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Rachel King (13 KP) rated River Marked (Mercy Thompson, #6) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This book takes a different direction than previous books in the series, because Mercy is doing something that I think is quite rare in the typical Urban Fantasy heroine -- she is getting married. As a married woman, I quite like this turn and the extra confidence and sense of permanence it gives Mercy, but I don't think this is something that every reader will fully appreciate. Still, it feels fresh and new to me, and I think it has the potential to "breathe new life" into the series.
The loose ends of Stefan's mess from the previous book are quickly tied up, and the plot swiftly moves on to a "surprise" wedding for Mercy. The set-up of the wedding was quite endearing, and I even teared up a bit over it. These two sub-plots take place rather quickly, though, as the main focus of the book is what occurs during Mercy and Adam's honeymoon.
Mercy figures out quickly that they have been set up by certain fairy acquaintances for reasons that no one really knows. I was laughing at this, as it feels like a bumper sticker motto: If the world needs saving - send Mercy! So of course, Urban Fantasy heroine Mercy does not get a typical honeymoon, but one fraught with peril and impending doom.
While it may seem on the surface to be a random way to introduce new characters and magical elements into the series, I think that the events that happened at the Columbia River were a great way to focus on Mercy's native heritage and answer many of the questions that I have been harboring through the series about her ability to transform into a coyote. She makes some new friends of native descent that are able to help her tackle her looming battle with the river monster, and she discovers that she is not the only native who can become another animal. She also learns more about her father and his relationship with her mother. The walking stick also plays a major part, though I hope this is not the last we've seen of it. That stick has too many quirks to just let it go.
The river monster itself was quite a creation - as much fantasy as I have read, I've never come across anything quite like it, though some creatures of Greek mythology comes close. Abominations like that remind me why I avoid watching horror movies. The behavior of the otterkin also reminded me of the way members of a cult exalt their leader - creepy. I can't wait for the next book!
The loose ends of Stefan's mess from the previous book are quickly tied up, and the plot swiftly moves on to a "surprise" wedding for Mercy. The set-up of the wedding was quite endearing, and I even teared up a bit over it. These two sub-plots take place rather quickly, though, as the main focus of the book is what occurs during Mercy and Adam's honeymoon.
Mercy figures out quickly that they have been set up by certain fairy acquaintances for reasons that no one really knows. I was laughing at this, as it feels like a bumper sticker motto: If the world needs saving - send Mercy! So of course, Urban Fantasy heroine Mercy does not get a typical honeymoon, but one fraught with peril and impending doom.
While it may seem on the surface to be a random way to introduce new characters and magical elements into the series, I think that the events that happened at the Columbia River were a great way to focus on Mercy's native heritage and answer many of the questions that I have been harboring through the series about her ability to transform into a coyote. She makes some new friends of native descent that are able to help her tackle her looming battle with the river monster, and she discovers that she is not the only native who can become another animal. She also learns more about her father and his relationship with her mother. The walking stick also plays a major part, though I hope this is not the last we've seen of it. That stick has too many quirks to just let it go.
The river monster itself was quite a creation - as much fantasy as I have read, I've never come across anything quite like it, though some creatures of Greek mythology comes close. Abominations like that remind me why I avoid watching horror movies. The behavior of the otterkin also reminded me of the way members of a cult exalt their leader - creepy. I can't wait for the next book!
JT (287 KP) rated Dredd (2012) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
From the opening slow motion bullet to the face and exit wound that leaves a spray of deep red across the screen, it’s clear to see that this Dredd reboot is all about eradicating the memory of Stallone. It also does its best to stay true to the graphic novels in which this Judge Dredd leaves his helmet on for the entirety.
Karl Urban steps into the boots for this outing and complete with grizzled voice that echoes of Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry he goes up against female villain Ma-Ma (Headey) who is as nasty as she is ruthless.
Mega City one, set on the East Coast and running from Boston to Washington DC is the Judges stomping ground and its being overrun by a new drug called SLO-MO in which users experience reality at a fraction of the speed. When a routine homicide leads Dredd and rookie Judge Cassandra Anderson (Thirlby) to The Peach Trees, a 200-storey slum tower block (wait, another tower block?), they must fight their way through the scum to get to the top and bring down the prostitute turned drug lord.
The film is certainly grittier and bloodier than its almost comic predecessor, and director Travis does not shy away from this.
An early encounter in which Dredd and Anderson infiltrate a drug house is slowed right down, maybe in some way to mirror the feeling the SLO-MO drug has on its users. Bullets and blood fly as the casualties and body count rise significantly, Dredd quips the occasional one liner with deadpan expression “negotiation’s over. Sentence is death.”
Those that saw The Raid would have been mesmerized by the action which was none stop from start to finish, sadly Dredd doesn’t live up to those high expectations but does its best to stay with mainstream carnage, of which there is plenty to satisfy.
It’s all about the facial expression
Thirlby’s psychic abilities prove useful but almost disappointing that she can second guess her opponents, a mutant, she’d probably fit in well with the X-Men. She’s the sense of reason to Dredd’s brute force, although most of the time he’s right in what he does, after all he is the law. The film is stripped back, humour is used when needed, and the action set pieces are exceptional. Urban a long time supporting actor now gets a chance to be front and centre in a franchise that can really go places.
Karl Urban steps into the boots for this outing and complete with grizzled voice that echoes of Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry he goes up against female villain Ma-Ma (Headey) who is as nasty as she is ruthless.
Mega City one, set on the East Coast and running from Boston to Washington DC is the Judges stomping ground and its being overrun by a new drug called SLO-MO in which users experience reality at a fraction of the speed. When a routine homicide leads Dredd and rookie Judge Cassandra Anderson (Thirlby) to The Peach Trees, a 200-storey slum tower block (wait, another tower block?), they must fight their way through the scum to get to the top and bring down the prostitute turned drug lord.
The film is certainly grittier and bloodier than its almost comic predecessor, and director Travis does not shy away from this.
An early encounter in which Dredd and Anderson infiltrate a drug house is slowed right down, maybe in some way to mirror the feeling the SLO-MO drug has on its users. Bullets and blood fly as the casualties and body count rise significantly, Dredd quips the occasional one liner with deadpan expression “negotiation’s over. Sentence is death.”
Those that saw The Raid would have been mesmerized by the action which was none stop from start to finish, sadly Dredd doesn’t live up to those high expectations but does its best to stay with mainstream carnage, of which there is plenty to satisfy.
It’s all about the facial expression
Thirlby’s psychic abilities prove useful but almost disappointing that she can second guess her opponents, a mutant, she’d probably fit in well with the X-Men. She’s the sense of reason to Dredd’s brute force, although most of the time he’s right in what he does, after all he is the law. The film is stripped back, humour is used when needed, and the action set pieces are exceptional. Urban a long time supporting actor now gets a chance to be front and centre in a franchise that can really go places.
Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated Charlie's Farm (2014) in Movies
Jun 18, 2017
Imaginative kills (2 more)
Great special effects
Another cool slasher icob
A head smashing fun romp
Poor Charlie, orpaned at age 9 when his cannibalizing parents were lynched by the locals for murdering and eating the transient workers they hired on their desolate pig farm.
Fast forward 25 years and Tara Reid and her friends are roaming the Australian land in search of urban legend Charlie and his farm. What they find will definitely satisfy the veiwer once they locate the farm and all hell breaks loose.
A good script, excellent effects, and a beast of a killer played with absolute disdain for the trespassing adults by a mountain of a man named Nathan Jones who portrays Charlie with an almost childlike innocence even though he's slaughters his victims he seems to be playing with them, like a kid with a magnifying glass who enjoys burning ants. Jones has played beasts before in films like Troy. And a few years after the release of this he was the monster of a man in Mad Max:Fury Road.
Jones kills(pardon the pun) this role.
I recommend this film for people who enjoy a good slasher flick. Charlie's Farm gives the watcher what they're looking for, and leaves you yearning for one more kill.
Fast forward 25 years and Tara Reid and her friends are roaming the Australian land in search of urban legend Charlie and his farm. What they find will definitely satisfy the veiwer once they locate the farm and all hell breaks loose.
A good script, excellent effects, and a beast of a killer played with absolute disdain for the trespassing adults by a mountain of a man named Nathan Jones who portrays Charlie with an almost childlike innocence even though he's slaughters his victims he seems to be playing with them, like a kid with a magnifying glass who enjoys burning ants. Jones has played beasts before in films like Troy. And a few years after the release of this he was the monster of a man in Mad Max:Fury Road.
Jones kills(pardon the pun) this role.
I recommend this film for people who enjoy a good slasher flick. Charlie's Farm gives the watcher what they're looking for, and leaves you yearning for one more kill.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Red Equinox in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Red Equinox] by [Douglas Wynne] was about how humans can become pawns of the gods even unwittingly. Also that not all gods are good. Part adventure and part mystery this book has a lot to offer various audiences.
Becca is a photographer and urban explorer. She was raised by her slightly eccentric grandmother who studied the occult. Some of this knowledge was unwittingly passed to Becca as the book starts with her grandmother's funeral.
Brooks is a detective for an unknown government agency that investigates the weird (think X-Files). He and Becca are bound to cross paths as a madman from a cult plans to unleash destruction on Boston, the Hub.
These are the two main driving protagonists in the book. The were developed well but I found I wanted to know more about them. Deeper personalities because they both were hiding things and fighting their own demons.
The plot got a little wordy at times but the descriptions gave me that visual I enjoy in a good book. Any book that makes me "see" what is going on is a good one. I hope the next one will flow just a little better but other than that nothing should change.
Becca is a photographer and urban explorer. She was raised by her slightly eccentric grandmother who studied the occult. Some of this knowledge was unwittingly passed to Becca as the book starts with her grandmother's funeral.
Brooks is a detective for an unknown government agency that investigates the weird (think X-Files). He and Becca are bound to cross paths as a madman from a cult plans to unleash destruction on Boston, the Hub.
These are the two main driving protagonists in the book. The were developed well but I found I wanted to know more about them. Deeper personalities because they both were hiding things and fighting their own demons.
The plot got a little wordy at times but the descriptions gave me that visual I enjoy in a good book. Any book that makes me "see" what is going on is a good one. I hope the next one will flow just a little better but other than that nothing should change.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Building and Dwelling: Ethics for the City in Books
Jun 5, 2019
In Building and Dwelling: Ethics for the City, Richard Sennett explains what it takes to build a good life through a good environment for individuals and society as a whole, worldwide.
Make no mistake, this is an academic text book and written for students in the same field, so although I personally found it interesting, it was not what I expected and it was quite wordy. However, if this is to be your field of expertise then that’s not going to deter you. In fact this may actually be on your reading list.
Sennett covers subjects such as the ethics of co-creation in cities and how the geography, along with economics, has a sociological effect on city-dwelling on a global level.
Well researched, and for the layman like me it’s full of interesting thought provoking ideas at how we can build and live in our cities of the future.
I’ll admit, I don’t necessarily agree with everything Sennett says, but nevertheless he does what I am sure he set out to do, which was to get me thinking. So for any academics out there reading this, you should get heaps of challenging ideas regarding urban development from what is essentially a student text book.
Make no mistake, this is an academic text book and written for students in the same field, so although I personally found it interesting, it was not what I expected and it was quite wordy. However, if this is to be your field of expertise then that’s not going to deter you. In fact this may actually be on your reading list.
Sennett covers subjects such as the ethics of co-creation in cities and how the geography, along with economics, has a sociological effect on city-dwelling on a global level.
Well researched, and for the layman like me it’s full of interesting thought provoking ideas at how we can build and live in our cities of the future.
I’ll admit, I don’t necessarily agree with everything Sennett says, but nevertheless he does what I am sure he set out to do, which was to get me thinking. So for any academics out there reading this, you should get heaps of challenging ideas regarding urban development from what is essentially a student text book.
ClareR (5608 KP) rated Aftershock (Blood Never Lies #2) in Books
Nov 4, 2018
Another great book from Dianna Hardy!!
The Eye of The Storm series and The Witching Pen series are both connected in this novel - you don’t have to have read them though, in order to understand what’s going on in this series. I’d recommend them anyway, just because they’re really good!!
Claire and Pete take Jasmine to the US to avoid the dangers of those who would do her harm in the U.K. To all intents and purposes, Claire and Pete ARE Jasmine’s parents, even though she is actually the daughter of Claire’s best friend, Beth, and her lover, Amil, a Trident (think: evil, genetically engineered werewolf on bad drugs - although he wasn’t really evil). They want to protect her, but it becomes increasingly difficult. Her true self, even though she’s only six years old, is beginning to be revealed due to a Supermoon. And it’s not what you think!
I love this series - I love all of Dianna Hardy’s writing. Not only is it well written, the relationships feel ‘real’, and there’s loads of real emotion and excitement (lots of ‘heart in mouth’ moments!). I do love a bit of paranormal/ urban fantasy, and this ticks all the boxes.
I can’t wait to see where this story goes in the next book!
Claire and Pete take Jasmine to the US to avoid the dangers of those who would do her harm in the U.K. To all intents and purposes, Claire and Pete ARE Jasmine’s parents, even though she is actually the daughter of Claire’s best friend, Beth, and her lover, Amil, a Trident (think: evil, genetically engineered werewolf on bad drugs - although he wasn’t really evil). They want to protect her, but it becomes increasingly difficult. Her true self, even though she’s only six years old, is beginning to be revealed due to a Supermoon. And it’s not what you think!
I love this series - I love all of Dianna Hardy’s writing. Not only is it well written, the relationships feel ‘real’, and there’s loads of real emotion and excitement (lots of ‘heart in mouth’ moments!). I do love a bit of paranormal/ urban fantasy, and this ticks all the boxes.
I can’t wait to see where this story goes in the next book!
CarlaM (53 KP) rated Devil's Dream: Shade of Devil Book 1 in Books
Oct 30, 2019
Eat your Heart out Drac! Sorin is back!
Before Dracula ever tasted his first drop of Blood, Sorin Owned the night. After centuries of Drenching Europe in blood, he Grew weary of the Carnage and left to discover the new world, only to be tracked down by an old enemy. Sorin survives the Attack but only by being put into a healing slumber....and wakes up 500 years later in Present day New York and that is where our adventures begins.
I found this book endlessly pleasing. Sorin is out to make New friends and he meets some very interesting characters along the way. Although he has some classic Vampire broodiness, he does not conform to the new age definition of sparkly "vegetarian" Vampires. He is unapologetically brutal to his enemies and trying to come to terms with a world he doesn't understand. It makes for a funny action packed book filled with witty one liners and funny scenarios.
It was a true page turner and I loved Every minute of it.
I really can't wait for the next book!
I found this book endlessly pleasing. Sorin is out to make New friends and he meets some very interesting characters along the way. Although he has some classic Vampire broodiness, he does not conform to the new age definition of sparkly "vegetarian" Vampires. He is unapologetically brutal to his enemies and trying to come to terms with a world he doesn't understand. It makes for a funny action packed book filled with witty one liners and funny scenarios.
It was a true page turner and I loved Every minute of it.
I really can't wait for the next book!
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Doom (2005) in Movies
Dec 19, 2019
Entertainingly bad
Doom is one of those films that perfectly fits the "so bad it's good" category. It might be pretty ridiculously, but it's entertainingly so.
I vaguely know the game, aka watched my brother play it when we were younger as I was too scared to play it myself, so I can't really compare this to the game. As plots go it isn't a bad one although it's let down by a rather poor script and some questionable special effects at times - which arent helped by the fact that this film is nearly 15 years old! Alhough the horror aspect is quite good and there's a decent amount of gore. It's strange seeing Dwayne Johnson and Karl Urban in this as they both look so young! And it's good to see Johnson's acting skills have improved since this too... the cast overall are very good and decent, and it's a shame they're a little let down by other things in this film.
By far my favourite bit of this film though is when they recreate the game with the first person shooter scene. It's an absolute riot, so much fun and I almost wanted to mark this a little higher just because of this scene.
I vaguely know the game, aka watched my brother play it when we were younger as I was too scared to play it myself, so I can't really compare this to the game. As plots go it isn't a bad one although it's let down by a rather poor script and some questionable special effects at times - which arent helped by the fact that this film is nearly 15 years old! Alhough the horror aspect is quite good and there's a decent amount of gore. It's strange seeing Dwayne Johnson and Karl Urban in this as they both look so young! And it's good to see Johnson's acting skills have improved since this too... the cast overall are very good and decent, and it's a shame they're a little let down by other things in this film.
By far my favourite bit of this film though is when they recreate the game with the first person shooter scene. It's an absolute riot, so much fun and I almost wanted to mark this a little higher just because of this scene.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Inception (2010) in Movies
Aug 17, 2020
It's possible that Inception isn't the best film of the 21st century so far, but I'm blowed if I can think of a better candidate. What starts off looking like a slick thriller with SF trimmings - expert psycho-thief takes on one last job, breaking into a businessman's subconscious mind to implant a suggestion - turns into a dizzyingly complex and astonishingly self-assured examination of memory, reality, and the medium itself, with the execution matching the strength and ambition of the concept.
Consider: the film is based around a whole series of concepts and rules created out of whole cloth, which have to be explained to the audience. Most movies would really struggle to do only this. But Christopher Nolan not only succeeds, he uses it simply as the basis for a story rich in other layers of metaphor and emotion, while also playing with the rules of cinematic grammar and genre - the dreamscapes are implicitly likened to film narratives, with the successive levels resembling increasingly outlandish thriller sub-genres (gritty urban action, Mission Impossible, Bond) the further removed from the real world they are. But what is cinema if not a chance for people to share a dream together? Dreams as good as this one are vanishingly rare, alas.
Consider: the film is based around a whole series of concepts and rules created out of whole cloth, which have to be explained to the audience. Most movies would really struggle to do only this. But Christopher Nolan not only succeeds, he uses it simply as the basis for a story rich in other layers of metaphor and emotion, while also playing with the rules of cinematic grammar and genre - the dreamscapes are implicitly likened to film narratives, with the successive levels resembling increasingly outlandish thriller sub-genres (gritty urban action, Mission Impossible, Bond) the further removed from the real world they are. But what is cinema if not a chance for people to share a dream together? Dreams as good as this one are vanishingly rare, alas.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Broken ( Society 14) in Books
Jul 28, 2023
Contains spoilers, click to show
97 of 235
Kindle
Broken ( society book 14)
By Mason Sabre
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The war is just beginning. Is Helena ready to earn her stripes?
The next heart-pounding instalment in Mason Sabre's Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, Society Series.
Helena Carter isn’t like other Humans. She believes in rights for the Others—creatures of other races deemed vermin by all Humans.
The problem right now is she’s been captured for harbouring a criminal, Nick Mason, escaped convict and former heir to the Tiger Pack throne.
At first, Helena resigns herself to wait it out. They can’t keep her forever, but the Humans have a more sinister plan for her and her tiger. As the stakes rise for her and Nick, Helena must be stronger than she’s ever been, braver than she can imagine, and as fierce as any tigress in the war. It is time for Helena to get her own stripes.
I say it every time I read a Society book BUT this one is definitely my favourite. I miss Stephen and so glad the story has finally caught up with him! And now we have new babies too!!! I can not wait to see where this goes now he’s back and fighting! I love this series so much!
Kindle
Broken ( society book 14)
By Mason Sabre
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The war is just beginning. Is Helena ready to earn her stripes?
The next heart-pounding instalment in Mason Sabre's Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, Society Series.
Helena Carter isn’t like other Humans. She believes in rights for the Others—creatures of other races deemed vermin by all Humans.
The problem right now is she’s been captured for harbouring a criminal, Nick Mason, escaped convict and former heir to the Tiger Pack throne.
At first, Helena resigns herself to wait it out. They can’t keep her forever, but the Humans have a more sinister plan for her and her tiger. As the stakes rise for her and Nick, Helena must be stronger than she’s ever been, braver than she can imagine, and as fierce as any tigress in the war. It is time for Helena to get her own stripes.
I say it every time I read a Society book BUT this one is definitely my favourite. I miss Stephen and so glad the story has finally caught up with him! And now we have new babies too!!! I can not wait to see where this goes now he’s back and fighting! I love this series so much!