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Merissa (12051 KP) rated The Iron Butterfly (Iron Butterfly #1) in Books
Aug 9, 2017
The Iron Butterfly (Iron Butterfly #1) by Chanda Hahn
This book throws you straight in with the action as you are immediately in a cell with Thalia as she tries to recover from the latest round on a torture machine. She has no memories of anything before her life locked up.
Through the help of another prisoner she is able to escape and then with the help of another pair of characters, she manages to put some distance between herself and where she was being held.
This story will lead you on a twisted journey as you travel with Thalia as she tries to understand who or what she is, what's been done to her and how she tries to deal with and live with the consequences.
There are the two male leads in this, one is a golden boy and one is dark and brooding. Her relationship with both of these could have gone into a bit more detail but even on the information given, Joss is solid but Kael's the guy for me. Actually, out of all of them, I think I'd stick with Faraway!
If you like fantasy and want to try something a little bit different, then why not try this one.
* Verified Purchase ~ February 2013
Reviewed on Goodreads ~ November 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Through the help of another prisoner she is able to escape and then with the help of another pair of characters, she manages to put some distance between herself and where she was being held.
This story will lead you on a twisted journey as you travel with Thalia as she tries to understand who or what she is, what's been done to her and how she tries to deal with and live with the consequences.
There are the two male leads in this, one is a golden boy and one is dark and brooding. Her relationship with both of these could have gone into a bit more detail but even on the information given, Joss is solid but Kael's the guy for me. Actually, out of all of them, I think I'd stick with Faraway!
If you like fantasy and want to try something a little bit different, then why not try this one.
* Verified Purchase ~ February 2013
Reviewed on Goodreads ~ November 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Eden Lake (2008) in Movies
May 12, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
My boyfriend and I watched Eden Lake the other night, and I actually enjoyed it. With delightfully brutal, cringe-worthy scenes, it’s definitely a film I’ll watch again. It encompasses the typical romantic getaway gone wrong, but it does so with a disturbing beauty you can only find in a horror movie.
What can possibly go wrong when you piss off a bunch of angsty teenagers in the middle of nowhere? As Jenny and Steve, the aforementioned vacationing young couple, learn, a lot. After Steve accidentally kills the gang leader’s dog, all hell breaks loose.
It’s the scenes of death and torture that really give this film its rating. When my boyfriend warned me about how twisted some of the scenes were, “WTF” wasn’t how I expected to react. The age-old, unspoken rule about killing children definitely doesn’t apply here. It’s gritty and jaw-dropping, and perfect for fans of campy horror films.
It should be noted that this film comes without a happy ending–for anyone. That fact alone played a major role in my rating. I’m sick of seeing films where characters get out of an unlikely situation and go on with their lives; Eden Lake, on the hand, doesn’t follow that cliché. It does, however, rely a bit too heavily on coincidence and for that, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
What can possibly go wrong when you piss off a bunch of angsty teenagers in the middle of nowhere? As Jenny and Steve, the aforementioned vacationing young couple, learn, a lot. After Steve accidentally kills the gang leader’s dog, all hell breaks loose.
It’s the scenes of death and torture that really give this film its rating. When my boyfriend warned me about how twisted some of the scenes were, “WTF” wasn’t how I expected to react. The age-old, unspoken rule about killing children definitely doesn’t apply here. It’s gritty and jaw-dropping, and perfect for fans of campy horror films.
It should be noted that this film comes without a happy ending–for anyone. That fact alone played a major role in my rating. I’m sick of seeing films where characters get out of an unlikely situation and go on with their lives; Eden Lake, on the hand, doesn’t follow that cliché. It does, however, rely a bit too heavily on coincidence and for that, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror in Books
May 17, 2018 (Updated May 18, 2018)
So this JUST came out. I'd had my eye on it for a few months, and put a request in as soon as my library ordered it. The author recently came out as trans, so it's also part of my effort to read more inclusively. Ortberg definitely played with gender and sexuality in several of these tales; in one of them people decided whether to be the husband or the wife, independent of their gender, in their marriage. (One party to the marriage in the story stated "I've been trained for both roles.") In another all of a man's daughters used male pronouns and that was never explored further. That was slightly odd.
These were dark, twisted versions of these stories. "Our Friend Mr. Toad," for example, involved gaslighting and psychologically torturing poor Mr. Toad. I found that one particularly disturbing. I enjoyed the title story, Ortberg's version of Beauty and the Beast, which has a very different ending from expected. I also really liked "The Daughter Cells", inspired by The Little Mermaid. I LOVED "Fear Not: An Incident Log."
I think this was a great, albeit strange, little book. It's unique, for sure, and a quick read. If you're looking for a fairy tale collection that is VERY different, try this one.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
These were dark, twisted versions of these stories. "Our Friend Mr. Toad," for example, involved gaslighting and psychologically torturing poor Mr. Toad. I found that one particularly disturbing. I enjoyed the title story, Ortberg's version of Beauty and the Beast, which has a very different ending from expected. I also really liked "The Daughter Cells", inspired by The Little Mermaid. I LOVED "Fear Not: An Incident Log."
I think this was a great, albeit strange, little book. It's unique, for sure, and a quick read. If you're looking for a fairy tale collection that is VERY different, try this one.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The Secretary in Books
Mar 15, 2019
Day after day, year after year, Christine has been there, invisiblewatching, listening, absorbing all the secrets floating around her. Keeping them safe.
Christine is trusted. But those years of loyalty and discretion come with a high price. And eventually Christina will pay.
Yet, it would be a mistake to underestimate such a steadfast woman. Because as everyone is about to discover, theres a dangerous line between obedience and obsession...
"The Secretary" is Renee Knight's second novel. This story has an explosive plot and a very surprising twist at the end.
This story revolves and explores the relationship between the employer and the employee. The author has done a fabulous job of exploring the loyalty of an employee to her employer. The story is completely gripping and I was glued to it.
The characters are completely and utterly convincing and I developed a love/hate relationship with them.
The underlying tension is apparent from the start and it just adds to the suspense going forward.
Some may call this a slow burn but I felt the pace of the story is just perfect. This is an intelligent, twisted, psychological thriller.
Very believable characters and brilliant plot! Perfect story in my opinion.
Highly Recommend!
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.
Christine is trusted. But those years of loyalty and discretion come with a high price. And eventually Christina will pay.
Yet, it would be a mistake to underestimate such a steadfast woman. Because as everyone is about to discover, theres a dangerous line between obedience and obsession...
"The Secretary" is Renee Knight's second novel. This story has an explosive plot and a very surprising twist at the end.
This story revolves and explores the relationship between the employer and the employee. The author has done a fabulous job of exploring the loyalty of an employee to her employer. The story is completely gripping and I was glued to it.
The characters are completely and utterly convincing and I developed a love/hate relationship with them.
The underlying tension is apparent from the start and it just adds to the suspense going forward.
Some may call this a slow burn but I felt the pace of the story is just perfect. This is an intelligent, twisted, psychological thriller.
Very believable characters and brilliant plot! Perfect story in my opinion.
Highly Recommend!
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated The Perfect Girlfriend in Books
Mar 27, 2019 (Updated Mar 28, 2019)
"If you love someone, set them free.
If they come back, they're yours. If they don't, make them."
I cannot even tell you how many times I said to myself, "This chick is INSANE," while reading this story.
And she is. Juliette Price is smart (with enviable investigative skills), attractive, and completely delusional. She is certainly not a likable character - actually, none of the characters are very likable - but she is fascinating in an American Psycho kind of way. The story is made all the more creepy by Juliette's narrative, because the delusional never think they're delusional, now do they? No, everyone else must be the problem. This 100% applies in this case.
I appreciate the fact that there's no "big twist" in this one, but rather a series of smaller twists that help to further the narrative. Honestly, Juliette herself is so twisted, that's all you really need.
Also, can I take a minute here to say that Nate is SUCH a douche, and even a bonkers chick like Juliette deserves someone better to stalk?
I'm giving this one 9.5 stars rounded down because the ending frustrated the hell out of me. How about an epilogue? Gah.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Graydon House Books for the opportunity to preview this title early in exchange for an honest review.
If they come back, they're yours. If they don't, make them."
I cannot even tell you how many times I said to myself, "This chick is INSANE," while reading this story.
And she is. Juliette Price is smart (with enviable investigative skills), attractive, and completely delusional. She is certainly not a likable character - actually, none of the characters are very likable - but she is fascinating in an American Psycho kind of way. The story is made all the more creepy by Juliette's narrative, because the delusional never think they're delusional, now do they? No, everyone else must be the problem. This 100% applies in this case.
I appreciate the fact that there's no "big twist" in this one, but rather a series of smaller twists that help to further the narrative. Honestly, Juliette herself is so twisted, that's all you really need.
Also, can I take a minute here to say that Nate is SUCH a douche, and even a bonkers chick like Juliette deserves someone better to stalk?
I'm giving this one 9.5 stars rounded down because the ending frustrated the hell out of me. How about an epilogue? Gah.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Graydon House Books for the opportunity to preview this title early in exchange for an honest review.
Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated The Guest (2014) in Movies
Mar 10, 2018
Solid script (2 more)
Some sweet sweet murder
The best twist fuck ending in a long time
What in the mind fucking hell went on here
Simon Barrett and Adam Wingard are a pair of my favorite writer director teams in the history of mumblecore movies... theu have an I don' give a shit attitude that oozes through each kill in every movie they make. From the demented serial killings in A Horrible Way to Die to the revenge filled destruction of mercenaries and spiteful children in You're Next. And this movie is no different....
I wouldn't exactly call it a horror film by label, but the killing is so over the top bloody and disturbing that I suppose it is horrific.
Dan Stevens portrayal of Army boy David is spot on... emotionless and cold to the view. He renders each murder with a purpose... even those final few near the end. Even though they were brutal and harsh. They explained how sick and twisted he truly is.
Maika Monroe is solid as well. Anna makes you feel pity for all the things sshe is going through. Her personal life is a mess and her family life is no better...
This movie is not what I thought it was going to be. It was better than I expected and I will be watching it again. 9 enthusiastic severed heads out of 10
I wouldn't exactly call it a horror film by label, but the killing is so over the top bloody and disturbing that I suppose it is horrific.
Dan Stevens portrayal of Army boy David is spot on... emotionless and cold to the view. He renders each murder with a purpose... even those final few near the end. Even though they were brutal and harsh. They explained how sick and twisted he truly is.
Maika Monroe is solid as well. Anna makes you feel pity for all the things sshe is going through. Her personal life is a mess and her family life is no better...
This movie is not what I thought it was going to be. It was better than I expected and I will be watching it again. 9 enthusiastic severed heads out of 10
4.5 Rating.
I must admit that I got swept along with the hype when it came to this book. I read many glowing reviews and many one star reviews so I went in with an unbiased, open mind. I don't usually go for these types of books but because this book just seemed to be everywhere I decided to take it out from the library (obviously in a big queue due to the popularity of this book) instead of buying it. I was actually very surprised that I loved this book! Everyone knows the murder mystery structure to these types of books, they are always so predictable which is the reason why I usually stay away from them, however, this was very unpredictable. I was surprised by the amount of twists and turns and the characters were mind-bending. I do not like to put spoilers in my reviews and so I have to keep it pretty vague...but these characters...goodness me! How twisted, how cunning, how incredibly smart. The only reason why I knocked some points off was because it became a bit longwinded in places, I felt my interest slowly slipping away and parts became repetitive. This means I believe it would of worked just as well if it was a bit shorter.
Overall, I enjoyed this very much!
I must admit that I got swept along with the hype when it came to this book. I read many glowing reviews and many one star reviews so I went in with an unbiased, open mind. I don't usually go for these types of books but because this book just seemed to be everywhere I decided to take it out from the library (obviously in a big queue due to the popularity of this book) instead of buying it. I was actually very surprised that I loved this book! Everyone knows the murder mystery structure to these types of books, they are always so predictable which is the reason why I usually stay away from them, however, this was very unpredictable. I was surprised by the amount of twists and turns and the characters were mind-bending. I do not like to put spoilers in my reviews and so I have to keep it pretty vague...but these characters...goodness me! How twisted, how cunning, how incredibly smart. The only reason why I knocked some points off was because it became a bit longwinded in places, I felt my interest slowly slipping away and parts became repetitive. This means I believe it would of worked just as well if it was a bit shorter.
Overall, I enjoyed this very much!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Vice (2018) in Movies
Jan 31, 2019
Adam McKay's attempt to reinvent himself as a sort of non-documentarian version of Michael Moore is not so much a hatchet-job as a machete-job - no, make that a chainsaw-job - on the reputation of Dick Cheney, Vice-Prez under Dubya. Christian Bale vanishes under layers of make-up and the Cheney who emerges is a disturbing, totally unprincipled monster, consumed by the acquisition and use of power, responsible for (amongst other things) the invasion of Iraq and the rise of ISIS. Potentially quite heavy stuff going on, then, but McKay takes care to cheer things up (relatively speaking) by including big performances from Sam Rockwell and Steve Carell, along with a few Monty Python ideas repurposed for this movie.
Highly entertaining in a ghastly sort of way, and illuminating with respect to the twisted logic employed by the Bush administration and the role they played in facilitating the current civic nightmare engulfing the USA. Unlikely to appeal to the Republican base, for obvious reasons, but the film inevitably has some jokes to make about its own liberal bias, too, as well as being smart enough to allow Cheney the chance to justify himself, which he does in a disturbingly persuasive way. Still probably a bit too partisan for its own good, but still very impressive and a lot of fun; thought-provoking too.
Highly entertaining in a ghastly sort of way, and illuminating with respect to the twisted logic employed by the Bush administration and the role they played in facilitating the current civic nightmare engulfing the USA. Unlikely to appeal to the Republican base, for obvious reasons, but the film inevitably has some jokes to make about its own liberal bias, too, as well as being smart enough to allow Cheney the chance to justify himself, which he does in a disturbingly persuasive way. Still probably a bit too partisan for its own good, but still very impressive and a lot of fun; thought-provoking too.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Foul Is Fair in Books
Feb 25, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
It can be said about every book but, especially with this one, people are going to either love or hate Hannah Capin's Foul Is Fair. It is a dark novel of revenge, suicide, abusive relationships, murder, and a gang bang. Oh, and it is a Young Adult novel.
At a party thrown by one of the golden boys of St. Andrew's, the unthinkable happens. It turns out this was not the first time. This time, they picked the wrong girl. Jade has 3 close friends who will help her get revenge. The 4 of them are so close Jade refers to them as her coven. They do not practice witchcraft but their friendship is magical.
It is hard to make such dark themes enjoyable to read but Hannah Capin is able to do it well. If I had to describe this novel in 3 words I would say "dark but fun".
I found myself cheering for Jade and friends to succeed in exacting their revenge. The twists and turns are twisted and gritty. I enjoyed the narrative tone and humor used throughout. Golden boys beware! Something wicked this way comes.
I added Hannah Capin to my "authors to read" list.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/24/20.
It can be said about every book but, especially with this one, people are going to either love or hate Hannah Capin's Foul Is Fair. It is a dark novel of revenge, suicide, abusive relationships, murder, and a gang bang. Oh, and it is a Young Adult novel.
At a party thrown by one of the golden boys of St. Andrew's, the unthinkable happens. It turns out this was not the first time. This time, they picked the wrong girl. Jade has 3 close friends who will help her get revenge. The 4 of them are so close Jade refers to them as her coven. They do not practice witchcraft but their friendship is magical.
It is hard to make such dark themes enjoyable to read but Hannah Capin is able to do it well. If I had to describe this novel in 3 words I would say "dark but fun".
I found myself cheering for Jade and friends to succeed in exacting their revenge. The twists and turns are twisted and gritty. I enjoyed the narrative tone and humor used throughout. Golden boys beware! Something wicked this way comes.
I added Hannah Capin to my "authors to read" list.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/24/20.
Young Soul Rebels: A Personal History of Northern Soul
Book
Nothing will ever compare to the amphetamine rush of my young life and the night I was nearly...