Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (315)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated The Surface Breaks in Books

May 22, 2020  
The Surface Breaks
The Surface Breaks
Louise O'Neill | 2018 | Young Adult (YA)
10
7.6 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Anyone that knows me, knows that I love a good retelling. And this is definitely a good retelling. The story is not dissimilar to the original; and I'm talking original Hans Christian Andersen, not Disney. Where this was happening in time was not clear but I read it as quite modern, rather than the age of horse and carriage. I really liked the back story of the little mermaid's mother and the intertwining back story of the "Prince's" father. I say "Prince" but in reality he is a rich young man due to a boating company. Like many retellings of The Little Mermaid the sea witch has a back story which takes away the perception of malice, but of a merperson wrongly outcasted and trying to help while keeping within the rules and bounds of magic. I found the different groups of merpeople really interesting, especially the creatures that now spend their days punishing men due to how they have been treated by men in their former life - a kind of revenge.
For people who like the original story and would like a slightly updated version, this is definitely the read for you!
  
40x40

Merissa (12699 KP) rated The Gray Prophecy (The Elemental Realm Duology #1) in Books

Mar 20, 2025  
The Gray Prophecy (The Elemental Realm Duology #1)
The Gray Prophecy (The Elemental Realm Duology #1)
Maria A. Eden | 2024 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE GRAY PROPHECY is the first book in the Elemental Realm series and I look forward to returning to this world.

Cori has been hiding from everyone for around fifteen years, but the day is getting closer when her prophecy will come true. During this time, she's had no one - no family and no friends. She moves for her new job and is surprised to find a witch family living there. She is even more surprised when she realises one of them, Adrian, is her fated mate. And you could knock her down with a feather when she realises Gray witches have been surrounding her for years, keeping her safe.

I loved how this story progressed, with Cori's ability to see the past giving you information you need, while still moving the story forward. And the idea of killing a prophecy if you kill the witch who spoke it was a new one for me. The different types of witches are interesting and I love the various skills they each have.

I would have liked a little more on Cori's mum, brother, and Calvin, as I feel I know more about the Gray witches that protected Cori than I do about her actual family and the Big Bad. It is Enzo's story next though, so I'm hoping I get more there.

This was a great read with a fascinating premise and concept that I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 26, 2024
  
40x40

Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Little Mermaid (1989) in Movies

Mar 12, 2020  
The Little Mermaid (1989)
The Little Mermaid (1989)
1989 | Animation
9
8.2 (78 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Under The Sea
The Little Mermaid- is such a excellent movie with classic songs like "Part of Your World", "Under The Sea" and "Kiss The Girl".

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

2002: AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions – Nominated
2003: AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains:
Ursula – Nominated Villain
2004: AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs:
"Under the Sea" – Nominated
2006: AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals – Nominated
2008: AFI's 10 Top 10:
Nominated Animation Film

Urusla- is a excellent villian and Ariel is a excellent mermaid.

The plot: In Disney's beguiling animated romp, rebellious 16-year-old mermaid Ariel (Jodi Benson) is fascinated with life on land. On one of her visits to the surface, which are forbidden by her controlling father, King Triton, she falls for a human prince. Determined to be with her new love, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula (Pat Carroll) to become human for three days. But when plans go awry for the star-crossed lovers, the king must make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.

If you havent seen this film, than go watch it on Disney+.
  
40x40

Rachel King (13 KP) rated Beastly in Books

Feb 11, 2019  
Beastly
Beastly
Alex Flinn | 2007 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.2 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have a small obsession with the classic fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, so any time a new retelling comes out, I must read it. This version written by Alex Flinn is both modernized and aimed at the Young Adult genre. I was curious to see how closely it would parallel the original fairy tale and still feel like an original story, and I think that it succeeded fairly well. There were parts that felt cliche, and it certainly verged into the realm of fantasy with the presence of the witch, but not so much that I was bothered by these elements. Plus, I liked the ways that the author diverged from the original tale and added new elements, such as the continuing involvement of the witch and the character of Kyle's father.
The plot wraps around the character of Kyle Kingsbury, who becomes the Beast. The book mainly felt like a character study as he progressed from a conceited, self-involved boy to a self-sacrificing, repentant young man. This is certainly a change from most retellings of this tale, since it is usually from the viewpoint of the character who plays the role of "Beauty." Many of the side characters were also just as fascinating, such as the blind tutor who comes to live with Kyle. I love the fascination that Kyle adopted for roses and the details of their care that were included in the book, it gave the book more depth. Probably the most exciting part of the book was his frantic race through New York City and the way that he handled the reactions that he created during this foray.
I know that this book was turned into a movie recently. I have not seen it as of yet, other than the previews, but I do look forward to it. But I already know of one major difference that the movie has from the book, and that is Kyle's beastly appearance is changed to resemble extravagant and disfiguring tattoos. I'll reserve opinion on this until after I've seen the movie.