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Adam Colclough (3 KP) rated Harry's Game in Books
Mar 6, 2018
Dangerous Games
London at the height of the IRA’s campaign on the British mainland and a government minister is assassinated, orders are send down from the highest level that retaliatory action must be taken. Gerald Seymour’s ground breaking 1975 novel tells the story of the resulting operation, in which a British agent is sent undercover in Republican Belfast.
For the most part thrillers are the literary equivalent of Danish pastry, enjoyable but not made to last. A few, and ‘Harry’s Game’ is one, are more substantial fare, food for the mind that may give you indigestion.
On one level it is a book in the tradition established by Frederick Forsythe, fiction played out as fact allowing the author to draw on his journalistic background. Seymour goes beyond this by creating characters who aren’t simply stock heroes and villains. Instead they are human beings engaged in a struggle that is squalid and futile rather than heroic and purposeful.
This combines to give a grimly believable picture of daily life in Northern Ireland at a time when a single word or action out of place could have deadly consequences. He also writes well about the machinations behind the scenes on both sides, with the British political and military establishment struggling to fight an undeclared war they don’t understand; and the IRA high command masking the brutality of their actions behind misty eyed romanticism.
Brutal, believable and still relevant more than forty years after it was first published this is a novel that is very much worth reading, even if doing so can be unsettling.
For the most part thrillers are the literary equivalent of Danish pastry, enjoyable but not made to last. A few, and ‘Harry’s Game’ is one, are more substantial fare, food for the mind that may give you indigestion.
On one level it is a book in the tradition established by Frederick Forsythe, fiction played out as fact allowing the author to draw on his journalistic background. Seymour goes beyond this by creating characters who aren’t simply stock heroes and villains. Instead they are human beings engaged in a struggle that is squalid and futile rather than heroic and purposeful.
This combines to give a grimly believable picture of daily life in Northern Ireland at a time when a single word or action out of place could have deadly consequences. He also writes well about the machinations behind the scenes on both sides, with the British political and military establishment struggling to fight an undeclared war they don’t understand; and the IRA high command masking the brutality of their actions behind misty eyed romanticism.
Brutal, believable and still relevant more than forty years after it was first published this is a novel that is very much worth reading, even if doing so can be unsettling.
Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated Early Riser in Books
Aug 11, 2019
Slow plot compromises the book
I enjoyed the concept of this one and the world building. It was interesting and definitely something different.
Charlie is your lovable loser who doesn’t have much going for him but has this perfect opportunity to do better. Other characters make the story colorful and engaging (The Toccata/Aurora arc is amusing and fun to read). Each character has their own quirks and personality traits which makes the book develop a personality of its own.
The concept of people going into hibernation, and the viral dreams is interesting and makes the world unique and unbelievable but also fun to read. The world building itself in the novel is also interesting. I took a liking to the Villains and their stamp collecting, although they play a small part in the novel, think of them as elegant pirates with a penchant for stamps.
So although the characters and the setting is interesting, the plot itself falls flat and is very slow. There’s sporadic moments to carry the book along, but overall the book in its entirety is slow paced. It did feel a bit of a chore to read for the most part which is unfortunate as there the setting and the characters proved to be promising but the plot could have been better.
This was my first Jasper Fforde book, so I’m willing to give the other books a chance as I’m sure they’re better this one. It’s not that I didn’t like reading it, but it was the slow pace of the plot that nearly compromised my attention and rather affected my reading and enjoyment of the book.
Charlie is your lovable loser who doesn’t have much going for him but has this perfect opportunity to do better. Other characters make the story colorful and engaging (The Toccata/Aurora arc is amusing and fun to read). Each character has their own quirks and personality traits which makes the book develop a personality of its own.
The concept of people going into hibernation, and the viral dreams is interesting and makes the world unique and unbelievable but also fun to read. The world building itself in the novel is also interesting. I took a liking to the Villains and their stamp collecting, although they play a small part in the novel, think of them as elegant pirates with a penchant for stamps.
So although the characters and the setting is interesting, the plot itself falls flat and is very slow. There’s sporadic moments to carry the book along, but overall the book in its entirety is slow paced. It did feel a bit of a chore to read for the most part which is unfortunate as there the setting and the characters proved to be promising but the plot could have been better.
This was my first Jasper Fforde book, so I’m willing to give the other books a chance as I’m sure they’re better this one. It’s not that I didn’t like reading it, but it was the slow pace of the plot that nearly compromised my attention and rather affected my reading and enjoyment of the book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2676 KP) rated The Wanted in Books
Jul 6, 2019
Can Elvis Save the Wanted?
Elvis Cole thinks his current assignment will be easy. Single mother Devin Connor has hired him to find out where the money, clothes, and fancy watch that her teenage son, Tyson, have are coming from. She thinks that Tyson has started selling drugs, but it isn’t long before Elvis determines that Tyson is part of a trio that is robbing houses in the LA area. While Devin isn’t happy with the news, she’s preparing to deal with it, and Elvis thinks the assignment is over. However, that night Tyson disappears and a frantic Devin asks Elvis to find him. As Elvis once again begins to hunt for the teen, he discovers that someone else is after the teen and his friends, someone leaving dead bodies in their wake. Will Elvis be able to find Tyson in time?
This is yet another satisfying thrill ride from the pen of Robert Crais. The story starts strong and keeps us going until we reach the end. Unfortunately, it does have a few trademark Robert Crais issues, including Joe Pike acting a bit like a deus ex machina, although it isn’t as bad as in some books. Also, parts of the book rely on characters being too stupid to live (I was rooting for one to die, in fact). The characters could all be stronger, for example I couldn’t keep the main villains straight at all. But they are developed enough that I cared about the outcome. This is one of those books where it is easy to pick apart the flaws, but it is such a fun thrill ride that I’m glad I read it.
This is yet another satisfying thrill ride from the pen of Robert Crais. The story starts strong and keeps us going until we reach the end. Unfortunately, it does have a few trademark Robert Crais issues, including Joe Pike acting a bit like a deus ex machina, although it isn’t as bad as in some books. Also, parts of the book rely on characters being too stupid to live (I was rooting for one to die, in fact). The characters could all be stronger, for example I couldn’t keep the main villains straight at all. But they are developed enough that I cared about the outcome. This is one of those books where it is easy to pick apart the flaws, but it is such a fun thrill ride that I’m glad I read it.
JT (287 KP) rated Despicable Me (2010) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
I've never really gone in for animation much, some people might find that hard to believe given the calibre of films that have been made over the years. So after everyone raved over this it was the glimpse of the army of yellow minions that first drew me in.
There are enough voice talents on show here to make this a must see film, Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Russell Brand all do a brilliant job of taking the two biggest villains in the world and putting them on a collision course with each other.
Gru (Carell) regards himself as the world’s greatest supervillain, but when he meets his match in the form of the overly exuberant Vector (Segel), Gru needs a new plan that will put him back on top of the baddie elite. The plan being to steal the moon, with the help of his band of very funny, and at times show stealing minions he also needs to enlist the help of three small orphans whom he dislikes the minute he sets eyes on them.
However, as with most animation the film has heart warming moments that will leave you feeling soft inside, and its a feeling that only this genre can muster up. The stand out oddly for me was Gru’s aging side kick Dr. Nefario (Brand) whose dry wit was right up my street, and made for a few decent laughs. It’s predictable but then what animated film isn’t, this one is yet again for adults and kids a like and both will enjoy it in their own special way.
There are enough voice talents on show here to make this a must see film, Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Russell Brand all do a brilliant job of taking the two biggest villains in the world and putting them on a collision course with each other.
Gru (Carell) regards himself as the world’s greatest supervillain, but when he meets his match in the form of the overly exuberant Vector (Segel), Gru needs a new plan that will put him back on top of the baddie elite. The plan being to steal the moon, with the help of his band of very funny, and at times show stealing minions he also needs to enlist the help of three small orphans whom he dislikes the minute he sets eyes on them.
However, as with most animation the film has heart warming moments that will leave you feeling soft inside, and its a feeling that only this genre can muster up. The stand out oddly for me was Gru’s aging side kick Dr. Nefario (Brand) whose dry wit was right up my street, and made for a few decent laughs. It’s predictable but then what animated film isn’t, this one is yet again for adults and kids a like and both will enjoy it in their own special way.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Deadly Desire (Riley Jensen #7) in Books
Mar 17, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
Seduction that kills. Pleasure to die for. She just can’t resist…
Guardian Riley Jenson always seems to face the worst villains. And this time’s no different. For it’s no ordinary sorceress who can raise the dead to do her killing. But that’s exactly what Riley expects to find at the end of a trail of female corpses used—and discarded—in a bizarre ritual of evil. With pressure mounting to catch one fiend, another series of brutal slayings shocks the vampire world of her lover, Quinn. So the last thing Riley needs is the heat of the upcoming full moon bringing her werewolf hormones to a boil—or the reappearance of a sexy bounty hunter, the rogue wolf Kye Murphy.
Riley has threatened Murphy with arrest if he doesn’t back off the investigation, but it’s Riley who feels handcuffed by Kye’s lupine charm. Torn between her vamp and wolf natures, between her love for Quinn and her hots for Kye, Riley knows she’s courting danger and indulging the deadliest desires. For her hunt through the supernatural underworld will bring her face-to-face with what lurks in a darkness where even monsters fear to tread.
Keri Arthur is such a brilliant writer and this is one of my favourite series I just love Riley Jensen. This book did not disappoint it was full of suspense , action and sex!! I love the characters in this series and the way the books just flow. So Riley finally finds her soul mate in this one and I totally agree Kye is not suitable but I'm looking forward to seeing it all unravel! Poor Quinn 😢
Guardian Riley Jenson always seems to face the worst villains. And this time’s no different. For it’s no ordinary sorceress who can raise the dead to do her killing. But that’s exactly what Riley expects to find at the end of a trail of female corpses used—and discarded—in a bizarre ritual of evil. With pressure mounting to catch one fiend, another series of brutal slayings shocks the vampire world of her lover, Quinn. So the last thing Riley needs is the heat of the upcoming full moon bringing her werewolf hormones to a boil—or the reappearance of a sexy bounty hunter, the rogue wolf Kye Murphy.
Riley has threatened Murphy with arrest if he doesn’t back off the investigation, but it’s Riley who feels handcuffed by Kye’s lupine charm. Torn between her vamp and wolf natures, between her love for Quinn and her hots for Kye, Riley knows she’s courting danger and indulging the deadliest desires. For her hunt through the supernatural underworld will bring her face-to-face with what lurks in a darkness where even monsters fear to tread.
Keri Arthur is such a brilliant writer and this is one of my favourite series I just love Riley Jensen. This book did not disappoint it was full of suspense , action and sex!! I love the characters in this series and the way the books just flow. So Riley finally finds her soul mate in this one and I totally agree Kye is not suitable but I'm looking forward to seeing it all unravel! Poor Quinn 😢
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Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Jump Force in Video Games
Jul 4, 2020
Nothing To Jump Up And Down About After All - 6/10
Jump Force is a 2019 fighting game developed by Spike Chunsoft and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It features a variety of characters from Shueisha's Shõnen Jump and was released on February 15th.
After our world crashes into the Shõnen Jump multi-verse, it's invaded by an army of mind-controlled villains, called "Venoms". Under the leadership of Director Glover heroes are recruited to fight back by joining the "Jump Force".
This game is pretty fun to play. That being said, it is pretty horrible in it's own way too. To me the 40 person roster wasn't as bad as the story mode being such a bland experience. Although a couple more characters couldn't of hurt. The create a character mode was "ok" at best even though I had fun with it. But the whole upgrade system never really interested me. Biggest disappointment was learning that all characters are unlocked pretty much by just going through the tutorials and starting story mode. Still got to give this game a 6/10. Below is a link to a video I edited and posted on YouTube showcasing some of the gameplay if you want to see for yourself how the game plays.
After our world crashes into the Shõnen Jump multi-verse, it's invaded by an army of mind-controlled villains, called "Venoms". Under the leadership of Director Glover heroes are recruited to fight back by joining the "Jump Force".
This game is pretty fun to play. That being said, it is pretty horrible in it's own way too. To me the 40 person roster wasn't as bad as the story mode being such a bland experience. Although a couple more characters couldn't of hurt. The create a character mode was "ok" at best even though I had fun with it. But the whole upgrade system never really interested me. Biggest disappointment was learning that all characters are unlocked pretty much by just going through the tutorials and starting story mode. Still got to give this game a 6/10. Below is a link to a video I edited and posted on YouTube showcasing some of the gameplay if you want to see for yourself how the game plays.
