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Twilight Heist (Outlaws #2)
Twilight Heist (Outlaws #2)
Katherine McIntyre | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance, Thriller
10
10.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
awesome follow up to Midnight Heist!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is the second book in the Outlaws series, and I think it would help to have read book one, Midnight Heist before this one. Not strictly necessary, but it will give you a better view of this group of people and what they do. And you know, cos I said so!
This is a multi-layered story, and it took me a little bit of time to fully immerse myself into Leo and Tuck's story. It doesn't quite grab as much as Danny and Grif's does, but it packs a no less powerful punch.
Leo changed his name and ran from the Stockyard after his parents died. Tuck left the circus after his died too. When those two paths cross in the here and now, Leo knows he has to keep Tuck safe, without revealing his past.
This is a proper "kinda creeps up on ya" book! I mean, it came outta nowhere, whooping me upside the head with things I did not see coming! Once I started, and I should have read this AGES ago, I could not put it down.
It's dark and deadly, given both Leo's and Tuck's past. It's emotional and difficult reading in places, again due to their past, but also their fears for the future. Neither knows there can be anything long term between them, right? They are both damaged beyond repair. Super smexy! But I really wanted more smexy times on those silks! (I'm just greedy, don't judge me!)
The banter between the Outlaws is awesome and I loved that we got to catch up with Danny and Grif. I'm reading between the lines about who might be next, but I'm not voicing those words, cos I might be way, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY off the mark there! But Scarlet is growing on me, I love the way they flip from male to female pronouns and the guys just run with them. It did take me a while it book one to get Scarlet, but not so here, since I was aware of their fluidity.
An awesome follow-up to Midnight Heist.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elswhere
  
Never Be Alone
Never Be Alone
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Joon is eight years old when her parents are killed and she is put into the foster care system. For 4 years, she is with the same family, but the way they treat her is worse than you would an enemy. When Joon has her chance, she runs away an tried to make a life for herself on the streets. She sees more in her short life than many people experience in an entire lifetime. Will Joon be able to survive on the streets or will she succumb to the pressures of drugs and prostitution?

Thank you to NetGalley and Fiction With Meaning for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a book that every person should read. We have all seen a homeless person and I'm sure many of us judge them without knowing their situation and how they got to where they are. For some, maybe living on the street is better than their other choices.

In this story, I could see myself as Joon, going through life trying to survive, but I don't think I could have done all she did. This book will make you cry, it is absolutely heart wrenching. You want to jump in and try to save Joon. According to the Author's Notes(yes I read those), this book was taken from her own experience with homelessness.

Again, this is a book everyone should read. It will make you look at the world and the people in it very differently. We are all human and we all are just trying to make it through life with the cards we were dealt. Some of us were given a great hand, and others the worse, but it's what we do with it that makes all the difference.
  
40x40

ClareR (5945 KP) rated Macbeth in Books

Sep 14, 2018  
Macbeth
Macbeth
Jo Nesbo | 2018 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
All of the darkness of the original - and more.
Macbeth in Nordic Noir style - and it works! I've enjoyed the Hogarth Shakespeare series so far, and I think this is the best of the four that I've read.
Nesbo has done a really good job of moving the setting from medieval Scotland to modern Scandinavia (I think! That's what it felt like as I was reading anyway). The names of the towns in the original are the names of the casinos; the Queen of the witches, Hecate, is the main dealer and leader of organised crime in the town; Lady (Macbeth) is the owner of the most exclusive of those casinos.
Like Shakespeare's play, this book is grim, oppressive and ultra-violent. The body count is high, the murders committed without thought, or at least the only thought in Macbeth's head is that he will gain more power in the eradication of his 'enemies' and their families.
The description of the city portrays a poverty stricken, unemployment plagued, drug addicted, polluted northern town. These people seem to be accustomed to the corruption of their police and government officials, which is how the door opens to allow Macbeth to step through with Lady, his wife (who isn't his wife in this, but his girlfriend). Lady is the one who guides Macbeth's hand in everything he does, and then pays the ultimate price when guilt drives her mad.
I really do think that this is an excellent retelling. Five hundred pages went by in a flash for me, and I have to admit to a feeling of satisfaction as the story was wrapped up at the end.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book - and this is a totally unbiased review, people!
  
I Want Your Love - Single by Wes Mason
I Want Your Love - Single by Wes Mason
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Wes Mason is an award-winning recording artist based in Toronto, Canada. Not too long ago, he released a music video for his “I Want Your Love” single featuring Wyclef Jean’s protege Kofi Black.

“Some songs are close to finished when you bring them into the studio. But some songs happen spontaneously and come to life unexpectedly during a party. This is one of those songs that is simply the result of having a great time with great people in the studio.” – Wes Mason

‘I Want Your Love’ song tells an adoring tale of a young guy who finds himself in the presence of a desirable female who wants him in more ways than one.

Apparently, it’s 2:00 AM in the morning and they are dancing on each other at a crowded social event or party.

An hour later, she has her hands all over his body and he’s loving every moment of her touch. Later, inside a nearby hotel room, they kiss and make love.

‘I Want Your Love’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and vibey instrumentation flavored with tropical, contemporary R&B, and commercial pop elements.

The likable island-inspired tune was recorded at the legendary Tito Jackson’s private studio in Los Angeles. Also, at the historic Kensington Sound in Toronto.

It will be featured on Wes Mason’s upcoming album, entitled, “The Animal Inside”.

“I ultimately just want my music to affect people the same way that my favorite artists have affected me. It’s crazy how somebody else’s story can become your own.” – Wes Mason

At the age of 20, Wes Mason has amassed as many accolades as artists twice his age.

So far, he has won numerous international music awards and gained tens of millions of media impressions across TV, radio, and online.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/wes-mason-i-want-your-love-video/
  
Of Fire and Stars (Of Fire and Stars #1)
Of Fire and Stars (Of Fire and Stars #1)
Audrey Coulthurst | 2016 | LGBTQ+, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
7
8.0 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Having read the prequel to this book already, I can see why a lot of people complained about the lack of worldbuilding. Even though the prequel is based in a neighboring country, there's a lot in this book that I understood based on events in Inkmistress. I definitely recommend reading that one first.

That said, I enjoyed this book a lot. I think Inkmistress is better, but that happens often with new authors. I think the sequel, Of Ice and Shadows, due out this summer, will probably be even better, and should bring the events of the previous two books together.

Like Inkmistress, bisexuality seems to be absolutely normal in Denna's country, with Denna not expressing a preference, Mare having had male and female lovers, and one of Denna's ladies having a female lover. (There is a brief mention of a gay couple as well.) I do wish nonbinary people would make an appearance, but it's something, at least.

There are a lot of twists and turns to the plot in this book, so while Inkmistress was fairly straightforward, this one took me by surprise multiple times. It also makes it much harder to talk about the plot without giving anything away!

I wish we'd discovered more about the King's council - several members of it seemed to have ulterior motives but we never got to see what those were. If we knew their motivations, some things might make a lot more sense and be a lot more satisfying.

Read Inkmistress. If you like the world, go ahead and read this book, because the events of this will be necessary to understand the third book, which takes us back to the country featured in Inkmistress. And I want to know more about that country!

You can read all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
  
Doctor Who - Series 12 (New Season 12)
Doctor Who - Series 12 (New Season 12)
2020 | Adventure, Sci-Fi
Getting stale
When Doctor Who first came back into our screens, I loved it and loved it for quite a few series however the longer the show has been running for, the more tired of it I become. Like with any tv show, I think there comes a time when you should call it a day before it starts to become stale and people lose interest. I’m afraid to say that Doctor Who has gone past that point for me.

Don’t get me wrong, this was still a fairly enjoyable series. I adore Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor, I think she’s rather wonderful and I’m surprised at how many people don’t really rate her. I also find all of her companions quite bearable and probably the most bearable out of all of those that have come before - most likely because they haven’t tried to shoe horn in some cringey romantic aspects with the Doctor. Although I can only think of The Chase when I look at Bradley Walsh.

The problem is that the storylines are all getting a bit old and rather samey, whether they’re new enemies or old ones returning. Especially with the old foes returning, how many more times can we see the return of the Daleks or the Cybermen? It’s been done too many times. It was nice in this series to see the return of a familiar friendly face and it was nice in a way to see the return of a familiar and much loved enemy, however without spoilers I will say that this returning face isn’t quite as good as the one that came before it.

Overall this was an enjoyable series but not particularly memorable, and I really think they should consider giving this show a rest for a while.
  
Finding Nemo (2003)
Finding Nemo (2003)
2003 | Animation, Comedy, Family
“Finding Nemo” is the fifth Disney/Pixar film ever made and when it released in May of 2003, and it had the biggest opening weekend for an animated film. How could it not with a heartwarming story and an outstanding cast including; Albert Brooks (Marlin), Ellen DeGeneres (Dory), Willem Dafoe (Gill), and many other big names providing the voices. Like many other Disney/Pixar films, “Finding Nemo” has once again swam to the big screen in Disney Digital 3-D using digital projection to bring the audience along on the journey to help an overly cautious father and his forgetful sidekick find his son Nemo.

The Walt Disney studios along with Pixar studios have a great opportunity to bring in more box office dollars by giving movie-goers of all walks of life to either experience the story for the first time or for the millionth time but in a new and exciting way. A lot of people don’t like 3D technology and at times I am one of those people. Only when a film is filmed in 3D is it actually worth going to see in my opinion. Though I am about to contradict myself, I must say that I was amazed at how well the 3D effects had on the film as the conversion process was masterfully done. One of my favorite things about the film has always been the vibrant colors and attention to detail that the creators put in, all of which can be experienced to a higher extent with the 3D technology. If your doubtful when asking yourself “should I take the kids to see this?” don’t be. It is well worth the price of the ticket.
  
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