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Merissa (14222 KP) rated Love, Pucks, and Other Stories (Rush Hockey #4) in Books

Feb 15, 2023

A great read but that cliffhanger is a doozy!

LOVE, PUCKS, & OTHER STORIES is the fourth book in the Rush Hockey series but the first book in Billie Rose and Joel's trilogy. I haven't read the previous three but that didn't impact my enjoyment of this story.

Oh, man, but I'm conflicted on this one. Let me start with the good things:

I loved how dedicated Billie Rose was to her town, even when people didn't see everything she did. And how she brings joy to her own life with washi tape. Joel accepts his place as a minor league hockey player, giving his support to those who will move on whilst he is happy to put down roots. Although he and Billie Rose are usually at loggerheads, when he actually opens his eyes, he sees there is so much more to her than he realised. And he goes about breaking through her walls, ever so softly, until he gets to see the real Billie Rose - workaholic and all.

Okay, so (without spoilers) here's what did me:

That ending! Well, that and it took so long for Joel to figure out that harpy isn't necessarily a nice word! I mean, come on. Even if he didn't see her flinch, on what planet - when he grew up with a nice mum and sisters - did he think that was okay? And speaking of his nice mum and sisters, plus his dad, I can't believe that no one, NO ONE, ever mentioned said ending. Not once! Not even in passing. I'm sure most people will be loving that cliffhanger but, for me, it ruined it slightly. Now there's going to be unnecessary angst with Joel explaining, Billie Rose not believing, and lots of time grovelling until hey, everything's fine again.

On the whole, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it if a) you're a fan of Ms Faber's writing and b) if you don't mind cliffhangers because, trust me, this one's a doozy!

** 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. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Kudos

＊✿❀ Maki ❀✿＊ (7 KP) rated Selfies in Books

May 3, 2018

Selfies was a fun combination of modern day vanity and the old belief that taking a picture of someone captures a part of that person's soul.

It was...okay. I liked how the story was told in a series of photo descriptions. The build up towards the ending is pretty well paced, although the strange break at the beginning where the random kid delivers exposition felt a bit out of place. It felt like it would have served better as an epilogue, rather than an opening.

My biggest problem was that I really couldn't take the story seriously. It was never scary or creepy for me.

I guess I've just read one too many <a href="http://creepypasta.wikia.com/wiki/Creepypasta_Wiki">creepypastas</a>;. (I had an addiction to them earlier on in the year.)

This short even follows the general format of a creepypasta, down to the girl getting the phone from a creepy old man in a store that mysteriously disappears after the phone is passed off on her. The story was at least well-written, and properly edited, which is more than I can say for most creepypastas out there.

You can read it for free <a href="http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/09/selfies-lavie-tidhar">here</a>;.

Kudos

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018) in Movies

Jun 19, 2019

Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018)

2018 | Action, Thriller

4.9

(13 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Following up “Escape Plan”; Lionsgate and Sylvester Stallone have teamed up for “Escape Plan 2: Hades”. This time around Dave Bautista is teamed with Stallone as security expert Ray Breslin (Stallone), is trying to find a locale known as “HADES” where one of his top operatives Shu Ren (Xiaoming Huang), has become an inmate.

Life in the high-tech Hades is harsh as inmates are matches up to fight one another and the place appears to be escape proof.

In a race against time, Breslin must find out all he can about HADES and find a way into the prison in order to break out with his man before it is too late.

The film has good production values for a home video release. It may not have the grand scope of the previous film but it does have enough elements to entertain. I would have liked a bit more screen time for Bautista and Stallone but with a third film already reportedly shot, it would be great to see where the series goes next.

For now, the film despite some flaws is entertaining enough for fans of the original and does make for some decent viewing at home as long as you set reasonable expectations.

http://sknr.net/2018/07/05/escape-plan-2-hades/