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TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Forsaken Island (The Dancing Realms #2) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
How do you even write a review for a book that you find so amazing you can barely put it into words... That is the real question.
After hearing so many good things about Hidden Current I knew I had to read Forsaken Island, and I am so glad I did. Sharon Hinck’s style is like that of C. S. Lewis, and J.R. Tolkien. She has such a unique and compelling storyline with an allegorical style that I. ABSOLUTELY. LOVED. It was beautiful to read and filled with some great truths about life, God, and finding our purpose in life. With mystery, intrigue, and a light sweet romance woven into every page.
Carya and Brantley are some of the sweetest characters I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Carya is strong, passionate, and eager to learn what the Maker has for her to do. Brentley is also strong, caring, and an adventurous planner
After hearing so many good things about Hidden Current I knew I had to read Forsaken Island, and I am so glad I did. Sharon Hinck’s style is like that of C. S. Lewis, and J.R. Tolkien. She has such a unique and compelling storyline with an allegorical style that I. ABSOLUTELY. LOVED. It was beautiful to read and filled with some great truths about life, God, and finding our purpose in life. With mystery, intrigue, and a light sweet romance woven into every page.
Carya and Brantley are some of the sweetest characters I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Carya is strong, passionate, and eager to learn what the Maker has for her to do. Brentley is also strong, caring, and an adventurous planner
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Avowed (Shadowed Wings #2) in Books
Oct 22, 2021
176 of 250
Kindle
The Avowed ( Shadowed Wings book 2)
By Ivy Asher
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Just when I think things are starting to look up...I manage to get myself kidnapped.
All I want to do is figure out how the hell to get home. But instead, I’ve been shot out of the sky, netted, half drowned, and now I’ve been taken to Kestrel City, home of the Avowed.
The Hidden claim the Avowed are the enemy, but I’m about to learn nothing is ever just black and white.
Well, except maybe for my gryphon.
I need to keep Pigeon and her wandering eye on a tight leash. Which is a hell of a lot easier said than done. She has an appetite for assholes and secrets, and there’s plenty of both flying around here.
Can I keep my head down, my wings folded, and Pigeon in check long enough to find the answers I’ve been looking for?
I sure as fuck hope so, but it’s not looking so good.
Well holy cow that was a bit good! I absolutely love her conversations with Pidge they just lift the whole book. I’m really enjoying Ivy’s work and can’t wait to keep reading more. I will say I think my heart was in my mouth the last two chapters!
Kindle
The Avowed ( Shadowed Wings book 2)
By Ivy Asher
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Just when I think things are starting to look up...I manage to get myself kidnapped.
All I want to do is figure out how the hell to get home. But instead, I’ve been shot out of the sky, netted, half drowned, and now I’ve been taken to Kestrel City, home of the Avowed.
The Hidden claim the Avowed are the enemy, but I’m about to learn nothing is ever just black and white.
Well, except maybe for my gryphon.
I need to keep Pigeon and her wandering eye on a tight leash. Which is a hell of a lot easier said than done. She has an appetite for assholes and secrets, and there’s plenty of both flying around here.
Can I keep my head down, my wings folded, and Pigeon in check long enough to find the answers I’ve been looking for?
I sure as fuck hope so, but it’s not looking so good.
Well holy cow that was a bit good! I absolutely love her conversations with Pidge they just lift the whole book. I’m really enjoying Ivy’s work and can’t wait to keep reading more. I will say I think my heart was in my mouth the last two chapters!
Diving Equipment: Choice, Maintenance and Function
Book
Diving Equipment: Choice, maintenance and function is a solid introduction to how dive gear works....
KittyMiku (138 KP) rated Flowers for Algernon in Books
Mar 24, 2019
A must read
Contains spoilers, click to show
Flowers for Algernon is an amazing journey that makes you take a step back and rethink things. It brings up a lot of issues that, no matter what time we are in, always seem to be around us, whether we notice or not. I found this story to be touching and in ways a bit disturbing. The journey in which this book takes you on, definitely makes you rethink things you may have done or witnessed in the past. It will have you thinking differently about those with learning disabilities and other mental issues. To see it from the point of view of someone who would go through these hardships, you are able to get the feel and understanding of things that you may not have had before.
Charlie is mentally retarded and it shows in his progress reports, which is where the whole story lies in. His grammar is horrible and his spelling can make it hard to read at first. It was hard to remind myself over the first few pages that the way it was written is exactly how someone like Charlie would write. However, it is very clear from the beginning he wants to "get smart." However, his reasoning behind it makes me shudder. I don't shudder because it makes me scared, but because of the disgust I feel towards how people treat him. He states he wants to please his teacher and be able to join in on conversations with his co-workers. He feels isolated and wants to be more than he is. Even though its clear people are making fun of him, he doesn't see it that way because they are laughing and smiling. To him, that means they are his friends. It isn't until later her realizes they are laughing at him that he begins to understand things.
I really liked how as Charlie learned new things and became more intelligent than he was, his progress reports became clearer and easier to read. But with his intelligence growing, he noticed other areas of his life were lacking. He no longer acted the way he had before, began to think very differently and still had the emotions of a child but in a whole new aspect. He was smart, but it was clear he was happier before the operation and the rise in his I.Q. It kind of goes to show that being smart doesn't always means you will be happy. He had to suffer to understand that the way his mind was changing wasn't exactly what he wanted. He wanted so much and even though he got smarter like he wanted, he lost the motivating factors behind it. He ended up losing his job and a lot of the people who surrounded him because of how his personality changed. It was heartbreaking to see him go through the hardships and feel so alone.
I found myself enjoying the fact that even during these hardships, he remained close with Algernon, the mouse who proved the operation worked. Charlie spoke fondly of the mouse, even though at first he hated him. It was pleasant to see that Charlie still had a friend, even if it was just a mouse. Especially with his memories torturing him whenever they decided to pop up. I found Charlie's childhood heartbreaking and exceptionally disturbing. His mother's ideals seemed to be wrong in my opinion. I don't know what she went through, but to be so harsh on a child and to not believe anyone because of how it might make her look to her neighbors and other people, was quite disturbing to me. I found myself hating the woman, and yet I know there are plenty of people who would do the same to their child, even in this day and age.
I have to say the ending was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever read. I understand there will always be risks to experiments that mess with ones brain, but I had really hoped for the best for Charlie. I wasn't fond of his intellectual self because of how he acted towards others and how he thought, but at the same time, to have him lose everything made me tear up and cry. It was truly not a desirable ending. However, seeing him put others first again was heartwarming. It goes to show you, sometimes it those who don't really understand things that are the kindest of people out there. It makes me think of those social studies of people asking others for money and it is the homeless who will try to help out versus those who have a lot they could give. I firmly believe that this book was created to show just how things can appear to be okay and its really not.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is in 9th grade or higher. I think we all need a reality check from time to time. I have read this book in high school for a book report and even though I am a decade older, rereading it reminded me of how much I loved this book. It has a bunch of underlying meanings and not just on intelligence. I loved the little hidden lessons and thoughts behind this book. It definitely gets your brain working and really puts our society in a truthful light. Even though its based on mental retardation, you can easily apply a lot of what is discussed in Charlie's progress reports and the things it hints at to other sources of discrimination . I would ultimately rate this book 5 stars out of stars. Though the book seems simple to read, it touches base on things in our everyday world that we normally wouldn't think twice about, and probably should. Flowers for Algernon is truly an amazing read.
Charlie is mentally retarded and it shows in his progress reports, which is where the whole story lies in. His grammar is horrible and his spelling can make it hard to read at first. It was hard to remind myself over the first few pages that the way it was written is exactly how someone like Charlie would write. However, it is very clear from the beginning he wants to "get smart." However, his reasoning behind it makes me shudder. I don't shudder because it makes me scared, but because of the disgust I feel towards how people treat him. He states he wants to please his teacher and be able to join in on conversations with his co-workers. He feels isolated and wants to be more than he is. Even though its clear people are making fun of him, he doesn't see it that way because they are laughing and smiling. To him, that means they are his friends. It isn't until later her realizes they are laughing at him that he begins to understand things.
I really liked how as Charlie learned new things and became more intelligent than he was, his progress reports became clearer and easier to read. But with his intelligence growing, he noticed other areas of his life were lacking. He no longer acted the way he had before, began to think very differently and still had the emotions of a child but in a whole new aspect. He was smart, but it was clear he was happier before the operation and the rise in his I.Q. It kind of goes to show that being smart doesn't always means you will be happy. He had to suffer to understand that the way his mind was changing wasn't exactly what he wanted. He wanted so much and even though he got smarter like he wanted, he lost the motivating factors behind it. He ended up losing his job and a lot of the people who surrounded him because of how his personality changed. It was heartbreaking to see him go through the hardships and feel so alone.
I found myself enjoying the fact that even during these hardships, he remained close with Algernon, the mouse who proved the operation worked. Charlie spoke fondly of the mouse, even though at first he hated him. It was pleasant to see that Charlie still had a friend, even if it was just a mouse. Especially with his memories torturing him whenever they decided to pop up. I found Charlie's childhood heartbreaking and exceptionally disturbing. His mother's ideals seemed to be wrong in my opinion. I don't know what she went through, but to be so harsh on a child and to not believe anyone because of how it might make her look to her neighbors and other people, was quite disturbing to me. I found myself hating the woman, and yet I know there are plenty of people who would do the same to their child, even in this day and age.
I have to say the ending was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever read. I understand there will always be risks to experiments that mess with ones brain, but I had really hoped for the best for Charlie. I wasn't fond of his intellectual self because of how he acted towards others and how he thought, but at the same time, to have him lose everything made me tear up and cry. It was truly not a desirable ending. However, seeing him put others first again was heartwarming. It goes to show you, sometimes it those who don't really understand things that are the kindest of people out there. It makes me think of those social studies of people asking others for money and it is the homeless who will try to help out versus those who have a lot they could give. I firmly believe that this book was created to show just how things can appear to be okay and its really not.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is in 9th grade or higher. I think we all need a reality check from time to time. I have read this book in high school for a book report and even though I am a decade older, rereading it reminded me of how much I loved this book. It has a bunch of underlying meanings and not just on intelligence. I loved the little hidden lessons and thoughts behind this book. It definitely gets your brain working and really puts our society in a truthful light. Even though its based on mental retardation, you can easily apply a lot of what is discussed in Charlie's progress reports and the things it hints at to other sources of discrimination . I would ultimately rate this book 5 stars out of stars. Though the book seems simple to read, it touches base on things in our everyday world that we normally wouldn't think twice about, and probably should. Flowers for Algernon is truly an amazing read.
Merissa (12055 KP) rated Origin Exposed (Descended of Dragons #2) in Books
Apr 19, 2023
I was chomping on the bit to have this story and see where things would take Stella, Gresham and Ewan, and boy was I NOT disappointed!
There are once again, more plot twists and turns than you can shake a stick at, with the action coming thick and fast. Every page is completely imbued with emotions, whether it is sadness or joy. There were times when I thought my own heart was breaking and it wasn't even one of the main characters!
As for Stella, Gresham and Ewan themselves - Stella has a lot on her plate in this book. She does insist on keeping secrets from those who care about her, which isn't altogether surprising as she keeps being told not to say anything to anyone. To be honest, I was a bit surprised at the reaction to Gresham. It's not like anything he has said or done has been that well hidden so it took me a while to understand her 'over-reaction'. To be fair though, I'm more than happy with how things are turning out with Ewan! Can I just add though, that since Jen has proven herself to be a wicked author, I'm not banking on anything with anyone until I see it in print! ;)
An excellent continuation of the series and I really can't wait for more. Definitely recommended.
* 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 23, 2015
There are once again, more plot twists and turns than you can shake a stick at, with the action coming thick and fast. Every page is completely imbued with emotions, whether it is sadness or joy. There were times when I thought my own heart was breaking and it wasn't even one of the main characters!
As for Stella, Gresham and Ewan themselves - Stella has a lot on her plate in this book. She does insist on keeping secrets from those who care about her, which isn't altogether surprising as she keeps being told not to say anything to anyone. To be honest, I was a bit surprised at the reaction to Gresham. It's not like anything he has said or done has been that well hidden so it took me a while to understand her 'over-reaction'. To be fair though, I'm more than happy with how things are turning out with Ewan! Can I just add though, that since Jen has proven herself to be a wicked author, I'm not banking on anything with anyone until I see it in print! ;)
An excellent continuation of the series and I really can't wait for more. Definitely recommended.
* 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 23, 2015
Hazel (2934 KP) rated 2389: A Space Horror Novel in Books
May 3, 2020
Another book off my to-be-read pile and this was a fun, quick read ... what's not to like ... space, theme park, zombies?
I admit to being a fan of Iain's books and he is one of my go to authors if I want a bit of blood, gore and mindless violence and I am never disappointed.
Here we have a romp into space when contact with a theme park on the moon is lost. Enter a group of cosmonauts (not sure why astronauts wasn't used?) sent to investigate but, pretty quickly, things go awry and it soon turns into a fight for survival ... how many will get out intact!
This is one of those books that you read just for entertainment purposes and not for anything heavy or too deep so if you're looking for something with a hidden message or meaning, then this probably isn't for you.
I admit to being a fan of Iain's books and he is one of my go to authors if I want a bit of blood, gore and mindless violence and I am never disappointed.
Here we have a romp into space when contact with a theme park on the moon is lost. Enter a group of cosmonauts (not sure why astronauts wasn't used?) sent to investigate but, pretty quickly, things go awry and it soon turns into a fight for survival ... how many will get out intact!
This is one of those books that you read just for entertainment purposes and not for anything heavy or too deep so if you're looking for something with a hidden message or meaning, then this probably isn't for you.
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Now You See Her in Books
Jul 10, 2018
What would you do if you leave your kid with your friend, and she suddenly lost it? How would you react if they told you she was on her phone throughout that time? Your friend has many secrets, but hey - SO DO YOU!
In a world full of psychological thrillers about missing girls, this is probably the only one that stands out on its own and reigns them all.
What would you do if you leave your kid with your friend, and she suddenly lost it? How would you react if they told you she was on her phone throughout that time? Your friend has many secrets, but hey - SO DO YOU!
<img src="https://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Extract-Now-You-See-Her-Heidi-Perks.jpg"/>;
While we have the overrated stories of how a girl goes missing, everyone involved is hiding something, things get intense, and in one moment we find it all out - here Heidi Perks did an extremely great job to spice things up and make this book one of a kind. She blended all these things together so well, that I couldn’t put the book down with intense moments happening on every single page.
The characters were very well formed - I could connect so easily to every single one of them. I loved their backgrounds and the little Easter eggs hidden through that only made sense in the end - PRECIOUS!
The story plot was so cleverly put together, and I greatly enjoyed it! A nice, fast-paced, psychological thriller that will give you the chills constantly, make you start biting your nails again, scroll through the next chapters and forget about your sleep until you’ve finished it!.
Big - intense five-stars from me, and definitely one of the best intense stories I have read in 2018!
A big thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, for providing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
What would you do if you leave your kid with your friend, and she suddenly lost it? How would you react if they told you she was on her phone throughout that time? Your friend has many secrets, but hey - SO DO YOU!
<img src="https://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Extract-Now-You-See-Her-Heidi-Perks.jpg"/>;
While we have the overrated stories of how a girl goes missing, everyone involved is hiding something, things get intense, and in one moment we find it all out - here Heidi Perks did an extremely great job to spice things up and make this book one of a kind. She blended all these things together so well, that I couldn’t put the book down with intense moments happening on every single page.
The characters were very well formed - I could connect so easily to every single one of them. I loved their backgrounds and the little Easter eggs hidden through that only made sense in the end - PRECIOUS!
The story plot was so cleverly put together, and I greatly enjoyed it! A nice, fast-paced, psychological thriller that will give you the chills constantly, make you start biting your nails again, scroll through the next chapters and forget about your sleep until you’ve finished it!.
Big - intense five-stars from me, and definitely one of the best intense stories I have read in 2018!
A big thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, for providing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Janeeny (200 KP) rated Things Fall Apart in Books
Jun 10, 2019
I was very confused by February’s ‘Penguin Reading Challenge’, as I don’t think I got one. Their February newsletter did recommend ‘Pride and Prejudice’ as a valentine read so potentially that may have been my classic recommendation for the month, however I’ve already read that one so I decided this month to go for January’s second recommendation of Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things fall apart’.
I don’t really know how to summarise this book without giving a lot away so I’m going to rely on Amazon –
Okonowo is the greatest warrior alive. His fame has spread like a bushfire in West Africa and he is one of the most powerful men of his clan.
But he also has a fiery temper. Determined not to be like his father, he refuses to show weakness to anyone – even if the only way he can master his feelings is with his fists. When outsiders threaten the traditions of his clan, Okonowo takes violent action. Will the great man’s dangerous pride eventually destroy him?
Again a Classic that did actually engross me. At the risk of sounding like a complete heel I was expecting to be lectured to by this book. Usually with Historical literature books of such high acclaim we encounter a lot of hidden and profound messages about our place in the world and how we treat others and the story can feel a bit dry. Also, with the other Historical fiction based in other countries I’ve read, I’ve appreciated the story, but they have essentially been based around problems exclusive to that era and culture, so it’s not really something I can relate to.
So oddly enough this little book set within a Nigerian tribe in the 1890s was actually quite relatable. Ok so maybe not many people can relate to a situation where you and a group of other men lead your foster son to a dark forest and kill him, but we can relate to making hard choices in life and letting down the ones we love.
You know as soon as you meet Okonowo that things are not going to go well for him, he is a prideful man quick to anger. He mistreats his wives and has high expectations of his children, and his intentions whilst well-meaning for his family are also misguided. Okonowo lives in a very superstitious village, and you can see that, after Okonowo does something that a close friend warns him against, that things will start to go bad from there. Things do not end well for Okonowo, as he doesn’t seem to learn or heed the warnings around him, but in the end you do start to sympathise with him a bit.
I think the best way to summarise the events in ‘Things fall apart’ is that whilst Okonowo’s problems are steered by his tribe’s beliefs and superstitions they are in essence problems that are relatable around the world.
I don’t really know how to summarise this book without giving a lot away so I’m going to rely on Amazon –
Okonowo is the greatest warrior alive. His fame has spread like a bushfire in West Africa and he is one of the most powerful men of his clan.
But he also has a fiery temper. Determined not to be like his father, he refuses to show weakness to anyone – even if the only way he can master his feelings is with his fists. When outsiders threaten the traditions of his clan, Okonowo takes violent action. Will the great man’s dangerous pride eventually destroy him?
Again a Classic that did actually engross me. At the risk of sounding like a complete heel I was expecting to be lectured to by this book. Usually with Historical literature books of such high acclaim we encounter a lot of hidden and profound messages about our place in the world and how we treat others and the story can feel a bit dry. Also, with the other Historical fiction based in other countries I’ve read, I’ve appreciated the story, but they have essentially been based around problems exclusive to that era and culture, so it’s not really something I can relate to.
So oddly enough this little book set within a Nigerian tribe in the 1890s was actually quite relatable. Ok so maybe not many people can relate to a situation where you and a group of other men lead your foster son to a dark forest and kill him, but we can relate to making hard choices in life and letting down the ones we love.
You know as soon as you meet Okonowo that things are not going to go well for him, he is a prideful man quick to anger. He mistreats his wives and has high expectations of his children, and his intentions whilst well-meaning for his family are also misguided. Okonowo lives in a very superstitious village, and you can see that, after Okonowo does something that a close friend warns him against, that things will start to go bad from there. Things do not end well for Okonowo, as he doesn’t seem to learn or heed the warnings around him, but in the end you do start to sympathise with him a bit.
I think the best way to summarise the events in ‘Things fall apart’ is that whilst Okonowo’s problems are steered by his tribe’s beliefs and superstitions they are in essence problems that are relatable around the world.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Faithless ( The Privileged of Pembroke High book 3) in Books
Oct 27, 2022
199 of 230
Kindle
Faithless ( The Privileged of Pembroke High book 3)
By Ivy Fox
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
They’ve messed with the wrong girl.
I gave away my heart only to have it broken.
I relinquished my soul, and it was mercilessly ripped to shreds.
All that is left is my faith that somehow I’ll be able to make things right.
I’ll fight tooth and nail to restore our love and bring us back our freedom.
I’ll make sure every secret is revealed. Every hidden lie uncovered.
I won’t allow the tyranny and manipulation over our lives to continue.
The madness ends here.
I just pray it’s not too late to save us all.
Well that was fun. I found it so funny watching that woman Vivianne get what was coming to her it’s been a long time coming. Really enjoyed this book there were a few moments that got a bit repetitive but only a few little bits. It was full of Little twists too. I’m looking forward to reading Elles story now that we have finished Snows story.
Kindle
Faithless ( The Privileged of Pembroke High book 3)
By Ivy Fox
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
They’ve messed with the wrong girl.
I gave away my heart only to have it broken.
I relinquished my soul, and it was mercilessly ripped to shreds.
All that is left is my faith that somehow I’ll be able to make things right.
I’ll fight tooth and nail to restore our love and bring us back our freedom.
I’ll make sure every secret is revealed. Every hidden lie uncovered.
I won’t allow the tyranny and manipulation over our lives to continue.
The madness ends here.
I just pray it’s not too late to save us all.
Well that was fun. I found it so funny watching that woman Vivianne get what was coming to her it’s been a long time coming. Really enjoyed this book there were a few moments that got a bit repetitive but only a few little bits. It was full of Little twists too. I’m looking forward to reading Elles story now that we have finished Snows story.