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Rebel Barons: Resisting Royal Power in Medieval Culture
Book
Ambivalence towards kings, and other sovereign powers, is deep-seated in medieval culture:...
A Kind And Just Parent
Book
Most people know juvenile offenders only from daily headlines, and the images portrayed by the media...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Dirty Game (Annie Carter #1) in Books
Oct 27, 2021
178 of 250
Book
Dirty Game (Annie Carter book 1)
By Jessie Keane
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Adultery, murder and dangerous love collide in Jessie Keane's gritty debut novel. For longer than she cares to remember Annie Bailey has lived in the shadow of her older sister Ruthie. Now Ruthie has her hands on Max Carter, the much feared head of the Carter family and a top class villain. Seducing Max wasn't a problem, but the guilt, shame and anger of rejection afterwards was. Thrown onto the streets Annie finds herself living with Celia, a wayward aunt with a shocking secret. As the months pass Annie's resourceful nature sees her mature and carve out a life for herself, albeit not legal. But if you play with fire, you can expect to get burned and her lavish new lifestyle and connections may be about to come crashing down around her. Annie has unwittingly placed herself between two rival gangs and upset too many people, and these kind of people don't forget. But as everyone knows, Annie Bailey is no ordinary woman.
Growing up I was always fascinated with London gangs especially the Krays so this was right up my street. Jessie writes brilliantly about a hard ,fast paced and violent lifestyle. I love Annie’s journey in this book and can’t wait to read more. It’s brilliantly written and so similar to Martina Cole (I’m not sure who came first I just found Martina first!) the whole work surrounding these characters is violent and intricate, what I love in this one is the slight twist at the end! Highly recommend to those who love this style of writing.
Book
Dirty Game (Annie Carter book 1)
By Jessie Keane
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Adultery, murder and dangerous love collide in Jessie Keane's gritty debut novel. For longer than she cares to remember Annie Bailey has lived in the shadow of her older sister Ruthie. Now Ruthie has her hands on Max Carter, the much feared head of the Carter family and a top class villain. Seducing Max wasn't a problem, but the guilt, shame and anger of rejection afterwards was. Thrown onto the streets Annie finds herself living with Celia, a wayward aunt with a shocking secret. As the months pass Annie's resourceful nature sees her mature and carve out a life for herself, albeit not legal. But if you play with fire, you can expect to get burned and her lavish new lifestyle and connections may be about to come crashing down around her. Annie has unwittingly placed herself between two rival gangs and upset too many people, and these kind of people don't forget. But as everyone knows, Annie Bailey is no ordinary woman.
Growing up I was always fascinated with London gangs especially the Krays so this was right up my street. Jessie writes brilliantly about a hard ,fast paced and violent lifestyle. I love Annie’s journey in this book and can’t wait to read more. It’s brilliantly written and so similar to Martina Cole (I’m not sure who came first I just found Martina first!) the whole work surrounding these characters is violent and intricate, what I love in this one is the slight twist at the end! Highly recommend to those who love this style of writing.
Merissa (11961 KP) rated Capturing Fate (Fatal Truth #2) in Books
May 13, 2021 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)
CAPTURING FATE is the second book in the Fatal Truth series, although it could be read as a standalone. I say could because if you do, you're missing out on another 5-star read!
This novel had me confused slightly, to begin with, simply because of the timeline. I 'presumed' it would start after book one finished, but it didn't. It actually runs parallel to book one for most of it but gives you a completely different viewpoint.
And what a viewpoint it was. This book is such a gripping read. The big bad here is fully dimensional, evil in every way. Seriously, I hated the man! And Dolan and Daught, bless them. They really go through the mill. In fact, all of her boys have done and do. My heart broke for them so many times.
Although this is still dark and violent, it's not quite as violent as book one. This makes sense as this is a different book! Trust me though, it's still not light and fluffy.
I adored the ending and probably had a sappy smile on my face. The uncles about floored me, and I loved them all for it. The only problem now is there are nineteen other people I need HEAs for. If anyone deserves a HEA, it's them!
A brilliant addition to the series, and one I have no hesitation in recommending. A stunning story that kept me in its grip from start to finish. READ IT!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
May 13, 2021
This novel had me confused slightly, to begin with, simply because of the timeline. I 'presumed' it would start after book one finished, but it didn't. It actually runs parallel to book one for most of it but gives you a completely different viewpoint.
And what a viewpoint it was. This book is such a gripping read. The big bad here is fully dimensional, evil in every way. Seriously, I hated the man! And Dolan and Daught, bless them. They really go through the mill. In fact, all of her boys have done and do. My heart broke for them so many times.
Although this is still dark and violent, it's not quite as violent as book one. This makes sense as this is a different book! Trust me though, it's still not light and fluffy.
I adored the ending and probably had a sappy smile on my face. The uncles about floored me, and I loved them all for it. The only problem now is there are nineteen other people I need HEAs for. If anyone deserves a HEA, it's them!
A brilliant addition to the series, and one I have no hesitation in recommending. A stunning story that kept me in its grip from start to finish. READ IT!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
May 13, 2021
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Future (2011) in Movies
Apr 11, 2019
I am not usually much given to violent thoughts but I would be willing to head-butt everyone involved in this profoundly irritating piece of pretentious whimsy. A couple adopt Paw-Paw the cat, but realise this basically heralds the loss of their youth and impending deaths (no, really) so they set about exploring life to the fullest before the cat actually turns up. All manner of nonsense takes place, narrated by Paw-Paw the cat himself (voiced by July in a little yowly voice).
It is all done with a level of basic technical competency, but the film's total lack of self awareness (July genuinely seems to think she's making something profound, not completely absurd) makes it a fantastically annoying and frustrating experience. The cinematic experience of nails down a blackboard for an hour and a half.
It is all done with a level of basic technical competency, but the film's total lack of self awareness (July genuinely seems to think she's making something profound, not completely absurd) makes it a fantastically annoying and frustrating experience. The cinematic experience of nails down a blackboard for an hour and a half.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Killing Eve - Season 2 in TV
Jun 15, 2019 (Updated Jun 7, 2020)
Good quirky drama
The first series was a bit of a surprise hit. A quirky English drama about a MI6 agent tracking a flamboyant female assassin across Europe. It is very funny at times, in a typical English kinda way. Whilst also being quite violent as well.
The 2nd series picks up 30 seconds after the end of the first series. It's very similar to the first in terms of style, humor. This time a second assassin seems to be in play and Eve makes connections to a bigger plot. It's still just as fun as the first series. It's quite short with 8 episodes around 40 minutes each. I just preferred the cat and mouse storyline of the first series. Fans will love it just as much.
The 2nd series picks up 30 seconds after the end of the first series. It's very similar to the first in terms of style, humor. This time a second assassin seems to be in play and Eve makes connections to a bigger plot. It's still just as fun as the first series. It's quite short with 8 episodes around 40 minutes each. I just preferred the cat and mouse storyline of the first series. Fans will love it just as much.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Fury (2014) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
Tanks for Nothing
Good-looking but very, very violent war movie with a convincingly horrible depiction of life as a tanker during the dying days of the Second World War. In time-honoured style a green young recruit joins Brad Pitt's crew, loses his innocence, earns respect of his fellows.
Movie can't quite seem to decide what it wants to be - the characters are portrayed as brutalised victims, executing prisoners, and there's an extraordinarily long and uncomfortable sequence in which they avail themselves of the hospitality of some recently-liberated German women, but on the other hand it concludes with them heroically mowing down Nazis by the dozen. In the end it's not really clear whether Fury thinks that War is Hell or not, but David Ayer always tells this kind of guys-in-extremis story well.
Movie can't quite seem to decide what it wants to be - the characters are portrayed as brutalised victims, executing prisoners, and there's an extraordinarily long and uncomfortable sequence in which they avail themselves of the hospitality of some recently-liberated German women, but on the other hand it concludes with them heroically mowing down Nazis by the dozen. In the end it's not really clear whether Fury thinks that War is Hell or not, but David Ayer always tells this kind of guys-in-extremis story well.
Mike Carlson (115 KP) rated Django (1966) in Movies
Mar 15, 2018
Spaghetti Western
I love spaghetti westerns. The atmosphere is grittier than the mostly sanitized American ones. The blood looks like bright, thick Kool-Aid. Every hero has a casually disgruntled attitude without making an effort. Machismo with style. Violent and bloody, these films just feel more wild than your typical wild west film.
This one is no exception. Our man Django walks into town dragging a coffin behind him. His motives for antagonizing the villainous Major Jackson becomes more clear when the Mexican revolutionaries arrive. It all plays out with everyone adopting what are now stereotypical attitudes for each role. The climax is brief yet memorable.
Casual viewers may avoid this, but film buffs should see it simply for the inspiration it provided to other filmmakers.
This one is no exception. Our man Django walks into town dragging a coffin behind him. His motives for antagonizing the villainous Major Jackson becomes more clear when the Mexican revolutionaries arrive. It all plays out with everyone adopting what are now stereotypical attitudes for each role. The climax is brief yet memorable.
Casual viewers may avoid this, but film buffs should see it simply for the inspiration it provided to other filmmakers.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated X-Men (2000) in Movies
Jun 16, 2019
X-Men: first cast
Xmen follows Logan, a violent mutant without a past, eventually being forced back on the road he meets Rogue, a mutant with an unknown power that accidentally killed her boyfriend.
Attacked on the road and rescued by storm & Cyclops, the two quickly (for the plots sake) meet the X-Men, and after 50 no's and a yes, Wolverine reluctantly agrees to be an X-Men.
But with heroes come villains including, Magneto, toad, Sabretooth & mystique (because the studio couldn't afford more characters then either?)
A good movie at the time, which still holds up quite well today, decent graphics, acceptable action scenes and an easy to follow plot with some cheesy jokes.
Starring Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ian Mckellen, Famke Janssen, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Ray Park & Tyler Mane.
Attacked on the road and rescued by storm & Cyclops, the two quickly (for the plots sake) meet the X-Men, and after 50 no's and a yes, Wolverine reluctantly agrees to be an X-Men.
But with heroes come villains including, Magneto, toad, Sabretooth & mystique (because the studio couldn't afford more characters then either?)
A good movie at the time, which still holds up quite well today, decent graphics, acceptable action scenes and an easy to follow plot with some cheesy jokes.
Starring Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ian Mckellen, Famke Janssen, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Ray Park & Tyler Mane.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated The Domestics (2018) in Movies
Dec 13, 2018
So bad
This movie was bad. Post apocalyptic world where a young couple decide they have to go to the hometown of the wife because she hasn't heard from her parents in a while. The apocalyptic event wasn't a war or anything, the 'government' just decided to poison everyone with some kind of massive crop dusting technique. Survivors were anyone immune to the poison. Most people then belong to some violent gang or another and money still means something (what?). Anyway, the acting was shoddy at best and the cinematography was pretty low calibur. The characters were very boring and the story line was just all over the place. There's enough violence to say kids shouldn't watch it but this movie is so bad I'd say the adults should pass on it, too. This one is NOT worth a watch.