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Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Mr Mercedes in Books
May 16, 2018
I've been a Stephen King fan since sixth grade, when my father let me borrow his copy of Salem's Lot. The most recent book of his I read was the final book in The Dark Tower, and I was less than impressed with it: The Dark Tower felt largely forced to me, and was such a dragging bore that it took me several months to finally get through it -- which I found to be extremely disappointing. That said, Mr. Mercedes was a nice reminder as to why I love King as a writer: his passion for his craft bleeds through the pages of this book.
Mr. Mercedes is the first book in Stephen King's Bill Hodges Trilogy, and it is by far among the best books that I've read as of late. Set in the Midwest, which was a nice change for King's books, Mr. Mercedes begins with a crime against the poor. A group of unemployed jobseekers lined up outside in hopes of landing employment are mowed down by a deranged man behind the wheel of a Mercedes. In the aftermath, he escapes, leaving behind eight dead and several more wounded. Among the dead are a mother and her infant child. Detective Bill Hodges later retires, with no success at discovering who was responsible for the murder. The killer, dubbed Mr. Mercedes, isn't done though; and so, King takes readers on a wild race against time in a desperate attempt to keep the killer from completing his next act of domestic terrorism.
King has a penchant for creating characters that range from the truly good to the entirely depraved, and he has a knack for writing them in a manner so thorough as to leave the reader disgusted. In Mr. Mercedes, I was thrilled to find myself once again encountering a character whose point of view was utterly revolting. Brady Hartsfield is a character I loved to hate, and King does an excellent job of writing from his point-of-view. In complete contrast, Bill Hodges and his team of unqualified partners are good, upstanding (for the most part) citizens that sate the need for a "hero" with little to be left for wanting.
One of the things King does well in his books is foreshadowing, and Mr. Mercedes is no exception. When something bad is going to happen, King says so: only things don't happen the way you expect them to. In Mr. Mercedes, this creates a constant feeling of dread, a constant expectation that certain things will, undoubtedly, happen, and that it is only a matter of when and how. Every page is filled with anticipation of the next big event, some of which bring utter horror while others brought with them tears.
Needless to say, I don't really have any complaints about this read; it was worth the wait. Now, I just have to wait for my turn with Finders Keepers. I'm excited to see how this trilogy continues!
Mr. Mercedes is the first book in Stephen King's Bill Hodges Trilogy, and it is by far among the best books that I've read as of late. Set in the Midwest, which was a nice change for King's books, Mr. Mercedes begins with a crime against the poor. A group of unemployed jobseekers lined up outside in hopes of landing employment are mowed down by a deranged man behind the wheel of a Mercedes. In the aftermath, he escapes, leaving behind eight dead and several more wounded. Among the dead are a mother and her infant child. Detective Bill Hodges later retires, with no success at discovering who was responsible for the murder. The killer, dubbed Mr. Mercedes, isn't done though; and so, King takes readers on a wild race against time in a desperate attempt to keep the killer from completing his next act of domestic terrorism.
King has a penchant for creating characters that range from the truly good to the entirely depraved, and he has a knack for writing them in a manner so thorough as to leave the reader disgusted. In Mr. Mercedes, I was thrilled to find myself once again encountering a character whose point of view was utterly revolting. Brady Hartsfield is a character I loved to hate, and King does an excellent job of writing from his point-of-view. In complete contrast, Bill Hodges and his team of unqualified partners are good, upstanding (for the most part) citizens that sate the need for a "hero" with little to be left for wanting.
One of the things King does well in his books is foreshadowing, and Mr. Mercedes is no exception. When something bad is going to happen, King says so: only things don't happen the way you expect them to. In Mr. Mercedes, this creates a constant feeling of dread, a constant expectation that certain things will, undoubtedly, happen, and that it is only a matter of when and how. Every page is filled with anticipation of the next big event, some of which bring utter horror while others brought with them tears.
Needless to say, I don't really have any complaints about this read; it was worth the wait. Now, I just have to wait for my turn with Finders Keepers. I'm excited to see how this trilogy continues!
Toy Defense Fantasy
Games, Entertainment and Stickers
App
Toy Defense Fantasy 2.0 will please fans of tower defence genre with excellent graphics,...
Baby Airlines
Games and Entertainment
App
~~~> Thank you for flying Baby Airlines! The most adorable airlines on the app store! ~~~>...
SU
Schulz und Schulz: St Trinitatis Leipzig
Wolfgang Jean and Stefan Muller
Book
Text in English & German. Three places mark the chequered history of the provost church of St...
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Games and Entertainment
App
Join your friends in a brand new 5v5 MOBA showdown against real human opponents, Mobile Legends:...
RəX Regent (349 KP) rated United 93 (2006) in Movies
Feb 18, 2019
A gripping and moving historical document...
This is simply an incredible movie. Certainly one of the most moving and intense that I have seen in many years.
Now, seventeen years on, this film’s poignancy is still as relevant today as it ever was. Casting relative unknowns was the key to this frightening realistic portrayal of the world shattering events of September 11. Though, due to the casting real people in many of the their actual roles, the dialogue’s delivery does suffer from time to time, but it is also those faults that make this so credible.
The sense of shock at the second plane hitting the South Tower was so well portrayed, edited and directed that it still sends shivers down my spine. Though in many ways because I saw this day unfold live myself as millions around shared this inexplicable experience. This is a gripping drama, which has the courage of its convictions, staying the path of its internal truths and never drifting into theatricalities often attributed to movie of this type. Simply put; The story is dramatic enough in its own right and needs little if any real embellishment.
This is truly one of the greats, dealing with a historical event in such a mature way that it should stand as a historical document for decades to come.
Now, seventeen years on, this film’s poignancy is still as relevant today as it ever was. Casting relative unknowns was the key to this frightening realistic portrayal of the world shattering events of September 11. Though, due to the casting real people in many of the their actual roles, the dialogue’s delivery does suffer from time to time, but it is also those faults that make this so credible.
The sense of shock at the second plane hitting the South Tower was so well portrayed, edited and directed that it still sends shivers down my spine. Though in many ways because I saw this day unfold live myself as millions around shared this inexplicable experience. This is a gripping drama, which has the courage of its convictions, staying the path of its internal truths and never drifting into theatricalities often attributed to movie of this type. Simply put; The story is dramatic enough in its own right and needs little if any real embellishment.
This is truly one of the greats, dealing with a historical event in such a mature way that it should stand as a historical document for decades to come.
Louise (64 KP) rated All the Bright Places in Books
Jul 2, 2018
I started reading this book as a group read, otherwise I would never have come across it, but I am glad I did. I read in three sittings probably would have been two if i hadnt been disturbed by my BF for coming to bed.
First off I didnt cry! which is a disappointment after reading peoples reviews on this, I had my tissues ready but it just didnt happen, maybe I have a heart of stone or maybe there just wasnt enough emotion in the writing. This is what dropped it from a 5 star to a 4.
I loved Theadore Finch from the start and I slowly warmed to violet Markey who both attend Bartlett high and meet each other on the ledge of the bell tower,
Finch talking violet down, tells everyone its was Voilet that saved him and the relationship begins, mostly onesided at first but becomes more even throughout the book.
The main issues addressed in the book is suicide, accidentants, mental health and living, which makes me love the book and Jennifer Niven even more as she is trying to get across that your not alone and there are others and help is available. I don't often write reviews but I felt that I must.
I would recommend this book - but it's not like The fault in our stars as other reviews have noted, it's addressing a different message and the characters are not as pretentious.
First off I didnt cry! which is a disappointment after reading peoples reviews on this, I had my tissues ready but it just didnt happen, maybe I have a heart of stone or maybe there just wasnt enough emotion in the writing. This is what dropped it from a 5 star to a 4.
I loved Theadore Finch from the start and I slowly warmed to violet Markey who both attend Bartlett high and meet each other on the ledge of the bell tower,
Finch talking violet down, tells everyone its was Voilet that saved him and the relationship begins, mostly onesided at first but becomes more even throughout the book.
The main issues addressed in the book is suicide, accidentants, mental health and living, which makes me love the book and Jennifer Niven even more as she is trying to get across that your not alone and there are others and help is available. I don't often write reviews but I felt that I must.
I would recommend this book - but it's not like The fault in our stars as other reviews have noted, it's addressing a different message and the characters are not as pretentious.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Just the Way You Are (Pleasant Gap Romance #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Just the Way You Are is more than just a good book. It is a modern day fairytale filled with redemption and grace that will capture your heart from the first moment. Within the pages of this book you will find real people, with real life issues. This story will sweep you off your feet and drag you into a world that is every nerd girl's fantasy and you will soon find yourself consumed with researching history, "treasure" hunting, chocolate, British accents, Appalachia, AND.........Kisses.
Chocolate kisses, closet kisses, abandoned tower kisses, leave you senseless kisses...This book is PACKED with such romance that you may need to take precautionary actions to prevent injury from fainting! (such as a fainting couch, fan, smelling salts, etc.)
Don't let the passion fool you though. Pepper writes such sweet, unadulterated romance coupled with complete and total redemption. It blows my mind every single time I read one of her books. Just the Way You Are is the first contemporary novel I have read of Pepper's, and this easily makes it to the top of my favorite Rom Com stories EVER. I wish to see this in movie form so badly! "Ghirardelli in human form"...yes please! Haha!
The adventure, the romance, the grace...all woven together creates a beautiful masterpiece.
I received a complimentary copy of Just the Way You Are. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Chocolate kisses, closet kisses, abandoned tower kisses, leave you senseless kisses...This book is PACKED with such romance that you may need to take precautionary actions to prevent injury from fainting! (such as a fainting couch, fan, smelling salts, etc.)
Don't let the passion fool you though. Pepper writes such sweet, unadulterated romance coupled with complete and total redemption. It blows my mind every single time I read one of her books. Just the Way You Are is the first contemporary novel I have read of Pepper's, and this easily makes it to the top of my favorite Rom Com stories EVER. I wish to see this in movie form so badly! "Ghirardelli in human form"...yes please! Haha!
The adventure, the romance, the grace...all woven together creates a beautiful masterpiece.
I received a complimentary copy of Just the Way You Are. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales in Books
Apr 2, 2020
Another great collection of stories
I feel like I need to include a preface with all of my Stephen King reviews, or some form of disclaimer, to warn any readers that he is my favourite author so my review may not be as neutral as it could be. Either that or he really is a great writer 😆
Everything’s Eventual is a collection of short stories that I read well over a decade ago, and as short stories require a lot less brain power than a full on novel, I decided to give this a go as I couldn’t recall many of the stories. And overall this is a very good collection of short stories. They’re all well written with developed characters (as you’d expect with King I’m sure), and the stories themselves have all got very good plots and storylines. The stories are all well balanced and there are none in here that are either overly long or too short, they’re very well paced. There are some great stories in here, most notably for me the John Dillinger story ‘The Death of Jack Hamilton’ and the Dark Tower prequel ‘The Little Sisters of Eluria’, but all of the stories are entertaining and very enjoyable. I wouldn’t say there are any amazing standout ‘wow’ stories in this, which is possibly why I’ve marked it down a little from some of King’s other collections of short stories.
Everything’s Eventual is a collection of short stories that I read well over a decade ago, and as short stories require a lot less brain power than a full on novel, I decided to give this a go as I couldn’t recall many of the stories. And overall this is a very good collection of short stories. They’re all well written with developed characters (as you’d expect with King I’m sure), and the stories themselves have all got very good plots and storylines. The stories are all well balanced and there are none in here that are either overly long or too short, they’re very well paced. There are some great stories in here, most notably for me the John Dillinger story ‘The Death of Jack Hamilton’ and the Dark Tower prequel ‘The Little Sisters of Eluria’, but all of the stories are entertaining and very enjoyable. I wouldn’t say there are any amazing standout ‘wow’ stories in this, which is possibly why I’ve marked it down a little from some of King’s other collections of short stories.
The Other Tudor Princess: Margaret Douglas, Henry VIII's Niece
Book
The Other Tudor Princess brings to life the story of Margaret Douglas, a shadowy and mysterious...