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Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Lucifer’s Rule (Hellfire #2) in Books
Mar 3, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Arren just wants to prove his worth. Being the young of the most elite warrior demon there has cast a dark shadow over him with some big boots to fill.
The only way Arren can see people thinking of him more than just the Wildfire Warrior's Son is if he joins Lucifer's Horde. A slight problem is that his mother can't stand the fallen angel and the hell she's been put through by him. Arren is determined, so he and his friend Mei set off to prove themselves.
This is the second book in the Hellfire series and I was excited to read it as I really enjoyed the first one. Although it has some references to some of the events in the first book, I think you could read it as a standalone as it does give you a quick description of the events. There is a lot of detail in the book and I find it adds to the quality with which it has been written. It means you're not missing any details that may only be small but are significant.
There are demons, archangels, battles, friendships made, rather racy sex scenes, as well as Lucifer himself. What more could you want in a story? I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Recommend reading
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Arren just wants to prove his worth. Being the young of the most elite warrior demon there has cast a dark shadow over him with some big boots to fill.
The only way Arren can see people thinking of him more than just the Wildfire Warrior's Son is if he joins Lucifer's Horde. A slight problem is that his mother can't stand the fallen angel and the hell she's been put through by him. Arren is determined, so he and his friend Mei set off to prove themselves.
This is the second book in the Hellfire series and I was excited to read it as I really enjoyed the first one. Although it has some references to some of the events in the first book, I think you could read it as a standalone as it does give you a quick description of the events. There is a lot of detail in the book and I find it adds to the quality with which it has been written. It means you're not missing any details that may only be small but are significant.
There are demons, archangels, battles, friendships made, rather racy sex scenes, as well as Lucifer himself. What more could you want in a story? I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Recommend reading
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated Murder on Mulberry Bend in Books
Jun 16, 2018
Murder of a Poor Teen
Midwife Sarah Brandt has gotten involved with the work of the Prodigal Son Mission which helps teenage women learn skills to keep them off the streets. That’s how she is able to identify the body that Detective Sergeant Frank has found in a park – it’s one of the girls from the mission. With no one to push the police to find justice for this girl, Sarah insists that Frank figure out what happened, with a little help from her. Will they find the killer?
I was compelled to read this book soon after I read the previous one with the promise of an update on an ongoing storyline. We do get quite a twist there before this book is over. The main mystery was a little weak, however. I didn’t feel like it had the twists we normally get, although maybe that’s because I had an idea what was going early in the book. The pages still flew by since the characters are strong and the time period comes to vivid life. Any time spent in this series is time well spent.
I was compelled to read this book soon after I read the previous one with the promise of an update on an ongoing storyline. We do get quite a twist there before this book is over. The main mystery was a little weak, however. I didn’t feel like it had the twists we normally get, although maybe that’s because I had an idea what was going early in the book. The pages still flew by since the characters are strong and the time period comes to vivid life. Any time spent in this series is time well spent.
Merissa (12822 KP) rated Lone Wolf (Exiled Omegas #1) in Books
Oct 24, 2023
LONE WOLF is the first book in the Exiled Omegas series and we start off with a pack that isn't interested in 'new' thinking, preferring to stick to the old traditions. This doesn't work for Keir, especially as it means his death. With help from Luke, the alpha's son, he escapes and tries his best to hide from all packs.
What follows is roughly two weeks of time where multiple kidnap attempts, shifter trafficking, fated mates, old blood laws, and multiple challenges are held, and I'm sure I've missed something out! If you're looking for a fast-paced book, this is definitely one of those!
With it being so fast-paced, I actually missed some of the softer times between Julien and Keir. Yes, they're fated mates, but they really didn't have much time to get to know each other before things went crazy - one way or another.
The epilogue gives a nice closure to their story, whilst leaving me wanting more. I really want to know about the kidnapped babies! A great beginning to a new series and definitely recommended by me.
** 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!
Oct 24, 2023
What follows is roughly two weeks of time where multiple kidnap attempts, shifter trafficking, fated mates, old blood laws, and multiple challenges are held, and I'm sure I've missed something out! If you're looking for a fast-paced book, this is definitely one of those!
With it being so fast-paced, I actually missed some of the softer times between Julien and Keir. Yes, they're fated mates, but they really didn't have much time to get to know each other before things went crazy - one way or another.
The epilogue gives a nice closure to their story, whilst leaving me wanting more. I really want to know about the kidnapped babies! A great beginning to a new series and definitely recommended by me.
** 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!
Oct 24, 2023
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Real Steel (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Boxing movies have been a staple of Hollywood for decades. Some of the earliest celluloid offerings documented pugilistic bouts in films such as Raging Bull, The Fighter, and the iconic Rocky series and helped boxing cement itself in both popular and cinematic culture.
In the film “Real Steel”, Hugh Jackman plays Charlie Kenton, a down-on-his-luck promoter whose best days are definitely behind him. In the near-future setting of the film, robots have replaced humans in the boxing ring and Charlie is constantly and desperately looking for the next big thing to help him claim a little fame and a lot of fortune.
Following the loss of his fighting robot, Charlie is summoned to Texas after the passing of his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his son. Charlie is eager to sign over the guardianship of his son, Max, to Max’s aunt, but after noticing her wealthy husband, decides to take advantage of the situation. Charlie makes a deal to sign over the guardianship of his son Max, (Dakota Goyo) in exchange for a large sum of money which he plans to use to get back into the robot fighting game. The catch for Charlie is that he must watch Max for the summer so Max’s future parents can take a planned trip to Italy.
Max is quickly thrown into the robot-fighting world when he forces his dad to take him along to a bout. Unfortunately, it’s yet another painful loss for Charlie and their first father-son trip ends with them scouring a junkyard for robot replacement parts. It’s Max who literally stumbles across an old robot and becomes convinced that the discarded machine could become a champion given the right conditions. Despite his misgivings, Charlie agrees to train the robot and in doing so gets to reconnect with his estranged son. Charlie is given a shot at redemption when Max’s robot becomes a fighting success and starts to advance through the rankings.
Naturally with increased success comes increased expectations and risks for Charlie and Max’s robot. There are numerous people looking for them to fail, as there is no way that a washed up boxer with a kid and an outdated machine can take on the machines of the professional circuit. Predictably, but still grippingly so, the outdated robot, named Atom, makes his way from seedy fighting pits to upscale arenas. Eventually the Atom team is given a shot at the big time which, as fans of sports films know, is destined to end with a climactic bout with the larger-than-life champion.
What sets “Real Steel” apart from other CGI laden action films is the human element and emotional connections you make with the characters, and even the blue-eyed junkyard robot itself. Although Atom is a CGI construct of a machine, you find yourself pulling for this unlikely underdog just as much its flesh and blood costars. The action sequences are intense and amazing to look at but never overshadow the underlying storyline of love and redemption.
Jackman gives a believable performance as a seemingly callous individual with no redeeming qualities. (Remember, he essentially sold his son). Evangaline Lily, is solid and likeable in a supporting role as Charlie’s old friend and former love interest. Goyo, fresh off his work playing the younger Thor in this past summer’s blockbuster, does a remarkable job in what is likely his breakout role. He has the spunky innocence of youth with a maturity that I had not seen in any young actor since Haley Joel Osment in the Sixth Sense.
“Real Steel” may not be the most original film, as aside from the robots this is a boxing tale that is been told many times before. I definitely saw lots of elements of the original Rocky but still found the film extremely enjoyable and entertaining as well as one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. It is rumored that a sequel is already in production and I actually hope that this is the case. This is one story I certainly wouldn’t mind going a few extra rounds with.
In the film “Real Steel”, Hugh Jackman plays Charlie Kenton, a down-on-his-luck promoter whose best days are definitely behind him. In the near-future setting of the film, robots have replaced humans in the boxing ring and Charlie is constantly and desperately looking for the next big thing to help him claim a little fame and a lot of fortune.
Following the loss of his fighting robot, Charlie is summoned to Texas after the passing of his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his son. Charlie is eager to sign over the guardianship of his son, Max, to Max’s aunt, but after noticing her wealthy husband, decides to take advantage of the situation. Charlie makes a deal to sign over the guardianship of his son Max, (Dakota Goyo) in exchange for a large sum of money which he plans to use to get back into the robot fighting game. The catch for Charlie is that he must watch Max for the summer so Max’s future parents can take a planned trip to Italy.
Max is quickly thrown into the robot-fighting world when he forces his dad to take him along to a bout. Unfortunately, it’s yet another painful loss for Charlie and their first father-son trip ends with them scouring a junkyard for robot replacement parts. It’s Max who literally stumbles across an old robot and becomes convinced that the discarded machine could become a champion given the right conditions. Despite his misgivings, Charlie agrees to train the robot and in doing so gets to reconnect with his estranged son. Charlie is given a shot at redemption when Max’s robot becomes a fighting success and starts to advance through the rankings.
Naturally with increased success comes increased expectations and risks for Charlie and Max’s robot. There are numerous people looking for them to fail, as there is no way that a washed up boxer with a kid and an outdated machine can take on the machines of the professional circuit. Predictably, but still grippingly so, the outdated robot, named Atom, makes his way from seedy fighting pits to upscale arenas. Eventually the Atom team is given a shot at the big time which, as fans of sports films know, is destined to end with a climactic bout with the larger-than-life champion.
What sets “Real Steel” apart from other CGI laden action films is the human element and emotional connections you make with the characters, and even the blue-eyed junkyard robot itself. Although Atom is a CGI construct of a machine, you find yourself pulling for this unlikely underdog just as much its flesh and blood costars. The action sequences are intense and amazing to look at but never overshadow the underlying storyline of love and redemption.
Jackman gives a believable performance as a seemingly callous individual with no redeeming qualities. (Remember, he essentially sold his son). Evangaline Lily, is solid and likeable in a supporting role as Charlie’s old friend and former love interest. Goyo, fresh off his work playing the younger Thor in this past summer’s blockbuster, does a remarkable job in what is likely his breakout role. He has the spunky innocence of youth with a maturity that I had not seen in any young actor since Haley Joel Osment in the Sixth Sense.
“Real Steel” may not be the most original film, as aside from the robots this is a boxing tale that is been told many times before. I definitely saw lots of elements of the original Rocky but still found the film extremely enjoyable and entertaining as well as one of the most pleasant surprises of the year. It is rumored that a sequel is already in production and I actually hope that this is the case. This is one story I certainly wouldn’t mind going a few extra rounds with.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell (2001) in Movies
Nov 15, 2020
So, Wishmaster started off well enough but Christ, this series really dived head first into car crash mode.
This third entry into the not so beloved franchise isn't good-bad, or fun-bad - it's actually a festering shit pile masquerading as a straight-to-video B-Movie.
The effects are terrible and cheap, the dlailogue is laughable. The main protagonist is the least likable of the series, which is saying something. Every character in this shitty fiasco is poorly written. The music cues are intrusive and out of place, the editing is completely bizarre (surely a lot of the crew had to be drunk just to get through this)...
I'm not sure what I expected to be honest, but my expectations were absolutely exceeded.
It doesn't even have Andrew Divoff in it, the highlight of the first, and the only good thing about the second Wishmaster. He's replaced by John Novak in Djinn mode (who is fine by the way, the three or so minutes of full make up screentime is just about passable) and by Jason Connery (son of Sean) when he's in human mode. I don't recall seeing Jason Connery in anything else, and I'm sure he's a perfectly fine actor, but in this, he is literally David Brent. Once I noticed this, I couldn't get past it, and any evil he may have been trying to convey was lost in his Brent-ness. Unintentionally hilarious, but didn't make the film any less shit.
Wishmaster 3 is terrible. Don't do it to yourself.
This third entry into the not so beloved franchise isn't good-bad, or fun-bad - it's actually a festering shit pile masquerading as a straight-to-video B-Movie.
The effects are terrible and cheap, the dlailogue is laughable. The main protagonist is the least likable of the series, which is saying something. Every character in this shitty fiasco is poorly written. The music cues are intrusive and out of place, the editing is completely bizarre (surely a lot of the crew had to be drunk just to get through this)...
I'm not sure what I expected to be honest, but my expectations were absolutely exceeded.
It doesn't even have Andrew Divoff in it, the highlight of the first, and the only good thing about the second Wishmaster. He's replaced by John Novak in Djinn mode (who is fine by the way, the three or so minutes of full make up screentime is just about passable) and by Jason Connery (son of Sean) when he's in human mode. I don't recall seeing Jason Connery in anything else, and I'm sure he's a perfectly fine actor, but in this, he is literally David Brent. Once I noticed this, I couldn't get past it, and any evil he may have been trying to convey was lost in his Brent-ness. Unintentionally hilarious, but didn't make the film any less shit.
Wishmaster 3 is terrible. Don't do it to yourself.
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