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BookInspector (124 KP) rated The Lioness of Morocco in Books
Sep 24, 2020
This is a mesmerising story of 2 generation’s lives between London and Mogador, Morocco. The first part tells and incredible story of Sibylla, and her journey through life in new country with new beliefs and traditions. Also, her adjustment and fight for what life throws at her. Life doesn’t really spare her. The relationship with her husband lacks love and understanding, so when handsome acquaintance comes along and sweeps of her feet, she thinks, she finds her love again. But it would be too perfect, and let’s not forget, the plot of this story is happening in Morocco. The second part is more about Sibylla’s children and their way through life. Both parts are very well combined together and make an incredible story of adjustment, love, betrayal. The characters of this book are very diverse, and there is huge variety to choose from in this publication. I always admire strong women characters, who take charge in difficult situations. Sibylla is like that, strong, ambitious and she doesn’t give up easily.
I love reading about different countries and cultures, that’s why all the information about harems was very mesmerising and exotic to me. I loved to see, how women treated each other and their surrounding in Arab country in 19th century. The writing style used in this book was not very easy for me, as it’s written in quite refined and sophisticated manner. Even though it’s quite hard to read this type of writing for me, it gives me a great feeling of the spirit, which the novel should portray. I really loved that all the main characters views and feelings were taken into consideration, and expressed in the book; it was not the story just from one characters perspective. I was really pleased that every chapter had something happening. There were many twists and drama in the book, and it made it really appealing. However, there were few places where plot was quite predictable. The ending was really enjoyable and nicely concluded the story. To conclude, if you would like something exotic, educating, historical and very thorough going book, with strong characters and rebellious women, this is a must read for you.
Was given a review copy for honest opinion about this book.
I love reading about different countries and cultures, that’s why all the information about harems was very mesmerising and exotic to me. I loved to see, how women treated each other and their surrounding in Arab country in 19th century. The writing style used in this book was not very easy for me, as it’s written in quite refined and sophisticated manner. Even though it’s quite hard to read this type of writing for me, it gives me a great feeling of the spirit, which the novel should portray. I really loved that all the main characters views and feelings were taken into consideration, and expressed in the book; it was not the story just from one characters perspective. I was really pleased that every chapter had something happening. There were many twists and drama in the book, and it made it really appealing. However, there were few places where plot was quite predictable. The ending was really enjoyable and nicely concluded the story. To conclude, if you would like something exotic, educating, historical and very thorough going book, with strong characters and rebellious women, this is a must read for you.
Was given a review copy for honest opinion about this book.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Big Sick (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
I like it when there's an Unlimited screening of a film I'm not entirely sure about. I'd seen adverts for The Big Sick and was on the fence about seeing it, but when you get a sneaky Unlimited you have to go.
Based on Kumail Nanjiani & Emily V. Gordon real-life story (click on that link to see them interviewed on The View), The Big Sick is a romantic comedy that will have you laughing out loud.
Kumail's family are determined to find him a Pakistani Muslim girl so that he might settle down and follow in their traditions. But Kumail is anything but traditional. He's trying to make it as a comedian, while driving Uber in his spare time.
He meets Emily at one of his gigs and the pair hit it off. As they get further into their relationship though, Kumail worries what his traditional family will say about her. But Emily finding his parent's catalogue cards of potential brides changes everything.
When Emily is taken sick, her friend call Kumail for help. With the hospital putting her into a medically induced coma, he's then left with the prospect of contacting her parents, who up until this point, he'd managed to avoid...
It's a recurring things with my friends that they always ask me what I've seen or have booked at the cinema now, and this is the first one that has pretty much made them all react in the same way...
Me: I'm going to see The Big Sick.
Them: *scrunches face up at the title of the film*
I'm not even kidding, something about the title just doesn't sit right with them. But I have been urging them to go and see it anyway. Kumail Nanjiani is such a funny guy, if you haven't seen him in Franklin and Bash you really need to.
This film was funny and emotional, and felt very real. I feel contented about having watched it, and that doesn't happen a lot with me. Ray Romano and Holly Hunter make a great pair alongside Nankiani and Kazan. It's an all-round nice film, heartbreaking at points, but still wonderful.
Based on Kumail Nanjiani & Emily V. Gordon real-life story (click on that link to see them interviewed on The View), The Big Sick is a romantic comedy that will have you laughing out loud.
Kumail's family are determined to find him a Pakistani Muslim girl so that he might settle down and follow in their traditions. But Kumail is anything but traditional. He's trying to make it as a comedian, while driving Uber in his spare time.
He meets Emily at one of his gigs and the pair hit it off. As they get further into their relationship though, Kumail worries what his traditional family will say about her. But Emily finding his parent's catalogue cards of potential brides changes everything.
When Emily is taken sick, her friend call Kumail for help. With the hospital putting her into a medically induced coma, he's then left with the prospect of contacting her parents, who up until this point, he'd managed to avoid...
It's a recurring things with my friends that they always ask me what I've seen or have booked at the cinema now, and this is the first one that has pretty much made them all react in the same way...
Me: I'm going to see The Big Sick.
Them: *scrunches face up at the title of the film*
I'm not even kidding, something about the title just doesn't sit right with them. But I have been urging them to go and see it anyway. Kumail Nanjiani is such a funny guy, if you haven't seen him in Franklin and Bash you really need to.
This film was funny and emotional, and felt very real. I feel contented about having watched it, and that doesn't happen a lot with me. Ray Romano and Holly Hunter make a great pair alongside Nankiani and Kazan. It's an all-round nice film, heartbreaking at points, but still wonderful.
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Christmas in The Sisters: A Holiday Mystery Novel (The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series Book 6)
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Merissa (11805 KP) rated Craved by an Alpha (Eternal Mates #5) in Books
Apr 11, 2023
We briefly met Cavanaugh in Kyter and Iolanthe's story and I was immediately intrigued by him - I guess I like the tortured hero! We find out in his story that because of Pride rules and traditions, he can't be with the woman/cat that he wants to be with. When he is challenged as Alpha, he is injured and makes decisions that maybe aren't as smart as he thinks they are at the time.
This leads him eventually to 'Underworld' where he spends his time quite happily counting down the days until he can claim his woman. Of course, the path to true love is never smooth... especially when it involves shifters who are stuck in century's old tradition and a stand-in Alpha who wants things his way only.
Eloise has had it tough. She was basically persecuted by the stand-in Alpha due to her association with Cavanaugh. She stays because her family are there and leaving is a scary option. However, when it becomes that staying is the scarier choice, she decides to leave and find the one person that she thinks left her without a backward glance and put things right.
Things definitely don't go smoothly for our couple but it does help them find each other again. Theirs is a more gentle love story than some that we've had. Cavanaugh is afraid to push Eloise too much due to the past trauma that he feels responsible for. Eloise feels, partly due to the stand-in Alpha and partly due to how she sees Cavanaugh's responsibilities as Alpha, that she is unable to go toe-to-toe with him as other main females do. It is nice to see flashes of her though as she "forgets her place" and lets rip with what she really feels and thinks.
I can definitely recommend this story both by itself and also as a wonderful addition to the fantastic Eternal Mates series.
* 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!
July 26, 2016
This leads him eventually to 'Underworld' where he spends his time quite happily counting down the days until he can claim his woman. Of course, the path to true love is never smooth... especially when it involves shifters who are stuck in century's old tradition and a stand-in Alpha who wants things his way only.
Eloise has had it tough. She was basically persecuted by the stand-in Alpha due to her association with Cavanaugh. She stays because her family are there and leaving is a scary option. However, when it becomes that staying is the scarier choice, she decides to leave and find the one person that she thinks left her without a backward glance and put things right.
Things definitely don't go smoothly for our couple but it does help them find each other again. Theirs is a more gentle love story than some that we've had. Cavanaugh is afraid to push Eloise too much due to the past trauma that he feels responsible for. Eloise feels, partly due to the stand-in Alpha and partly due to how she sees Cavanaugh's responsibilities as Alpha, that she is unable to go toe-to-toe with him as other main females do. It is nice to see flashes of her though as she "forgets her place" and lets rip with what she really feels and thinks.
I can definitely recommend this story both by itself and also as a wonderful addition to the fantastic Eternal Mates series.
* 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!
July 26, 2016
Merissa (11805 KP) rated The Touch (The Cotiere Chronicles, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated May 17, 2023)
I adored book one in this series, and book 2 is continuing that trend. I love the world that Michelle Bolanger has given us, filled with rich traditions, love, passion, romance, and honour; but also cruelty, abuse, and those that take advantage of situations and let bitterness rule them.
Alexander and Jessi are meant to be together, it's just Jessi has serious 'reservations,' so much so that for that reason (and others) she runs away and tries to disappear. She does a very good job too, and Alexander spends thousands of dollars trying to locate her. When they finally meet, fireworks explode. The story then takes a humorous, sad, and at times heartbreaking, turn as Alexander tries to find out just why Jessi is so scared.
Full of tender moments, this book sweeps you along to the conclusion, leaving you wanting to know the ending, but also dreading it at the same time as you don't want it to end. I will just add here that when the story behind Jessi's mum and dad came out, I actually started to feel sorry for him, thinking that he was the injured party. However, when she meets him and he opens his mouth, I quickly returned to my original feelings towards him. Read it for yourself, you'll see why.
This story came to the perfect ending for Alexander and Jessi, and I can't wait to see where their story takes them. I loved the cameo performance from Leisl and Koen, although I wish it could have been under better circumstances. I know that they will be okay though!!! The final thing I will add is that Michelle Bolanger's characters are so lifelike that even during a couple of pages of an epilogue, you will connect with a character and feel sorrow for them. I can't wait for the next book and the rollercoaster journey I know I will be taken on. Highly recommended.
* 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!
Jan 19, 2016
Alexander and Jessi are meant to be together, it's just Jessi has serious 'reservations,' so much so that for that reason (and others) she runs away and tries to disappear. She does a very good job too, and Alexander spends thousands of dollars trying to locate her. When they finally meet, fireworks explode. The story then takes a humorous, sad, and at times heartbreaking, turn as Alexander tries to find out just why Jessi is so scared.
Full of tender moments, this book sweeps you along to the conclusion, leaving you wanting to know the ending, but also dreading it at the same time as you don't want it to end. I will just add here that when the story behind Jessi's mum and dad came out, I actually started to feel sorry for him, thinking that he was the injured party. However, when she meets him and he opens his mouth, I quickly returned to my original feelings towards him. Read it for yourself, you'll see why.
This story came to the perfect ending for Alexander and Jessi, and I can't wait to see where their story takes them. I loved the cameo performance from Leisl and Koen, although I wish it could have been under better circumstances. I know that they will be okay though!!! The final thing I will add is that Michelle Bolanger's characters are so lifelike that even during a couple of pages of an epilogue, you will connect with a character and feel sorrow for them. I can't wait for the next book and the rollercoaster journey I know I will be taken on. Highly recommended.
* 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!
Jan 19, 2016
Darren (1599 KP) rated Ready or Not (2019) in Movies
Sep 3, 2019
Verdict: Blood Soaked Wedding
Story: Ready or Not starts on what should be Grace’s (Weaving) greatest day, her wedding day to Alex (O’Brien) which will put her into the famous gaming family Le Domas. With the wedding at Alex’s family home, she is welcomed by the likes of his brother Daniel (Brody), his father Tony (Czerny) and his mother Becky (MacDowell).
The family has an unusual tradition of playing a randomly selected game, which can be a simple game like chess, but tonight Grace selects Hide and Seek, a game which means the whole family will hunt her down before dawn, being a race for her to survive.
Thoughts on Ready or Not
Characters – Grace is a woman that was raised through the foster system, now she has met the love of her life in Alex and is hoping to be part of a family for the first time in her life. Like most people she is nervous on her wedding day, eager to impress her new family too, but nothing will prepare her for the night, where she must learn to fight to survive when her new family is hunting to capture her. Alex is the man that is going to marry Grace, he has become distant from his family, but knows the traditions that must be followed, he doesn’t give everything away to Grace, knowing it will scary her away, though he doesn’t want to get involved in everything once the game starts. Daniel is Alex’s brother, he hates being part of the family, he wants nothing to do with the game, but reluctantly agrees to play along with little to no enthusiasm, being one of the few people that will help Grace. Tony is the father of the household, he has made the family bigger that ever and wants to continue the traditions that were bought upon the family, he will do anything to make sure the tradition is upheld. We do meet other members of the family including Becky the wife of Tony, mother of the boys, her daughter Emilie alone with the spouses Fitch who will get the most laughs in the film and Charity.
Performances – Samara Weaving kills it in the leading role, first she puts up a fight, secondly, she gives us natural looking reactions to everything that is going on. Adam Brody gives us a strong performance that makes us want to be like his character in this situation. Mark O’Brien is strong, but doesn’t reach the levels of the fellow stars of the film. Henry Czerny is fun through this film, he starts welcoming, turns psychotic and soon becomes a loose cannon as things get out of control, Henry makes us want to see more from his character through this film.
Story – The story here follows a woman that is getting married, only to learn that her wedding night is going to have a twist, she must play a game with the family, with this being a extreme, hide and seek, in a battle for life. This is a story that takes the most important day in anybody’s life and turns it into a nightmare, which will see Grace needing to fight to survive against a family that will do anything to hunt her down to continue having their fame and fortune. It does show how the rich will do anything to get away with something big in their lives, even murder, while it does show us just how games can be turned into something bigger than just a board game.
Horror/Mystery – The horror in the film does come from the gore that we do see, both towards Grace and to other innocent victims in the game, one scene involving a hand is extremely difficult to watch. The mystery in the film does look at how the family is acting, like what will happen if they don’t win.
Settings – The film is set in one location, the giant mansion of the Le Domas, this shows how many different potential hiding spots we could see and how much she is playing on away ground.
Special Effects – The effects in the film are brutal to see, it is mostly all the injuries being inflicted through the film, as mentioned before the hand sequence is one that will make most wince.
Scene of the Movie – How to use a crossbow.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – We do get a lot of time jumps here, considering this is taking place over about seven hours.
Final Thoughts – This is an entertaining humour filled horror that will keep you on the edge of your seat seeing if Grace will make it out alive and just what will happen next.
Overall: Fun survival horror.
Story: Ready or Not starts on what should be Grace’s (Weaving) greatest day, her wedding day to Alex (O’Brien) which will put her into the famous gaming family Le Domas. With the wedding at Alex’s family home, she is welcomed by the likes of his brother Daniel (Brody), his father Tony (Czerny) and his mother Becky (MacDowell).
The family has an unusual tradition of playing a randomly selected game, which can be a simple game like chess, but tonight Grace selects Hide and Seek, a game which means the whole family will hunt her down before dawn, being a race for her to survive.
Thoughts on Ready or Not
Characters – Grace is a woman that was raised through the foster system, now she has met the love of her life in Alex and is hoping to be part of a family for the first time in her life. Like most people she is nervous on her wedding day, eager to impress her new family too, but nothing will prepare her for the night, where she must learn to fight to survive when her new family is hunting to capture her. Alex is the man that is going to marry Grace, he has become distant from his family, but knows the traditions that must be followed, he doesn’t give everything away to Grace, knowing it will scary her away, though he doesn’t want to get involved in everything once the game starts. Daniel is Alex’s brother, he hates being part of the family, he wants nothing to do with the game, but reluctantly agrees to play along with little to no enthusiasm, being one of the few people that will help Grace. Tony is the father of the household, he has made the family bigger that ever and wants to continue the traditions that were bought upon the family, he will do anything to make sure the tradition is upheld. We do meet other members of the family including Becky the wife of Tony, mother of the boys, her daughter Emilie alone with the spouses Fitch who will get the most laughs in the film and Charity.
Performances – Samara Weaving kills it in the leading role, first she puts up a fight, secondly, she gives us natural looking reactions to everything that is going on. Adam Brody gives us a strong performance that makes us want to be like his character in this situation. Mark O’Brien is strong, but doesn’t reach the levels of the fellow stars of the film. Henry Czerny is fun through this film, he starts welcoming, turns psychotic and soon becomes a loose cannon as things get out of control, Henry makes us want to see more from his character through this film.
Story – The story here follows a woman that is getting married, only to learn that her wedding night is going to have a twist, she must play a game with the family, with this being a extreme, hide and seek, in a battle for life. This is a story that takes the most important day in anybody’s life and turns it into a nightmare, which will see Grace needing to fight to survive against a family that will do anything to hunt her down to continue having their fame and fortune. It does show how the rich will do anything to get away with something big in their lives, even murder, while it does show us just how games can be turned into something bigger than just a board game.
Horror/Mystery – The horror in the film does come from the gore that we do see, both towards Grace and to other innocent victims in the game, one scene involving a hand is extremely difficult to watch. The mystery in the film does look at how the family is acting, like what will happen if they don’t win.
Settings – The film is set in one location, the giant mansion of the Le Domas, this shows how many different potential hiding spots we could see and how much she is playing on away ground.
Special Effects – The effects in the film are brutal to see, it is mostly all the injuries being inflicted through the film, as mentioned before the hand sequence is one that will make most wince.
Scene of the Movie – How to use a crossbow.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – We do get a lot of time jumps here, considering this is taking place over about seven hours.
Final Thoughts – This is an entertaining humour filled horror that will keep you on the edge of your seat seeing if Grace will make it out alive and just what will happen next.
Overall: Fun survival horror.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Eternal Hourglass (Magickeepers, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Series Review:
I really enjoyed the Magickeeper series! It's written for ages 8-14, but even I got really into it and enjoyed it a lot.
The stories were both woven well, with plenty of mystery and suspense to keep you reading. Once I started to read, it was hard to put it down. I never knew what to expect and was always surprised. It was like walking through a fun-house: you never knew what was going to be around the corner.
My favorite characters had to be Nick and Isabella, followed closely by Isabella's pet tiger, Sascha. Sascha was just a really cool tiger. Vladimir, the hedgehog, was pretty cool, too. It was fun to watch Nick and Isabella together: they balanced each other well and would be fun people to be around. I wish they were real so we could hang out. Haley why would you want to hang out with thirteen-year-olds? Because they're magician thirteen-year-olds who can disappear and fly and look into crystal balls, and have more adventure in a day that I have in a month.
The writing was good and easy to read and easy to follow, but some of the structure was a little confusing at times. It didn't take away form the action and adventure, though.
I really liked the Russian culture incorporated into the stories. It wasn't overdone, but it was really fun to read the descriptions of the foods and the clothes and the decorations, and learn about some of the traditions. In the second book, The Pyramid of Souls, there was a lot of other cultures incorporated into it as well, because there were Magickeepers from Egypt and Nigeria and a Parisian clan, and Australians… so there were a lot of cool things that went on that we wouldn't normally think about—even in the world of magic.
I look forward to the next book in the Magickeeper series! The Eternal Hourglass came out in paperback on March 31, 2010 and The Pyramid of Souls was just published in hardback on May 1st, 2010.
Content/Recommendation: clean, and suitable for ages 8-16(-ish). I'm 18 and I enjoyed it, and parents would enjoy reading the books out loud to their kids as well!
I really enjoyed the Magickeeper series! It's written for ages 8-14, but even I got really into it and enjoyed it a lot.
The stories were both woven well, with plenty of mystery and suspense to keep you reading. Once I started to read, it was hard to put it down. I never knew what to expect and was always surprised. It was like walking through a fun-house: you never knew what was going to be around the corner.
My favorite characters had to be Nick and Isabella, followed closely by Isabella's pet tiger, Sascha. Sascha was just a really cool tiger. Vladimir, the hedgehog, was pretty cool, too. It was fun to watch Nick and Isabella together: they balanced each other well and would be fun people to be around. I wish they were real so we could hang out. Haley why would you want to hang out with thirteen-year-olds? Because they're magician thirteen-year-olds who can disappear and fly and look into crystal balls, and have more adventure in a day that I have in a month.
The writing was good and easy to read and easy to follow, but some of the structure was a little confusing at times. It didn't take away form the action and adventure, though.
I really liked the Russian culture incorporated into the stories. It wasn't overdone, but it was really fun to read the descriptions of the foods and the clothes and the decorations, and learn about some of the traditions. In the second book, The Pyramid of Souls, there was a lot of other cultures incorporated into it as well, because there were Magickeepers from Egypt and Nigeria and a Parisian clan, and Australians… so there were a lot of cool things that went on that we wouldn't normally think about—even in the world of magic.
I look forward to the next book in the Magickeeper series! The Eternal Hourglass came out in paperback on March 31, 2010 and The Pyramid of Souls was just published in hardback on May 1st, 2010.
Content/Recommendation: clean, and suitable for ages 8-16(-ish). I'm 18 and I enjoyed it, and parents would enjoy reading the books out loud to their kids as well!