into the maze runner role, against the wishes of the community. But it isn’t long until he proves himself capable of the role when he becomes the first boy to kill what they call a “griever.” His arrival marks the beginning of new hope for the boys’ escape. At this point, one must wonder why none of the boys had ever killed a “griever” before the arrival of Thomas.
The “grievers” are cyborg spiders residing within the maze. They are the main threat keeping the boys confined to the glade, and they come off as an incredibly hokey aspect of the film. However, this may be really enjoyable for fans of corny science fiction.
I have not had a chance to read the series myself, but something tells me details were left out of the film which would have brought the quality of the plot up a level.
Unfortunately, the plot is poorly developed in crucial areas which could have made the film great, had they been further developed. For example, the creators of the strange place and the robotic spiders are not given much depth. The lack of detail in this area is what gives the execution of the plot a make-believe feel. Perhaps this part of the plot is purposefully left open to lay the ground work for the rest of the series to be made into film.
All criticism aside, what makes “The Maze Runner” enjoyable is that it stems from a unique idea. It takes the audience on a new adventure. However, I would hardly say the film aims to please a young adult audience. Its execution seems tailored for tweens. It lacks any real graphic violence, staying well within its PG rating.
I give “Maze Runner” 3 out of 5 stars.
Say My Name (Stark International Trilogy, #1)
8.0
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The Prepper's Pocket Guide: 101 Easy Things You Can Do to Ready Your Home for a Disaster
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Alice (117 KP) rated How It All Blew Up in Books
Mar 3, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Hot Key books for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of its release!
This book was a delight and so compulsively readable! It was so fun to escape to Rome with Amir but also to delve into some deeper topics as well. One of my friends lives in Italy and this is just exactly how I picture her life. Amir was such a fun narrator and even though he was a bit of an asshole sometimes you really were rooting for him! We can so often romanticise situations, people and places and this story showed that even the things that we romanticise and deem perfect are messy when we look a little closer.
This book was a delight and so compulsively readable! It was so fun to escape to Rome with Amir but also to delve into some deeper topics as well. One of my friends lives in Italy and this is just exactly how I picture her life. Amir was such a fun narrator and even though he was a bit of an asshole sometimes you really were rooting for him! We can so often romanticise situations, people and places and this story showed that even the things that we romanticise and deem perfect are messy when we look a little closer.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) in Movies
Apr 27, 2019 (Updated Apr 27, 2019)
Still more dinosaurs...
I'm not sure what a 5th "Jurassic" film can say that wasn't said in the previous 4 films, but they tried anyways.
After a volcano spews hot lava and ash on the original Jurassic island, humanity is left with the choice whether to save the prehistoric beasts or let them become extinct again maybe as it was supposed to be.
One of John Hammond's original partners is involved in trying to relocate several species from the dying island to a new home where they can be free of tourists and left to live their lives out in peace. Of course evil animal poachers seeking to weaponize the ferocious beasts intervene and only Chris Pratt (overrated) and Bryce Dallas Howard (not sure if she wore high heels the entire film this time) are here to stop them.
Not enough new material here to keep the film exciting and fresh. The same people running, getting eaten, etc is present here and I was bored.
Some cool visuals during the first half with our heroes trying to escape the volcanic habitat were compelling, however, the second half was way too predictable and not very exciting.
This franchise should now become extinct.
After a volcano spews hot lava and ash on the original Jurassic island, humanity is left with the choice whether to save the prehistoric beasts or let them become extinct again maybe as it was supposed to be.
One of John Hammond's original partners is involved in trying to relocate several species from the dying island to a new home where they can be free of tourists and left to live their lives out in peace. Of course evil animal poachers seeking to weaponize the ferocious beasts intervene and only Chris Pratt (overrated) and Bryce Dallas Howard (not sure if she wore high heels the entire film this time) are here to stop them.
Not enough new material here to keep the film exciting and fresh. The same people running, getting eaten, etc is present here and I was bored.
Some cool visuals during the first half with our heroes trying to escape the volcanic habitat were compelling, however, the second half was way too predictable and not very exciting.
This franchise should now become extinct.
Kristin (149 KP) rated The Slayer and the Sphinx (The Slayer and the Sphinx, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Porter is a Slayer. He kills the mythological creatures of the world, aka Mythics, and he's good at his job. On the flipside, there's Sarah, a Sphinx, just minding her own business when her house is attacked by a trio of Slayers, Porter included. When she tries to escape by teleporting, she unknowingly brings Porter along for the ride, and she doesn't know what will happen when he wakes up. However, he's damaged goods, and doesn't remember who or what he is. Cue adventure!
I'll admit, when I first glanced at the cover for this book, I thought it might be slightly childish, maybe a middle-grade book. Boy, was I wrong!! It completely pulled me in from the very beginning, and all I could picture was Porter fighting alongside Buffy. Once the pair teleports and Porter loses his memory, I was so engrossed in the story, trying to guess what would happen around the next corner, how he would remember himself and what he would think. I'm definitely going to read Book 2 in the series, because I need more of these two (and Tick!) and their struggle to deal with the world around them!
5 stars
Porter is a Slayer. He kills the mythological creatures of the world, aka Mythics, and he's good at his job. On the flipside, there's Sarah, a Sphinx, just minding her own business when her house is attacked by a trio of Slayers, Porter included. When she tries to escape by teleporting, she unknowingly brings Porter along for the ride, and she doesn't know what will happen when he wakes up. However, he's damaged goods, and doesn't remember who or what he is. Cue adventure!
I'll admit, when I first glanced at the cover for this book, I thought it might be slightly childish, maybe a middle-grade book. Boy, was I wrong!! It completely pulled me in from the very beginning, and all I could picture was Porter fighting alongside Buffy. Once the pair teleports and Porter loses his memory, I was so engrossed in the story, trying to guess what would happen around the next corner, how he would remember himself and what he would think. I'm definitely going to read Book 2 in the series, because I need more of these two (and Tick!) and their struggle to deal with the world around them!
5 stars
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Shakespeare's Landlord (Lily Bard, #1) in Books
Mar 30, 2020
Welcome to Shakespeare, Arkansas. Lily Bard came to the small town of Shakespeare to escape her dark and violent past. Other than the day-to-day workings of her cleaning and errand-running service, she pays little attention to the town around her. So when she spots a dead body being dumped in the town green, she's inclined to stay well away. But she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and despite her best efforts, she's dragged into the murder case. Lily doesn't care who did it, but when the police and local community start pointing fingers in her direction, she realizes that proving her innocence will depend on finding the real killer in quiet, secretive Shakespeare.
Shakespeare's Landlord is the first book in Charlaine Harris's Lily Bard mysterious series.
I was sure what to make of it all at first but it was better than expected. Lately I've lost all hope in Charlaine Harris's books but Lily Bard was a much better character than the moaning useless sookie stackhouse. Lily has was a kick ass heroine with a traumatic past so hopefully she will continue in this series to be that kick ass character! Not a bad start to the series it was a quick read too.
Shakespeare's Landlord is the first book in Charlaine Harris's Lily Bard mysterious series.
I was sure what to make of it all at first but it was better than expected. Lately I've lost all hope in Charlaine Harris's books but Lily Bard was a much better character than the moaning useless sookie stackhouse. Lily has was a kick ass heroine with a traumatic past so hopefully she will continue in this series to be that kick ass character! Not a bad start to the series it was a quick read too.